Hola Beauties! I have been researching skincare ingredients, figuring out their purpose, mixing them, when to use them, etc. Since there is so much information, I decided to put everything together and give you a solid and easy guide to read. Know these 6 skincare ingredients better and understand the purpose of your skincare products.
Disclaimer: There may be affiliate links in this post. If you purchase through these links, I may make a small commission at no cost to you.
This post is about Knowing these 6 Skincare Ingredients better
Vitamin C
What is it?
It’s an antioxidant found in citrus fruits. It’s water-soluble.
Vitamin C Benefits
- Improve Skin Texture: Help to reduce dark spots and acne scars.
- Brightening: Improve skin dullness
- Fight Free Radicals: Free Radicals are found in foods, medicines, water, and the air.
- Protects from UV Rays and also pollution.
Vitamin C cons
It might irritate, so go with precaution.
The best time to use Vitamin C
Morning
The best age to start using Vitamin C
Between 18-25
When to start using Vitamin C
If you feel that your skin looks dull or has dark spots appearance.
Combine Vitamin C with
You can combine Vitamin C with Feluric Acid and other antioxidants, Hyaluronic Acid, and SPF.
Do not mix Vitamin C with
Do not combine Vitamin C with AHA’s BHA’s; the mix can irritate. Mixing it with Retinol is also not recommended since they can cancel out.
Affordable Vitamin C products
True Skin Vitamin C Serum: This product also contains hyaluronic acid and vitamin C. It is available on Amazon.
Loreal 10% Pure Vitamin C Concentrate: This product can give you a tingling sensation, but that means it is working; it worked great on my sensitive skin. It’s available on Amazon.
If you are in Canada, you can find this product here: Amazon Canada.
Vichy 15% Pure Vitamin C Serum: This product also contains Hyaluronic Acid and Vitamin C. It’s a little more pricey than the ones mentioned before, but it’s a higher concentration. It’s available at Walmart.
If you are in Canada, you can find this product here: Shoppers Beauty Canada.
Hyaluronic Acid
What is it?
It’s a molecule naturally found in the skin and connecting tissues.
Hyaluronic Acid Benefits
- Provides Hydration: Helps skin to feel more hydrated and plump. Hyaluronic Acid penetrates deep into the skin, holding hydration.
- Slow Down Aging Process: Reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.
- Reduce Redness and Irritation: This product is great for people with eczema. I use The Ordinary hyaluronic acid on my boyfriend. He has terrible eczema, and his face gets red and irritated, and this product reduces it by about 90%.
- Provides natural glow
Hyaluronic Acid Cons
Since this is a natural component found in your skin, there are no cons; however, some people experience redness and itchiness, so do a test first and see how your skin reacts.
Best time to use Hyaluronic Acid
Anytime, depending on how your skin reacts.
The best age to start using Hyaluronic Acid
In your 20s.
When to start using Hyaluronic Acid
Skin is dry, flaky, red, irritated, and has early signs of wrinkles.
Combine Hyaluronic Acid with
Vitamin C for extra glow and to reduce pigmentation.
Do not mix Hyaluronic Acid with
You can mix it with other ingredients in moderation.
Affordable Hyaluronic Acid products
The Ordinary Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5: This product is incredible; it leaves the skin feeling hydrated and alive. It’s available on the Sephora Website.
If you are in Canada, you can find this product here: Sephora.
Cerave Hydrating Serum With Hyaluronic Acid: This is another great product! It also contains B5 and Ceramides. It’s available on Amazon.
If you are in Canada, you can find this product here: Amazon Canada.
Loreal Revitalift Triple Power LZR 1.5% Pure Hyaluronic Acid Serum: This is a great product with a higher concentration. It’s available on Amazon.
If you are in Canada, you can find this product here: Amazon Canada.
Cerave Moisturizing Cream: This product is incredible. I use it on my body and save my legs. I have really dry and itchy skin, and this product has provided the most amazing hydration. My itchiness is almost gone. It’s available on Amazon.
If you are in Canada, you can find this product here: Amazon Canada.
Elf Cosmetics Holy Hydration Cream: This is an incredible and super affordable product. This lotion is very lightweight, absorbs quickly, and leaves the skin feeling hydrated and fresh. It contains hyaluronic acid and peptides. It’s available on Amazon.
If you are in Canada, you can find this product here: Amazon Canada.
Retinol
What is it?
Retinol is Vitamin A—one of the best anti-aging skincare ingredients.
Retinol Benefits
- Reduce fine lines and wrinkles
- Collagen Produce: Skin looks firmer and smoother.
- Even toned skin: Reduce dark spots and acne scars.
