5 Best Skincare Ingredients for Healthy Skin (and 5 to Avoid)
What are the best skincare ingredients for acne, wrinkles, hyperpigmentation, or just generally healthy skin? What you use on your skin can make a huge difference to the appearance of your skin. Using the wrong ones, however, can lead to all sorts of unpleasant side effects including dryness, redness, flaking, irritation, and even health issues.
We’ve rounded up the best skincare ingredients you can use to combat common skin concerns while achieving healthy, glowing skin.
Best Skincare Ingredients
If you’re experiencing fine lines, breakouts, discoloration, or dry skin, these skincare ingredients can help. Not only are they effective at treating skin concerns, but they’re also healthy for your skin and won’t cause any health issues. Here are some of the best skincare ingredients for hyperpigmentation, acne, fine lines, and more.
#1: Vitamin C
Vitamin C is a powerful antioxidant that protects the skin from free radicals known to cause premature signs of aging such as fine lines and hyperpigmentation. Consistent use of vitamin C spurs collagen synthesis, improving skin tone, texture, and firmness. Vitamin C can also brighten the skin and is one of the best skincare ingredients for dark spots and discoloration.
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Truly’s Vegan Collagen Booster Set features four face and body products that are chock full of vitamin C as well as retinol, plant collagen booster, and coconut oil. The ultimate anti-aging routine, this set improves the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles while gradually fading hyperpigmentation.
#2: Retinol
Retinol is one of the best skincare ingredients for aging skin. This vitamin A derivative encourages skin cell turnover, which helps improve skin tone and texture while unclogging pores to prevent breakouts. It also enhances collagen production and elasticity, softening fine lines and improving skin’s firmness.
Retinol is an excellent multitasker that can treat a number of skin concerns. It even works to treat skin complaints beyond your face, such as cellulite which typically occurs on the butt and thighs.
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Truly’s Anti-Cellulite Routine contains a smoothing blend of retinol, orange flower, and vegan collagen to plump out dimples and firm up sagging skin. This ultra-hydrating routine leaves the skin smooth, supple, and sculpted.
#3: Hyaluronic Acid
The best skincare ingredient for dry skin? That would have to be hyaluronic acid, a humectant that attracts and seals in moisture for soft, plump skin. A known H20 magnet, hyaluronic acid maintains hydration levels and prevents moisture loss, leaving skin instantly plump and healthy. It also boosts collagen production, giving skin volume and reducing signs of aging.
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Truly’s Dulce De Leches Routine harnesses the hydrating powers of hyaluronic acid, coconut milk, and cocoa butter to drench skin in long-lasting moisture. Skin feels instantly smoother–with a delicious warm caramel scent.
#4: Niacinamide
A derivative of vitamin B3, niacinamide offers a number of skin benefits including anti-aging, pore-refining, and UV damage protection. It’s ideal for those with oily or acne-prone skin thanks to its ability to regulate sebum production. That said, it’s also perfect for dry and sensitive skin types owing to its hydrating and redness-reducing powers. And another reason it’s one of the best skincare ingredients out there: it works to improve collagen synthesis, resulting in firmer, plumper skin.
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Truly’s Glass Skin Set is a 2-step routine featuring a cleansing balm and serum enriched with jojoba oil and niacinamide. It helps to unclog pores, prevent breakouts, minimize the appearance of pores, and leave skin plump and dewy. Plus, it’s fragrance-free, making it the perfect choice for people with sensitive skin.
#5: AHAs
Alpha hydroxy acids (AHAs) act as chemical exfoliants for the skin. They remove dead skin cells, decongesting pores and lessening sebum production while smoothing out rough, textured skin. The most common forms of AHAs include lactic acid, glycolic acid, mandelic acid, and citric acid. AHAs can also brighten the skin and fade acne scars. They’re the best skincare ingredients for dull skin, acne, fine lines, and hyperpigmentation.
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Truly’s Barbie™ The Movie Bedtime Duo features a face mask and body butter packed full of glycolic acid, lactic acid, and citric acid along with aloe, vitamin C, and ashwagandha. This dreamy duo secures sweeter dreams and firmer, brighter skin by morning.
Worst Skincare Ingredients
Believe it or not, many of the skincare products you’re already using might contain toxic ingredients that can be extremely harmful for your skin and your overall health. Now you know the best skincare ingredients to use, here are the skincare ingredients you’ll want to avoid.
#1: Phthalates
Phthalates are typically added to skincare products to increase their durability and longevity. They’re often used in lotions, creams, fragrances, and nail polishes to improve their texture and performance. While they’re good at what they do, they’re not so good for your health.
Phthalates have been shown to be endocrine disruptors, affecting reproductive health and reducing sperm count in men. Plus, they’re also harmful to the environment.
#2: Formaldehyde
Decades of research has confirmed formaldehyde as a known carcinogen–chemical substances that can cause cancer. You’ll find formaldehyde in everything from soaps to lotions and shampoos. Its purpose? To prolong shelf life. The problem is, formaldehyde has been clinically proven, again and again, to be detrimental to human health. For that reason, it’s best to avoid it.
#3: Parabens
Parabens are preservatives found in a variety of cosmetics and skincare products. Butyl, propyl, and ethyl parabens have all been linked to health concerns, such as breast cancer, but particularly hormone disruption. Besides the health issues, parabens can be irritating to those with sensitive skin.
#4: Petroleum Jelly
Petroleum jelly is a moisturizing agent that’s often found in lotions and creams. Refined petroleum jelly, otherwise known as mineral oil, isn’t a problem. The problem is that most mineral oils are not refined properly, creating the potential for PAHs–polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons. PAHs are chemical compounds that have been classified as human carcinogens.
#5: Polyethylene Glycol (PEGs)
Polyethylene glycol is a chemical thickener often added to cream-based products. According to research, PEGs can be extremely irritating to the skin, especially if you already have dry or sensitive skin.
If you’re looking to combat fine lines, acne, or hyperpigmentation, start using the best skincare ingredients above, which you’ll find in Truly’s bundles. These ingredients help to spur cellular turnover, increase collagen production, and protect the skin, leading to healthy, radiant, and youthful skin.
