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ALL ABOUT ACTIVE INGREDIENTS

Active ingredients are what make a skincare product effective. These are the elements of a product that generally are designed to deliver the benefits that are advertised on its label.


1. Niaciniamide - niaciniamide is an all rounder ingredient, is it derivative of vitamin B3, it water soluble and penetrates deep into the skin. This mostly suitable for everyone but still depends from person to person. It helps with sensitivity, anti-aging, regulates sebum production, brightens dark spots and help the skin to retain moisture. It is scientifically proven to moisturize the skin better.


2. Green tea - it’s a plant extract and usually listed a cameillia sinesis. It is a gentle antioxidant, possesses anti-aging and skin-soothing properties, and show significant promise for improving the appearance of sun-damaged skin. This can be suited by all skin types especially sensitive and acne prone skin.


3. Salicylic acid - Also called beta hydroxy acid (BHA). It is very good for people with oily and acne prone skin. It has soothing properties, can minimize uneven skin tone, hydrates the skin, helps fight acne. Its primary benefit is as an exfoliant, helping shed dead skin, as it has the ability to penetrate into the pore lining and exfoliate inside the pore as well as on the surface of skin, it is especially effective for reducing breakouts, including blackheads and whiteheads.


4. Glycolic acid - A type of alpha hydroxy acid (AHA), it can help shed dead skin to renew skin’s surface, visibly softening the signs of aging, particularly from sun damage. Glycolic acid is one of the most effective and well-researched forms of AHA. This best suited for dry and sensitive skin as it does not penetrate deep into the skin like BHA.


5. Parabens - Parabens are a group of controversial preservatives. Parabens are gentle, non-sensitizing, and highly effective profile in comparison to other preservatives also, they are derived naturally from plants. Studies have shown that 100% concentration of parabens caused skin samples (meaning not intact skin on a person) to break down. But in cosmetic products they are used less than 0.4%, and work extremely well as a preservative. Other studies were based on force-feeding them to rats, a practice that is not only cruel but unrelated to what happens when parabens are applied to skin. There are studies indicating absorption of parabens through skin associated with application of skincare products, but those studies did not take into consideration that parabens are still used as food-grade preservatives or that they are found naturally in plants, so either source could have been the origin, not the cosmetics. I also looked at studies showing other questionable effects, but those were done in vitro (meaning in a petri dish) or, again, they were animal studies in species whose biologic makeup does no relate to people. In my opinion its now become a merchandising strategy used by companies to attract more buyers.


6. Hyaluronic acid – it is the superior skin-restoring ingredient, soothes, moisturizes the skin, reinforce it’s protective barrier. It is capable of holding up to 1,000 times its own weight in water, making it an optimal hydrator for all skin types. This is not suitable for those people who live in a dry climate and have dry skin. In this case, due to the lack of moisture n the environment, it sucks out the moisture from the skin making it even more dryer and de-hydrated.


7. Retinol - so known as vitamin A is one of the most effective anti-aging ingredients for softening the appearance of wrinkles, refining skin texture, and improving uneven skin tone also helping with acne. It is the only ingredient with the most research backing it up. Research has also clearly shown retinol helps minimize enlarged pores and reignites firmer-feeling skin. This is one of the best ingredients to reverse aging. This can be a very tricky and sensitizing ingredient. I would suggest to consult a dermatologist before using one. Start by choosing a retinol product that’s compatibly textured for your skin type and narrow down the options to a concentration that’s going to give your skin the most benefit without tipping the scale toward irritation. Always start with low concentrations increasing it gradually. Do not use it more than 3 times a week.

Retinol works best when formulated with other beneficial ingredients, especially other antioxidants.

  1. Low concentration (0.01%-0.03%) are great for beginners. Research has shown that concentrations in this range are effective for delaying signs of aging, minimizing pore size, and improving skin’s healthy appearance.

  2. Moderate strengths of retinol (0.04%-0.2%) are ideal for those looking to improve stubborn concerns such as uneven skin tone and fine lines. Intermediate users typically do best by applying a moderate-strength retinol product two-to-three times per week and may increase frequency depending on skin’s response.

  3. High strengths of retinol (0.3%-1%) are the most potent formulas for more dramatic results. This is the top tier for advanced concerns such as deep wrinkles and decreased firmness. Start slowly with high-strength retinol products and increase frequency of usage based on your skin’s response.

Make sure your skin is completely dry before applying a retinol.


8. Vitamin C - It makes sun damage and surface pigment spots less visible and brightens a dull, blotchy skin. It is a powerful antioxidant, protects the skin from irritation, inflammation and environmental pollution, reduces red blotches left after spots by improving the skin’s natural healing process. It increases the effectiveness of sunscreen and gives the skin better protection from UV rays.

Among all the forms of vitamin C, ascorbic acid – also known as L-ascorbic acid – is the most researched in jiyagrover.wixsite.com/myblog/post/top-face-cleansers-face-washesterms of its beneficial effects on the skin. Ascorbic acid in high concentrations (15% or higher) is perfect for treating the most persistent skin problems.

Sodium ascorbic phosphate, ascorbic palmitate, retinyl ascorbate, tetrahexyldecyl ascorbate and magnesium ascorbic phosphate are the most stable and effective forms for the skin. These derived forms of vitamin C work better if they are mixed with other good antioxidant and cell-communicating products. Consider ingredients such as green tea, retinol and/or niacinamide.

Note - antioxidants, lose their effectiveness if they are exposed to oxygen and light, and the same applies to vitamin C. So use products packaged in non-transparent tubes or bottles (preferably with a pump) so the ingredients remain stable.


checkout my previous blogs for product recommendations

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