By: Meg Owen
Meg Owen is a lifestyle blogger and lover of all things beauty. Here, she writes about important skincare ingredients.
Looking for the right skincare products can feel overwhelming. There are so many options at counters, in department stores, and at local drugstores. Many brands have impressive marketing for their products, claiming they can do nothing short of a miracle for you.
There are a lot of powerful skincare ingredients on the market, that's for sure. However, most skincare ingredient lists are full of hard-to-pronounce names, and it can be hard to decipher what is truly effective.
The following seven skincare ingredients are guaranteed to get you that sought-after glow. Keep reading to find out which ones you should look for in your skincare products – as well as their benefits.
7 Ingredients to Look for in Your Skincare Products
Each of these ingredients are proven to improve the skin and are some of the gold-standard anti-aging ingredients on the market.
1. Hyaluronic Acid
Hyaluronic acid is a substance found in our skin that keeps it hydrated. This particular molecule holds a thousand times its weight in water. Products that contain hyaluronic acid – like our Collagen Shots and Collagen Beauty Glow – draw moisture into the skin and lock it in. It keeps the skin moisturized throughout the day.
Look for moisturizers or serums that contain hyaluronic acid. It is most commonly listed as sodium hyaluronate in ingredient lists. The higher up on the ingredient list, the more potent it is within the skincare product. Hyaluronic acid serums can be used twice a day, layered underneath your moisturizer.
2. Vitamin C
Vitamin C is a powerful antioxidant. It creates a brighter complexion, evens out skin tone, and helps diminish the appearance of dull lackluster skin. This antioxidant has become very popular for its potent ability to improve complexions.
Vitamin C serums are the easiest and most stable way to incorporate the antioxidant into your skincare routine. You’ll want to look for products that contain L-absorbic acid. Vitamin C serum can be used once a day (day or night), layered underneath your moisturizer. Vital Proteins offers vitamin C-loaded products, like our Glow Collagen Shot, Beauty Boost capsules, and Collagen Beauty Glow.
3. Vitamin A
Vitamin A promotes the effects of the skin’s natural moisturizing factor and gives it a radiant glow, exfoliates and encourages rapid cell turnover, and stimulates collagen production.
Vitamin A comes in a lot of different forms for skincare, most commonly known as retinol and retinoid. Retinols are available over the counter at a low concentration. Retinoids are more potent, and typically available through a prescription from your dermatologist (most commonly known as Retin-A or Tretinoin).
It is best to speak with your dermatologist to see which formulation of vitamin A you should start incorporating your skincare routine. If you want to start incorporating it right away, grab an over-the-counter retinol to use under your moisturizer a few times a week.
4. Collagen
Collagen is abundantly found in our bodies. It is vital for the health of our skin, hair, joints, bones, and connective tissue. Our bodies’ ability to produce collagen declines as we age, so it’s important to supplement with effective products. This ingredient is best used when ingested, via any of Vital Proteins collagen products. There are so many variations to choose from – we’re talking collagen powders, collagen pills, and Collagen Shots! – that will seamlessly fit into your lifestyle.
5. Amla Berry Fruit
Amla fruit, also known as Indian Gooseberry, comes from the amalaka tree native to India. It is commonly used in Ayurvedic medicine for its antioxidant properties. It also contains antioxidant vitamins A and C. Look out for this ingredient in supplements and certain food products.
6. Selenium
Naturally appearing in water and some foods like walnuts and saltwater fish, Selenium is an antioxidant mineral that helps to promote skin cell health.* Selenium can also be found in some supplements and is said to boast additional health benefits on top of beauty perks.
7. Zinc
Zinc is an essential micronutrient and is the second most abundant trace mineral in the body. It is necessary for the activity of over 300 enzymes involved in metabolism and digestion. This mineral works to support the structure of skin cells and is fundamental to overall skin health.*
Incorporate one or all of these skincare ingredients into your routine and reap some lovely benefits. Cheers to healthy skin!
*This statement has not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.