Enfnts Terribles

Ceramides

Ceramides are once again something we produce naturally, but when exposed to environmental and harsh chemicals, they can deplete. They are lipids that form and make-up to 50% of the skin’s barrier, helping it to retain moisture. As it forms our skin barrier, it helps to protect the skin against pollution, irritating products, and extreme weather conditions. Without sufficient ceramides, our skin barrier can become compromised which will lead to irritation, dryness, itching, and acne.

Ceramides can be used by anyone; it has lots of benefits for every skin type. I would especially recommend it for people that suffer from compromised skin barriers like acne, dry, and sensitive skin. I have some good news for the ceramide-lover, there is no such thing as using too many ceramides.

Vitamins

Let’s talk about vitamins. The most used vitamin in skincare is Vitamin C, also known as Ascorbic Acid or L-Ascorbic Acid. It is a water-soluble antioxidant that depletes as we age. If the skin is left unprotected from UVA rays and pollution, it can speed up the decline in the skin’s natural vitamin C. Vitamin C is key for brightening the skin and protecting the skin against environmental and free radical damage. On top of that, it helps even out our skin tone and demises the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.

I would recommend using Vitamin C in your skincare for anyone age 20+ wanting to prevent aging or wanting to brighten the skin. You can use Vitamin C in both the morning and evening. But if you use it in the evening, combine it with another vitamin to see the maximum effect. Personally, I would try to find a serum that contains Vitamin C, as I’ve learned that it is most productive in a higher concentrate of the ingredient.

Salicylic Acid

Another common acid is salicylic acid, which is a beta-hydroxy acid (BHA). Just like the glycolic acid, it goes in and penetrates the skin deeper than the skin surface layer. Which makes it the perfect ingredient to help speed up, de-clog, and clear out pores as well as help calm inflammation.

This ingredient is perfect for anyone whose skin is clogged with white and/or blackheads. You should never apply salicylic acid to your entire face, just on affected areas. Also, be aware that you don’t use too much because you might dry out your skin. If you’ve read our last article about skin types, you know you don’t want that.

12 Ingredients to avoid

There are a few ingredients you don’t want in your skincare products, but unfortunately, most of these are used. In the skincare world, there is something called “The Dirty Dozen”: 12 ingredients you shouldn’t use on your skin. Some of these only appear in body care, so I’ve excluded these from the following list:

1. DEA (diethanolamine), MEA (Monoethanolamine), and TEA (triethanolamine): clear, colorless, viscous liquids with ammonia-like odors. These are usually found in products that foam like facial cleansers and soaps;

2. DMDM hydantoin and UREA (Imidazolidinyl): preservatives that often release formaldehyde which may cause joint pain, skin allergies, headaches, and loss of sleep;

3. Mineral Oil: a petroleum by-product that coats the skin like plastic, clogging its pores. You should avoid this product because it interferes with the skin’s ability to eliminate toxins, therefore increasing the likelihood of acne and other disorders;

4. Parabens (Methyl, Butyl, Ethyl, Propyl): probably the most common one, because nowadays most products are paraben-free. Even brands are starting to avoid these ingredients because they may contribute to hormone imbalance;

5. PEG (Polyethylene glycol) is usually found in cleansers to dissolve oil and grease but it can alter and reduce the skin’s natural moisture factor;

6. PHTHALATES or also known as “fragrance”;

7. You have to look out for ingredients ending in “-siloxane” or “-methicone“. This isn’t necessarily harmful to your skin, but it is to fish and other wildlife. So be conscious about that too;

8. Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS) and Sodium Laureth Sulfate (SLES): this is a harmful product used to make products foam, lather, and bubble. Apart from that, it doesn’t do anything good for your face. Be aware because this ingredient is found in 90% of personal-care products that foam.

9. Synthetic Fragrances: synthetic should always be a red flag. Such as artificial, don’t trust that shit. These are made up of hundreds to thousands of different ingredients not listed on the label, so you are never sure what you are actually being exposed to.