Choosing the right moisturizer seems so easy. All we need is something that will hydrate our skin, right? Well, yes to a certain extent. But with the amount of moisturizers that exist today, it’s just such a daunting task. Why? Because there are just way too many options.

To make it easier for you, I recommend taking two important factors into consideration: skin type and ingredients that are needed to adequately moisturize your skin type. Read on to find out what those ingredients are.

Tips for oily skin types:

Oily skin types should look for gel-based moisturizes as these formulations feel light on the skin and don’t leave behind an oily film. Water-soluble ingredients such as hyaluronic acid and glycerin generally feel light on the skin while providing adequate hydration. These ingredients are known as humectants which means they attract water molecules from the dermis and atmosphere and hold onto them. This is what keeps your skin well hydrated.

Tips for dry skin types:

Dry skin types should look for a cream-based moisturizer. Anything that has a creamy texture usually contains occlusives and emollients. Occlusives seal in moisture while emollients also seal in moisture and help soften skin. Both terms can be used interchangeably. Helpful ingredients to look for in a moisturizer for dry skin include: Dimethicone, oleic acid, urea, and lanolin.

Product recommendation: Olivarrier Fluid Oil 100% Squalane 

Tips for normal and combination skin types:

Normal and combination skin types can usually get away with any type of moisturizer. However, a good mix of both water-soluble and oil-soluble ingredients can be especially beneficial. Examples of common hydrating and water-soluble ingredients include hyaluronic acid and glycerin. Examples of common oil-soluble ingredients include ceramides, jojoba oil and dimethicone.

Product recommendation:  Skinrx MadeCera Cream

Tips for sensitive skin types:

Sensitive skin types need extra care. When choosing a moisturizer, it’s important to choose one with a short ingredients list. The more ingredients present in a moisturizer, the higher the chance of irritation. Sensitive skin types should look for soothing, hydrating and anti-inflammatory ingredients. These include: Aloe vera, soy, shea butter, allantoin, bisabolol, colloidal oatmeal. Always start with using just a little or doing a patch test under your chin to see how your skin reacts. If your skin doesn’t develop any irritation or sensitivity, you’re good to go!

Product recommendation: Hanskin Real Complexion Moisture Cream

The post Are You Moisturizing With the Right Ingredients For Your Skin Type? appeared first on The Klog.

Almost everywhere we look, words like “natural,” “clean,” “organic,” “no-toxins” are printed on beauty products like moisturizers, cleansers, serums to somehow convince us that natural or clean must mean better. However, these terms are not regulated by the FDA which means they carry little-to-no meaning. Natural does not always mean better or more effective. In fact, botanical extracts can be both irritating and sensitizing to skin.
Below, I’ve outlined seven popular DIY ingredients and the ingredients I recommend using instead.

Instead of Honey, Try Benzoyl Peroxide or Sulfur

While honey does have some antibacterial properties, it can also cause infections due to its high sugar content. A better alternative is to use benzoyl peroxide or a sulfur mask to tackle acne or oily skin.
Find it in: Klairs Gentle Black Deep Cleansing Oil 

Instead of Coconut Oil, Try Jojoba Oil

This oil is extremely heavy on the skin and can clog pores. This can be problematic for oily and acne-prone skin types. A better alternative is jojoba oil which mimics the skin’s natural sebum and thus helps control oil on your skin. However, anyone can use coconut oil on the body as a moisturizer!
Find it in: TROIAREUKE Acsen TOC Toner

Instead of Rubbing Alcohol, Try Witch Hazel

High concentrations of alcohol can be drying and sensitizing for certain skin types such as – you guessed it – dry and sensitive. Witch hazel is a good alternative to rubbing alcohol. This is thanks to its anti-viral effects and anti-inflammatory properties. It is much less drying and sensitizing than rubbing alcohol.
Find it in: Thank You Farmer Back To Iceland Cleansing Water

Instead of Baking Soda, Try Glycolic Acid

There is a long standing history of using baking soda in skin care due to its ability to exfoliate. However, baking soda has a high pH. This means it can disrupt your skin barrier, making your skin dry, flaky and prone to irritation. A better alternative is glycolic acid. Glycolic acid has been studied extensively and has shown to be an effective exfoliator that can smoothen skin and improve overall skin tone for almost all skin types.
Find it in: Isntree Clear Skin 8% AHA Essence

Instead of Brown Sugar, Try Mandelic or Lactic Acids

Any type of sugar is a good environment for bacteria to feed on. A better alternative is mandelic or lactic acid which is much more gentle on the skin. Both mandelic and lactic acids have a larger molecule size, which means they won’t penetrate too deep into the skin. This is perfect for a gentle exfoliation!

