13 Ingredients To Look For in Skin Care Products

Skincare products come with a wide variety of different ingredients, each of which comes with its own, specific claims, ranging from hydration to brightening to exfoliating to anti-inflammatories. It can be incredibly difficult to really sort through all of that to find the real truth of the matter, and to know what ingredients can actually provide what benefits while being an active ingredient your dermatologist would be happy to support. 

Thankfully, MiamiMD has done all the research for you, so that you can make the best choice for your own, specific skincare needs no matter what skin type you are!

#1) Eyeliss

Eyeliss is not a single ingredient, but a blend of three. It combines three of the most powerful, age-defying peptides: hesperidin (which strengthens the capillaries around the under-eye), dipeptide (which improves lymphatic drainage), and lipopeptide (which decreases inflammation and improves skin elasticity). These help to reduce both the physical swelling and the appearance of puffiness in the under-eye area. 

When working in tandem, the peptides painlessly drain the fluid from the lower eyelid and under-eye, which results in a more youthful, vibrant appearance.

As many people cite under eye bags and puffiness as one of their major skincare concerns, the appropriately named eyeliss is definitely an ingredient to look for in a cream (especially formulations designed for the under eye area).

#2) Matrixyl 3000

Matrixyl 3000 is another powerful compound, one that is made up of two different peptides. When included in a skincare product, it works as a potent age-fighter that helps send signals to the body that it needs more collagen to be produced in the under-eye area. It creates a target, essentially, that directs collagen production.

As collagen is responsible for helping to keep the skin strong, firm, and youthful, any ingredient that can help stimulate additional production is one that should be included in any facial cream you choose to invest your money in. Collagen naturally decreases as the skin ages, so being able to counteract those aging effects is key to preserving your skin as long as possible. Collagen loss in the under eye area is also a leading cause of dark circles.

#3) Haloxyl

Haloxyl is one of the most popular anti-aging treatments in the world, and it continues to earn that distinction through the incredible results it produces. It is made up a combination of different peptides that work together to both brighten and thicken the skin on the face (and, more specifically, the under eye area). It helps to reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, brighten under eye circles, and reduce puffiness. The end result is an under eye area that appears to be lifted, giving a far more youthful, vibrant look.

Many people claim that a reduction in the darkness and thickness of the skin in the under eye area can help them look years younger. Haloxyl is one of the best ingredients to help make that happen.

#4) Progeline

Progeline works to reduce the levels of progerin, which appears when there are age-related genetic mutations present in the skin. These skin changes, if left unchecked, can lead to premature wrinkles, loss of firmness and elasticity, thinning skin, and sagging (especially around the jowls and jawline). Progeline is a biomimetic (a synthetic process that mimics a biological one) for the protein inhibitor that stops progerin from being able to bind with its receptor, stopping it from wreaking as much havoc and on the skin.

There aren’t many ingredients out there that can help fight the actual sagging of the skin instead of just smoothing out wrinkles, so this makes progeline one of the most interesting and multi-faceted ingredients on the market. 

#5) Argireline

Argireline is a combination of six different peptides that work together in a way that is similar to the benefits of certain injectable medications. In fact, the compound is part of the same chemical formula that makes up botulinum toxin, and works much the same way. It helps to prevent some of the muscle movements that can lead to the formation of facial wrinkles, while also stimulating collagen production. It has been studied and scientifically proven to show significant anti-wrinkle effects in clinical trials. It’s all the benefits of injectables with none of the pain or need for expensive cosmetic surgery prices. 

For those with needle phobia or who are trying to avoid spending an arm and a leg on a cosmetic procedure, argireline is a great place to turn. 

#6) Alpha-Arbutin

Alpha-Arbutin is beloved for its ability to brighten the skin. It works to inhibit an enzyme called tyrosinase that is key in stimulating the production of melanin. With less tyrosinase in the system, there is less pigment, and less possibility for the development of dark spots. If there are already dark spots present, alpha-arbutin can help to slowly fade them over time, giving your skin back the healthy, youthful glow it used to have. 

