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Skin Care Ingredients You May Not Have Heard of Before... but Really Should Know About!

By Faye McCullaghPublished about a year ago 5 min read
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The skin care industry is ever-growing in America and is now estimated to be worth a staggering $19.42bn. In today’s world, it’s almost impossible to scroll through social media without being introduced to yet another skincare ingredient we supposedly can’t live without.

The vitamin squad – C, E, and A – are skin care components that are often raved about, with C attributed to brightening the skin, E to protecting, and A to smoothing. In addition to these three, we’re seeing more and more people celebrating the power of retinol on Instagram and Facebook, as well as salicylic and hyaluronic acid.

But what else is out there? Here we explore some of the amazing skincare ingredients you may not have heard of before, as well as the role they play in ensuring healthy, glowing skin.

Niacin

The famous vitamin family’s lesser-known cousin, niacin (vitamin B3), is found in many skin care products from big brands, including The Ordinary, CeraVe, and Beauty Pie. Its primary objective is to reduce inflammation and redness, making this a great active ingredient for those suffering from sun damage, rosacea, seborrhea, and acne.

Niacin is a fantastic all-around skincare ingredient, meaning it can be used effectively on the face or the body. Plus, as it stimulates the production of collagen and elastin, it may even turn back the clock and help you to look younger!

Sage Oil

If you haven’t yet tried the amazing properties of sage oil in your skincare routine, you will want to change that, pronto. Sage oil, when used in products such as tanning drops, moisturizes and conditions the skin to help soothe dryness and irritation.

The power of sage oil goes beyond cosmetics, too. Medicinally it can ease muscular and joint pain, address bacterial infections, and eliminate toxins as well as calm skin conditions. This ingredient is far from a one-trick pony, and we are living for it.

Benzoyl Peroxide

It may sound a little scary, but hear us out... benzoyl peroxide is a powerful skincare ingredient that can help fight blackheads and whiteheads almost immediately. As it’s quick to kill bacteria, results can be seen within a few days.

Because of its power (PSA: This ingredient is known to bleach fabrics!), it’s most recommended for those who suffer from serious cases of acne, especially inflammatory acne. Different products feature different strengths of benzoyl peroxide; for example, the CeraVe Acne Foaming Cream Cleanser contains four per cent. If you’re unsure whether this ingredient is for you, consult your doctor before using any related products.

Dimethicone

You’ve probably never heard of dimethicone before, despite it being one of the most popular ingredients in cosmetics, skin and hair care. It’s a silicone-based, non-toxic component that, when used in face and body moisturizers, can give you a smooth, silky complexion. This could certainly be an early Christmas present for yourself with wintertime around the corner, regardless of whether you’ve been naughty or nice.

Although it’s non-biodegradable (booo!), studies show that it is not harmful to aquatic life (yay!). If you’re super conscious about the toxicity of your skincare products on the environment, dimethicone gets the thumbs up.

Glycerin

Level up your skincare routine with products that include glycerin as an ingredient. As a result, you should enjoy soft, hydrated skin free from any dry patches. Because it works by trapping water into the skin, we recommend applying it as part of your night-time routine so that it can work its magic overnight, helping you to wake up to plump, juicy skin!

You’re spoilt for choice when it comes to products that feature this golden nugget in their solutions. Neutrogena, Nivea, Vaseline, and Cetaphil are all big brands that are giving their customers big results by using glycerin in their products.

Occlusives

When the harsh weather kicks in, the occlusives ingredient is going to become your #BFF! Most of us are prone to dealing with dehydrated, sensitive skin during the wintertime, and the occlusives component directly prevents moisture loss by creating a shield and fighting irritants like friction and cold.

Say buh-bye to lips that are dry. This ingredient is not only found in face and body moisturizers but also in lip balms. Find occlusives in lip lotions from Burt’s Bees, Temple Spa, and Carmex from as little as £1.70.

Bakuchiol

If you’re worried your skin is showing signs of ageing and want to do something about that, consult our friend Bakuchiol. This ingredient is obtained from the seeds and leaves of ‘babchi’, an Eastern Asia plant that the skin care industry has made fantastic use of.

Bakuchiol both promises and delivers. By incorporating the relevant products into your skincare routine, you can relish youthful skin free from fine lines, wrinkles, and hyperpigmentation. Bakuchiol is often regarded as a softer, gentler version of retinol, meaning this is a fantastic alternative if you’ve ever found that retinol causes you dryness, flakiness, or inflammation.

Take greater care when reading the back of the container

Sometimes it can feel a little overwhelming to turn over the container of a skincare product and see a multitude of strange words in font size six. However, you should have a better idea of what you’re actually looking for, and you might make more of an effort to spot the ingredients above, as now you know what they are and the benefits they can deliver.

Taking care of your skin is more important than covering it up, so take the necessary steps to improve your skincare routine by doing a little more research into what these ingredients are and if their purposes serve your individual skin concerns. Healthy skin requires commitment, not a miracle!

Sources

https://edition.cnn.com/cnn-underscored/beauty/vitamin-c-benefits-for-skin

https://health.clevelandclinic.org/vitamin-e-for-skin-health/

https://www.healthline.com/health/beauty-skincare/vitamin-a-for-skin

https://www.colorescience.com/blogs/learn/facial-redness-causes-treatment-and-prevention

https://www.vogue.co.uk/article/skincare-ingredients-what-is-dimethicone

https://www.stylist.co.uk/beauty/beauty-bakuchiol-skincare-benefits-best-bakuchiol-creams-serums/249718

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