Instead of Apple Cider Vinegar, Try Salicylic Acid

Apple cider vinegar is quite acidic which means it can disrupt your natural skin barrier and lead to irritation and inflammation. Additionally, there aren’t any studies that show evidence of effective results when using apple cider vinegar on skin. Salicylic acid is a better alternative, especially when treating problematic skin such as acne or oily skin.
Find it in: Benton Aloe BHA Skin Toner

Instead of Lemon Juice, Try Vitamin C

While lemons contain vitamin C, they also contain many other chemicals that aren’t well studied. L-ascorbic acid, or pure vitamin C,  is a better and more effective alternative. Studies show that L-ascorbic acid helps stimulate collagen synthesis and brightens skin!
Find it in: Neogen Real Vita C Powder Lemon

The post A Cosmetic Scientist on the More Effective Alternatives to DIY Ingredients appeared first on The Klog.

Vitamin C a.k.a. L-ascorbic acid is one of the most popular skin care ingredients of the moment and it’s not surprising! The benefits of L-ascorbic acid are plenty. It’s backed by decades of research and has proved to be one of the most effective antioxidants that can protect skin against free radical damage and various environmental stressors. The result of using vitamin C on a consistent basis is a brighter, overall more radiant skin tone.  
However, one major confusion among consumers in regards to incorporating this ingredient into their skin care routines is what other actives they can mix it with. To clear things up, understanding the chemistry behind vitamin C is key. 

Vitamin C + Niacinamide

Niacinamide is a base and vitamin C is an acid. So in a perfect world of chemistry, an acid and a base should neutralize in solution and cancel each other out right? Not always! It depends on the type of solution, the pH, temperature, and other factors. 
RELATED: The Best Skin Brightening Ingredients
The reality is that niacinamide is extremely stable. It takes A LOT of energy (called activation energy) for it to react with anything. This means it won’t react with vitamin C, so there is no risk of neutralization. Not to mention, in a cosmetic formulation there are many other ingredients that are at play. The chances of niacinamide and vitamin C interacting with each other and forming a bond that cancels each other out are quite slim. This means you can use niacinamide and vitamin C together without any problem.
Each of these ingredients on their own can help address dark spots and uneven skin tone, and when used together, they will still work just as effectively and sometimes even better. 

Vitamin C + Alpha and Beta Hydroxy Acids

Alpha hydroxy acids (AHAs) like glycolic acid or beta hydroxy acids (BHAs) like salicylic acid can be used first to “prep” the skin. This can be in a toner or serum form. Since alpha and beta hydroxy acids are usually acidic, the application creates the perfect environment on your skin for vitamin C.
RELATED: The Correct Way to Layer Acids In Your Routine
Naturally, the next step would be using vitamin C, usually in a serum form. Both alpha hydroxy acids and vitamin C work well in a low pH so the effects of each ingredient will be additive. In fact, studies have shown that chemical exfoliation with glycolic acid or lactic acid allows for better penetration of topical vitamin C. And using both ingredients in the same routine can help achieve a more even skin tone and texture.  

Vitamin C + Retinol

Retinols usually work best in an acidic environment. This means if you use vitamin C, which is usually low pH and acidic, prior to using retinol, retinol will work very effectively. Both help with exfoliation and to improve overall skin texture. Studies have shown that using  a product with 5% vitamin C (like the Klairs Freshly Juiced Vitamin C Serum) increased elastic fibers and showed a more uniform distribution of type I collagen bundles.   This works nicely with retinol because it also stimulates collagen production! Together, one can expect to see a smoother, brighter and even skin texture.   

Bottom Line

Just because you can mix two ingredients together doesn’t mean you should. The most important thing to remember is to use adequate sunscreen and to listen to your skin. Sensitive skin types may find that mixing two active ingredients can increase skin irritation. However, oily and combination skin types may experience no problems. It’s important to listen to your skin and to understand that skin care is an individual journey!
If you’re new to any of the ingredients mentioned above, click here to learn how to safely ease them into your routine. 

The post How to Mix Vitamin C With Other Actives Like Niacinamide and AHAs appeared first on The Klog.