Skincare ingredients and their uses
What ingredients should my skincare have?
We have compiled a list of popular ingredients and their uses in professional skincare products. You can refer to this list when making your next purchase at your favourite retail store!
Glycolic Acid
Glycolic acid treats flaky or dull skin and hyperpigmentation by stimulating exfoliation. The smaller a molecule, the more easily it gets into the skin and penetrates deeply. Because glycolic acid is the smallest of all the acids, it yields the most dramatic results.
Lactic Acid
Lactic acid is derived from sour or fermented milk. It has skin softening abilities.
Salicylic Acid
Salicylic acid treats conditions that involve scaling or overgrowth of skin cells, for example, psoriasis. In addition, it treats acne by reducing swelling and redness. It unplugs blocked skin pores to allow pimples to shrink, thereby softening and loosening dry, scaly, or thickened skin so that it sloughs off.
Hyaluronic Acid
Hyaluronic acid attracts water molecules to the skin. It secures moisture and creates fullness. It is a “smart nutrient” because it can adjust its moisture absorption rate based on the humidity—relative to the season and the climate.
Kojic Acid
Kojic acid is a skin-lightening agent. It is produced by several species of fungi. Fun fact: Kojic acid is a by-product of the fermentation process used to produce the alcoholic beverage ‘sake’.
Turmeric
Turmeric has multiple uses! Not only is it used for clearing acne, but it is also used for brightening the complexion. Did you know that turmeric is also used to inhibit facial hair growth? Finally, it has anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties to help reduce acne and scarring.
Retinol
We have coined retinol the ‘Defibrillator’. It plumps wrinkles and kick-starts the release of collagen. As a result, youthful volume is added to your face. Retinoids repair skin by kick-starting inflammation. Retinol is one of the raw forms of vitamin A.