Are You Aware of These Active Ingredients in Your Beauty and Skincare Products?

If you go to any supermarket or small-town store, you may be overwhelmed by the sheer number of skin care products on the shelves.?

You may always get tempted to buy those products to have the best skin, and you may also be a pro on your skin and the best-suited products as per your skin type.?

However, do you know the core of those products, a.k.a. the active ingredients used in the products that allure you?

Whether you're just starting out on a new skincare regimen or a seasoned pro, knowing what specific ingredients work in your favourite products is always beneficial.?

Popular Ingredients in Skin Care

Knowing what's in your skincare products can be useful if you're looking for something to help you with a specific skin condition. Dr. Dhanraj Chavan, a seasoned dermatologist with Clear Skin and HairMD Clinics, Pune, walks us through some of the most popular skincare ingredients, explaining what they do and how they work.

Let’s start reading in easy-to-understand language.

Alpha-hydroxy Acids (AHA)

Over-the-counter skin care products containing alpha-hydroxy acids, or AHA (glycolic, lactic, tartaric, and citric acids), have grown in popularity. Alpha-hydroxy acid creams and lotions may help with fine lines, wrinkles, irregular pigmentation, and age spots. It may also aid in the reduction of enlarged pores. Alpha-hydroxy acids can cause mild irritation and sun sensitivity.

"You should apply sunscreen in the morning every day to avoid burning," advises Dr. Dhanraj Chavan.

To avoid skin irritation, start with a product containing no more than 10% to 15% AHA. To allow your skin to adjust, apply the skin care product every other day at first, gradually increasing to daily application.

Glycolic Acid (GA)?

This AHA exfoliates the skin while also increasing collagen production (the protein that strengthens connective tissue). It can hydrate your skin while also clearing your pores and smoothing fine wrinkles. This ingredient can be found in creams and lotions that can help with eczema, as well as cleansers that can help with blackheads.

Lactic Acid

Muscle and red blood cells produce this AHA. Products containing this ingredient, such as glycolic acid, can aid in exfoliation, while others can aid in skin miniaturisation.

Beta Hydroxyl Acids (Salicylic Acid)

Salicylic acid exfoliates dead skin and helps to improve the texture and colour of sun-damaged skin. It penetrates oil-laden hair follicle openings and thus aids in acne treatment. Salicylic acid is found in a variety of skincare products. Some are available without a prescription, while others require one.

"In many cases, salicylic acid can be less irritating than alpha-hydroxy acid-containing skin care products," explains Dr. Dhanraj. "However, they provide comparable improvements in skin texture and colour."

Hydroquinone

Hydroquinone-containing skin care products are frequently referred to as bleaching creams or lightening agents. These skin care products are used to lighten hyperpigmentation caused by pregnancy or hormone therapy, such as age spots and dark spots (melasma or chloasma). Hydroquinone is found in many over-the-counter skin care products.

"If your skin does not respond to over-the-counter treatments, your doctor can also prescribe a cream with a higher concentration of hydroquinone," Dr. Dhanraj says.

Because sun exposure causes skin hyperpigmentation, hydroquinone is sometimes combined with sunscreen. Because some people are allergic to hydroquinone, it is best to test it in a small area first. If you are allergic to hydroquinone, you may benefit from using kojic acid-containing products instead.

Kojic Acid

Kojic acid can also be used to treat pigment issues and age spots. Kojic acid, discovered in 1989, works similarly to hydroquinone. Kojic acid is derived from a fungus and has been shown to be effective as a lightening agent, slowing melanin production (brown pigment). Kojic acid may make your skin more susceptible to sunburn if used regularly.

Retinol

Retinol can help with acne and acne scarring, mottled pigmentation, fine lines and wrinkles, skin texture, tone and colour, and hydration levels.

