Keeping up with the latest recommendations for maintaining beautiful, healthy skin can feel like a full time job. From the safest organic products to the most effective chemical treatments, the options are seemingly endless. Fortunately, skincare experts have pinpointed a handful of ingredients that work like magic to keep your skin clear and glowing for years to come.
Retinol
If you’re in the market for a skincare product that meets all your needs, look no further than the now infamous class of retinoids. Although there are several different kinds of retinoids, all of which derive from Vitamin A, retinol is the one most commonly found in over-the-counter skin care products. Retinoids can be harsh on sensitive skin, but the more diluted retinol is more likely to provide benefits without unwanted side effects like irritated and inflamed skin.
Retinol has been a dermatological golden standard for decades now, working hard to eliminate even the most stubborn forms of acne. It is now being recognized, however, for its anti-aging and preventative properties. For this reason, including retinol in your skincare routine is one of the easiest and most effective ways to not only improve your skin in its current state but to prevent further damage to the texture and look of your skin.
Hyaluronic Acid
Another ingredient which has obtained celebrity status in recent years is hyaluronic acid. While retinol is usually applied as a topical exfoliating agent, hyaluronic acid ensures that your skin retains the moisture and natural oils it needs. Many feel like moisturizing the skin will increase the chances of breakouts or give the skin an oily sheen, but keeping skin as hydrated as possible diminishes the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles, and other signs of aging.
Hyaluronic acid has long been used in filler injections for its plumping, smoothing properties. Because of its newfound fame, however, topical hyaluronic acid is now widely available as a topical cream at most drugstores. It often works as its own product, but it can also be included in other topical agents. Those who regularly buy CBD topical cream for calm skin, for example, may find products which merge the two into one all purpose cream.
Vitamin C
Like the other ingredients in this list, Vitamin C has recently become available at most stores that carry beauty products because of its sudden popularity. Vitamin C, which usually comes in the form of a topical serum, is known for its ability to brighten rough, red, or dull skin. It gives the skin a youthful glow that, especially when combined with products such as retinoids, can seemingly reverse years of sun and chemical damage.
That being said, it’s important to be mindful of how you mix your skincare products. Those who use retinol or Vitamin C may find that using both simultaneously irritates skin that can otherwise tolerate gentle exfoliation. Applying these topicals on alternating nights is one way users have been able to add both products to their routines to reap the benefits of each without overwhelming sensitive skin.
Ceramides
Just as Vitamin C and retinol may be alternated to obtain optimum clear, glowing skin, hyaluronic acid and ceramides are two ingredients that often come together or work together to enhance the skin’s natural moisture barrier. Ceramides work overtime to repair and prevent
environmental damage to the skin by forming a protective layer on the skin’s surface.
Conclusion
No matter how much or how little you know about the skincare world, you likely know that new products constantly claim to do things that no previous products have accomplished. While none of these ingredients are guaranteed to work for everyone, including each in your skincare routine is a simple way to enhance both the health and appearance of your body’s largest organ.
