*The* Winning Skincare Ingredient Combos
Welcome to the world of skincare, beauty, and more! We're here to help you understand the ingredient combinations that work wonders for specific skin issues. Let's dive into the top four winning skincare ingredient combinations for exfoliation, redness, acne, and discoloration.
1. Exfoliation Ingredients Combo: Glycolic Acid and Glycerin
If you're dealing with dry, dead skin, glycolic acid and glycerin together make a perfect exfoliating combination. Glycolic acid is the smallest Alpha hydroxy acid, which is excellent for deeper penetration into the skin. It boosts collagen production, ensuring smooth, youthful skin over time.
Glycerin, on the other hand, is a humectant that helps retain moisture while you're getting rid of dead skin cells. The combination ensures proper hydration, turning your skin from prune-like to grape-like in appearance.
Products We Love:
L'Oréal Revitalift 10% Pure Glycolic Acid Serum
A special blend designed to deliver powerful exfoliation. This serum contains 10% glycolic acid, which penetrates deeply into the skin for maximum efficacy. It also helps boost collagen production, resulting in smoother, firmer skin over time. When used with a hydrating ingredient like glycerin, this serum creates an unbeatable combination for exfoliation.
The Ordinary Glycolic Acid 7% Exfoliating Toning Solution
Another great option for exfoliating the skin. This toner contains 7% glycolic acid, which gently but effectively removes dead skin cells and other debris from the surface. This helps reveal brighter, smoother skin underneath. When paired with a moisturizing ingredient like glycerin, this toner can be a great way to exfoliate without compromising on hydration.
2. Redness Ingredients Combo: Centella Asiatica and Zinc
If your skin is prone to redness and slight flakiness, the combination of Centella Asiatica ("cica") and zinc is the solution. Centella Asiatica is rich in pentacyclic triterpenoid glycosides, which help stimulate the skin's glycosaminoglycans for deep hydration.
Zinc is an essential ingredient with anti-inflammatory properties, often used in diaper creams to minimize irritation. When combined with Centella Asiatica, it can reduce redness and help provide hydration and a dewy look to your skin.
Products We Love:
La Roche-Posay Cicaplast Baume B5
A must-have in any skincare routine. This cream contains Centella Asiatica as its main ingredient, which helps reduce redness and irritation. The addition of zinc makes it an ideal solution for those with sensitive skin prone to inflammation and flakiness. It also contains Shea Butter and Panthenol to help keep skin feeling soft and hydrated for hours.
Avène Cicalfate+ Restorative Protective Cream
Perfect for those looking for a deep, nourishing cream. This cream contains Avène’s signature thermal spring water along with Sucralfate, which helps protect the skin against environmental aggressors. It also contains beeswax to help soothe and protect irritated skin, while its combination of Copper sulfate and Zinc gluconate helps reduce redness and improve skin texture.
Dr. Jart+ Cicapair™ Tiger Grass Treatment SPF 30
A multi-tasking wonder product. This lightweight cream contains Centella Asiatica extract to help reduce redness and inflammation, while its SPF 30 provides protection against the sun's harmful UV rays. The inclusion of Tiger Grass extract helps even out skin tone and discoloration, giving you a brighter complexion with minimal effort.
Dr. Jart+ Cicapair ™ Tiger Grass Camo Drops SPF 35
An amazing product for anyone looking to restore their skin's natural glow. It contains Centella Asiatica extract to help reduce redness and irritation, while its SPF 35 protection helps keep the sun at bay. In addition, it contains Tiger Grass extract to brighten complexion, leaving you with a more even tone in just one application. With this powerful combination, your skin will look its best in no time!
3. Acne Ingredients Combo: Retinol and Salicylic Acid
Many people think that retinol and salicylic acid serve the same purpose, but in reality, they complement each other splendidly. Retinol, a vitamin A derivative, helps speed up cell turnover, promotes collagen production, evens skin tone, and unclogs pores.
Salicylic acid is an exfoliating acid that deeply cleanses pores by removing oil and debris. When combined, retinol and salicylic acid provide an acne-fighting powerhouse. However, if you have sensitive skin, be cautious and use them separately at different times to avoid inflammation.
