· By Clara Short
What Are Cosmeceuticals?
In the skincare world, cosmeceuticals are the up-and-coming product. Read on to learn more about them and how they can benefit your skincare routine.
We all know what cosmetics are, and we have a good idea of what pharmaceuticals are, too. However, do you know what cosmeceuticals are?
Cosmeceuticals are a way of changing your skincare routine and using natural, gentle products to take care of your body the way you deserve. They're a way of avoiding harmful chemicals on your skin and instead only using products made up of healthy, medically accepted ingredients.
If you're ready to transform the way you take care of your skin, it's time you learned about cosmeceuticals. Let's dive into what these are and how they can transform your skincare game!
What Is a Cosmeceutical?
Cosmeceuticals first entered the beauty scene back in the 1970s when Albert Klingman, a dermatologist at the University of Pennsylvania, came up with the concept.
He created a set of skincare products that were designed to have therapeutic, healing, and disease-fighting properties. Because of that, he coined the term cosmeceuticals for these products.
The word cosmeceutical blends cosmetics and pharmaceuticals because that's exactly what these products are. These are therapeutic skincare products that have been medically tested to make powerful changes to your skin.
Cosmeceuticals are made up of bioactive ingredients such as botanical extracts, vitamins, and antioxidants. These ingredients promote cellular activity inside your skin, which helps take your skincare to a whole new level and gives you powerful skincare results.
How Are Cosmetics and Cosmeceuticals Different?
Okay, so we've talked about what cosmeceuticals are. However, you might be confused about the difference between cosmeceuticals and cosmetics. After all, the two are quite similar.
Cosmetics is a term that describes anything that can be classified as makeup or skincare products. It often includes lotions, acne creams, and beauty products such as mascara or false eyelashes.
Some cosmetics contain ingredients that are designed to be beneficial to our skin, such as hydrogel formulas or natural beeswax. However, most cosmetics do not contain active ingredients.
In contrast, cosmeceuticals are products that are backed up by research and science. They've been carefully formulated to provide you with better skincare results than your average cosmetic brands would. And since they're clinically supported, you can have more confidence that they'll do the work they promise to do.
Why Should We Use Cosmeceuticals?
Not everyone thinks about using cosmeceuticals as a part of their skincare routine, but perhaps they should. That's because cosmeceuticals have properties that are able to reverse the effects of ageing and make the skin look smoother.
Cosmeceutical products are great for removing sun damage and reducing dark pigmentation, smoothing fine lines, and softening wrinkles. On top of that, many products work to remove acne scars and breakouts.
There are also a number of cosmeceutical products that are specially formulated to help re-texturize your skin and to provide deep hydration. They give users a smooth and healthy complexion.
A few other benefits of cosmeceutical skincare products include:
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Combatting skin dryness and dehydration
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Reducing dullness
- Softening and plumping the skin
For just about every skincare issue out there, there's a cosmeceutical product you can use. And even if you don't struggle with skincare problems, using cosmeceuticals can help prevent them from developing and give your appearance a healthier look.
What Active Ingredients Are Commonly Used in Cosmeceuticals?
So, cosmeceuticals provide you with a number of health benefits. However, how do they make that happen? Moreover, what are the active ingredients in cosmeceuticals that make them so powerful?
It's pretty easy to tell if a product can be classified as a cosmeceutical by taking a look at the ingredients label. Here are a few common ingredients you'll find in cosmeceuticals.
Glycolic Acid
Glycolic acid chemically exfoliates the skin and removes dead layers that sit on the body. It's safe for just about any type of skin and is great for removing blackheads and preventing acne.
On top of that, glycolic acid can help reduce the appearance of wrinkles and fine lines. Because of that, it's often present in cosmeceuticals that are designed for anti-ageing.
Hyaluronic Acid
Another type of acid that's commonly found in cosmeceuticals is hyaluronic acid. It works very differently from glycolic acid.
Hyaluronic acid binds to water molecules in the skin. The result is that it hydrates your skin and helps to prevent moisture from escaping and causing dryness.
