We can all agree that skincare is important, therefore, knowing the ingredients in skincare products is even more so.
Healthy skin is good-looking skin, and good-looking skin is a great source of confidence. But, how can you know which skincare product to use?
Product labels rarely speak to us in a way that we can understand
All those ingredients, with names difficult to pronounce and remember, only add to the confusion.
We all want to know what works for our skin and what doesn’t. Similarly, what are the possible short-term effects and long-term effects? What are the risks and dangers? The questions are many, but the answers are few.
Luckily, we are here to help. We are going to unravel the secrets of three major ingredients of facial skincare products and tell you everything you need to know about them.
#1 Ingredient in Skincare Products: Hyaluronic Acid
Hyaluronic acid is a popular ingredient of modern skincare products.
It is an acid that our cells produce and has an important role in several types of tissues.
This organic compound is one of the most effective components of skincare products. Its use is mostly associated with hydration of the skin, and it is not wrong to think of hyaluronic acid in this way because the molecules of this acid are capable of tying over one thousand times their size in moisture to themselves.
Skincare products that contain hyaluronic acid can also treat aging
The main difference between old and young skin is in their ability to retain moisture. The plumpness and firmness of young skin is the result of its ability to successfully maintain the perfect balance of moisture.
If we allow our skin to dry out as we age, its appearance is bound to diminish. Dry skin is a perfect habitat for wrinkles, spots, dark circles, and other common signs of skin aging.
#2 Ingredient in Skincare Products: Collagen
Collagen is sort of a magic word in the world of facial skincare products. Labels of products that contain collagen, proudly and visibly display that fact. If you are asking yourself why? The answer is simple: collagen works.
Human cells produce collagen naturally. As a protein, collagen is made of amino acids. The majority of human collagen is made by fibroblasts. In other words, these are the most abundant cells of the connective tissue. They play a major role in the wound healing process.
The use of collagen-based facial skincare products can improve several skin issues. Including acne, wrinkles, and eczema.
# 3 Ingredient in Skincare Products: Retinol
Vitamin A1, more commonly known as retinol, is an important human nutrient listed on the World Health Organization’s Essential Medicines List. In simple terms, retinol is a safe, effective, and necessary substance that can be, and is, used as a medication.
In skincare, the most important property of retinol is its ability to enhance collagen production and promote skin renewal. It also increases the production of the Human Growth Hormone and aids the proper functioning of epithelial cells. Therefore, retinol helps the skin to repair the damage caused by aging, sun, acne, and other factors.
Retinol significantly improves skin issues such as:
- Pigmentation
- Texture
- Spots
- Tone
- Hydration
One of the first medical uses of retinol was for the treatment of acne. This unwelcome condition exists with several other skin issues including:
- Enlarged Pores
- Oily skin (overproduction of sebum)
- Inflammation
- Scarring
Retinol addresses all of these in a very good way
It unclogs the pores and successfully removes dead skin cells thus preventing new clogging. Once the pores are clean it is easy for other skincare products to work effectively. As a result, acne is cleared and, therefore, the risk of scar formation reduced.
The Bottom Line
We apply skincare products on a sensitive and highly visible part of our bodies, the skin. Consequently, safety is the greatest concern for the companies that produce them. Only the highest quality components that work, can be a part of skincare formulas. The three common ingredients mentioned in this article are premium examples of this.