The Best Skincare Ingredients for Glowing Skin
The Best Skincare Ingredients for Glowing Skin
By: Liv Briley
We all know the importance of understanding what ingredients we put into our bodies through the food we eat, but many people are unaware of what ingredients are going into their skin. Even products marketed as “clean” may be sensitizing for your skin, and some ingredients are much more necessary for long-lasting skin health than others. Reading the labels on skincare products can be intimidating, but with a few simple tips, you can easily discern if a product has the right ingredients for you and your skincare needs.
Niacinamide
Niacinamide is the superfood of skincare. Working to do everything from boosting hydration, reducing redness and dark spots, and preventing fine lines and wrinkles, this ingredient should be on everyone’s radar. Due to its powerful effects, niacinamide can be found in a variety of products. A couple of go-to products are The Ordinary Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1% Oil Control Serum for daily use after cleansing and the Skinfix Barrier+ Skin Barrier Niacinamide Restoring Gel Cream for daytime moisturization.
Vitamin C
Many people know about the need for vitamin C in our diets, but less are aware of how beneficial it can be for our skin. The biggest benefit to utilizing vitamin C in your skincare regimen is its brightening effects. It works deep within your skin to reduce hyperpigmentation and dark spots to give your skin a smoother, brighter finish. Vitamin C also has healing properties, helping to produce collagen to keep your skin looking youthful and fresh. It can be found in many forms, but serums like the OLEHENRIKSEN Truth Barrier Booster Orange Ferment Vitamin C Essence seem to have the most potent effects.
Hyaluronic Acid
Hyaluronic acid is one of the best ingredients to use if you are looking to promote hydration in your skin and retain moisture throughout the day. Even if you do not have dry skin, hyaluronic acid helps to keep your skin bouncy as well as reducing any unwanted acne scarring. When used in tandem with vitamin C, it boosts the brightening properties to make your skin look even glowier. Available in serums like
The Ordinary Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5 Hydrating Serum and the Glow Recipe Plum Plump Hyaluronic Acid Serum, this ingredient is vital to keeping your skin hydrated and healthy.
Salicylic Acid
Exfoliation is an incredibly important part of maintaining healthy skin on your body and face. The issue is finding a product to exfoliate properly without stripping your skin or sensitizing it, which many of the exfoliants on the market tend to do. Instead of reaching for physical exfoliants and scrubs, try salicylic acid to gently exfoliate your skin. The Paula’s Choice Skin Perfecting 2% BHA Liquid Exfoliant is the perfect product to unclog your pores, help with breakouts, and keep your skin clear from all dirt and debris. Use a couple of times a week after cleansing for optimum results.
Retinol
If you have ever wondered the key to maintaining your youthful, clear skin as you age, look no further than retinol. This anti-aging powerhouse ingredient increases skin cell production and promotes collagen production on your skin, helping to keep all fine lines and wrinkles at bay. Retinol is an incredibly potent ingredient, so start out using it once a week and slowly work your way up to two or three uses per week for the best results. The INKEY List Retinol Anti-Aging Serum is great if you are looking for a simple solution. If you want the benefits of retinol in a gentler formula that you can use everyday, the Selfless by Hyram Retinol & Rainbow Algae Repair Serum might be a better fit for your goals.
Green Tea Extract
Yet another ingredient that can have beneficial effects inside and out for your body, green tea is a soothing antioxidant that when used in skincare formulas, can help to calm irritated skin, reduce inflammation and redness, and repair damage. The iUNIK Tea Tea Relief Serum is a simple yet effective formula that can be used daily after cleansing. If you want the effects of green tea extract in a more powerful form, the Youth To The People Superfood Antioxidant Cleanser is a very popular product that combines green tea extract with other all-star ingredients for the ultimate cleansing formula.
Just as important as knowing which ingredients are healthy for your skin is knowing which are sensitizing. Try to avoid products that contain alcohols, citric acids, and fragrances near the top of the ingredient list. If a product has a strong fragrance, it is probably not the best thing to be using on your facial skin. Be sure to incorporate any new products into your routine slowly to avoid overwhelming your skin and to ensure you know which products are working for you.
While there is science behind the effects of each of these ingredients, there is no such thing as the perfect skincare routine. Everyone’s skin is different, and the best products on the market are the ones that work best for you.
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Graphic by Olivia Blackwell. All images belong to their respective owners.