When you’re looking down a long aisle of skin care products, the task of picking one can seem daunting. But knowing what key ingredients are effective for your skin type or problem can help you select the appropriate product. Plus, you can avoid ingredients to which you are allergic.
Alpha Hydroxy Acids
Alpha hydroxy acids come in several different types, including glycolic, lactic, tartaric and citric acids. Glycolic and lactic acids are the ingredients you will see most often used in effective skin care products. According to the Cleveland Clinic, the U.S. alone produces more than 200 skin care products that contain AHAs. They are most often recommended for fine line treatments, irregular pigmentation and age spots and may help with shrinking enlarged pores. When using a product containing AHAs, sunscreen is a must as they can make your skin photosensitive.
Beta Hydroxy Acid
There is really only one beta hydroxy acid used in effective skin care products, salicylic acid. Salicylic acid is used to treat a variety of skin problems, including acne. It also works as a chemical peel. Salicylic acid can be less irritating than AHAs and is appropriate for combination skin. It’s also much stronger than AHAs. When used in chemical peel solutions, a 30 percent salicylic solution is the equivalent to a 60 percent glycolic solution.
Retinol
Retinol can be found in a variety of effective skin care products from acne to anti-aging treatments. According to the Cleveland Clinic, it has been proven to improve blotchy skin pigmentation, wrinkles, skin texture, skin tone and color. It also can improve your skin’s hydration level. Retinol is a derivative of vitamin A, a strong antioxidant that helps maintain, renew and repair skin tissues. Tretinoin is a stronger version of retinol that can be found in retin-A and renova. Retinol palmitate is a weaker version, so be aware that you will have to use more product to achieve the same results of products with retinol.
Hydroquinone
Hydroquinone typically is used in bleaching creams to treat age spots, acne spots and other dark marks on the skin. According to Skincare Physicians, over-the-counter products can contain up to 2 percent hydroquinone, and the website recommends not purchasing the product unless it clearly calls out the percentage. Stronger treatments are available from a dermatologist. Near permanent discoloration can result from products with too much hydroquinone in them.
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