People are increasingly becoming aware of the active ingredients in the skincare and haircare journey nowadays. They are consuming information from various sources like derma experts, online resources and social media. They are actively learning what ingredients are scientifically proven to get the desired results for concerns such as acne, aging, hyperpigmentation, and dullness.
People are looking for advanced solutions that are result-oriented and quick in terms of delivering efficiency in real time. A few of the ingredients like retinol, hyaluronic acid, vitamin C, niacinamide and SPF are the ingredients that deliver targeted solutions that address aging, hydration, and environmental protection all at once.
In this article, let’s discuss about when to use retinol, hyaluronic acid, vitamin C, and niacinamide in a skincare routine and how much SPF to use.
What is retinol?
Retinol belongs to the retinoid family, a widely studied ingredient, and is a form of vitamin A. It promotes skin turnover, stimulates collagen production, fights acne, and works as an anti-ageing ingredient. It helps get rid of dead skin cells, reduces fine lines and wrinkles, reduces hyperpigmentation, maintains skin elasticity and firmness, unclogs pores, reduces inflammation, and prevents future breakouts.
When and how to use Retinol?
Retinol is sensitive to sunlight. So it is best to incorporate it during the nighttime which increases its efficacy. If it is used during the day, it increases the chance of getting irritation when your skin is exposed to UV rays. Cleanse your face using face wash or micellar water, apply a thin layer of retinol serum or cream on the face, and apply moisturizer to prevent dryness or irritation.
It is best to start with a lower concentration to minimise the side effects and maximize its efficacy. Start with twice or thrice a week if you are new to it to build skin tolerance and reduce the chances of irritation. Once your skin is used to it, increase the frequency of the use.
If your skin is sensitive, consult a dermatologist before incorporating retinol into your skincare routine as a dermatologist might suggest light formulation based on your skin needs. Also using SPF is highly preferable due to its sensitivity to UV Rays. Your skin is more prone to get damaged from UV rays when retinol is applied during the day. So prevent UV damage, SPF use is the most important.
What is Hyaluronic acid?
Hyaluronic acid is a naturally found molecule in our skin, eyes, and connective tissues. It plays an important role in maintaining skin moisture and skin elasticity. Hyaluronic acid works well with all skin types including sensitive skin.
Hyaluronic acid ensures that skin cells are well hydrated, leading to smooth and radiant skin, improving skin texture, reducing fine lines and wrinkles, and enhancing skin barrier function, protecting from environmental pollutants. Hyaluronic acid blends well with other ingredients and comes in various product types including creams, serums, and sheet masks.
It boosts the overall performance of the skincare routine as it enhances the product absorption capacity and well works with other active ingredients. It is suitable for all skin types and delivers results without irritating skin.
When and how to use Hyaluronic acid?
Hyaluronic acid is lightweight, absorbs into the skin quickly and boosts hydration. One can use it in the morning as well as in the evening. It works best on damp skin so apply it in the morning after proper cleansing and after applying hydrating toner or vitamin C, if you are applying it. And follow up with moisturizer. For the night care routine, apply Hyaluronic acid to recover from moisture loss.
What is Vitamin C?
Vitamin C maintains a healthy and youthful complexion. It brightens skin tone, protects skin from environmental stressors and helps reduce fine lines and wrinkles. It is well known for its ability to even out skin tone, and fade hyperpigmentation, dark spots and sun damage. Its anti-inflammatory properties help calm irritated skin and reduce redness.
When and how to use Vitamin C?
Vitamin C is effective when applied in the morning. It helps protect skin from UV rays and environmental pollutants. It provides an extra layer of protection and enhances sunscreen efficiency. To follow the right order of daily skincare routine, start with cleansing face, apply toner (if applicable), then apply Vitamin C. Once done, go for moisturizer and sunscreen.
If you are using retinol in your skincare routine, then go for vitamin C in the morning routine and retinol in the evening as vitamin C should not be mixed with highly reactive ingredients like certain forms of retinol to avoid irritation and burning.
One can use vitamin C every day, however, if you are new to it, you can go for a few times a week, starting with a lower concentration and gradually increasing as per your skin’s requirement. Vitamin C is available in various forms, go for the one that suits your skin type and addresses specific concerns.
What is Niacinamide?
Niacinamide is a well-researched ingredient for skincare and offers a wide range of benefits including balancing sebum production, reducing inflammation, and improving skin barrier. It is water soluble and a form of Vitamin B3. One of the most known features of niacinamide is, that it is gentle in nature, delivering results without skin irritation, making it effective for sensitive skin as well.
When and how to use Niacinamide?
It is beneficial for oily and acne-prone skin as it regulates sebum production, resulting in fewer breakouts and a balanced complexion. It is a flexible product and can be incorporated into morning and evening routines. When applied in the morning, it helps protect the skin from pollution and in the evening, it helps boost hydration and mitigate skin irritation when applied along with retinol.
You can apply niacinamide moisturizer or serum on clear skin to ensure maximum absorption capacity. It is compatible with other skincare products and goes well with hyaluronic acid to keep your skin hydrated. Niacinamide is safe to use on a daily basis. It can be applied once or twice a day depending on your skin’s needs. It is incorporated as an active ingredient in the face wash as well as acne gel to keep your skin pigmentation-free and prevent breakouts.
What is SPF?
Sun Protection Factor (SPF) tells you how long can you stay under the sun without getting burned as compared to applying no sunscreen. For Ex. If your skin tends to get burned in 10 minutes without sunscreen, you may get protection for about 300 minutes (30 times longer) by applying SPF 50+.
How Much SPF Should Your Sunscreen Have?
Sunscreen comes in different SPFs. The higher the SPF number, the greater the UVB protection. While no sunscreen can block 100% of UV rays, SPF 30 blocks 97% of the UV rays, whereas SPF 50+ blocks 98% of UVB rays.
Again, UVB-only sunscreens - without covering UVA rays, only protect your skin from UVB rays, which can cause sunburn, skin ageing and skin damage. So it is best to use a broad-spectrum sunscreen that protects your skin from UVA rays also. It prevents premature ageing and protects your skin from sunburn. So for higher protection consider SPF with higher SPF and broadspectrum sunscreen.
When and how to use SPF?
Sunscreen should be incorporated into the morning routine as well as before going outdoors. It should be included in the daily routine for 365 days. It is a misconception that you don't need sunscreen on cloudy days. 80% of UV rays get penetrated through clouds. So apply it every day even if it is a cloudy day.
For the sequence of the sunscreen, first, cleanse your face, apply moisturiser, apply other ingredients like Vitamin C (in case you are applying), and then go for sunscreen. If you are exposed to the sun for a prolonged time, consider reapplying sunscreen every two hours.
Overall, these ingredients help you get clear, protected, and acne-free skin. Incorporating these ingredients into a daily routine helps boost skin hydration levels, reduces redness and inflammation, and optimises skin health by regulating sebum production.