Retinol is a vitamin A derivative that is found in many over-the-counter "anti-ageing" skin care products. Tretinoin is a stronger version of retinol that is the active ingredient in prescription creams. If your skin is too sensitive to use Tretinoin, an excellent alternative is over-the-counter retinol.

Why is vitamin A needed, you may ask.?

"Vitamin A has a molecular structure that is small enough to penetrate the lower layers of your skin, where it finds and boosts collagen and elastin, which is a protein that strengthens the flexibility of your skin," explains Dr. Dhanraj.

Thus, Retinol stimulates the production of skin cells (proliferation). It aids in pore unclogging. Retinol also exfoliates the skin and stimulates collagen production, which can reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles and give your skin a more youthful, plump appearance.

L-ascorbic Acid (Vitamin C)

This is the only type of vitamin C that should be found in skincare products.

"Many skin care products on the market today contain vitamin C derivatives such as magnesium ascorbyl phosphate or ascorbyl palmitate," says Dr. Dhanraj. "However, the only useful form of vitamin C in skin care products is L-ascorbic acid."

Collagen synthesis in your skin decreases with age and sun exposure, resulting in wrinkles. Vitamin C is the only antioxidant that has been shown to stimulate collagen synthesis, thereby reducing fine lines, scars, and wrinkles. It may also help sun-damaged skin look better. The use of vitamin C-containing creams may cause stinging or redness at first, but these side effects usually subside with continued use.

Hyaluronic Acid

This substance is frequently used in skin care products in conjunction with vitamin C products to aid in effective penetration. Hyaluronic acid (also known as a glycosaminoglycan) is marketed as having the ability to "reverse" or "stop" ageing. You may have heard of hyaluronic acid as the "key to the fountain of youth" in news reports. This is due to the fact that the substance occurs naturally (and abundantly) in humans and animals, where it can be found in young skin, other tissues, and joint fluid.

Dr Dhanraj Chavan explains, "Hyaluronic acid is a component of your body's connective tissues, and it's known to cushion and lubricate these tissues." "However, as you age, natural forces destroy hyaluronic acid." Poor diet and smoking can also have an effect on your body's hyaluronic acid levels over time."

Niacinamide (Vitamin B3)

Niacinamide is a type of vitamin B3 that aids in the formation of keratin and the maintenance of firm, healthy skin. It can aid in the retention of moisture and the prevention of skin flushing. Face masks containing this ingredient can help reduce redness and swelling if you have rosacea.

Dimethicone

This silicone-derived ingredient is the second most common in moisturisers. If you have dry skin, moisturisers containing this ingredient can be beneficial, especially in the winter. This non-toxic ingredient aids in scar tissue reduction and makes your skin feel incredibly soft.

It can also help protect your hair from breakage and give your follicles a slick, smooth feel. This is why this ingredient is found in hair products that help reduce frizz and split ends. However, it is important to note that it is heavy and quickly accumulates, sometimes preventing water from reaching your roots. If you use a product containing dimethicone, you should use a clarifying shampoo once a week to help remove any buildup.

Copper Peptide

Despite the fact that it has only been on the market since 1997, copper peptide is widely regarded as the most effective skin regeneration product. This ingredient stimulates the production of collagen and elastin, acts as an antioxidant, and stimulates the production of glycosaminoglycans such as hyaluronic acid. It also boosts the effectiveness of your body's natural tissue-building processes by firming, smoothing, and softening skin — and it does so in less time than most other anti-aging skin care products.

Glycerin

This natural moisturiser aids in the repair of dry or cracked skin. This can be found in a variety of lip balms and face creams. This is an excellent ingredient for oily skin that can aid in the reduction of blackheads, pimples, and acne. Because of its ability to lock in moisture, glycerin-containing products can be used at the end of the day to keep your skin moisturised overnight.

Hope the article helped you understand the skincare ingredients and their utility as per your skin type and skin condition. Clear Skin and HairMD Clinics, Pune is determined to bring the best of skincare knowledge to help you make the right decisions.?

Stay tuned for more.