Your skin is the largest organ on your body. It’s also your body’s first line of defense against the cold, heat, dry air, sun, smog, free radicals, and other harmful contaminants floating around in the air. All of these external factors can speed up the aging process, making you look years older than you really are. There aren’t many people that are fans of premature aging.
Fortunately, a good skincare routine can help to keep your skin looking youthful and vibrant. The right ingredients can make all the difference. Here, we’ll discuss some of the best ingredients to incorporate into your routine, along with a few you might want to avoid.
The Importance of a Good Skincare Routine
You have many routines in your daily life. When you wake up, you shower and eat breakfast before work. Maybe you work out in the gym before you head home or hit up the local yoga studio on Saturday mornings. Before you go to bed, you might unwind with some hot tea and a good book.
Taking care of your skin is a critical routine that’s easy to overlook. A good routine can help to keep your skin looking healthy, hydrated, and youthful. It can help you to avoid issues such as dry, flaky skin, sun damage, and early signs of aging.
The thing is that everyone’s skin is different. Understanding your skin type will help to point you in the direction of the types of products you need. No matter which ones you select, be sure to check the labels for good ingredients and those you might want to avoid.
Ingredients to Add
Several ingredients can help to take your skincare routine to the next level. Here are a few you might want to consider adding:
Vitamin C
Vitamin C is a powerful antioxidant. It can help to prevent skin discoloration that can lead to age spots. It also helps to stimulate collagen production, reducing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.
Hyaluronic Acid
Hyaluronic acid occurs naturally in the body. Natural aging, sun exposure, and pollution can all cause a decrease in its production. You can restore some by choosing products with HA in them. It’s a natural humectant that attracts water and helps to make your skin look more plump and hydrated.
CBD
You’ve probably seen a ton of CBD products on store shelves these days. There are all kinds of capsules, tinctures, and topicals. Topical products like CBD hand cream can help to restore moisture to your skin and alleviate inflammation. Studies also show that CBD can help to reduce symptoms of skin issues such as psoriasis, eczema, and acne.
Ingredients to Avoid
There are also some ingredients that you should avoid in your skincare routine:
Aluminum
Common in antiperspirant deodorants, aluminum has estrogen-like effects on the body, and it can disrupt normal endocrine function.
Parabens
Parabens (methyl, propyl, butyl), which exist in many lotions and deodorants, may contribute to hormone imbalances.
Phthalates
Phthalates help products stick to your skin. They can, however, contribute to birth defects and hormone disruption. They’re particularly dangerous to children.
Sodium Lauryl Sulfate
SLS and SLES (sodium laureth sulfate) can aggravate allergies or cause skin irritation.
Mineral Oil
Mineral oil is a byproduct that coats your skin and clogs your pores. As such, it can keep your body from effectively eliminating toxins and increase your likelihood of acne and other problems.
Synthetic Fragrances
Synthetic fragrances are a mixture of different ingredients that aren’t always listed on the label. You don’t always know what you’re getting. Depending upon the chemicals used, they may cause allergies, hormone disruption, or even infertility.
A good skincare routine isn’t just about putting cream on your face. It involves checking the ingredients on the label of each product you buy to ensure you’re getting the best, most effective ones possible. The next time you’re in the health and beauty care aisles of your favorite store, be sure to check the box and know what you’re buying before you take it to the register.
