Key Ingredients in Effective Skin Care Products

Skin care is a multi-billion dollar industry in the United States, where consumers spend $344 million on just creams and lotions each year, according to the American Academy. With creams promising to do everything from evaporate blemishes to turn back the clock, some with pretty high price tags, finding the product to fit your particular needs can be a real challenge. Choosing products with the right ingredients can give you the results you want.

Alpha-lipoic Acid

Alpha-lipoic acid is a key ingredient in anti-aging products. It works by penetrating water and fat cells to clear out free radicals, agents that promote the signs of aging. With the free radicals gone, pores look smaller and fine lines and wrinkles are smoothed out, making skin look younger and healthier.

Alpha-hydroxy Acids

Another common ingredient in anti-aging products, alpha-hydroxy acids (AHAs) are a group of natural acids, including glycolic, lactic, citric and tartaric acids. AHAs work by exfoliating the skin, removing dead skin cells to minimize lines, scars, discolorations and sun damage. Because AHAs are such powerful skin care ingredients, high dosage AHAs are only available through skin care professionals. Low dosage AHAs can be found in over-the-counter skin care products.

Retinol

Retinol is a vitamin A derivative found in numerous anti-aging products and some acne products. Retinol penetrates deep into skin cells, increasing collagen production so that skin plumps up and wrinkles and fine lines disappear. Retinol can also significantly improve the way skin looks, evening out discolorations and minimizing acne.

Benzoyl Peroxide

Benzoyl peroxide is an active ingredient in many skin care products designed to prevent acne. Acne can be caused by the buildup of dead skin cells on the surface of the skin; benzoyl peroxide exfoliates the skin so that those cells don't have a chance to cause acne. Benzoyl peroxide also helps ease the redness and swelling of existing acne.

Salicylic Acid

It's common to see salicylic acid listed as an ingredient in many acne treatment products. Salicylic acid exfoliates the skin in much the same way that AHAs do, but because it's gentler, it's less likely to cause irritation. Salicylic acid goes deep into pores to minimize the appearance of whiteheads and blackheads and cleans skin to prevent new blemishes from forming.

References

• American Academy of Dematology
• WebMD: Best Ingredients for Aging Skin
• Acne Treatments