Retinol Cons
Using retinol in high concentrations can cause irritation and dryness.
The Best time to use Retinol
Night
The best age to start using Retinol
Elastin production reduces in the late 20s and early 30s. It’s better to start with a low concentration of 0.3%.
When to start using Retinol
When you see early signs of wrinkles. Also, if you suffer from acne scars or dark spots.
Combine Retinol with
Great results when mixing with Hyaluronic Acid, Ceramides, Peptides, and Niacinamide.
Not to mix Retinol with
Vitamin C (As mentioned before, they can cancel out, maybe only in small concentrations ), AHA/BHA Acids, and Benzoyl Peroxide ( They can irritate the skin.)
Affordable Retinol products
CeraVe Skin Renewing Cream Serum: This product also contains ceramides, hyaluronic acid, and niacinamide. It’s available on Amazon.
If you are in Canada, you can find this product here: Amazon Canada.
Neutrogena Anti-Aging Retinol Cream: This product is great for acne scars and dark spots. I used it on my sensitive skin, and it worked perfectly. I recommend this Neutrogena line; the products are incredible. It’s available on Amazon.
If you are in Canada, you can find this product here: Amazon Canada.
Neutrogena Rapid Wrinkle Repair Retinol Oil: I love this product. I also used it as a serum. The oil is very lightweight, absorbs quickly, and nourishes skin. It’s available on Amazon.
If you are in Canada, you can find this product here: Amazon Canada.
Loreal Retinol Serum: This amazing product contains 0.3% pure retinol. It’s available on Amazon.
If you are in Canada, you can find this product here: Amazon Canada.
Peptides
What is it?
Peptides are amino acids that build proteins in the skin.
Peptides Benefits
- Produce Collagen: Applying peptides helps to reduce the loss of collagen.
- Skin looks youthful
- Reduce fine lines and wrinkles ( Prevent new ones from coming)
- Improves Elasticity
- Firmness
Peptides Cons
Rare cases of peptide allergies.
The best time to use Peptides
Morning and Night.
The best age to start using Peptides
Late 20s, after 30, we lose 1% of collagen every year.
When to start using Peptides
When you see early signs of wrinkles.
Combine Peptides with
Hyaluronic Acid, Niacinamide, and Retinols.
Not to mix Peptides with
AHA acids and Vitamin C.
Affordable Peptides Products
Check these products in my Amazon store HERE.
- Inkey List Hepta-Peptide Face Serum
- The Ordinary “Buffet” Peptide Serum
Niacinamide
What is it?
Also known as B3. Water Soluble vitamin.
Niacinamide Benefits
- Brighten and Strengthen skin
- Even skin tone
- Helps with acne and rosacea
- Reduce oil production
- Reverse skin damage
Niacinamide Cons
It might irritate you if you use high concentrations.
The Best time to use Niacinamide
Morning or Night or Both.
The best age to start using Niacinamide
In your 20s or 30s, we can prevent early aging signs from worsening.
When to start using Niacinamide
Acne problems, Oily skin, sun damage, and dull skin.
Combine Niacinamide with
Peptides, Retinol, and Hyaluronic Acid, with almost every ingredient.
Not to mix Niacinamide with
You can mix it with any ingredient; just be cautious about how your skin reacts.
Affordable Niacinamide products
The ordinary Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1%: This product is excellent for reducing oil. It’s available at Sephora.
If you are in Canada, you can find this product here: Sephora
Ceramides
What is it?
Ceramides are lipids ( Fat Molecules) found in the upper layer of the skin.
Ceramides Benefits
- It helps restore the skin barrier
- Perfect for dry and sensitive skin
- Restore Moisture ( Eczema or Psoriasis)
- Repair Sun Damage
- Great anti-aging: Reduce fine lines and provide firmness
Ceramides Cons
Ceramides have no cons; always use them in moderation with other ingredients.
The Best time to use Ceramides
Morning or Night or Both.
The best age to start using Ceramides
In your late 20s. Ceramide levels decline after your 30s.
When to start using Ceramides
When you see early signs of aging, sun damage, and dehydration.
Combine Ceramides with
Skin identical ingredients like amino acids, glycerine, and cholesterol. It is also great with retinol, niacinamide, and peptides.
Not to mix Ceramides with
Ceramides can be mixed with other ingredients, including acids like AHAs and BHAs.
Affordable Ceramides products
I mentioned some of the products before.
Final Thoughts
Okay Beauties, there are so many skincare ingredients and products to try; find what is best for your skin and the problems you want to improve. I hope this small guide gives you more information and helps you understand and know these 6 Skincare Ingredients Better.
Check out more of my favorite affordable skincare products HERE.
Love you all ❤
Adriana