The guide to the most important ingredients for skin care
If when choosing a beauty product or cream you have doubts about which active ingredients are best for your face, pay attention to this guide with the best ingredients for skin care
Not all of the active ingredients in the creams, serums, and other skin care products we buy work the same because skin needs vary over time. In addition, reviewing the list of active ingredients can be a bit confusing for any of us if we are not sure what we are looking for. Above all, without consulting experts, adding a product to our beauty routine can be counterproductive because it may not work for us or irritate our skin among other consequences.
From the tips of dermatologists and pharmacists, we decipher which are the most important ingredients for skin care that never fail and that are always a success when buying skincare products and treatments.
1. Retinol
Retinol is another anti-aging ingredient par excellence that we can use in lower or higher concentrations depending on the one’s tolerance or in more or less oily skin.
Retinoic acid and all its derivatives stimulate collagen production and epidermal renewal, improving skin tone and texture, as well as glycolic acid and azelaic acid, transforming the skin, and are ideal for use in the nighttime skincare routine.
La Roche-Posay Retinol anti-wrinkle regeneration serum is a top-rated anti-aging skincare compound that promotes skin regeneration and youthfulness. It addresses deep wrinkles, uneven skin tone, and aging signs by combining vitamin B3 and retinol. The serum’s silky texture smooths out fine lines reduces photoaging, revives a youthful appearance, and leaves skin hydrated and supple.
2. Hyaluronic Acid
Among the moisturizing ingredients we should look for in our cosmetics, there is also hyaluronic acid, one of the active ingredients most recommended by beauty experts. A natural substance in our body capable of capturing more than 1000 times its weight in water to hydrate the skin in its different layers.
This serum contains hyaluronic acid, Vitamin B5, and madecassoside, which work together to improve skin volume, elasticity, and renewal. Hyaluronic acid is a powerful component that minimizes wrinkles and fine lines, while Vitamin B5 aids in skin healing and collagen synthesis, enhancing skin firmness and suppleness.
An anti-dark spot serum is essential for treating age spots and hyperpigmentation. It brightens dark spots, balances out skin tone, and brings back the glow of youth. An essential component of any skincare regimen is the Filorga Skin-Unify Intensive brightening serum, which evens and brightens skin tone, progressively lightens pigment spots, firms and revitalizes skin, and shields it from pollution.
3. Lactic Acid
Another very interesting AHA or acid whose function varies in reaction to the concentration is lactic acid.
At high concentrations, it has an exfoliating function, and at low concentrations an moisturizing function. It works well both on dry skin and combined with lactic acid at low concentrations with other moisturizing molecules such as hyaluronic acid and for more sensitive skin as a gentle exfoliant.
The Avène Cleanance A.H.A Exfoliating Serum for Skin with Imperfections is a gentle yet effective exfoliation that removes dead skin cells, revealing a smoother, brighter, and more cohesive complexion. It contains lactic and succinic acid, glutamic acid, glycerin, and Thermal Spring Water to improve the appearance of dull skin and reduce post-blemish marks.
4. Ceramides
Ceramides help to deeply hydrate the skin and fight oxidative stress on cells by slowing down photoaging.
And they can be combined with retinol to prevent it from damaging the skin’s barrier function by restoring its repair.
With ceramides 3,6 and 9 and peptides, this concentrated moisturizing cream also contains ingredients for firmer, smoother, and more sculpted skin. It strengthens the skin barrier, smoothes fine lines and wrinkles, and reshapes facial contours.
5. Vitamin C
First of all, one of the ingredients that we can not miss when it comes to protecting our skin daily is undoubtedly antioxidants that reduce the damage caused by oxidative stress by helping to neutralize free radicals. The best-known ingredients for this are vitamin C, resveratrol, ferulic acid, idebenone, niacinamide, or isoflavones.
Vitamin C in the morning, can help in dull skin to give luminosity and is one of the most powerful antioxidants as well as anti-stain.
A potent skincare product that helps with wrinkles, fine lines, uneven skin texture, and dull tone is La Roche-Posay Pure Vitamin C10 Regenerating Serum. Because of its high vitamin C content and other active components, the skin appears younger, softer, and more hydrated. It evens out skin tone, minimizes fine lines and wrinkles, leaves the skin glowing, and has a light, quickly absorbing texture that absorbs without leaving an oily film. It also lowers indications of skin aging.
6. Glycolic Acid
Glycolic acid is an excellent ingredient for treating acne and other marks, and blemishes and brightening the face. In addition, it can stimulate collagen synthesis and is very effective with aging skin because of its ability to exfoliate the skin and address different aspects, such as hyperpigmentation.
This serum with 8 percent glycolic acid, peptides, and niacinamide will become your best ally against even the darkest spots and smooth wrinkles. In addition, it is instantly absorbed and is suitable for even the most sensitive skin.
7. Royal Jelly
Controlled-release royal jelly is another of the most powerful anti-aging ingredients for your skin. It also prevents the appearance of blemishes and acts to give you more luminous and uniform skin with an immediate tightening effect and protects against environmental pollution, detoxifies and boosts the skin’s natural defenses.
A serum that reduces wrinkles improves skin density and firmness, and redefines the facial oval with controlled-release royal jelly propolis and wild rose infusion. Prevents the appearance of blemishes evens skin tone and moisturizes the skin thanks to fermented thyme honey. Detoxifies and boosts the skin’s natural defenses.
8. Bakuchiol
Lately, there has been a lot of talk about bakuchiol as a vegetable retinol, derived from the bakuchi seed, which seems to have antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and collagen synthesis stimulating properties. However, there is no comparative study or scientific evidence to support that the results are equal to those of retinol. It is good for acne-prone skin.
