3 top skin care ingredients worth getting excited about

If you were to look at the label on your favourite skin care products, there’s a good chance you’ll see they’ve been formulated with a combination of tried-and-tested ingredients like vitamin C, hyaluronic acid or retinol. And while all of these have been proven time and time again to benefit the skin in a number of ways, they’re not the only ingredients worthy of a place in your skin care line-up. In fact, skin expert and founder of Paula’s Choice Skin Care, Paula Begoun recently revealed three other ingredients she’s most excited about right now and there’s a good chance you’ve never heard of them! Spoiler: They’ve actually all been around for quite some time, too.

#1 / Niacinamide

Rather than getting excited about new and upcoming ingredients, Begoun admits she’s more fascinated at how new research is showing that many ingredients that have been around for a long time provide more benefits to the skin than initially thought. “For instance, niacinamide was all about improving pore size and that’s why I created my 10% Niacinamide Booster a long time ago. But recent research has shown that not only is it good for reducing enlarged pores, it’s actually a great anti-wrinkle ingredient, too, because it builds collagen, helps reorganise the structure of the skin and it’s hydrating, which makes it 10 times better than we first thought,” explains Begoun.

Further to that, niacinamide (also known as vitamin B3) can reduce the damage caused by environmental aggressors and smooth uneven skin tone. If you’re looking to incorporate the superstar ingredient into your routine, try Olay Regenerist Miracle Boost Youth Pre-Essence, O Cosmedics B3 Plus Even Skin Tone + Collagen Boosting Serum and Alpha-H Vitamin B Serum.

#2 / Azelaic acid

Azelaic acid has experienced a similar renaissance to niacinamide, according to Begoun. “When I made my 10% Azelaic Acid Booster, I wouldn’t have recommended it over a beta hydroxy acid or benzoyl peroxide product to tackle acne because the research never held up,” she explains. However, “recent research has shown azelaic acid to be an incredible anti-inflammatory and that’s a big deal when the world is full of irritants and you have rosacea or you have acne and you want to reduce the red marks that breakouts leave behind. I don’t know how it works, I’ve read the chemistry and still don’t understand it, but azelaic acid really improves skin colour and makes skin brighter,” she adds. 

Three great products formulated with azelaic acid include NIOD RE:Pigment Multi-Pathway Brightening Serum, Rodial Super Acids Daily Azelaic Acid Serum and Paula’s Choice 10% Azelaic Acid Booster.

#3 / Ceramides

It’s long been known that ceramides make up 50 per cent of the skin’s structure, but Begoun notes that “ceramides are actually smart ingredients that know where to go to help ‘fill in’ where the skin’s natural ceramides are broken”. Consequently, ceramides can assist in healing broken, damaged and sun damaged skin. Additionally, Begoun explains Paula’s Choice is now working with an ingredient known as a ceramide precursor, “which actually helps skin make its own ceramide and that’s just thrilling to me!”

To pump your skin care routine full of ceramides, we recommend trying Elizabeth Arden Ceramide Capsules Daily Youth Restoring Serum, Dr.Jart+ Ceramidin Cream and Bioderma Sebium Hydra.

Looking for more skin care tips and tricks? Then discover whether derma rollers are actually good for your skin and find out why it might be time to start using fragrance-free skin care.

Do you currently use any products formulated with these ingredients? Are you keen to try any of the above? Let us know in the comments below.

Main image credit: Getty