Finding which products go well with your skin type is by no means an easy task. It’s a process that will require a lot of trial and error, patience and perseverance. Not to mention, it’s not a cheap task – sometimes you’ll have to try a ton of products before you find which ones agree with your skin.
We’ve tried to make this process easier for you by compiling a list of many ingredients which work for particular skin types. This extensive list will enable you to become more knowledgeable about the ingredients that you put on your skin, and it will also teach you how to eliminate potential skin triggers without wasting your money on skincare products that don’t work.
Determine Your Skin Type
The first step is to determine your skin type. In order for this quest for better products to be successful, you must first know what your particular skin type is. You can read all about determining your skin type here.
This way, you can skip right to the section which examines the ingredients that are suitable for the skin type which you have. By doing so, you’ll be saving a lot of money and time in the future. Using skincare and makeup products which aren’t compatible with your skin can cause all sorts of problems, from irritation to dryness and even breakouts.
Best Ingredients for Dry Skin
If you have dry skin, it’s hard not to notice the uncomfortable feeling that goes along with it. It can be quite a challenge to deal with dry skin, particularly excessively dry skin which goes hand in hand with dry patches that are hard to heal. You feel your face is very tight after you’ve washed it or after you’ve gotten out of the shower, and sometimes not even the most expensive moisturizers in the world can help with that feeling.
When you have dry skin, the number one thing you’ll want to look for in the ingredients list is hydrating ingredients which offer proper hydration without clogging your pores. Sure, adding a couple of teaspoons of coconut oil to your dry skin might sound like a good idea at first, but it’s hardly a long-term solution. Although adding heavy oils on your skin makes sense at the beginning, it’s not always the best idea. You should stay away from comedogenic ingredients, meaning ingredients which can potentially clog up your pores. Even though people with dry skin are less prone to getting acne due to the lack of sebum, comedogenic products can lead to other skin issues, so it’s best to pick ingredients which are safe even if you don’t have sensitive skin.
Next time you’re thinking about creating your skincare routine anew, look for these specific cosmetic ingredients in the products you’re thinking about purchasing. Every single product doesn’t have to contain all these ingredients, but finding ones which have a high percentage of at least one of these ingredients is the best option.
Glycerin
Glycerin is one of the most hydrating ingredients out there. You’ve probably already read it in the ingredient list of your favorite soap or hand cream, and that is because it’s very effective in moisturizing the skin without suffocating it.
Glycerin is a humectant, meaning its function is to draw moisture from your skin. It can also soften and smooth out your skin, which is definitely a must if you have chronic dry skin. This is why it’s also extremely effective for mature skin prone to wrinkles and fine lines.
It can also maintain the water balance in your skin which helps with water loss that happens as we age or when we get dehydrated. Not only can glycerin hydrate your skin, but it can also protect it from any harmful chemicals or environmental factors that can potentially have a negative effect on it. So far it seems that glycerin is universally applicable to most skin types. It’s a substance that is very similar to what our skin produces, which could be the reason why our skin agrees with it so nicely.
You can use glycerin on a daily basis without suffering any negative effects. This is a good reason as to why you should try to find a moisturizer with glycerin as its ingredient so that you can enjoy its benefits daily.
All of these benefits combined will result in fresher and healthier looking skin. As a result, if you use makeup on a daily basis, it will blend more smoothly and it won’t look cakey once you apply it.
Ceramides
Ceramides are the fatty molecules which have a waxy texture. One of their functions is to hold the skin barrier together. They are already found in our skin, which is one of the reasons why they work so well for dry skin. They can also replenish the skin and improve the barrier function which keeps the top layers protected from any unwanted damage. Due to all these benefits, as an ingredient, they’re also perfect for people who suffer from eczema.
Multiple studies have been done in order to determine just how effective ceramides are for the skin and it turns out that they really do work! Look for this ingredient in moisturizers, serums and skin creams. Ceramides hydrate, soften and replenish the skin, so it’s safe to say that your skin will thank you for it.
Hyaluronic Acid
Hyaluronic acid is a carbohydrate molecule which our bodies already possess. It serves as a lubricant for our joints and connective tissues, it has a certain function regarding the eyes, but most importantly – our skin contains it on a larger scale.
