Our skin isn't just one way all the time. It is likely to change with seasons. Sometimes it's oilier, sometimes drier. In addition, you might be increasingly curious or concerned about which ingredients work best for the skin. Your skin is the largest organ in your body. It helps to protect you from infection and injury. One way to thank your skin for all it does is by taking good care of it. Here are some ingredients that work like magic and are essential for a good skincare routine:
Hyaluronic Acid
It helps skin retain moisture, one of the best moisturizing agents for oily and dry skin types. But it is a great addition to many skincare routines, especially during the summer and winter, when plummeting temperatures (not to mention indoor heating) can dehydrate your skin.
Alpha-Hydroxy Acids (AHAs)
The AHAs acids allow dead skin cells to slough off, revealing and replenishing newer skin beneath. They also act as humectants, drawing water from the environment into your skin. It has been shown to increase collagen production, help treat mild to moderate acne levels, reduce wrinkles and fine lines, and reduce hyperpigmentation.
Retinol
This Vitamin A derivative is one of the most widely-studied skincare ingredients effective for all skin types. What does it do? It promotes skin renewal, reduces acne and boosts your skin's collagen production. It functions like an antioxidant to help address free-radical damage. Helps to diminish fine lines and wrinkles. A better question might be, what doesn't it do?
Vitamin C
Vitamin C sounds simple, but there are several different kinds. It helps to stabilize and create collagen molecules, making it one of the best anti-aging ingredients. Vitamin C is an antioxidant that helps skin repair UV damage. It is extremely effective at reducing hyperpigmentation and evening skin tone.
Vitamin E
Unless you have extremely sensitive, extremely oily or acne-prone skin, it can provide many benefits, helping to hydrate and acting as an anti-inflammatory agent. When paired with Vitamin C, both vitamins work better than they do alone, which is why many serums and creams feature this winning pair.
Vitamin B3
Topical vitamin B3, or niacinamide, provides several benefits for the skin: increasing elasticity, strengthening the skin barrier, evening skin tone and reducing inflammation. It also seems particularly effective at fighting acne, partly because of its anti-inflammatory properties.
Whether you have normal, dry, oily, combination or sensitive skin, a solid skincare routine can work wonders for your skin's health and mental well-being.