SKIN CARE MUST-HAVES SUMMER EDITION

In the billion-dollar skin care industry, there's plenty of confusion about which products you should be using to treat, smooth, brighten and overall improve the appearance of your skin. At times it can get quite overwhelming considering how many different types of serums the beauty industry is churning out on a monthly basis. And while there's much you can do to assist with acne, anti-aging, dark spots and collagen renewal, there are about five particular ingredients that are used over and over again...niacinamide, hyaluronic acid, vitamin C, vitamin B5 and vitamin A. These are some of the most effective and potent ingredients available today. But what exactly do they do? And why should you invest in them? Read on for more.

WHAT ARE THE BIG FIVE OF SKIN CARE?

1. Niacinamide

A form of vitamin B3, it is an anti-inflammatory that helps brighten skin while helping with surface issues like pore size and dark spots.

2. Hyaluronic Acid

A sugar the body makes naturally up until the age of 20. It acts as a sponge and draws water to itself to soften fine lines. It's essential to supplement our skin with it topically to plump the skin, albeit only for 12 hours. Depending on the size of the hyaluronic acid being used topically, you can easily draw moisture into the skin up to 1,000 fold. It's an effective way to eliminate very fine lines during the day.

3. Vitamin C

Best for brightening skin, neutralizing free-radical damage and warding off signs of premature aging.

4. Vitamin B5

Also known as Pantothenic Acid, it helps promote the skin barrier's natural repair process to hydrate skin.

5. Vitamin A

One of the most effective skin-transforming ingredients. Also known as retinol, it speeds up skin cell turnover. Increasing exfoliation is a great way to target fine lines and sun damage. It also works wonders on acne.

WHAT'S NECESSARY IN A SKIN CARE REGIMEN?

Both vitamin A and C are best to help with discoloration. Vitamin A works best for acne, while hyaluronic acid, vitamin A and vitamin C all help with anti-aging concerns.

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