Ingredients to look for
When it comes to skincare, I see that more companies are putting a high emphasize on promoting a certain ingredient. While five years ago, I never saw a product on the shelves that would have an high percentage of an active ingredient.
These last two years I have seen a shift in the skincare world. While being stuck at home, a lot of people found more information about their skin, and they learned more from influencers or dermatologists/estheticians. This shift in companies seeing that consumers want to use active ingredients has made it a bit scarier for those of us who worry that consumers may not know what all these ingredients can do.
Ingredients:
Vitamin A:
Also known as retinol, has been found to target many skin concerns. Acne, fine lines, and wrinkles are the most common to turn to retinol’s for.
Retinoids are prescription forms of higher concentrated vitamin A, while retinol’s are the over the counter with a lesser percentage of vitamin A.
Retinoids and retinol’s can be powerful, and many people (including myself) have found that they have immensely changed my skin for the better. While they have many positive effects, they can leave the skin sensitive and irritated if you are not taking care of your skin properly when using them.
I would recommend to try a retinol at some point in your skincare journey, but to be aware of the side effects, like sensitivity and sun protection, as vitamin A is exfoliating the skin at a faster rate and the skin needs to be especially protected.
Vitamin B:
There are a few forms of vitamin B: B3 (known as niacin), B5 (panthenol), and B12. Most people connect the dots and call vitamin B as niacinamide. Niacinamide is a derivative of B3, which is able to help the epidermis in retaining moisture. Panthenol is mostly seen in moisturizers as it is a humectant and is great for a damaged skin barrier, or sensitive skin. Vitamin B12 is shown to help with treating eczema, when applied topically. B12 is a very important vitamin to be in our diets.
Niacinamide was definitely a star ingredient in 2020. I saw every brand under the sun come out with a niacinamide serum, or cleanser, or moisturizer. One of the great things about this active ingredient, that the rest cannot beat, is that it is stable. Unlike vitamin C serums you would not want to leave out in the sun, niacinamide is able to last longer and you get the most out of the product.
Overall vitamin B is able to help with pore health, and the skin drinks up this ingredient. Great for dry skin, something not too scary for those with sensitive skin. Vitamin B seemed to be an underrated ingredient for the longest time, but I believe skincare has definitely shifted and when more people learned about the power behind niacinamide, it has become one the most popular ingredients in 2020.
Vitamin C:
Better known as ascorbic acid. Well known for fading hyperpigmentation and dark spots, and brightening the skin overall. It can help fight against free radicals and with premature aging. Vitamin C is known to oxidize very easily, and once it does oxidize- the potency of the acid is not as strong. You can still use it, but it would not be as effective.
I highly recommend, like all these ingredients, to try vitamin C out. It can benefit every skin type.
If you have sensitive skin, I would use a lower percentage of vitamin C to start out.
Vitamin E:
Vitamin E is a great ingredient to soothe and heal the skin. Found often in moisturizers, it can be amazingly hydrating and can help with the production of collagen. It is an antioxidant, and is anti-inflammatory. Not only used in skincare, but hair care as well!
Hyaluronic Acid:
Even though it is under the category of “active ingredients” it is actually the most gentle of them all, unlike vitamin A that can make your skin more sensitive to the sun, HA is great to hydrate as it is a humectant.
An humectant draws moisture from the environment, this is great for those who struggle with dry or dehydrated skin. But overall, adding a product with HA is a great addition to anyone’s routine as it is great no matter what skin type you have.
Hyaluronic acid is found in our skin naturally, and adding more can aid to build a better microbiome of your skin and have a youthful glow.
AHA/BHA’s
Alpha hydroxy Acid and Beta Hydroxy Acid are their longer names.
Examples of AHA’s are glycolic, lactic, mandelic, and malic acid. AHA’s are larger in size compared to BHA’s so they stay on the surface of the skin, and dissolve and exfoliate the dead skin cells. AHA’s can make the skin more sensitive to the sun.
BHA’s are smaller, and can penetrate into the pore and dissolve the dead skin cells and sebum. Exfoliating the skin can make it more sensitive to the sun, but BHA’s don’t make it as sensitive as AHA’s
If you are not sure which one to choose from, this is my best advice. If you are wanting to brighten and fade hyperpigmentation, go for the AHA’s. If you are struggling with clogged pores or texture, use BHA’s.
What is your favorite active ingredient?
What active ingredient do you want to start trying?
Let me know on my instagram!