What You Should Be Looking For in Your Skincare Products

Preservatives

Some products contain preservatives, in order to stop the active ingredients from going off. While the term ‘preservatives’ may make you think of harmful chemicals, these are necessary because of how delicate skincare formulations can be, and also to prevent bacteria from thriving.

The high water content, especially in hydrating skincare products, could be a perfect breeding ground for bacteria, and Propylene Glycol is a preservative that’s particularly effective against microbes and unwanted microorganisms.

Another popular preservative is Phenoxyethanol, which can also be used as a fragrance - it’s practically non-toxic, and if diluted is unlikely to cause any irritation.

Another Popular preservative is sodium benzoate, which can prevent the growth of bacteria and fungi. It’s also used in food and cosmetics products and has been classed as ‘generally recognised as safe (Gras) By the FDA.

Active Ingredients

The active ingredients in skincare products are the ones that are biologically active. In other words, they’re the ones that have proven benefits, from treating redness to minimising signs of ageing and make your skincare products effective.

Not all chemicals are harmful, after all - some can be very good for your skin. Some of the most commonly used are alpha hydroxy acids, otherwise known as AHAs.

This family of acids includes glycolic, lactic, tartaric, and citric acids, and they’re made from natural sources such as fruit and milk. These are often used to treat fine lines and wrinkles, age spots, and irregular pigmentation, and can also be used to help shrink enlarged pores. Keep reading to learn some of the most popular active ingredients out there.

Beta-Hydroxy Acid

Also known as salicylic acid, beta-hydroxy acid has anti-inflammatory effects. It can help remove dead skin cells and improve your skin’s texture and help with acne. One particularly effective product containing this active ingredient is the Obagi CLENZIderm toner, which contains 2% salicylic acid.

Hydroquinone

You can tell which skincare products contain hydroquinone, as they’re often called bleaching creams or lightening agents. These are used on age spots, or dark spots that are related to pregnancy and hormone therapy. In the UK, your doctor can also prescribe you a hydroquinone cream to treat hyperpigmentation.

Kojic Acid

Another remedy for age spots and similar pigment problems, kojic acid is derived from a fungus. It’s used as a lightning agent, and slows the production of melanin. However, if used too often, it can make your skin more susceptible to sunburn.

What You Should Be Looking For In Your Skincare Products

Retinoids

The retinoid family includes retinol, retinal aldehyde, and retinyl esters.

Derived from vitamin A, retinol can be found in many over-the-counter anti-aging products - these active ingredients can be used for everything from treating acne scars and wrinkles to improving skin texture and skin tone.

L-Ascorbic Acid

Vitamin C is a key active ingredient in keeping your skin looking young and healthy. Although there are many products on the market with vitamin C derivatives, L-ascorbic acid is the only one that you should be using. Vitamin C is the only antioxidant that’s been proven to stimulate collagen synthesis as well as minimise lines, scars, and wrinkles, and L-ascorbic acid can also help with photodamaged skin.

Hyaluronic Acid

Although naturally produced in the body, the levels of hyaluronic acid decrease as we age. It’s a powerful active ingredient that can be used to prevent the appearance of ageing, as well as help hydrate skin - it’s often found in moisturisers.

These are just a few of the most popular ingredients found in skincare products, and each one has different benefits and side effects, which can vary depending on your skin type.

When you’re figuring out which ones are best for you, make sure to monitor your skin, and be wary of combining two different products - while they work fine separately, mixing them could have undesirable effects. You’ll also want to check the strength of the products, which you can find by checking the label.

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What You Should Be Looking For in Your Skincare Products

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