We all know the importance of a good skin care routine. Taking it from AM to PM, cleansing and preparing your skin for the day before washing it before bed, an effective multi-step regime is necessary to maintain healthy, glowing skin.
But when it comes to getting the most out of your cleansers, creams and everything in between, choosing products with ingredients that best suit your skin type, concerns and goals is important.
So, whatever combination of skin care basics you choose, one thing is for sure – it’s about performance.
What ingredients work on the skin?
The term ‘active ingredients’ refers to those that target specific skin care problems, whether dark spots or dehydration, by interacting with the skin. These are different from inactive ingredients, including fragrances or preservatives, which do not directly provide skin care benefits but support the overall product.
While the active ingredients to look out for will depend on your skin care needs, some stand out for their skin-enhancing benefits, from increasing skin moisture to removing blemishes – let’s get into what to look for and why.
Top skin care ingredients to include in your routine
Hydrating skincare ingredients
For instant moisture, combine humectants (hydrating ingredients) such as hyaluronic acid and niacinamide, which attract moisture to the skin, and emollients such as squalane, which help protect the skin’s barrier and prevent moisture loss.
Anti-aging ingredients for the skin
Retinoids such as retinol work by increasing cell turnover and increasing collagen production, which helps rejuvenate the skin and reduce the appearance of lines and wrinkles.
Plant-based bakuchiol may be less irritating, making it a good option for sensitive skin, but if it’s an improvement in firmness and texture you’re looking for, look for peptides to help boost collagen and elastin in the skin.
Cleansing and brightening skin care ingredients
To clean the skin, consider chemical exfoliants. AHAs (alpha-hydroxy acids), such as glycolic acid, act on the surface of the skin, helping to reduce dead skin cells and even skin tone and texture, while BHAs (beta-hydroxy acids), such as salicylic acid, work deep into the skin, open pores, increase cell turnover and help balance oil production.
Retinoids such as retinol can also be beneficial, helping to prevent clogged pores and fading dark spots, while vitamin C helps brighten skin and reduce pigmentation for a clearer, brighter complexion.
How to layer your skincare ingredients for the best results
For ingredients to penetrate the skin effectively, products should be used in order of thinnest consistency to thickest, which allows it to be absorbed well into the skin, with water products applied before heavy, oil-based formulations.
When placing products, the active ingredients they contain should also be considered. Skin moisturizers such as peptides, hyaluronic acid and niacinamide can be used between irritants such as retinolAHAs and BHAs help reduce side effects such as redness and sensitivity.
This can help those with sensitive skin tolerate these powerhouse ingredients and reap their benefits.
Common skincare ingredient mistakes to avoid
Understanding your skin type and choosing a formulation based on its needs is key to achieving your skin care goals, for example, approaching irritants with caution if you tend to be sensitive.
It is also important to consider the strength of other ingredients and the lasting effects they have on the skin – retinoids, AHAs and BHAs can lead to increased irritation and dryness when used together and increase your sensitivity to other ingredients.
To reduce this risk, start by using these products separately, starting with a low concentration and increasing the strength over time as your skin’s tolerance increases.
These irritants can also increase your skin’s sensitivity to sunlight, so use SPF to help protect skin and minimize the harmful effects sun exposure.
How to use skincare with beauty tech
If you want to take your beauty routine to the next level, beauty tech devices are the way to do it. Whether you are increasing your anti-aging or clearing your complexion with LED treatment, radio frequency or microneedling, the first step is to cleanse your skin before the session to ensure maximum efficiency.
Once cleansed, applying hyaluronic acid to the skin before and after the session can improve their results, as the added hydration plumps up the skin for better results.
I CurrentBody Skin Hydrogel Face Mask, Microneedling episodes again Green Tea Serum all loaded with this hero hydrator, while green tea extract has been shown to enhance the rejuvenating effects of red light treatment and acceleration results.
If radio frequency sessions are your go-to, i CurrentBody Skin Radio Frequency Conductive Gel infused with glycerin to deeply moisturize while providing a light glide for comfortable sessions. Once you’re done, you can continue with your skin care routine as usual.
Therefore, call for effective ingredients and invest in improving beauty technology – your skin will thank you.
