Healthy skin does not mean just taking care of the outer layer of the skin. It comes will a lot of things to take care of. Healthy skin is a result of overall health, nutrition you take over the day, sleep quality, hydration level, and day-to-day stress life. Skin is just a reflection of the human system.
When the internal system works perfectly and is balanced, your skin also appears healthy and radiant. In case of chronic stress levels or poor dietary habits, one may get acne, breakouts and premature ageing.
From the huge market size of cosmetology and dermatology, It is challenging to discover which skincare product gives maximum and instant results. The high volume of options—from high-tech serums to homemade remedies—creates confusion for people to determine what really makes a difference and what truly is beneficial for the skin.
Understanding basic skin biology—such as how collagen works to maintain skin’s structure, how ceramides help lock in moisture, or how antioxidants fight environmental damage—can serve as a helpful filter when examining new products or ingredients.
How to Identifying Key Ingredients?
Most skincare products are built around a few core ingredient categories. Let's get into what these categories are and why they’re used, you can more easily navigate the options and choose products that match your specific goals.
1. Cleansers
Famous cleansers available in the market are Micellar Water (a gentle cleanser), Sodium Laureth Sulfate (SLES), Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS), and Sodium Coco-Sulfate.
These cleansers effectively remove oil, dirt, and other pollutants from the skin while protecting the skin barrier. Good cleansers are those that cleanse the skin deeply without stripping out natural moisture from the skin and do not over-dry or irritate the skin.
Micellar water is nowadays a very famous cleanser due to its ability to cleanse water-proof makeup, dirt and pollution without harsh rubbing and also without requiring water.
2. Skin Exfoliating Agents:
Skin exfoliants exfoliate the skin and promote cell turnover. It removes dead skin cells from the surface of the skin and improves skin appearance. Widely used exfoliants in the market are Physical Scrub, Beta Hydroxy Acids (BHAs) like Salicylic Acid, and Alpha Hydroxy Acids (AHAs) like Glycolic and Lactic Acid.
Exfoliation helps stimulate collagen production and unclog skin pores, which ultimately reduces breakouts. However one must be cautious while using exfoliants as too much exfoliation damages the skin, and increases redness, and irritation.
Suppose you have oily and acne-prone skin and getting breakouts. In that case, it is best to use products having gentle exfoliating agents like Lelys Acne Squash Wash & Lelys Acne Censor Gel which helps exfoliate the skin gently, prevent clogged pores, and heals and prevent future pimples.
3. Moisturizers
Moisturizers keep skin hydrated. When your skin is not properly hydrated, it causes dry, itchy, and wrinkled skin. Widely used moisturisers are Humectants (Hyaluronic Acid and Glycerin) which draw water into the skin, Emollients (Ceramides and Squalane) which help make skin smooth and soft, and Occlusives (Petrolatum and Shea Butter) which create a protective barrier on the skin to lock in moisture.
One of the best ways to keep your skin moisturised is to drink plenty of water and use the correct and suitable skincare products. The moisturizer improves skin health, restores moisture, and protects the skin from environmental stressors, reducing fine lines and wrinkles.
4. Antioxidants
Antioxidants help protect skin cells from damage. They neutralise free radical which harms cells and speed up ageing. Antioxidants donate electrons to free radicals and stabilize them to prevent cells, proteins, and DNA from damage. It helps reduce oxidative stress, ultimately reducing signs of early ageing and various other diseases.
Widely used antioxidants in skincare products are Green Tea Extract, Vitamin C, and Vitamin E. Other natural sources to find antioxidants are fruits, vegetables, nuts, and teas that helps keep your body and skin healthy.
5. Retinoids
Retinoids are a group of compounds that are used to treat various skin conditions such as acne, clogged pores, wrinkles and fine lines, dark spots, and other skin diseases. The most used retinoids in dermatology and cosmetology are Retinol, Retinaldehyde, and Tretinoin.
These retinoids improve cell turnover, help reduce the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles, and blemishes. They help reduce inflation, unclog skin pores, slow down the ageing process, reduce dark spots, and brighten skin tone.
Retinoids are a naturally occurring form of vitamin A that is available over the counter in creams and serums. Isotretinoin is another form of retinoid which is taken orally to treat acne.
6. Peptides
In skincare, peptides are used to improve the natural repair process of the skin that help reduce fine lines and wrinkles and improve overall skin health. Widely used peptides are Argireline (Acetyl Hexapeptide-8), Matrixyl (Palmitoyl Pentapeptide-4), Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1, Copper Peptides, and Palmitoyl Tripeptide-5.
These peptides stimulate collagen production, help reduce wrinkles, improve skin elasticity and skin texture, and promote skin repair and regeneration. With ageing, our skin produces less collagen which is responsible for keeping the skin firm and youthful. When collagen production is reduced it leads to wrinkles, fine lines and loss of elasticity.
When the skin care product has peptides in it, it helps improve skin elasticity, prevent premature ageing, and reduce fine lines and wrinkles.
7. Skin-Brightening Agents
Skin-brightening agents are the ingredients in the skincare product that help brighten skin tone, reduce dark spots, and even out skin tone. Widely used skin-brightening agents are kojic acid, Niacinamide (Vitamin B3), licorice root extract, vitamin C, and alpha arbutin.
They are specially formulated ingredients designed to improve the overall appearance of your skin by addressing uneven skin tone and hyperpigmentation. Additionally, it also promotes increased cell turnover, helps remove dead and dull skin cells from the skin and gives a fresh look.
Lelys Skin Lightening Face Wash contains kojic acid, Niacinamide, licorice root extract, vitamin C, and vitamin E which is a very effective and luxurious face wash that gives you a brightened skin tone with every wash.
8. Sunscreen: (UV Filters)
Sunscreens come in the form of lotions, creams and gels. They are effective in protecting your skin from sun damage, and sun tan, and ultimately preventing your skin from early signs of aging. Highly used ingredients in the sunscreen are zinc oxide, titanium dioxide (mineral filters), avobenzone, and octocrylene (chemical filters).
They protect the skin from harmful UVA and UVB rays that cause sunburn, hyperpigmentation, and premature ageing. UVA rays penetrate deep into the skin, which causes premature ageing by breaking down collagen and leading to wrinkles. UVB rays primarily affect the surface of the skin, causing sunburn and direct damage that can result in dark spots and hyperpigmentation over time.
By blocking or absorbing these rays, sun protection helps prevent these issues, keeping the skin healthier, more even-toned, and youthful. This protection not only reduces the immediate risk of sunburn but also minimizes long-term damage, such as premature ageing and the development of hyperpigmentation.
Concussion:
It is best to know what are the key ingredients and what they do on the skin before purchasing and using them. When you know what particular ingredients do and their impact on the skin, you will be more cautious about using them. Based on your skin type, it will help you to avoid ingredients that might irritate your skin or cause allergic reactions. Once you know what suits your skin, it will help you build a skincare routine that works best for your skin type.
