Ingredients To Look For In Your Body Care Products
We believe that the skin on the body has been neglected for too long. It's time we turn our attention to the areas below the neck. To nourish and nurture your skin from top-to-toe, seek out ingredients that hydrate, brighten and support the skin's delicate microbiome balance.
PLANT-BASED OILS
If you want dewy and radiant skin, incorporating PLANT-BASED OILS into your body care routine is a great place to start. Not only are they gentle and well-tolerated by all skin types, plant-based oils are full of fatty acids and antioxidants that mimic lipids found naturally in the skin, meaning they absorb well and are able to penetrate deep into the dermis. The heavy texture of plant-based oils creates a protective layer on top of the skin's surface that seals in moisture, preventing transepidermal water loss from the skin cells for long-lasting hydration and plumpness.
NATURALLY ACTIVE INGREDIENTS
ACTIVE INGREDIENTS don't just belong in your favourite facial serums. Using active ingredients in your body care routine can treat a range of common body care concerns, from uneven texture and hyperpigementation to body acne and skin laxity. Choosing naturally active ingredients, derived from plant extracts and botanicals rather than synthetics, infuses the skin with bioactive compounds. Naturally active ingredients also have anti-inflammatory properties, making them ideal for those with SENSITIVE OR SENSITISED skin. Plus, they're generally gentler on the environment too as they tend to be biodegradable.
HYDRATING INGREDIENTS
Keeping the skin hydrated is imperative in maintaining overall skin health. Hydrated skin equals happy skin. Layering the skin with hydrating ingredients provides additional support to the skin's BARRIER FUNCTION, which is crucial in keeping moisture locked into the skin. Hydrated skin is less prone to dryness and irritation. There are THREE DIFFERENT TYPES of hydrating ingredients to be aware of: humectants (like hyaluronic acid and glycerin) that draw moisture from the atmosphere into the skin; emollients (like shea butter, squalane and Vitamin E) that soften the skin; and occlusives (like plant butters and waxes) that create a physical shield on top of the skin to prevent water loss.
BRIGHTENING AGENTS
If you experience uneven skin tone, hyperpigmentation, dark spots or dullness, adding some brightening agents into your regular body care routine can improve skin luminosity. Brightening ingredients are active ingredients in that they affect change in the skin at a cellular level. They work by inhibiting the production of melanin, the pigment which gives the skin it colour. Common brightening ingredients include Vitamin C, NIACINAMIDE (Vitamin B3), retinol, alpha hydroxy acids (AHAs), kojic acid and azelaic acid.
CHEMICAL & PHYSICAL EXFOLIATORS
Our skin cells naturally renew around every 28 days, but this turnover process inevitably slows down as we age. Using an EXFOLIATOR in your body care routine speeds up this process, resurfacing the skin for a bright, smooth and even finish. It's good to know the difference between CHEMICAL AND PHYSICAL EXFOLIATORS. Chemical exfoliators contain acids or enzymes that dissolve the bonds that hold dead skin cells together, while physical exfoliators work by physically buffing the surface of the skin to manually remove dead skin cells.
NON-COMEDOGENIC INGREDIENTS
Those with BODY ACNE will want to seek out non-comedogenic ingredients in their body care products. Body acne, which usually occurs on the neck and back, is caused when the pores become clogged with excess sebum/oil, dead skin cells, ingrown hairs and/or the acne-causing bacteria Cutibacterium. Non-comedogenic ingredients refers to those which won't clog the pores, reducing this build-up in the follicle. Some non-comedogenic ingredients include salicylic acid, niacinamide, aloe vera and plant oils like sweet almond oil and sunflower oil.