Hyaluronic Acid
- Use: Apply to damp skin after cleansing, often found in serums, moisturizers, and masks.
- Effect: Deeply hydrates and plumps the skin by retaining moisture, reducing the appearance of fine lines and making skin look more supple.
Retinol
- Use: Apply at night, starting with a lower concentration and gradually increasing. Often found in serums and creams.
- Effect: Promotes cell turnover and collagen production, reducing wrinkles, fine lines, and improving skin texture and tone.
Vitamin C
- Use: Apply in the morning after cleansing and before sunscreen. Often found in serums and moisturizers.
- Effect: Brightens skin, evens out skin tone, and reduces signs of aging by protecting against free radical damage.
Niacinamide (Vitamin B3)
- Use: Can be used both morning and night, often found in serums and moisturizers.
- Effect: Improves skin elasticity, enhances the skin’s barrier function, reduces redness, and regulates oil production.
Peptides
- Use: Apply after cleansing and before moisturizing, often found in serums and creams.
- Effect: Support collagen production, improving skin firmness and elasticity, and aiding in skin repair and regeneration.
Ceramides
- Use: Can be used both morning and night, often found in moisturizers and creams.
- Effect: Restore and maintain the skin’s natural barrier, preventing moisture loss and protecting against environmental damage.
Glycolic Acid
- Use: Apply at night, often found in exfoliating pads, serums, and creams.
- Effect: Exfoliates dead skin cells, improving skin texture, reducing the appearance of fine lines and hyperpigmentation, and promoting a smoother, brighter complexion.
Salicylic Acid
- Use: Apply to affected areas, often found in acne treatments, cleansers, and spot treatments.
- Effect: Helps clear acne and unclog pores by exfoliating the inside of the pores, reducing inflammation, and preventing future breakouts.
Sunscreen (SPF 30 or higher)
- Use: Apply generously in the morning as the last step in your skincare routine and reapply every 2 hours when exposed to the sun.
- Effect: Protects skin from harmful UV rays, preventing sunburn, premature aging, and reducing the risk of skin cancer.
Aloe Vera
- Use: Apply to clean skin, often found in gels, creams, and lotions.
- Effect: Soothes and moisturizes the skin, reduces inflammation and redness, and helps in healing minor burns and sunburns.