With bakuchiol as one of its star ingredients, this acne treatment rebalances sebum composition to treat and eliminate pimples and blackheads by reducing the frequency and intensity of acne breakouts.
9. Azelaic Acid
The efficacy of azelaic acid has been compared to that of retinol for its effective anti-inflammatory, anti-seborrheic, antibacterial, and depigmenting properties, being the best tolerated of them.
It is an essential active ingredient in my practice: versatile (anti-inflammatory, anti-acne, depigmenting, antioxidant), effective, and very well tolerated. It can treat melasma, acne, rosacea, and spots at any time of the year (as it does not produce photosensitivity), and in any person and at any time of life, as it can be used on skin with high phototypes (dark skin), or during pregnancy, without risk.
The Ordinary Azelaic Acid Suspension 10% is a skincare treatment designed for all skin types to achieve a smoother, more even tone. This lightweight cream-gel smooths onto the skin, improving texture and reducing uneven pigment and blemishes. Rich in antioxidants, it protects the skin from free radical damage without irritation, resulting in a brighter, more uniform complexion. It is suitable for all skin types and helps reduce redness, including rosacea and blemishes.
10. AHA
AHAs or alpha hydroxy acids are a type of water-soluble acids that work in the superficial layers of the skin to gently renew cells, smooth texture, and minimize the appearance of hyperpigmentation. They also help stimulate the production of collagen and elastin.
La Roche-Posay Cicaplast Balm B5 Multi-Purpose Repairing Balm
La Roche-Posay’s Cicaplast Balm B5 Multi-Purpose Repairing Balm is a dermatologically tested, all-purpose skincare product suitable for sensitive skin. It contains cicaplast, Thermal Spring Water, and 5% panthenol to nourish delicate skin and hydrate it intensely. This minimalist formula can even be used post-injury on broken skin.
11. Titanium Dioxide
This ingredient should be one of the most important when choosing your cream because it blocks ultraviolet rays preventing 80 percent of the causes of aging. We are talking about titanium dioxide of natural mineral origin that can act as a sunscreen by reflecting and scattering radiation. It acts on the surface of the skin like a mirror, providing an effective barrier against the sun’s rays.
A broad-spectrum sunscreen will protect you from radiation and cell damage caused by UVA and UVB rays with natural physical filters. It incorporates lingonberry polyphenols, astaxanthin that prevents photoaging, titanium dioxide, and vegan hyaluronic acid that increases water retention.
12. Aloe Vera
Moisturizing, soothing, and refreshing. Aloe vera exerts a powerful anti-reddening action on the skin, preventing and treating the formation of erythema or burns caused by UVB radiation. In addition, its high moisturizing, soothing, and refreshing power provides a very pleasant sensation on the skin when applying the cream and during sun exposure.
The Apivita Bee Radiant face cream is a natural product that contains white peony, propolis, and essential oils to combat skin aging. It prevents and delays the onset of skin aging, repairs existing signs, protects against external aggressors, provides a well-rested appearance, regulates hyperpigmentation, and leaves the skin looking healthy, radiant, youthful, and supple with a rich, velvety soft texture.
13. Rose Hip
It is healing and repairing. Rosehip is a flower that hides great benefits for the skin due to its richness in linoleic acid, a polyunsaturated fatty acid of rapid absorption that stimulates skin regeneration and softens the skin preventing the appearance of wrinkles.
The Apivita Beevine Elixir lifting cream can improve skin firmness and reduce wrinkles It contains PROPOLIFT complex, which balances collagen, combating signs of aging. Despite its rich consistency, it absorbs quickly and doesn’t leave the skin feeling greasy. It redefines facial contours, fills in wrinkles, firms the skin, moisturizes, and rejuvenates it.
14. Vitamin E
Vitamin E provides antioxidant skin protection by brightening and intensely nourishing the skin. It restores the skin’s lipid balance and restores hydration levels. It helps protect the body’s fatty acids and fights cell aging.
The Ordinary Soothing & Barrier Support is a multi-active serum that combines lipids, vitamins, and phytotechnologies to promote a healthier, calmer appearance. It contains eight key technologies, including vitamin B12, gallic acid derivatives, bisabolol, 2% niacinamide, sugar-based hydration, ceramide complexes, and Centella Asiatica phytotechnologies. The serum boosts instant and all-day hydration, reduces redness, relieves tightness and discomfort, strengthens the skin barrier, and encourages a more even texture. It is suitable for all skin types.
15. Mandelic Acid
Mandelic acid is effective for skin prone to acne outbreaks, pimples, and enlarged pores and can descale and regulate the sebaceous glands.
The Ordinary Mandelic Acid 10% + HA is a gentle skincare formula that dissolves the skin’s dull top layer, revealing a replenished complexion. It is gentler than other alpha hydroxy acids and contains hyaluronic acid for hydration and comfort. This vegan and cruelty-free serum works to uncover smooth, radiant skin, hydrates and comforts the skin, and plumps away fine lines. It also boosts instant and all-day hydration, reduces redness, relieves tightness and discomfort, strengthens the skin barrier, and encourages a more even texture. It is suitable for all skin types.
16. Salicylic Acid
Derived from willow bark, this ingredient is a classic for treating acne due to its anti-inflammatory and dragging power.
Paula’s Choice’s Skin Perfecting 2% BHA Liquid Exfoliant is a non-abrasive treatment suitable for blemish-prone, oily, or combination skin types. It gently removes dead skin cells, reduces blemishes and blackheads, and boosts hydration levels. Its toner-like consistency and antioxidant-rich green tea extracts soothe and protect the skin.
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References:
All photos: www.pexels.com
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