What To Look For

Have you ever wondered about what those fancy ingredients behind your skincare products actually mean? Sifting through products, it’s easy to convince yourself that the fancy kelp and vitamin A in your moisturizer sets it apart from the 3 dollar bottle. However, I’m here to break down the ingredients you should look for. 

You might’ve already heard about retinol. While it is good for your skin as it does have some anti-aging components, overusing the ingredient can lead to lasting harm. It can often leave your skin with significant dryness and eventual peeling. Retinol is best in moderation. Regarding brands seen today, like the Drunk Elephant and Glow Recipe, these brands have been marketed towards younger consumers and should be looked out for. Retinol is typically recommended around the ages of 35-40, as that is when it is most needed. For those of you who are just starting your skincare journey at a young age, paying extra for retinol is not yet needed. Vitamin C is a product that almost all ages can use. The vitamin helps brighten skin, stimulate collagen production, and fade hyperpigmentation that might happen due to the sun. With older crowds, vitamin C is most beneficial in providing a glassy skin appearance. 

Sunscreen is one of the most essential yet overlooked parts of skincare. There are two main types: chemical sunscreens, which absorb UV rays, and mineral sunscreens, which physically block them using ingredients like zinc oxide. Mineral sunscreens are often better for sensitive skin, while chemical ones tend to feel lighter and blend more easily. Regardless of the type, wearing sunscreen daily with at least SPF 30 is crucial to prevent sun damage, premature aging, and hyperpigmentation. Overall, understanding ingredients is more important than following trends, and choosing what actually benefits your skin will always be more effective than buying into hype.

References

Alvarez, Gabriella V., et al. “Skincare Ingredients Recommended by Cosmetic Dermatologists: A Delphi Consensus Study.” Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology, vol. 93, no. 6, 2025, pp. 1509–1525. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jaad.2025.04.021.

Alvarez, Gabriella V., et al. “Skincare Ingredients Recommended by Cosmetic Dermatologists: A Delphi Consensus Study.” PubMed, https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40233838/.

“23 Skincare Ingredients Dermatologists Recommend.” Health.com, https://www.health.com/23-skincare-ingredients-dermatologists-recommend-11774506.

“Does Retinol Deserve the Hype? A Stanford Dermatologist Weighs In.” Stanford Medicine, https://med.stanford.edu/news/insights/2020/08/does-retinol-deserve-the-hype-a-stanford-dermatologist-weighs-in.html.

“Top Skin Care Ingredients Recommended by Dermatologists.” Northwestern Medicine, https://www.nm.org/healthbeat/healthy-tips/Top-Skin-Care-Ingredients-Recommended-by-Dermatologists.