As someone who is a fan of skincare over makeup, I have been looking into skin care products from drugstores and off price retailers such as Marshalls.
This weekend I researched some common ingredients used in most beauty creams. On a college budget I can't afford to go to Sephora and buy a simple retinol based cream that often costs above $60. Stores such as Marshalls offer over the counter products packed with essential ingredients at markedly low prices such as 20-60% off the original pricing.
For me the essential ingredients I looked into were products that had Hyaluronic acid, Retinol with vitamin C, and Glycolic acid. These chemicals are highly sought after in the beauty world and most beauty products boast of one, or a combination of these chemicals.
I will break down how each ingredient affects skin.
Hyaluronic acid
This has been known as a miracle ingredient for the past few years. It's because of its exceptionally high water retention ability. One gram of hyaluronic acid is able to retain six liters of water. Hyaluronic acid is found on skin and is responsible for retaining moisture in the skin. Products that contain this chemical have excellent moisturizing power and are very helpful for anyone suffering from dry skin. Often hyaluronic acid is coupled with retinol based creams or sold as serums and facemasks.
Retinol with Vitamin C: Retinol is a vitamin A based chemical that simulates cell turnover and promotes the production of new skin cells. This chemical helps in reducing the appearance of wrinkles, combat acne, stimulate the production of collagen and fade age spots. So essentially retinol provides the nagging push skin needs to regenerate fresh new layers of dermis.
Vitamin C promotes regeneration of new cells and helps protect those new cells from free radicals. The skin has to develop tolerance for retinol so start slow with pea sized amounts. It is important that when using retinol based creams, sunscreen must be used since retinol makes skin extra sensitive to damage by UV rays.
Usually retinol is manufactured in night creams since there is no sun and sleep speeds up cellular regeneration. However, if retinol based moisturizers are to be used at day time, it is important that sunscreen must be applied as the topmost layer.
Glycolic acid
Along with Lactic acid, glycolic acid is a part of Alpha Hydroxy Acids (AHA's). AHA's are natural exfoliates and and loosen up the old dead skin cells to make way for fresh new skin. Lactic acid combats hyperpigmentation and skin discoloration. Glycolic acid is excellent fro anti-aging, combating acne/black heads and age spots.
People with sensitive skin should avoid using glycolic acid since its molecules are smaller and penetrate deeper than lactic acid molecules. The percentage of 'active' glycolic acid should be more than 10% for over the counter products for best benefit. Again sunscreen is extremely important when using glycolic acid products as the exfoliation renders the skin exposed. Because of skins hypersensitivity due to AHA's it is recommended to use AHA's based creams during nighttime.
My assiduous hunting of Marshalls beauty section for the above ingredients has made me a fan of a few products that I think will be on my dresser for a long time!
My highly recommended budget friendly suggestions are: Lanocreme Manuka Honey Reviving Night Cream with Advanced Collagen Enriched Formulation, RetiNewPro Advanced Regeneration Formula Night Renewal Cream with Retinol and Hyaluronic Acid, Glycolic Formulations Day Therapy Cream with 15% Glycolic Acid Solution, and Retinol Spa Moisturizing Eye Cream with Vitamin E and Dead Sea Minerals.
