Everyone’s skin is different. We’re all at different stages in our life, we face different skin concerns, have different skin types, and have different ideas of what our skincare routine should look like. And that’s okay- no skincare routine has to look exactly like another. People often find the differences in their skincare routines in their treatments and serums, as they’re often looking for relief for different concerns. You also might use completely different masks or moisturizers than others depending on your skin type. However, there are certain skincare ingredients known to be effective for most people, regardless of skin type, tone, and concern. We’re going to dive into ingredients that everyone should have in their skincare routine and why they work below:
Hyaluronic Acid: Don’t be fooled by the use of hyaluronic acid only for people struggling with dry skin- every skin type can benefit from this ingredient. First off, hyaluronic acid is naturally found in our skin. It’s a humectant, meaning it holds in water to our body to keep that moisture in our skin and our joints. As we age, the amount of hyaluronic acid that our bodies create decreases, much like collagen. Adding in products that utilize hyaluronic acid helps to improve the elasticity of the skin and keep it looking dewy and young, in addition to providing that moisture that all skin types need. You can add hyaluronic acid in your routine through a serum, like the Allies of Skin Triple Hyaluronic Antioxidant Hydration Serum. This serum utilizes not only hyaluronic acid, but also antioxidants, to repair, rejuvenate and hydrate the skin and improve its moisture barrier. You can also find it in moisturizers like Jan Marini’s Transformation Face Cream. This cream provides serious hydration to the skin and prevents signs of aging with hyaluronic acid, aloe vera, peptides and more.
Antioxidants: Antioxidants are not only essential to maintain a healthy diet, they’re essential in your skincare. One of their most important jobs for the skin is protecting it against free radicals, the number one cause for skin aging, to allow for a younger and brighter complexion. Antioxidants also work to decrease fine lines and wrinkles and fight inflammation. As a dermatologist, I believe antioxidants are essential in everyone’s skincare routine for protection against free radicals and to decrease inflammation and fight aging. Add antioxidants into your routine with a serum like the Allies of Skin Peptides & Antioxidants Firming Daily Treatment. With multiple peptides, brighteners and antioxidants, this leave-on treatment helps to repair damaged skin and protect it from further damage, along with stimulating collagen production and reducing signs of aging. The Glytone Age-Defying Antioxidant Night Cream also uses powerful antioxidants, as well as Vitamin E and glycolic acid, to deliver unparalleled antioxidant protection and fight signs of aging.
Retinol: If you’re in your younger years, you might be wondering why retinol could be effective in your skincare routine. Retinol is a derivative of Vitamin A that is clinically proven to be effective for many skincare concerns, such as anti-aging or acne. Retinol works by getting rid of dead skin cells in the skin at a faster rate, revealing fresh, new skin cells in their place. This is why is beloved for anti-aging properties, as it keeps the skin from creating fine lines and wrinkles and presents a more youthful look, but retinol is effective for more than just anti-aging. It helps to calm inflammation, making it great for acne-prone skin, stimulates collagen production and helps to improve the skin’s overall tone. Whether or not you’re looking for anti-aging ingredients, retinol should be a part of your routine. Retinol can be found in serums like the SkinMedica Retinol Complex 1.0, which uses 1% retinol to renew the skin and enhance skin tone and texture. It can also be found in moisturizers like the Emepelle Night Cream, formulated specifically to help with anti-aging with retinol, peptides and niacinamide.
SPF: This may seem like a no-brainer, but it’s important that we emphasize the need for all ages, regardless of skin type and tone, to be using SPF on their skin every. single. day. Even if you’re spending most of your time inside, or it seems to be a cloudy day, you need to be wearing sunscreen on your skin throughout the day. Sunscreen is not only essential in protecting your skin from skin cancer or other diseases, it helps to improve the appearance of the skin. Sunscreen prevents further aging, decreases hyperpigmentation, protects from further acne breakouts, keeps the skin hydrated, etc. Sunscreen prevents your skin from facing damage from the sun’s harmful rays, which can affect everyone. Adding a sunscreen to your morning routine is absolutely essential. The Elta MD UV Daily SPF 46 not only protects you from the sun, but helps to keep your skin hydrated and works to reduce signs of aging as well. It also comes in tinted or non-tinted formulas, making it great to wear on its own or under makeup. (Check out this blog to find the best Elta MD sunscreen for your skin type!) The Colorescience Sunforgettable Total Protection Face Shield is also a great option for sun protection, with SPF 50 and antioxidants to provide total protection for your skin.
Vitamin C: You’ve likely been hounded to add more Vitamin C to your diet through fruits, but Vitamin C is also essential for your skincare routine. There are actually a few forms of Vitamin C found in skincare products, including L-Ascorbic Acid and Magnesium Ascorbyl Phosphate. Many people utilize Vitamin C to help fade hyperpigmentation or brighten the skin, but it actually is effective for multiple skincare processes. Vitamin C is an antioxidant, helping to protect the skin from free radicals (like mentioned above). It also stimulates collagen production, helping to keep the skin smooth and youthful. It helps to brighten the skin and improve your skin tone and texture. It also helps to decrease water loss in the skin, helping to keep the skin moisturized. Vitamin C can be found in many different types of skincare products, and how you add it to your routine is up to you, but it’s important to include it. Add Vitamin C into your routine with a treatment like the Revision Skincare Vitamin C Lotion 15%, which uses 15% Vitamin C to encourage a naturally brighter complexion and provide necessary moisture to the skin. The Jan Marini C-ESTA Cleansing Gel also contains Vitamin C to brighten and soothe your skin while also giving it a deep cleanse of all impurities.
Even creating a short skincare routine with just these essentials will put you on a track for healthier and more youthful skin. Remember that ingredients like Vitamin C and retinol shouldn’t be used together, so some of these ingredients may be split up between your morning and nightly skincare routines. If you have any additional questions, please reach out!