Retinol
Retinol is one of the most renowned ingredients used in cosmeceuticals. The ingredient is a highly concentrated form of vitamin A and provides many similar benefits.
Retinol is added to cosmeceuticals to help reduce the rate at which collagen breaks down. In turn, that helps prevent wrinkles from forming and works as an anti-ageing ingredient.
On top of that, this ingredient is great for cell turnover. The result is that your skin looks smoother and more youthful.
Vitamins
There is a huge range of vitamins that you'll find in cosmeceutical products. In fact, vitamins are one of the key ingredients in most cosmeceuticals. The specific vitamins in the product will depend on what it's designed to do.
For example, Vitamin C is used to increase the brightness of your skin. Or, people who are wanting to smooth out their skin tone may look for products that contain Vitamin B.
Niacinamide
Did you know that niacinamide is actually just a form of Vitamin B3? That's right! Niacinamide is a vitamin that can work wonders on your skin and is a key ingredient in many cosmeceuticals.
The reason niacinamide is included in cosmeceutical products is that it has anti-inflammatory properties. Since it works as an anti-inflammatory agent, it can prevent the skin from losing moisture and reduce redness in the skin.
Antioxidants
An antioxidant is a term that refers to many different types of minerals and vitamins. They prevent free radicals from getting into your skin and weakening your body's collagen supply.
Antioxidants are important for removing impurities and preventing toxins from getting into the skin. They can help stop chemicals, air pollutants, and haze from damaging the skin and harming your complexion.
Idebenone
One antioxidant that's commonly found in cosmeceuticals is something called idebenone. It is an antioxidant that's found in high-end skincare products and is essential for preventing damage to the skin.
It's also important for preventing and reversing the signs of ageing. Many people like this ingredient because it can reduce the appearance of wrinkles and fine lines.
Salicylic Acid
If you have acne-prone skin, you'll want to look for cosmeceuticals that contain salicylic acid. This ingredient is an acne-fighting compound that is great for clearing out the skin.
Salicylic acid is used to remove debris from the skin and to clear out the oil that clogs your pores and causes acne. It can help clear breakouts quickly, making it useful if you often find yourself fending off blackheads and whiteheads.
Lactic Acid
For people with sensitive skin who are in need of some exfoliation, lactic acid is a great ingredient to look for. Lactic acid gently exfoliates the skin while hydrating it and putting moisture back into the pores.
It's also great for removing the appearance of wrinkles and fine lines. It can help reverse skin pigmentations and keep your skin tone even.
Peptides
Peptides are one of the building blocks of the skin. They're essential for healthy, clear skin that looks youthful and bright.
Products that contain peptides are important for repairing the skin and enhancing its appearance. They can also remove wrinkles and fine lines, making the skin appear younger.
Who Benefits Most From Cosmeceuticals?
There's a misconception that cosmeceuticals are only for people who are concerned about ageing. However, the reality is that you can never start caring for your skin too early.
As soon as you hit your twenties, your skin begins to break down due to lifestyle factors, sun exposure, and hormonal changes. using cosmeceutical skincare products is a great way to repair your skin and enhance your appearance.
For older people, cosmeceuticals can slow down ageing and combat toxins from entering the skin. They're a great way to look more youthful in a healthy and gentle way.
For younger people, cosmeceutical skincare products can be key in reducing unwanted blemishes, acne scars, or dry skin. They help retain your youthful, healthy glow.
When selecting cosmeceuticals, you want to look for ingredients that make sense for your particular type of skin. Be sure to test how your skin responds to different ingredients before going all in, as cosmeceuticals are stronger than standard skincare products.
Use Cosmeceuticals to Care for Your Skin
Cosmeceuticals, though a new concept, are a great way of taking better care of your skin and avoiding harsh and harmful chemicals. they're the perfect skincare treatment for anyone who's wanting a healthy and non-damaging way of getting the glow-up they're looking for.
If you're ready to transform your own skincare routine with cosmeceuticals, The Beauty Room By Clara is the place to shop. Get in touch with us or browse our product collection to find the perfect skincare items for you.