What to Look For In Products

Many people buy skincare products for multiple reasons. Whether to smoothen their skin, get rid of scars or dark spots, or perhaps it’s something simpler, to keep the skin moisturized. Unfortunately, many people buy products without actually looking for the ingredients that would help to effectively treat the problem. After reading, you will now be more aware about what to look out for the next time you go shopping.

Niacinamide (Vitamin B3)

Niacinamide, or nicotinamide, is a type of Vitamin B3. It is a water soluble vitamin that helps with uneven skin tones and is known to be gentle on skin, making it perfect for all skin types. Benefits include:

• Treats dark spots, dark circles, and reduces the appearance of pores: Niacinamide is often used in toners as it helps to brighten the skin and even out the skin tone. A bright skin tone can also help reduce the appearance of pores.

• Helps with irritation and redness: Niacinamide has been shown to help with inflammation and can help with redness caused by skin conditions like eczema and acne. It is also often used after using strong exfoliants that could cause skin irritation, like glycolic acid.

• Oil regulation: Acne is often caused by excess oil on the skin. Niacinamide helps to regulate how much oil your skin produces which helps prevent breakouts and clogged pores.

• Reduces the appearance of wrinkles: Niacinamide has antioxidant properties that protects the skin and help heal the skin from damages caused by the sun, stress, and aging. This helps reduce the appearance of wrinkles and other fine lines.

People who are just starting to use Niacinamide should look for products with low concentrations (2-5 percent). Those who have consistently used Niacinamide before can use products that have higher concentrations. Any higher than 10 percent, however, could likely cause redness and irritate the skin.

Recommended Products With Niacinamide

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This serum is good for all skin types. It is easy to find in stores and online.

Hyaluronic Acid

Hyaluronic Acid is a naturally occurring substance in our bodies, mainly found in the fluids of our eyes, joints and connective tissue. It acts as a lubricant which makes it a popular ingredient in lotions and moisturizers. Benefits include:

• Heals Skin: Hyaluronic Acid is released from our bodies when it becomes injured. It promotes tissue regeneration, soothes irritated skin, reduces redness, and overall promotes healing.

• Tightens Skin: It helps to get rid of loose skin on the face which reduces fine lines and wrinkles.

• Hydration: Hyaluronic Acid is a great way to hydrate the skin and it helps to trap moisture.

Recommended Products with Hyaluronic Acid

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This cream is best suited for dry and sensitive skin. Can be found in Sephora but would probably be cheaper online.

Salicylic Acid – Best Suited for Oily/Acne-Prone Skin

Salicylic acid is an organic compound often found in exfoliants. It goes into the pores and dissolves any blockages within them. Slicylic acid also helps to remove any dead skin cells that may be on the surface. Benefits include:

• Treats Acne: Salicylic acid is very effective against acne. It deep cleans pores and gets rid of any excess oil.

• Can reduce the appearance of pores: Large pores are sometimes caused by oil build up and debris, a problem that salicylic acid directly addresses.

Ingredients with similar outcomes are glycolic acid, mandelic acid, and lactic acid. People with sensitive skin should look for products with a low concentration (1-3 percent). Anymore than 5 percent could likely irritate the skin.

Recommended Products With Salicylic Acid

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This cleanser is best suited for oily and acne-prone skin. It can be easily found in stores and online.

Vitamin C

Vitamin C is an antioxidant that helps to protect cells and maintain health. It is proven to bring many benefits when used in skin care. Benefits include:

• Slows Aging: Collagen is a protein in the body that creates connective tissues to help hold structures together. As we grow older, the amount of collagen people produce start to decrease, which can cause premature aging and wrinkles on the skin. Vitamin C helps to promote collagen production in our bodies which prevents and treats skin aging.

• Prevents Sun Damage: Studies have shown that Vitamin C is an excellent protector against prolonged sun exposure, making it an ideal sunscreen for long sunny days.

Smooths Skin: Wrinkles on the face can be due to an excessive amount of free radicals (unstable oxygenated atoms) on our skin. Vitamin C is found to eliminate free radicals and promote smooth skin.

Recommended Products With Vitamin C

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This serum is good for all skin types. It's commonly found in Ulta Beauty Salons but can be found in other drug stores. However, getting this product online is a much cheaper option.

Ingredients That Are Great For Sensitive Skin

These ingredients are known to be gentle on skin which is perfect for those with sensitive or dry skin. Aloe Vera and Rose Water are also shown to be great at soothing irritated skin and reduce redness.

– Almond Oil                          – Rose Water

– Aloe Vera                             – Chamomile

– Glycerin                               – Ceramides

Common Irritants For Sensitive Skin

Most people have probably had at least one bad experience with a skin care product. Maybe it caused breakouts or it made your skin irritated when the product was advertised as safe for sensitive skin. Well, there are certain commonly used ingredients that could irritate skin, some most people don’t know about.

– Vitamin E Oils/Serums                        – Fragrances

– Ethanol (Ethyl Alcohol)                       – Parabens

– Strong Essential Oils (Peppermint, Clover, Cinnamon, Citrus, Tea Tree, etc)

WARNING! Be Careful With These Ingredients

• Sodium Lauryl Sulfate – Sodium Lauryl Sulfate strips the skin of its natural oils which can cause severe irritation, dryness, and could trigger allergic reactions. The longer it stays on the skin, the more damaged the skin can be. However, some researchers say that products that use less than one percent of it are generally safe to use. It is still recommended to beware of how long Sodium Lauryl Sulfate stays on the skin

• Coal Tar (also known as benzopyrene and pyridine) – Coal Tar is generally safe to use only when applied in very small amounts. However, there have been recent studies that show how the usage of it can cause skin disease like Psorasis (itchy rashes and flaky skin) and even cancer. Unless recommended by a dermatologist, it’s safer to avoid this ingredient completely.

• Petrolatum (Petroleum Jelly) – Petrolatum can be a good moisturizer, but is known to trap dirt and build up oil on the skin. It has an extremely high chance of clogging pores and cause break outs.

These are only some of the most commonly used and talked about ingredients in skin care products. Some can be helpful, some can be harmful. Remember that everyone’s skin reacts differently. Specific ingredients solve specific problems, so keep your eyes out for the one best suited for your skin the next time you go shopping!

Sources

• https://health.clevelandclinic.org/niacinamide
• https://www.acnesupport.org.uk/treatment/salixylic-acid/
• https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/why-is-topical-vitamin-c-important-for-skin-health-202111102635#:~:text=Topical%20vitamin%20C%20is%20a,%2C%20dark%20spots%2C%20and%20acne
• https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4562654/
• https://www.elle.com/beauty/makeup-skin-care/g39123352/vitamin-c-serums/#product-a5a61681-30ec-4b6c-8c39-a4c9b46be9f0
• https://www.byrdie.com/best-brightening-vitamin-c-serums-4165773
• https://incidecoder.com/products/skinfix-barrier-skin-barrier-restoring-gel-cream