Even for the most experienced beauty professionals, it can be difficult to navigate the complex world of skin care. It is easy to get lost in all the trendy and promising ingredients that are bombarding you. This doesn’t make shopping easier.
Are you looking for sheet masks with snail juice or an interesting serum with foreign extracts?
Real talk: Does it seem more appealing the more crazy it sounds? I would lie if I claimed that I have never used a placenta or applied rich face oils. I am human after all… a human skin care enthusiast/guinea pig who seeks satisfaction. I know that I’m not the only one here.
We know that beauty trends change all the time. There are timeless beauty products that will never go out-of-fashion: tried and true ingredients that nourish our skin in the best possible ways. There is nothing gimmicky, or harsh about these skin-loving goodies. They work hard to make our skin the best it can be.
Niacinamide
You are missing out on the skin magic of niacinamide. Topical vitamin B3 can be a powerful tool for healing skin conditions, including calming discoloration and brightening the complexion. It also smoothes fine lines and wrinkles.
Niacinamide is a multi-functional ingredient that can help you reduce the appearance of dark spots and hyperpigmentation. It also helps to retain moisture, which helps to build proteins, protect your skin from environmental toxins, and encourages moisturization.
Peptides
Peptides are short chains of amino acid that carry messages to the skin cells. They act in a more healthy way. Peptides are proteins that nourish your skin to make it look younger.
There are many peptides that can address all kinds of issues, including redness, irritation, redness, discoloration, wrinkles, and sunspots. There’s a peptide to address any concern. Peptides can enhance the effects of other ingredients and work best when used in combination with other players.
Retinoids
The queen of skin rejuvenation! This ingredient is perhaps the most misunderstood, and possibly the most feared. The term “retinoid” covers all topical forms of vitamin A, from prescription-strength tretinoin to over-the-counter retinol and retinaldehyde. Retinoids are a term you’ve probably heard. They are a topic that beauty editors discuss all the time. It’s a good thing.
Retinoids increase cell turnover and bring new, vibrant skin cells to the surface. They also smoothen lines, wrinkles and reduce scarring.
Bonus: They remove pesky breakouts, clearing your skin from acne. All of this is done while regenerating your skin’s collagen. This makes them great for treating signs such as premature aging or restoring lost function.
Remember: Your skin’s skin needs and tolerances should determine the type of retinoid that you choose. This is not an ingredient that you should immediately use at maximum strength. To avoid flaky, irritated skin, it is important to work slowly and build up gradually. Your skin should look its best and not be dry and cracked.
Vitamin C
Vitamin C is the next big thing in reducing signs of aging. Vitamin C is right up there. This powerful antioxidant is essential for keeping collagen from breaking down and sun damage at bay. It also helps to even out skin texture and build new collagen.
Exposure to sun and pollution can cause free radical damage. These bad guys can age our skin, make sunspots and degrade our collagen. Vitamin C, an antioxidant works to slow down those bad guys.
Enzymes
Enzymes are the underdog in exfoliating. They can be difficult to find in products and often go unnoticed. Unlike traditional exfoliating acids (like alpha hydroxy and beta hydroxy), enzymes only smooth away dead skin cells from your skin’s surface.
Traditional acids strip both dead and live skin cells. This makes you more susceptible to irritation, dryness, dehydration, and overexfoliation. Enzymes are a gentle, but effective, alternative to acids.
They are healthier for your skin and keep your microbiome balance balanced. This is a major trend that you will be hearing more about in 2019. It’s possible to exfoliate too much with enzymes. Be careful, though.
UV Blockers
It’s a fact you have heard before and it will be repeated again: Sunscreen is the best thing for your skin. For optimal protection, it doesn’t matter what the weather is like.
Physical sunscreen is my preference over chemical. However, it’s personal preference. Look for active ingredients such as zinc oxide or titanium dioxide in physical sunscreens. They are naturally broad-spectrum and protect you from both the sun’s damaging rays and those that cause skin to age.
They work as soon as you apply them. Because they deflect heat away rather than absorb it, they are gentler on your skin’s structure. Chemical sunscreens with active ingredients such as oxybenzone and avobenzone absorb UV rays. They also release heat into the skin. This can be problematic for those with sensitive skin.
Takeaway
These are six things that I consider game-changers as an esthetician. These are six things you should be using if you don’t already. You will see a better, healthier, brighter complexion. We are here to help you achieve your skin goals!
