The most important thing to keep in mind when finding over-the-counter skin care products is to trust yourself as no one knows your skin more than you. There are a lot of skin care products available in the market, but you need to take a minute to educate yourself before buying skin care products. Make sure that you consult your dermatologist, internist, or family doctor if you have some particular problems with your skin.
The information provided below will assist you to understand the latest composition in skin care products that may prove to be beneficial for your skin.
- Alpha-Hydroxy Acids (AHAs)
Over-the-counter skin care products containing alpha-hydroxy acids have become so popular in the current years. Skin moisturizers, skin toners or even the facial cleansers containing alpha-hydroxy acids may help with fine lines, irregular pigmentation and age spots, and also helps in shrinking enlarged pores. Its side effects include mild irritation and sun sensitivity.
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To prevent tanning, sunscreen should be applied in the morning. To avoid skin irritation, start with a product that has a maximum concentration of 10-15% AHA. To make your skin to be used to it, you should initially apply the skin care product every other day, gradually making it to daily application.
- Beta-Hydroxy Acid (Salicylic Acid)
Salicylic Acid helps in removing dead skin and improving the complexion of sun-damaged skin. It penetrates oil-laden hair follicle openings leading to combat acne issues. It is also better in terms of adaptation by the skin as it causes less skin irritation than other skin care products containing alpha-hydroxy acids, although both provide a similar improvement in skin texture and color.
- Hydroquinone
Hydroquinone is a skin lightening agent. The skin care products containing it are used to lighten hyperpigmentation, such as age spots and dark spots related to pregnancy or hormone therapy. If you are allergic to hydroquinones, you may try products containing Kojic acid instead.
- Kojic Acid
Kojic acid is used for the treatment of pigment problems and age spots. It works similarly to hydroquinone. Kojic acid is derived from a fungus, and it is effective as a lightening agent, slowing production of melanin (brown pigment).
- Retinol
Retinol is derived from vitamin A and is present in many anti-aging skin care products. The skin responds to skin care products with retinol as vitamin A has a molecular structure that’s small enough to get into the lower layers of skin, where it finds collagen and elastin. It also improves pigmentation, fine lines and wrinkles, skin texture, skin tone and color, and your skin’s hydration levels.
- L-Ascorbic Acid
L-ascorbic acid is the only useful form of vitamin C in skin care products. With age and sun exposure, collagen synthesis in the skin decreases, leading to wrinkles. Vitamin C is the only antioxidant that stimulates the synthesis of collagen, minimizing fine lines, scars, and wrinkles.
- Hyaluronic Acid
Skin care products containing this substance are often used with vitamin C products to help with better penetration. It is popular for its ability to reverse or stop aging. It is the substance that occurs naturally in humans and animals and is present in young skin, other tissues, and joint fluid. Skin care products with hyaluronic acid are most frequently used to deal with wrinkled skin.
- Copper Peptide
Copper peptide is often referred to as the most effective skin regeneration product. It promotes collagen and elastin production, acts as an antioxidant, and promotes the production of glycosaminoglycans. It helps to firm, smooth, and softens skin, doing it in less time than most other anti-aging skin care products. Copper peptides also remove damaged collagen and elastin from the skin and scar tissue because they charge up the skin’s system responsible for those functions.
- Alpha-Lipoic Acid
It’s a newer, ultra-potent antioxidant that helps fight future skin damage and helps repair past damage. Alpha-lipoic acid has been soluble in both water and oil, which permits its entrance to all parts of the cell. Due to this quality, it is believed that alpha-lipoic acid can provide the greatest protection against damaging free radicals when compared with other antioxidants.It diminishes fine lines, gives skin a healthy glow, and boosts levels of other antioxidants, such as vitamin C.
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It matters what and how much you eat or drink, how much is the stress in your life, your daily home skin care regimen, and the time you take for good skin care. Seeing a professional skin care specialist is essential to keeping and maintaining beautiful and glowing skin. They can prescribe the perfect treatment to help resolve any unwanted skin conditions. Coupled with your good home care, you can consistently age gracefully and have better skin health in years to come.
