Needless to say, the world of beauty and skincare has truly boomed over the past few years. Now more than ever, the global pandemic has forced so many of us to stay home, not wear makeup, and put more time and effort into our skincare journey.
by Grace Kijjaroenvisal #skininfluencer
With such an accelerated growth in the beauty industry over the past few years, the high-in-demand market also came with a myriad of myths, misconceptions, and misconstrued opinions across social media platforms. On the other hand, many board-certified dermatologists and estheticians have emerged during this new wave of “skinfluencers,” creating a group of famous skin doctors with a large following and gaining trust among consumers. The new wave came with these famous doctors or skin experts who work towards debunking so many of the claims and myths we may have seen over the years to help people’s skin journey for the better.
With that being said, many ingredients and products emerged effective and popular among consumers. But how does one navigate the ocean of chemistry and ingredients that may or may not be a vegan derivative of a reactive component? This may seem taxing for many of us given the state of the world, but here are some basic and good-for-you ingredients for all skin types to maintain your beautiful complexion.
Vitamin C: as one of the most beneficial antioxidants for you to topically apply and ingest, this favorite ingredient is often found as ascorbic acid. It’s an antioxidant that truly helps protect your skin from free radicals and helps with: fine lines, dullness, uneven tone, pollution, boosts collagen, hyperpigmentation, and brightening. Recommended application: use in the AM along with your favorite sunscreen to amplify your protection from the effects of sun exposure.
Niacinamide aka Vitamin B3: this magical ingredient should be a staple in everyone’s routine because of the benefits it has. A form of Vitamin B3, it’s a team-playing ingredient that works well with every other ingredient, and when mixed correctly, can result in many different types of benefits. Now more than ever, you can easily find this ingredient in so many products across affordable as well as luxury brands. Helps with: soothing, sebum control, hyperpigmentation, and pores.
Hyaluronic Acid aka HA: although it is a type of acid, it’s a beneficial ingredient for all skin types. Unlike the name, it’s the opposite of a chemical exfoliator, hyaluronic acid helps with: reducing the visibility of fine lines, retaining moisture to the skin, plumping, and increases skin cell production by protecting and hydrating the skin. It’s also a team player and mixes well with any ingredient.
Retinol: as one of the best ingredients for anti-aging, Vitamin A is a derivative of retinoids, a source group that comes from animals. in which include retinol. It helps with: fine lines and wrinkles, helps acne, hyperpigmentation, and pore care. Recommended use: remember, the poison is in the dose – and repeat this mantra for every product you use. It’s crucial that you start at a low dosage and slow, for example, once a week, and build your tolerance up gradually. It’s best to consult your dermatologist or esthetician on which one is best for your skin; for super sensitive skin, opting for encapsulated retinol may be a gentler option as the formula is created to slowly release the ingredient over time on your skin rather than directly. Most experts recommend retinol for users aged from the mid-20s to older.
While it’s important to maintain a good routine, it’s also important to remember that the condition of our skin’s health depends on so many elements such as environmental factors, diet, genetics, and your daily habits. So remember, you can’t depend entirely on a skincare routine on its own and don’t stress too much because your skincare journey is a marathon, not a race to a finishing line.
About Grace Kijjaroenvisal aka graceactually
Born in Bangkok, Thailand, and raised in Brussels, Belgium, Grace Kijjaroenvisal is a freelance creative branding consultant in the business of fashion, beauty, media, and entertainment. She is also in the artistic field of beauty as a makeup artist when she’s behind the scenes. Having left the corporate world, Grace excels in a multifaceted environment, constantly engaging her active mind and pursuing her passions.
