When it comes to the search for healthy skin, the myriad of options can be overwhelming. Each product promises us healthier skin, and they all claim to be the most effective— how are we supposed to know which ones actually work best? The answer lies in the ingredients list. Here are five dermatologist-recommended ingredients that are clinically proven to benefit your skin:
1. Hyaluronic Acid
What is it?
Hyaluronic acid is a gooey compound products by our bodies. It’s most prevalent in our skin, eyes, and connective tissue, and studies have shown that it is a powerhouse of lubricating hydration with the ability to hold up to 1,000 times its weight in water.
Why do you need it?
Due to both the aging process and environmental pollutants, our bodies greatly slow their production of hyaluronic acid over time, so it’s important to help restore as much of it as we can. This ingredient helps to moisturize skin better than almost anything. Topical applications of hyaluronic acid have shown to reduce wrinkles, plump skin, correct redness, and help prevent acne breakouts. It’s a very gentle ingredient, as it is already being produced by our bodies, so it’s perfect for sensitive skin.
2. Alpha Hydroxy Acids (AHAs)
What are they?
AHAs are chemical compounds that have become major players in the world of skin care and cosmetics. They can be derived either naturally or synthetically, and come in varying degrees of strength, from mild cleansers to aggressive chemical peels.
Why do you need them?
Alpha Hydroxy Acids are used for a number of reasons, but their primary purpose in skin care is exfoliation. By stripping dead cells and impurities from your skin, AHAs give way to the fresh, healthy skin below. This is important for a number of reasons, as dead skin cells tend to dull your complexion and lead to wrinkles, acne, and age spots. Alpha hydroxy acids come in a number of forms, but the most common are glycolic acid, lactic acid, citric acid, malic acid, and tartaric acid.
3. Vitamin C
What is it?
Vitamin C, also known as ascorbic acid and l-ascorbic acid, is an antioxidant-rich vitamin found in foods, supplements, and skin care. It has proven to have a plethora of benefits for both your health and your skin’s health.
Why do you need it?
Antioxidants in general have been shown time and time again to greatly improve damage caused by free radicals. These free radicals manifest themselves in everything, but they’re particularly harmful via sun exposure and environmental pollutants, which is to say: none of us are safe from free radical damage. Vitamin C not only combats these free radicals, but also works to improve and brighten our skin. It can greatly even out skin texture, correcting sun and age spots, as well as hyperpigmentation. Plus, it does wonders for accelerating the skin’s natural repair systems.
4. Retinol
What is it?
Retinol is a derivative of Vitamin A. It’s been a long time superstar in the world of skin care for its ability to fight signs of aging skin.
Why do you need it?
Retinol may be the industry gold standard as far as effective ingredients go. Its primary focus is cellular turnover and repair. In other words, it sloughs off the dead skin and impurities and promotes the growth of healthy, new skin cells. As those new cells rise to the surface, your skin experiences something of a “reset.” Because of this, retinol is effective at treating so many things: wrinkles, acne, clogged pores, and redness or uneven skin. A word of caution: retinol is an aggressive treatment, and should be slowly incorporated into your routine. Initially, we recommend using it every other day, or even every third day, depending on the sensitivity of your skin.
5. Peptides
What are they?
Peptides are small nutrient-rich proteins. They come in various sizes and work to bond and strengthen existing protein compounds in our bodies.
Why do you need them?
Peptides are experiencing a surge in popularity as of late, and with good reason. Peptides are tiny enough to penetrate into the skin’s dermis, where important proteins like collagen are formed. By helping to strengthen our existing collagen, peptides help to repair damaged skin and smooth the rough parts. Because of their ability to penetrate so deeply, peptides have shown particularly positive results for more delicate, aging-prone skin, like that around our eyes and neck.
