Recently I shared my *simple* skincare routine – basically the go-to products in my routine to tackle my top priority skin goals: acne control, hydration, barrier protection.
In today’s post, I’m sharing with you the three extra actives I added to my skincare routine once my skin adjusted to my prescription topicals. They are powerful ingredients that are no one-trick ponies, but have a multitude of functions that contribute to skin’s overall health!
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Niacinamide
Niacinamide is an amazing all rounder ingredient that addresses multiple skin issues, it is actually my favourite ingredient out of the 3! It is an antioxidant, increases skin’s lipid production to improve skin barrier, minimizes pores, helps refine wrinkles, brightens and evens skin tone, helps with sebum control, and fades pigmentation.
Current go-to: The Ordinary 10% Niacinamide + Zinc
- $5.90 USD, $10.60 USD
- 30 ml, 60ml
- Use PM, mixed with Hada Labo Premium Lotion before Differin
Why it’s my go-to:
- Cheap, lol!
- A simple, straight-shooter formula that I like to use to mix in with my HLPL
- Provides pH level and percentages
- pH: 5.5 – 6.5
- Niacinamide: 10%
- Zinc PCA: 1%
- Skinthusiast perspective: Niacinamide and Zinc PCA are the only star actives in the formula, but the bulk of the formula still has solvents doubled as humectants.
I currently have a rotation right now of other Niacinamide serums/boosters out of my sheer curiosity (Niacinamide battle soon), but TO’s has been a constant repurchase for me and it’s a staple in my skincare collection.
Where to buy:
Glycolic Acid
Glycolic Acid is a water-soluble chemical exfoliant. It increases cell turnover on the top-layer of skin, the Stratum Corneum, acts as a humectant, and increases Collagen and Hyaluronic Acid in the dermis, making it thicker and less prone to TEWL. For my skin, GA has also shown to be the most effective with improving my skin texture, most notably in smoothing out my atrophic acne scars.
Current go-to: Krave Beauty Kale-lalu-yAHA *
- $25 USD
- 200ml
- Use AM 1-2x week, before Vitamin C
Why it’s my go-to:
- Low percentage Glycolic Acid that’s gentle but can still exfoliate
- KB also provides pH level and active percentage
- pH: 3.0-4.0
- AHA: 5.25%
- Skinthusiast perspective: Also has additional ingredients that promote skin’s health:
- Aloe, Hyaluronic Acid, Vitamin B5 – humectants and skin soothers
- Dark leafy greens kale, spinach, parsley – antioxidants
- Allantoin – skin soother
KB was a good product to reintroduce after acclimating to Differin. However, after I finish this bottle, I will move on to Paula’s Choice 8% AHA Gel Exfoliant. KB is still unavailable to Canadians to purchase, and also I am ready to move up in strength. I opted for PC because I find they do a great job at formulating high percentage active products that don’t irritate my skin.
Where to buy:
L-Ascorbic Acid
LAA is the best researched Vitamin C ingredient compared to its derivatives; It is an antioxidant, provides photoprotection, promotes collagen synthesis, brightens and evens skin tone, and fades pigmentation. Combining L-Ascorbic Acid, Ferulic Acid, and Vitamin E has shown to increase the effectiveness of LAA and improve its stability.
Current go-to: Paula’s Choice Resist C15 Booster
- $49 USD
- 20ml
- Use AM daily, freshly cleansed skin
Why it’s my go-to:
- PC uses the most well studied ingredients in this formulation and tries (or maybe did) dupe the famous Skinceuticals CE Ferulic Serum
- Provides the percentage of LAA as well as the pH level of this product:
- pH: 3.0
- LAA: 15%
- Skinthusiast perspective: Contains additional ingredients that are good for the skin:
- Sodium Hyaluronate and Glycerin – humectants
- Hexanoyl Dipeptide-3 Norleucine Acetate – hydrates, improves skin texture
- Panthenol and Bisabolol – soothing
- Only LAA Vitamin C serum at a high concentration that does not burn my skin
I already repurchased my 3rd bottle of this booster! I have tried the infamous Timeless Vitamin C serum – 2 bottles worth actually – and it stung a LOT! And for those of you who may mention MaeLove’s Glowmaker Serum – no shipping to Canada! I believe they’re working on that, so maybe once it does become available I will purchase. In the mean time, I’m content with spending the extra cash on the PC C15 Booster.
Where to buy:
And that is it for this blog post! I know all too well how overwhelming the skincare world is. Lot’s of good ingredients, but not sure where to start or understand what exactly makes it so good! I hope my top 3 helped you out with your own skin journey, especially if it’s similar to mine! (Acne prone, dry, preventative aging…)
xo, M