No boyfriend or girlfriend, no problem! If you don’t have a boo this V-day, invest in yourself with some self-care items. My personal favorite thing to splurge on myself: skincare. It seems that as I grow older, I become more and more conscious of the ingredients that go on my skin, and the importance of the products that I have in my routine. In my first installment on the topic of skincare, entitled “My Journey into Skincare,” I emphasized how natural skincare products don’t always mean that they are more beneficial to your skin, for products with natural ingredients and lab-made chemicals can both have their miracle properties, and come with their own irritations. Here, I will explore the many things that natural skincare lacks, and I highly suggest you implement them into your routine!
- Ceramides:
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If you want your skin to be looking smooth and supple, starting by looking for ceramides in your skincare is a good place to start. I’m sure you’ve all heard of lipids in bio class. Well, that’s what ceramides are, fat molecules that aid your skin in retaining moisture. Naturally, we have ceramides in our cells, it’s “a vital component of the skin,” as told by dermatologist Audrey Kunin to Allure. If your skin is dry and irritated, ceramides may be the hidden thing your skin has been lacking. Ceramides are typically identified by different numbers in ingredient lists, so if your cleanser has a few in there, that is a good thing!
- Hyaluronic acid:
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This ingredient is also naturally produced by your body. Hyaluronic acid helps your skin maintain water, so it stays hydrated. Remember that moisture and hydration are very different, and one without the other can cause excess oil building up to compensate for the skin’s lack thereof!
- Niacinamide:
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This ingredient is a form of vitamin B3. As perfectly quoted by the highly praised and research-backed skincare company Paula’s Choice, “niacinamide is a water-soluble vitamin that works with the natural substances in your skin to help visibly minimize enlarged pores, tighten lax pores, improve uneven skin tone, soften fine lines and wrinkles, diminish dullness, and strengthen a weakened surface.” Niacinamide is also favored by those who want to reduce the appearance of blemishes, so it’s a desirable ingredient to have if you are dealing with acne that won’t go away. Not only can you find this in cleansers and toners, but niacinamide serums are gaining a lot of popularity. I use The Ordinary Niacinamide and Zinc Serum. Super cheap too!
- Salicylic Acid and Benzoyl Peroxide:
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You’ve probably heard of these ingredients one way or another. That’s because these items have been tried and trusted by dermatologists for decades. Salicylic acid is a beta-hydroxy acid, meaning it chemically exfoliates your pores, and combatting blemishes and clogged pores in the process. Obviously all of our skin sensitivities are different, so the potency for each person can vary. It doesn’t need to be in your cleanser for twice daily use, as you can also use a serum that has salicylic acid in the solution, a toner, or just a spot treatment if you just want to target breakouts.
Benzoyl Peroxide is well known for killing bacteria and dead skin cells in your pores. Putting too much on can be very drying for the skin, so I recommend using it as a spot treatment if used daily.
- AHA’S:
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Salicylic acid was aforementioned as a beta-hydroxy acid, a BHA. which gets deeper into the pores because of their oil-soluble properties. AHA’s may not get in as deep, but this is why they work best for subtle daily chemical exfoliation! AHA’s usually take weeks of daily use to notice results, but when they are noticeable, they make a world of a difference. There are a lot of chemical peels and AHA’s on the market that target textured and dull skin. I use The Ordinary lactic acid treatment at night. I’ve noticed over the past few months of daily use at night (always use AHA’s at night). I have a lot less small bumps on my forehead, and my cheeks are noticeably more smooth as well! Bear in mind that you should use sunscreen daily (you should use sunscreen everyday regardless) if you use AHA’s, since they can make your skin more sensitive to UV rays.
So, next time you’re looking for a new cleanser, toner, serum, or you find that one of your products is just not cutting it, consider looking at these ingredients–they might not sweep you off your feet, but they can tighten your pores!
Websites referenced:
https://www.allure.com/story/what-are-ceramides https://www.paulaschoice.com/expert-advice/skincare-advice/anti-aging-wr… https://theordinary.com/product/rdn-salicylic-acid-2pct-solution-30ml https://www.healthline.com/health/benzoyl-peroxide-for-acne