#7) Vitamin C

There aren’t enough good things to say about the many benefits of vitamin C. It’s one of the most diverse skincare ingredients because it can be used both inside and out, in the form of topicals and as an oral supplement. In its high-end form, known as ascorbic acid, it helps to significantly reduce the appearance of many of the signs of aging thanks to its benefits as a moisturizer and an antioxidant to tackle free radicals. 

#8) Resveratrol

Resveratrol is an antioxidant, made up of super nutrients known as polyphenols. It is commonly used in skincare products designed to help brighten dull, tired-looking complexions while also visibly lightening dark spots or age spots. It helps to improve the surface of the skin by rebuffing as well as interrupting certain negative environmental influences that can cause premature aging of the skin. 

#9) Glycolic Acid

Don’t be afraid of the name, glycolic acid isn’t designed to hurt you. Glycolic acid works as an exfoliant, and is actually a natural product that can be found in a variety of different plans, like pineapple, sugar cane, and beets. When used topically, it removes the dead skin cells that tend to accumulate on the surface of the skin. This also encourages the skin to turnover skin cells, helping to fade dark spots.

#10) Kojic Acid

Kojic acid works similarly to glycolic acid. It lightens and brightens the skin, and actually comes from a variety of different fungi. While that may sound strange, it is incredibly effective at blocking tyrosinase (much like alpha-arbutin does), which makes it an excellent addition to any skincare product meant to reduce the appearance of hyperpigmentation.

#11) Matrixyl Synthe-6

While it sounds similar, Matrixyl Synthe-6 works differently than Matrixyl 3000. Instead of two peptides, matrixyl synthe-6 just has one. However, that peptide is known for its skin-building abilities as well as helping to even out the surface of the skin, and reduces the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles (especially around the mouth, face, forehead, and eyes). It does this by stimulating six different components of the skin matrix (hence its name) – collagen I, collagen III, collagen IV, fibronectin, hyaluronic acid, and laminin-5.

The end result is that it can potentially double the amount of collagen that is produced, leading to a significantly more elastic, plumper face. 

#12) Acetyl Hexapeptide 30

Acetyl Hexapeptide 30 is one of the most rare ingredients on the list. It is renowned for its ability to block the nerve signals that trigger the contraction of the facial muscles. With less contraction, fine lines and wrinkles are visibly reduced. It’s even more powerful when combined with matrixyl synthe-6, and works similarly to many of the injectable medications out there that help to temporarily “paralyze” the muscles in the face. 

#13) Chondrus Crispus

Last but not least is chondrus crispus. While the idea of using a seaweed-based product on your skin may not sound like it would produce amazing results, the ingredient can dramatically help reduce puffiness around the eyes and smooth the skin. Because of the components that make up chondrus crispus, like sulfur, it works right away to tighten and brighten the skin on the face, reducing not only swelling and puffiness but also the appearance of dark circles and dark spots. 

Chondrus Crispus is considered a skin-conditioning agent because it is packed full of the vitamins and minerals that the skin needs in order to look its healthiest. It is also said to be able to help fight off the results of UV radiation, like premature wrinkles and dark spots. 

In Conclusion…

Investing in quality skincare products with proven ingredients is an investment not only in your present but also in your future. 

In addition to what we’ve discussed above, don’t forget that cleansers, toners, serums, and sunscreens (SPF 30 at minimum) are also key parts of a proper skincare routine. While many of the above ingredients can work to hydrate, improve skin tone, and support your skin barrier after damage, skin irritation, or wrinkling has already occurred, using moisturizing, nourishing skincare products with humectants, emollients, fatty acids, retinol/retinoids, alpha hydroxy acid, and nutrients like vitamin E , amino acids, and vitamin A work to protect your skin. On that note, never forget that hydrating that dry skin or taking extra steps to use the right lotions for sensitive skin can make a huge difference in the long run!

MiamiMD has made sure to do our research, and we include only the best products that have shown time and time again to provide the most benefit to your skin. Keeping an eye out for tried and true ingredients can help make sure that you are spending your money wisely. When you combine them in a way that helps target your areas of concerns, you’ll likely be blown away by the results. 

Sources:

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23417317/

https://www.shape.com/lifestyle/beauty-style/alpha-arbutin

New research shows anti-wrinkle cream chemical works <br> (reading.ac.uk)