I mentioned in part one that there are a few key ingredients I look for in my cleansers, moisturizers, and serums. I’ve been doing a lot of research regarding skin care and watching informational videos from board certified dermatologists so I thought this would be a great time to share since skin care is so important. Keep in mind, this is just basic information and what works for me. If you really want a customized skin care that’s best for you, I recommend going to a dermatologist.
- Why niacinamides? Niacinamide helps fight free radical damage, brighten dark spots, manage acne, help with oil control, and is much less irritating than other ingredients.
- Why ceramides? Ceramides is a type of lipid that is found in our skin barrier which protects our skin from damage and loss of water. Ceramides help as a “sealant” for hydration.
- Why hyaluronic acid? It is one of the most common humectant ingredients out there and it has the power to draw water molecules into the skin and is also found naturally in the skin. Just remember that if your skin is too dry and if you’re not appropriately moisturizing your skin, then hyaluronic acid will pull water from your skin. So be sure you’re appropriately moisturizing or providing hydration. I usually like to seal in my skin care with a hydrating mist.
If you’re feeling fancy, add Vitamin C and/or retinol.
- Vitamin C. I tend to hyper pigment very easily so even skin tone is very important to me. Vitamin C not only acts as an antioxidant to counteract and protect against free radicals, but it also brightens dark spots. I am able to combat the dark spots by using vitamin C serum, but again, in terms of timing and what formula you should be using, please contact your dermatologist. Vitamin C has to be stored in a specific way, so it doesn’t become inactive.
- Retinol. This is a skin care ingredient that has the best actual evidence for anti-aging benefits. All retinoids are forms of vitamin A. Retinol can be very irritating (definitely is for me), so please consult your dermatologist for starting a product such as this. I also recommend using it at nighttime as it makes your skin more sensitive to UV rays and sunlight decreases the efficacy of the product.
If you missed part one, go check it out.
Until next time,
Dr. AKP