However, the amount of hyaluronic acid which is in our skin decreases as we grow older. This is one of the reasons why it’s wise to purchase skincare ingredients which contain hyaluronic acid inside.
It works wonderfully as a moisturizer and its moisturizing properties are very easy for our skin to absorb.
Face Oils
Oils don’t always cause clogged pores. It’s important for us to make a distinction between comedogenic oils and non-comedogenic oils. Always opt for non-comedogenic oils in order to ensure that you don’t end up with any breakouts or irritation. When it comes to oils, there are certain ones which score low on the comedogenic scale and which are almost always safe to use, even for those who have extremely sensitive skin. Look for these oils in the ingredient list:
- Argan oil
- jojoba oil
- pumpkin seed oil
- vitamin E oil
- hemp seed oil
- walnut oil
- tamanu oil
- black cumin seed oil
These oils will not only provide you with impeccable hydration, but they will also make sure that your skin stays smooth and healthy. Most of the aforementioned oils contain a myriad of antioxidants inside, which are not only incredible for your complexion but for your health as well.
Plant-derived Butters
If you’ve ever used a body butter, you’d know that there is no going back from it. Body butters have the softest, most luxurious-feeling texture and they smell so delicious you almost want to taste them. But other than their obvious appeal scent-wise, they are awesome for providing deep hydration for the skin on our body as well as our face.
Just like you’d do with cosmetic oils, you also want to look for the non-comedogenic label on butters too, otherwise, it’s a disaster waiting to happen. Butters have quite a heavy formula, so if you combine that with comedogenic ingredients and a sensitive or oily skin type, it can easily spell disaster.
For this purpose, the best butters to look for are cocoa butter, shea butter, and jojoba butter.
PCA
PCA stands for pyrrolidone carboxylic acid and it’s an amino acid which can be of help for those who suffer from dry skin. Its main perk is that it attracts water, which helps boost hydration levels.
Best Ingredients for Oily and Combination Skin
Oily skin is one of the hardest skin types to deal with. Not only is it complicated in itself, but the excess sebum can lead to all sorts of complications such as acne. If you want to find out how to treat oily skin in particular, make sure to check out this article here.
Combination skin contains the same symptoms like oily skin, only they’re limited to the T-zone, while the rest of the face is dry.
Here are the best ingredients for these two skin types.
Glycolic Acid
If you suffer from oily skin and acne, this is the ingredient to look for. It helps clean out clogged pores and reduce excess sebum, both of which lead to acne-free skin.
Glycolic acid also helps with exfoliation, and regular exfoliation with good-quality products can do wonders for your skin. Glycolic acid is mostly found in toners, so if you’re on the lookout for a nice toner which will have many benefits for your skin, make sure that glycolic acid is on the ingredients list.
Niacinamide
Niacinamide, or vitamin B3, is extremely beneficial for people with oily and combination skin. It works by absorbing excess sebum, which helps control breakouts and greasy-looking skin.
Not only that, but it also has some incredible anti-aging benefits as well. It helps with both protecting your skin and treating the causes which make your skin oily in the first place.
Retinol
Retinol or Retin A is one of the most famous ingredients for battling with oily and combination skin. It’s a vitamin A derivative which controls sebum production and contains anti-aging benefits as well.
You can purchase it as a cream, but make sure to use SPF when you apply it topically. Safer is to only use it in the evening as an anti-aging night cream.
Salicylic acid
Salicylic acid is an effective acid which comes from plants. It keeps the skin exfoliated and clear of any breakouts. In addition, salicylic acid is one of the best ingredients for blackheads, and it’s good for preventing them. On top of that, it keeps your skin rejuvenated and soft. It seems like it’s one of the best ingredients for a clear complexion. Make sure not to overdo it though, because it can have an adverse effect.
You can find it in lotion form, as a cleanser, topical treatment, and as a cream.
Best Ingredients for Sensitive and Acne-prone Skin
Perhaps the most delicate and complex skin type is the sensitive, acne-prone one. It’s very hard to pick the right ingredients for this particular skin type, but hopefully, by providing you with this guide you’ll feel more confident and informed next time you’re picking out which product to try.
