Plump your skin with Hyaluronic Acid.
Age gracefully with Retinol.
How many times have you listened to these buzzwords by skincare brands? There was a time when we only knew about Vitamin C or Vitamin E.
Over the past few years, we have heard a lot more skincare jargon aka skincare actives like Hyaluronic Acid, Retinol, Alpha Hydroxy Acid, Beta Hydroxy Acid, Niacinamide, and whatnot.
We are now educated to buy products based on the ingredients they contain. Not by their claims or flashy packaging. You can read here about the science behind actives in skincare. However, it can get extremely overwhelming to remember what ingredients to look for in a particular skin concern. Even if you know that, it can be hard to create a perfect regimen because sometimes no two ingredients can be used at the same time.
If you have similar concerns, then keep reading. You will get all your answers.
Popular Skincare Actives
Active Skincare Ingredient – Hyaluronic Acid:
It is the king of hydration and a powerful humectant. This skincare active does not provide hydration on its own. When you apply Hyaluronic Acid to your skin, it grabs the moisture from the neatest source and locks it in your skin.
It is very important to apply it on damp skin so that it can take and lock the moisture from the external source (dampness from water). Otherwise, it will pull out the moisture from your skin. You certainly don’t want that because it will make your skin even drier.
Usage: It can be used day and night with any other skincare actives or powerful skincare ingredients.
Active Skincare Ingredient – Niacinamide:
It is known for minimizing pores. It is actually vitamin B3 which helps regulate the production of sebum (skin’s natural oil). Excessive oil enlarges the pores but since this ingredient controls the oil, pores shrink and become less visible. It also strengthens the skin’s barrier by promoting the production of ceramides which maintain the skin integrity.
Usage: It is recommended to not use it directly for the first time. Mix it in your moisturizer and apply. Do this for a week to build the tolerance. Then start applying it directly. The good thing is, that it is compatible with most skincare actives. But if you have sensitive skin, always do a patch test before applying.
Active Skincare Ingredient – Retinol:
This is Vitamin A and is known for its anti-aging properties. With age, the turnover rate of skin cells reduces. It means that the natural process of shedding dead skin and the generation of new skin becomes slow. Retinol speeds up that process. It stimulates the production of collagen in the skin which is responsible for maintaining the skin’s elasticity. All these functions help achieve a clearer skin tone and reduce the appearance of wrinkles.
Usage: Retinol is a powerful ingredient. When trying it for the first time, it should be used in the lowest concentration. Start using it in your late twenties. Not before that.
Active Skincare Ingredient – Alpha Hydroxy Acid (AHA) and Beta Hydroxy Acid:
The chemical exfoliation champs. AHAs remove the dead skin and BHAs do the deep cleaning of the pores. Together they are great for acne-prone skin. These can be used separately as well – AHAs for normal to dry skin and BHAs for oily skin.
Usage: Use these skincare actives once or twice a week. Over-using can cause extreme dryness.
Skincare Actives Not to Mix
- Retinol and Vitamin C
- Retinol and AHAs BHAs
These are all very powerful skincare ingredients. Always do patch testing and follow the package instructions before using any product containing these ingredients.
In case of acute skin conditions, consult a dermatologist.
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Hira is a Computer Science grad, a self-taught copywriter and a blogger on STEEM blockchain. Apart from her passion for writing, she is fond of reading fiction and landscape painting.