We all know this saying: “Age ain’t nothing but a number.” Turning back the hands of time can be as simple as one, two, three – or so do cosmetic companies want you to believe. But most consumers never take that extra second to read the ingredient deck on the back of their skincare products.

Exploring the ingredient deck is important, however, as it allows you to research key ingredients that might have a huge side effect on your skin.

For example, topical products formulated with alcohols dry out the acid mantle of the skin and create rough skin texture, irritation, skin dehydration, itchy skin, dry patches, skin infection, breakouts, and uneven skin tone.

Simply by reading the list of ingredients that make up your skincare products you can save yourself a lot of trouble later. That is, if you know what you’re looking for.

What You Should Know When Shopping for Skincare Products

It is important to avoid ingredients that are alcohol based, contain any form of petroleum, artificial colors, and ruff exfoliators.

Additionally, mature skin requires more attention and should continuously be given hydration from the inside out. Drinking 6-8 glasses of water daily will rehydrate the skin and aid in reducing trans epidermal water loss (TWL or TEWL), that is, loss of water to the environment.

So, here are 4 hydrating ingredients for mature skin that you should look for when purchasing your skincare products.

Apple Peptide Plant-Derived Stem Cells

Also known as malus domestica, the apple fruit helps maintain longevity and delays senescence (the cells’ inability to divide any longer), fosters the regeneration of skin tissue, increases collagen and fibroblast production, and improves the lifespan of hair follicles. Who knew?

Sunscreen with Titanium Dioxide and Zinc

Mineral makeup containing natural ingredients that nurture your skin can reverse the signs of sun damage. It’s a good idea, then, to invest in mineral products that are free from harsh, irritating chemicals.

Such products include two very important ingredients:

• Titanium dioxide, which provides pure protection from UVA/UVB rays, and
• Zinc oxide, which promotes advance healing and skin protection.

Hyaluronic Acid

Yes, hyaluronic acid is a powerful hydrator. Many people report that their skin feels “dewier,” the bags under their eyes become lighter, and their skin texture is smoother after applying serums containing hyaluronic acid.

The primary way in which HA helps improve the appearance of skin aged due to sun exposure is by reducing water loss. In fact, one reason that hormone replacement treatments sometimes cause the skin to look more youthful and less sun-damaged is because they increase the skin’s HA concentration.

Decyl Glucoside Benefits

A great way to bring freshness to your aged skin is by using cleansing products with decyl glucoside. This glucose-based surfactant helps you:

• Retain skin moisture even when used repeatedly;
• Prevent skin dryness;
• Improve skin tolerance and combat chronological aging;
• Protect your skin stem cells;
• Gently remove even eye makeup and mascara.

Aging skin isn’t aging at all – it’s just dry and malnourished. Replacing your skincare products with products that are suitable for your skin type could be the best game changer for improving skin hydration and skin elasticity.

Aging skin can now be a thing of the past with proper skincare use and customizing a skincare routine based on your skin type, skin concerns, and skin needs. If you have more than one skin concern, it’s important to address each one by using the appropriate skin ingredients.

And if you have advanced or persistent skincare concerns you should consult a Licensed Medical Aesthetician or Dermatologist who can create skincare protocols that fit your skin needs.

Let’s Have a Conversation:

How do you hydrate your skin? Do you have the habit of reading the ingredients’ list when you buy skincare products? What ingredients do you look for? Which ones do you stay away from? Why? Please share with our community.