Allantoin
Allantoin belongs to the group of phytochemicals and it’s derived from plants. It has many benefits for the skin, such as protecting it from external damage and stimulating rejuvenation. If your skin is affected by acne and hyperpigmentation, this is one ingredient that can help you deal with it.
Benzoyl Peroxide
Benzoyl peroxide has many perks, one of which is the fact that our skin can’t become resistant to it like it can with antibiotics. It helps fight off acne-causing bacteria, which is especially important if you have acne-prone skin.
Note that your skin will need some getting used to this treatment, so don’t worry if you experience some redness and irritation initially. This is why dermatologists recommend you to use it every other day in the beginning.
You can find benzoyl peroxide in lotion form and as a cleanser. Both are equally effective.
Tea Tree Oil
You’ve probably already heard of this groundbreaking spot treatment, but if you haven’t, tea tree oil can do wonders for our skin and pimples. It has amazing antiseptic, antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties. In addition to protecting the skin from any future breakouts, it makes for effective and easy spot treatment on already existing pimples. Simply dip a cotton ball into the oil and put in on your spot, leaving it overnight. By the time you’re up, the spot will have reduced in size, inflammation, and redness.
You can find tea tree oil in most drugstores, health food stores, and pharmacies.
Witch Hazel
Although it contains a spooky name, this ingredient is far from scary! Witch hazel can actually help the skin in multiple ways – it provides deep cleansing, helps blemishes replenish themselves and it doesn’t irritate sensitive skin.
It’s made of natural ingredients, so you don’t have to worry about it not agreeing with your skin. Not only does it work on breakouts, but apparently it can also help refine pores.
Witch hazel works as a natural toner as well as a spot treatment so you can choose which way you want to use it.
Sulfur
When you think of acne-fighting ingredients, chances are sulfur doesn’t come to mind. But here’s why it should. Despite its disgusting smell, sulfur can do miracles for our complexion. By using it as a spot treatment, you’re making sure the pimple heals in no time, all the while preventing future scarring. Speaking of scarring, did you know that sulfur also fights hyperpigmentation and scarring? Pretty amazing.
It contains antibacterial benefits and it won’t dry out your skin. What’s not to love?
If you have oily and combination skin, it’s best to use a 10% concentration.
Best Ingredients for Mature Skin
Mature skin is characterized by a loss of collagen and hydration, resulting in fine lines and wrinkles. As we age, the concentration of substances like collagen and hyaluronic acid decreases, which causes our skin to show signs of aging.
Here are some of the best ingredients for aging skin that you should include in your regular skincare routine.
Retinol
We’ve already mentioned retinol and its anti-aging benefits. It smooths out our skin and it boosts the amount of collagen which our skin produces. This results in an improvement in the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.
A change in skin tone may also occur as we age. In order to avoid this, try adding a retinol product in your skincare routine, since it also improves skin tone and gives you a healthy complexion.
If you end up using retinol, don’t forget to moisturize regularly and apply sun protection whenever you leave the house.
Vitamin C
It’s no secret that vitamin C contains lots of antioxidants. These help your body produce more collagen, which helps improve the texture of those who have mature skin.
You can find vitamin C in pretty much any kind of product, whether it’s a cream, serum or lotion. Adding more vitamin C rich foods in your diet might also help.
Caffeine
Not only is coffee delicious, but it also contains a long list of benefits which come with its topical application. It can help with the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, making them less prominent.
Green Tea Extract
While we’re on the subject of caffeine, green tea extract contains many benefits for the skin and for our bodies due to the fact that it’s full of polyphenols. These fight inflammation and free radicals, which helps with all sorts of skin issues.
On top of that, green tea is also helpful against sun damage and wrinkles because of the polyphenols that it contains. It also helps with sagging skin because it improves skin elasticity.
Conclusion
Hopefully, you’ve found this extensive list of cosmetic ingredients according to your skin type helpful. Remember, if you want to see changes in your skin, you don’t have to use all of these at once. Incorporating just a few of these will result in major changes in a few weeks’ time.
Although there are many skincare ingredients that really work on your skin, you also should pay attention to your lifestyle because it’s a major factor for healthy skin.
