These are the beauty ingredients you should be looking for in your products.
You hear about buzzworthy ingredients in skincare all the time. But what do they really do for our skin? From boosting hydration to fighting signs of aging, it’s all about the beauty benefits powered by some superstar ingredients.
Studio 5 Style & Beauty Contributor Megan Moore shared a bootcamp of beauty products.
Find all the links to the products Megan mentioned on her website.
1. Vitamin C
Vitamin C is a well-known ingredient in the skincare world, and for good reason. “Vitamin C… it’s not going anywhere, and we know why. Because this is a tried and true product,” Megan emphasized. It’s main purpose is brightening the skin. It helps lighten dark spots and age spots, making your skin look more radiant.
However, you do want to make sure the product you’re lookin at has a high concentration of Vitamin C. “Something in the 20% vitamin C is actually gonna do something for you,” Megan said.
You also want to pay attention to the packaging. “ Vitamin C will lose its efficacy if it’s exposed to light, so it needs to be in packaging that doesn’t have light coming into it,” Megan explained. “So if it’s in a clear bottle, it’s really not going to do anything for you.”
2. Peptides
Peptides are another buzzworthy ingredient that has gained popularity. They are really big in skincare, but also in makeup products and lip treatments. “Peptides are like the building blocks of protein,” Megan explained. “The two proteins in our skin are collagen and elastin.” Peptides help maintain the skin’s firmness and plumpness.
Megan recommended looking for peptides in skincare and lip products for a youthful, plump appearance. “ The older we get, the more we… don’t want to lose any of that elasticity,” she said.
3. Niacinamide
Niacinamide, a form of Vitamin B3, protects the skin barrier. “Niacinamide is going to be what’s going to protect our skin barrier, which is that kind of clear film on the skin that protects the skin from the environment,” Megan explained.
It helps retain moisture and is extra beneficial if you have dry skin or if you’re using active ingredients that strip the skin barrier. “If I’m getting peels… this is something that’s going to help me pull back up,” Megan explained. “And if you’re using a Retin A, if you’re using vitamin C, all of that is going to strip the barrier back, so we need to make sure that we’re building it back to keep it strong.”
4. Oleic Acid
If you struggle with redness, oleic acid is a game-changer. “This is going to be your best friend if you deal with redness,” Megan emphasized. It helps calm inflammation and is especially useful for conditions like rosacea and acne. Megan said it’s like ibuprofen for the skin, reducing redness and soothing irritation.
However, if you don’t struggle with redness, you probably don’t need products with oleic acid. “If you don’t, then don’t reach for an ingredient like this,” Megan said.
5. Exosomes
Exosomes are the latest innovation in skincare, known for their healing properties. “Exosomes are a kind of a carrier molecule. They communicate between cells that help them repair,” Megan explained.
Megan said that typically, exosomes are seen after you get a microneedling or laser treatment. “Then they’ll tell you to put exosomes on to heal. So this is a healing property, but what we’ve realized is this is going to be the best thing for texture,” she explained. They are particularly effective in improving skin texture, reducing bumps, and getting a smooth, glass-like finish, especially if you have large pores.
Focus on Consistency
Megan advised focusing on two key ingredients rather than overwhelming your skincare routine with too many products. “I really am a firm believer that less is more,” she said. “Focus on two, but be consistent.”
Consistency with a few effective ingredients will yield better results than trying everything at once. “ Then you never know what’s working and what’s not,” Megan noted.
Find more beauty advice from Megan at thebeautysnoop.com, and follow her on Instagram @beautysnoop.
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