-Antioxidants
Vitamin C is the most popular one. Also known as L-ascorbic acid is an antioxidant. They are essential in neutralizing the damage caused by free radicals.
-Vitamin C in particular helps in collagen synthesis. Collagen is the main structural protein of the skin which gives it support.
-It helps fade pigmentation with continued use.
-It reduces DNA damage to skin cells caused by sunlight.
-It also acts as an anti-inflammatory and helps with acne and rosacea
Make sure it’s at least 10% L- ascorbic. And some people can be sensitive to it especially during the summers so you can apply at night time or alternate days. No point making your skin more sensitive that will only lead to more sun damage.
Vitamin E is another great antioxidant for protecting your skin against damage caused by pollution, pollution smoke other environmental factors that accelerate aging.
Skinceuticals CE ferulic is everyone’s favorite
Hyaluronic acid - Gold standard for hydration of the skin. It can hold up to 1000X it’s a widget in water to replenish the skin. It’s naturally found in our skin but tends to deplete as we age. It’s an absolute must to include this gives you instant plump glowy dewy skin. I cannot live without it. Apply this after an antioxidant serum or just on its own always seal it with emollient cream.
AHA‘s ( alpha-hydroxy acids ) - chemical exfoliators remove the dead skin layer of the skin and speed up the skin's natural exfoliation process. For example- glycolic/lactic acid.
Super important to exfoliate 1-2 times per week your products absorb better too.
BHA‘s ( Beta hydroxy acids ) - salicylic acid a very common one is the golden BHA. They are able to go deep into the pores and unclog the buildup, being a savior for oily acne-prone skin.
Niacinamide - a form of vitamin B3. It’s great for pores makes them look smaller great for balancing oil this is the exact explanation at the Sephora website lol but it helps also with uneven skin tone, fine lines. I love the Ordinary one so affordable and so so good!
Peptides - collagen starts to break down as we age. Peptides signal the skin that it needs to produce more collagen. It basically tricks our skin that there is a collagen breakdown happening and that triggers the skin to produce more collagen.
Lastly and not least Retinol- a lot of debate on how and when to start using it. Lot of top world-class dermatologists don’t eve. Recommend it but I think 2-3 times a week is not going to harm us but will only do good things. Overusing it makes the skin super sensitive and creepy thin we don’t want that we want thick skin healthy barrier function is what’s important at the end of the day.
They are most helpful in giving us smoother skin and decrease signs of aging. Deserves a whole another blog. Start with the lowest concentration at night time when you don’t use any acids and work your way up with the dermatologist prescription.
Physical Spf is always the golden rule read my blog on what to look for in SPF to make sure you are protected from all the bad rays, pigmentation, melasma caused by the sun, and the blue light. Etc.
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