Products We Love:
SkinCeuticals Retinol 0.3
A lightweight and fast-absorbing cream that contains 0.3% retinol to help reduce the appearance of wrinkles, fine lines, and hyperpigmentation on the skin. It also helps to increase cell turnover for smoother skin texture with regular use. With its blend of emollients like shea butter, it helps to keep skin hydrated and nourished while retinol works its magic.
SkinMedica Retinol Complex .25
A powerful retinol cream that contains 0.25% retinol to help reduce the appearance of wrinkles, fine lines, and hyperpigmentation. It also contains peptides to help boost collagen production and a blend of vitamins and antioxidants to help protect the skin against free radical damage. This makes it an excellent choice for those looking to achieve a more youthful complexion.
Paula's Choice 2% BHA Liquid Exfoliant
A great option for those with oily, acne-prone skin. Its unique combination of 2% salicylic acid plus green tea extract help to both exfoliate and calm the skin. Salicylic acid helps to unclog pores and reduce inflammation, while green tea extract soothes irritation and helps protect the skin from free radical damage. This leave-on exfoliant is also oil-free, making it great for those with oily or combination skin types.
Jori Acne and Oil Control Primer
A lightweight salicylic acid primer that helps to control oil production and minimize the appearance of pores. It contains natural botanicals like tea tree oil, which helps soothe acne-prone skin while helping to reduce inflammation. It also contains sebum control powder to help absorb excess oil, leaving your skin feeling matte and looking smooth all day long. This primer also helps to keep makeup in place for hours, making it a must-have product!
4. Discoloration Ingredients Combo: Vitamin C and Sunscreen
Alone, vitamin C and sunscreen are great, but together they're phenomenal! Vitamin C is a potent antioxidant that helps reduce free radical damage from the sun and boost collagen production. Sunscreen, on the other hand, forms a protective shield against UV rays and prevents further discoloration. Together, they make an unbeatable team for keeping skin looking healthy and vibrant.
Products We Love:
Major Fade Active Seal Moisturizer
The perfect combination of hydration and protection. This moisturizer contains a blend of natural and active ingredients, such as Vitamin C ester (form: tetrahexyldecyl ascorbate), 4-butylresorcinol, and Hexapeptide-2 to help reduce discoloration while providing intense hydration. It also boasts Hydrolyzed Brassica Napus Seedcake Extract to diminish the look of stubborn spots. With its fast-absorbing, non-greasy formula, you can be sure your skin will stay hydrated and protected all day long.
Isdin Eryfotona Actinica
A great choice for those looking to tackle signs of aging caused by the sun. This sunscreen contains vitamin C to help fight free radical damage while protecting the skin from UV rays with its high SPF 50+. It also features a unique blend of antioxidants and DNA repair enzymes to help correct existing damage while preventing future damage.
Beauty of Joseon SPF50+ PA++++
A powerhouse of protection against sun damage. This sunscreen contains a combination of both physical and chemical filters, providing broad-spectrum UVA and UVB protection. It also contains a powerful blend of antioxidants, such as green tea extract and niacinamide, to help protect the skin from free radical damage. With its lightweight formula and non-greasy finish, you can be sure your skin will stay protected all day long.
SkinCeuticals Physical UV Defense SPF 30
The perfect mix of sun protection and nourishment. This sunscreen contains a unique blend of physical blockers to provide broad-spectrum UVA/UVB protection while also containing vitamin C to help reduce discoloration and promote a glowing complexion. It is also non-comedogenic, making it ideal for those with acne-prone skin. With its lightweight texture and matte finish, you can trust that this sunscreen will keep your skin safe and nourished all day long.
But More Importantly is your one-stop shop for all of the best beauty out there. We scour the e-commerce landscape to find the most useful, expert recommendations for everything from botox and fillers to peptides and sunscreens. Not only that, but you can count on us for up-to-date information - we update our links when possible, as all prices are subject to change. We even have an experienced team of editorial staff that reviews each product independently so you can trust that you're getting the best advice. Plus, when you purchase something through our links, we may earn an affiliate commission - helping you get the perfect products at the perfect prices!
