A - Z of Skincare Ingredients Part 2: N - Z

Hi there my lovelies!

Here is the second segment on the A-Z of skincare ingredients. Remember ingredients react differently to different skin types and work for different skin concerns. If there are ever any concerns or questions, always always feel free to contact me. Enjoy!

N

• Niacinamide: Another holy grail in skincare with a long history of scientific and clinical support. It is a form of vitamin B3 that most importantly assists in maintaining skin barrier function, along with boosting antioxidants. Furthermore, it helps with pigmentation, evens skin tone, and levels oil production in the skin, helping for both oily and dry skin types. It even assists in helping to slow down wrinkles producing. It is often an ingredient used in moisturizers and serums and is especially helpful in sunscreens. B’s recommendation: Insta natural niacinamide serum
  

O

• Oatmeal: yes the old school breakfast ingredient. Now I’m not saying slather half your breakfast on your face, but products containing oatmeal can be great for your skin. It is especially recommended for sensitive skin types as it contains a small percentage of avenanthramides which allow this ingredient its anti-irritant and anti-inflammatory properties. This is recommended for eczema and psoriasis. Top tip: you can soak oatmeal in warm water and use the liquid as an anti-inflammatory serum for up to a week. B’s recommendation: Aveeno 100% natural colloidal oatmeal soothing bath treatment.
  

P

• Parabens: Your most popular preservative. A lot of skincare ranges mention their products being free of parabens, some cases have stated that some actives in the ingredient contain high amounts of estrogen, however, this would require a high concentrate and copious amounts of usage to take any effects on female health, however, it is mentioned to not be used during pregnancy. I still believe this to be a good preservative type, but there are amazing paraben-free products to try as well. B’s recommendation (for paraben-free product): Garnier Skin Active Water Rose 24HR Moisture Cream.

• Peptides: most commonly a chain of amino acids formed together, with their best property being anti-aging. This is due to their building block being of a protein nature, which accommodates well with the proteins and peptides in our own skin. Peptides do unfortunately degrade easily and are best kept under cool conditions, they are also not always vegan and cruelty-free. B’s recommendation: Clinique pep-start eye cream.

Q

• Q10: also known as coenzyme. This is naturally produced by the body and is vital for cell function. This ingredient in turn aids in restoring elasticity to the skin, helping to improve wrinkles. B’s recommendation: Nivea Q10 firming body lotion
  

R

• Retinol: a form of Vitamin A. This helps to clear clogs in the skin, controls the growth of acne bacteria, and decreases skin inflammation. It is an excellent product to use for acne-prone skin or if you are having a bad breakout. However, this does make the skin slightly sensitive, so UV exposure is not recommended, so this is best used at night. It also counteracts when used with Vitamin C, so the best solution would be to use Vitamin C only in the AM and retinol only in the PM. Ones skin needs time to get used to this product type, but after the plurge effect, your skin will absolutely thank you. B’s recommendation: SKOON Retinin cream.

S

• Sulfates: this is a group of cleansing agents found in most face washes. Again, this is an ingredient the cosmetic industry wants to promote their ranges free from. This is due to causing sensitivity and dryness when used in excess or if it is left on too long. B’s recommendation (for sulfate-free product): Neutrogena naturals pore purifying scrub

• Silicone: This is yet again a product the beauty industry is biased about, I for one have no problem with it. Silicones give products their smooth and silky feel and also helps to fill in cracks on the skin, aiding in toning the skin and evening it out. This ingredient is not dangerous, nor suffocating to the skin as many make it out to be. B’s recommendation: The Ordinary Vitamin C 30% suspension in silicone

• Salicylic Acid: this skincare ingredient is actually derived from the bark of a willow tree and one of the most common ones found in chemical exfoliants. Salicylic Acid works wonders for blackheads and clogged pores as it helps to loosen the blemishes, leaving behind a smoother skin, plus it’s anti-inflammatory. For my teenage readers, I highly recommend this product type for puberty related acne. It’s also great during menstrual acne or hormonal adult acne. B’s recommendation: Vichy Normaderm deep cleansing gel with salicylic acid acne treatment.

T

• Tea tree oil: Another great product ingredient for acne with it’s anti-bacterial and anti-fungal properties. I love to use it as a spot treatment sort in inflamed areas and it’s also super natural and less irritating than most acne-fighting ingredients. B’s recommendation: The Body Shop tea tree oil range.

• Titanium dioxide: This is an earth mineral used in natural sunscreens as it protects the skin from UV and UVB rays without causing sensitivity. This is usually recommended for irritated and redness-prone skin types. It works well and often alongside zinc oxide. B’s recommendation: La Roche-Posay anthelios SPF 50 mineral sunscreen

U

• Urea: This ingredient is found in the skin's natural moisturizing barrier and decreases with age. In products, it mostly acts as a humectant moisturizing ingredient, therefore holding onto water and keeping the skin hydrated. Furthermore, it aids in regulating the composition of the skin and exfoliates dead skin cells, however, over-exfoliation. can cause irritation and dryness. On the opposite spectrum, urea could also be used for its anti-itching and antimicrobial properties. High concentrations of this could go as far as to soften calloused skin. B's recommendation: Eucerin Dry Skin Body Cream 5% Urea repair plus.

V

• Vegetable Oil: Your basic everyday oils, both cheap and easily available that assist in neutralizing damage free radicals and antioxidant properties that aid in soothing visible stress and aging. Examples include almond oil, rosehip oil, marula oil, and coconut oil (however, this one can be pore-clogging). B's recommendation: Lulu & Marula Nourishing treatment oil.

W

• Witch hazel: The most popular and standard toner ingredient that derives from the Hamamelis virginiana plant. The only downfall with this ingredient is that it is often used in alcohol-based products due to it being a good astringent. This in effect results in temporarily tightening the pores, reducing puffiness, and refining skin texture. This is a great recommendation for oily skin types especially, but may be too harsh for highly sensitive skin. B's recommendation: Back 2 Nature Witch Hazel & Rose Water Toner.

Y

• Yogurt: Another inexpensive and easily found skincare ingredient with a high count of probiotics. The protein and fat in yogurt are great for moisturizing, while the lactic acid (which causes the flavour) is an AHA type, therefore helping shed dead skin cells and allowing for a clearer and smoother complexion. Studies have also shown that strains found in the yogurt probiotic can reduce acne-related skin redness and it can restore the skin barrier function
  

Z

• Zinc Oxide: This is another sunscreen ingredient that is not irritating and works alongside titanium dioxide. B’s recommendation: Neutrogena sheer Zinc Dry-Touch Sunscreen SPF 50

That's all from my side.

Keep going, keep glowing, keep growing. You're doing amazing!

- B x