10 Holy Grail Skincare Ingredients To Look For In Products & 10 To Avoid
Unlock Glowing Skin Without The Use Of Harmful Ingredients
Next time you're choosing your skincare products, make sure you read the labels, just like with any food product you buy. While some ingredients are nutritional powerhouses for your skin, working wonders, others are unfriendly to both your health and the earth. Here are 10 skincare ingredients to look for and 10 to look out for.
1. Vitamin C
Vitamin C is a powerful antioxidant that helps fight signs of aging. It has been shown to boost collagen production, which keeps your skin firm, elastic, and youthful, and reduces dark spots, evening out skin tone, and brightening complexion.
2. Retinoids
Retinoids speed up cell turnover and boost collagen, helping your skin retain its youthfulness. It also lightens sun spots and acne scars.
3. Hyaluronic Acid
Hyaluronic acid is a natural lubricant found in various parts of the body,dy including the eyes and joints. When used in skincare products, it's the ultimate moisturizer that locks in moisture, helping your skin retain its elasticity and look dewy without clogging pores.
4. Salicylic Acid
Salicylic acid is one of the best ingredients for fighting acne. It can get deep inside pores and cleanse them while exfoliating gently and reducing future breakouts.
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5. SPF
The vast majority of visible signs of aging come from sun exposure. SPF is your frontline defense against UV rays, so make sure you're using products that contain it daily, even when it's cloudy.
6. Squalane
Squalane is a saturated form of a naturally occurring oil found in the human body. It hydrates deeply without being heavy or greasy, mimicking the skin's natural oils.
7. Green Tea
Green tea is a powerful antioxidant that can fight free radicals that cause skin aging. It reduces inflammation and helps regulate oil production while aiding in healing.
8. Peptides
Peptides are chains of amino acids that mimic the proteins that naturally decline with age. They can help improve the appearance of fine lines and improve complexion, giving skin a youthful glow.
9. AHAs
AHAs are chemical exfoliants that help remove dead skin cells from the surface of the skin, smoothing skin texture. They also stimulate collagen production over time, and a certain type can also help skin retain its moisture.
10. Niacinamide
Niacinamide is a type of B vitamin that may help reduce inflammation and improve skin elasticity. It helps aids in the creation of proteins in the skin and locks in moisture while minimizing pores.
Now that we've covered some of the best skincare ingredients to look for, let's go over the harmful ingredients you should avoid.
1. Fragrance
Many skincare products contain artificial fragrances that can trigger inflammation and allergic reactions. They can also weaken the skin barrier, leaving it more exposed.
2. Parabens
Parabens are a preservative commonly used in skincare products. They can help products last longer, but they're controversial because they may cause skin irritation and even interfere with hormone function.
3. Formaldehyde
Formaldehyde is an effective preservative and disinfectant used in skincare products, but it's also been classified as a carcinogen. Many countries like Japan and most nations in Europe have already banned its use in skincare products, but it's still legal in the US and Canada.
4. Alcohol
While alcohol in skincare products isn't always a recipe for disaster, certain types, including ethanol and isopropyl, can destroy your skin's natural oils. This leads to dryness and irritation.
5. Polyethylene Glycol
Polyethylene glycol (PEG) is a common thickener in skincare products, used to improve the consistency of creams and lotions. While not inherently bad for you, PEG is commonly contaminated with harmful impurities in the manufacturing process. What's more, they're not biodegradable.
6. Oxybenzone
Oxybenzone is celebrated for its ability to absorb UV rays, but it comes at the cost of potentially disrupting hormone function. It's also irritating for certain skin types and isn't biodegradable.
7. Butylated Hydroxyanisole
Butylated hydroxyanisole (BHA) is a synthetic antioxidant used as a preservative in skincare products. It's been linked to cancer in high concentrations, isn't biodegradable, and may cause skin irritation in some people.
8. Phthalates
Phthalates are used as preservatives in skincare products. Many countries have banned their use because research suggests they may interfere with hormone systems, affecting reproductive health.
9. Sulfates
Many face washes contain sulfates. While they can be powerful cleansers, they're harsh and tend to strip away the skin's natural oils, leading to dryness and irritation.
10. Aluminum
Although more commonly associated with deodorants, aluminum can be found in skincare products, too. In addition to the environmental impact of aluminum mining, there's some belief that aluminum may be linked to cancer and Alzheimer’s disease, though evidence is inconclusive.
