Choosing the right product to tackle your skin concerns can seem overwhelming. I was looking for a moisturizer to hydrate my dry skin. It was mind-boggling to see a plethora of products that promised you dreamy skin! I wondered if they all really worked?
I gradually understood the importance of skincare ingredients in a product. Every ingredient is formulated keeping in mind the various skin concerns, lifestyle, and skin type. Choose an ingredient that fits your category.
If you opt for a wrong one, even the most expensive products might not work for you.
At the end of this post, check for a quick tip that will ease all the ingredient worries for you while buying a product.
Choosing the most effective skincare ingredients
Hyaluronic Acid
Hyaluronic Acid is naturally present in skin, but as we grow older, the concentration significantly decreases. This causes dullness, fine lines and wrinkles.
Though Hyaluronic Acid is good for hydration, it can have opposite effects if not used correctly.
Apply this antioxidant on damp skin. It is recommended to use along with Vitamin C. Don’t forget to layer it with a moisturizer if using a serum.
Glycerin
Also known as Glycerol or Glycerine is the third most popular skincare ingredient. It is a colorless liquid that is beneficial for dry skin. Besides the various benefits it has, it is primarily used to increase hydration.
Amongst the other skin ingredients thats widely spoken about, Glycerin is quite underrated. When I check for moisturizers, I prefer products with Glycerin. Experts suggest using Glycerin with rose water as a toner.
Vitamin C
Vitamin C is an incredible antioxidant- widely known to help reduce premature aging, brighten dark spots, improve skin texture and get that glowing skin!
I have seen the benefits of this star ingredient on my skin and health. For health and skin benefits, I take Vitamin C effervescent. For topical use. I use a Vitamin C serum.
Vitamin C has many derivatives available in the market. However, according to the majority skin-related research, L-ascorbic acid is the most potent and effective form of Vitamin C. It is less irritating on skin.
Since L-ascorbic acid is sensitive to air and light, you should buy a product with either dark glass or opaque bottle. Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate (THD Ascorbate) is another form of Vitamin C that research suggests since it is considered more stable.
Vitamin-C is best paired with Vitamin-E and Ferulic acid. The level of concentration should be between 10-20%.
Don’t forget to apply sunscreen after Vitamin-C if using during the day.
Niacinamide
Niacinamide is a water-soluble form of Vitamin B3. Besides the various benefits, it is widely used for moisturizing and skin brightening. I have sensitive, dry skin, so it works well with hydration.
It acts as a skin barrier keeping the skin healthy. It is anti-inflammatory so works well with acne-prone skin as well. Niacinamide also works well with oily skin as it lowers sebum production.
If you have sensitive skin like me, first start with a low concentration.
Azelaic Acid
This skincare ingredient is not spoken about much, while it should be! I have been using Azelaic acid for 2 months now, and it is suiting my skin well. It is suitable for acne-prone skin and rosacea.
I like using it because it reduces acne and blackhead formation, besides lightening the post-acne marks. It has anti-inflammatory properties, so works well with rosacea. If you are disappointed with the effects of salicylic acid and benzoyl peroxide , then try Azelaic Acid.
Quick Tip:
Refer to https://incidecoder.com/. Type the name of the product, and it will list all the ingredients and their uses and star rating. If any product has irritating agents in it, it will tell you! This is a huge help in understanding which product to buy. I check the products on this before making a decision.
Are you wondering why use all these ingredients at all?
Our skin goes through various environmental changes every day like pollution, sunlight, bacteria, aging, hormonal changes, etc.
While most of the ingredients are naturally present in our body, it is not enough to protect the skin. As we age, these concentrations keep diminishing.
This is why, we need to use these additionally.
Do you use any of these ingredients in your skin routine, tell me how it works for you!