If you are like most people you’re probably perplexed by the huge amount of strange ingredients listed on most skincare products in the marketplace.
The lists are long and usually require an advanced chemistry degree to decipher. I’ve decided however to make life easier for you by listing here the 5 BEST ACTIVE INGREDIENTS you need in your skin care products. The reality is these are often the only ingredients that matter….
1. Vitamin A to re-build new skin cells
Vitamin A is found in many anti-aging beauty formulas and with good reason: the antioxidant effect of vitamin A helps rejuvenate the skin from deep within the collagen fibres. It also works hard to reverse the damages caused by free radicals from sun damage, smoking and other environmental factors.
2. Vitamin C topical for sollagen build up
Here’s what a well-formulated product with vitamin C can do for your skin: a) Protects skin cells and skin’s support structure from UV-related damage, b) Improves the appearance of sun-damaged skin, c) Strengthens skin’s barrier response, d) Reduces inflammation, e) Promotes collagen production, f) Enhances the effectiveness of peels and microdermabrasion and finally h) Boosts the efficacy of sunscreen actives. Wow, what an impressive list!
3. AHA or BHA to exfoliate your skin
There are two primary topical ways to exfoliate skin, either with alpha hydroxy acids (AHAs), or with beta hydroxy acid (BHA). AHAs work by exfoliating or removing the top layer of skin allowing newer, healthier skin cells to show through. They are particularly useful in dry skin and may help to diminish the appearance of wrinkles. There is only one beta hydroxy acid though – salicylic acid – derived from acetylsalicylic acid, or aspirin. Like AHAs, beta hydroxy acid (BHA) acts as an exfoliant increasing the shedding of dead skin cells to allow newer, healthier skin cells to show through. Studies have shown BHA to reduce the appearance of wrinkles, improve skin roughness and assist in reducing skin pigmentation disorders.
4. SPF 30 with zinc
The number one skin-saving ingredient, SPF acts like a very thin bulletproof vest stopping the UV rays before they can reach the skin and inflict damage. When used in conjunction with zinc oxide, the zinc sits on the skin’s surface and also blocks both UVA and UVB rays of ultraviolet light. Because zinc oxide is not absorbed into the skin, it is both nonirritating and non-allergenic.
5. Vitamin E and antioxidants
Vitamin E and antioxidants are another few “miracle” ingredients. We have all heard of free radical activity which creates skin damage in the form of wrinkles, age spots, loss of elasticity and an assorted other aging skin care issues. Vitamin E applied to the skin will penetrate it and take care of these free radicals. The vitamin will also absorb the sun’s dangerous ultra-violet rays which are responsible for the reddening of the skin, sunburn and more serious burns. Therefore both Vitamin E and antioxidants work to prevent wrinkles, stimulate the blood circulation and regulate the skin’s elasticity.
Matty Samaei is one of the most experienced & highly respected practitioners in the non-surgical cosmetic field. With a career spanning in excess of 18 years it is conservatively estimated that she has performed tens of thousands of injectable procedures.
