Popular Face Cream Ingredients Explained – As consumers in the beauty and skincare industry, we are becoming increasingly aware of the importance of choosing our products wisely. We no longer want to pay a premium just for a branded name – we are looking for the best value for money, with a solid list of ingredients. So, to empower this shift, here are the top ingredients to look for when buying a face cream.
Hyaluronic acid
Hyaluronic Acid, or sometimes simply HA, is one of the most popular ingredients you can find in moisturisers. Also known as a humectant, this molecule is known for retaining moisture effectively. In fact, it can hold up to a thousand times its weight in water. Although already naturally occurring in our bodies, hyaluronic acid is often added to face creams to provide higher hydration, which results in plumper skin and reduced fine lines.
Vegan collagen
Normally, collagen originates from animal sources. However, any natural face cream will now use vegan collagen alternatives. This innovative ingredient typically uses plant-based protein substitutes, often cia genetically modified bacteria or yeast. They may also include peptides and amino acids to achieve the same results. The purpose of vegan collagen is to encourage your skin’s own collagen synthesis, which is known to enhance elasticity, hydration, firmness, and youthfulness, all while staying ethical.
L-ascorbic acid (Vitamin C)
L-Ascorbic Acid is a highly celebrated ingredient, known as the most potent form of Vitamin C in skincare. This powerful antioxidant is there to neutralise the damages caused by UV exposure and pollution. It also naturally encourages melanin production and brightens up your complexion, helping firm up the skin as well as fade unwanted dark spots and blemishes. L-Ascorbic Acid is usually formulated alongside Vitamin E and Ferulic Acid.
Retinol
Choosing the right face cream is all about your unique needs and retinol is one of the ingredients that’s not needed or wanted by everyone. Deriving from Vitamin A, it is the most popular component in anti-aging creams, with the ability to accelerate skin cell recovery. It also effectively promotes collagen production and offers other antioxidant benefits. Regular use of retinol can help reduce fine lines and wrinkles, fade hyperpigmentation, improve overall skin texture and tone, and even assist with acne. However, it’s important to introduce it to your skin gradually to avoid irritation.
Salicylic acid
Salicylic acid is a beta-hydroxy acid (BHA), renowned for its pore purifying abilities. Most often found in serums, this acid works by exfoliating your pores deeply, cleaning pores and reducing any dead skin cells. It also has anti-inflammatory properties, which can help deal with acne-prone skin or those suffering from a lot of blackheads and texture. Some people even use it to treat more serious conditions, such as psoriasis.
SPF (Sun Protection Factor)
SPF is a non-negotiable ingredient that should be used every single day. It acts like a shield on your skin to clock out UV that comes from the sun rays, which is known to cause skin damage and increases the risks of skin cancer. Some people prefer to buy a seperate sun cream, but many face creams now include it within the formulation. The higher the number of SPF on your cream, the better and longer your protection (the highest is SPF100, although SPF50 and SPF30 are found in creams more commonly).
Informed choices for radiant skin
Understanding the main face cream ingredients is truly empowering, as it allows you to choose your products based on what they do, as opposed to the marketing claims. However, the information can be overwhelming, so there are many other tools to help inform you, from dedicated apps to AI models.
Poppy Watt