Cosmetic Center’s Guide to Common Skincare Product Ingredients

There are a ton of skincare products on the market, each touting different ingredients and different results. Retinol, hyaluronic acid, L-ascorbic acid, Vitamin C—it can be tough to make sense of it all and keep track of what each ingredient does and which is best for your unique skin and skincare needs.

The Cosmetic Center helps patients make sense of their options and choose the products that are best for them. Here is a quick guide to some of the most popular ingredients so you can determine whether they’re right for you, and some favorite products that contain them.

Retinol

A common ingredient in anti-aging products and a general “miracle worker,” retinol is derived from vitamin A. It penetrates deep into skin to reach collagen and elastin, improving fine lines and wrinkles as well as skin texture and tone. It is even effective as a treatment for acne and acne scarring. Retinol can cause skin irritation, especially if you have sensitive skin, along with dryness, flakiness and sensitivity to the sun, so coupling it with a good moisturizer and broadspectrum
sunscreen is key.

A good retinol-containing product with minimal irritation is SUZANOBAGIMD Retivance® Skin Rejuvenating Complex. 

Hyaluronic Acid

Hyaluronic acid is naturally found in human and animal skin, tissues and joint fluid. It is known to cushion and lubricate but decreases as we age. As an ingredient in skincare serums, creams and masks, it works to increase hydration in the skin, helping it appear firm and healthy. To achieve this benefit, SkinMedica HA5® Rejuvenating Hydrator is a great product to try. It supports the skin’s natural ability to retain moisture.

L-ascorbic Acid / Vitamin C

L-ascorbic acid is a form of vitamin C and provides powerful antioxidant benefits to skin. Vitamin C, in the form of L-ascorbic acid in skincare products, stimulates the production of collagen in the skin, reducing fine lines, wrinkles and scarring and giving skin a plump, youthful look. Look for vitamin C or L-ascorbic acid in products like any in the Obagi Professional-C® product line, including the Professional-C® Serum in 10%, 15% or 20% concentration, designed for different skin types.

Salicylic Acid

Most commonly found in products targeting oily or acne-prone skin, salicylic acid helps the skin shed dead skin cells. In addition to working on the skin’s surface, it can penetrate deep into pores, unclogging them and helping prevent breakouts. It also helps reduce skin inflammation and redness often caused by acne. For patients with oily or acne-prone skin, the team recommends Obagi CLENZIderm M.D.™ Pore Therapy.

Customized Skincare Guidance

If you’re ever in doubt about what’s right for you, give the team at the Cosmetic Center a call in Roanoke (540-853-0510) or Blacksburg (540-951-8885) and they will get you taken care of. As a reminder, Carilion Clinic employees receive a 20% discount on all products and services!

If you have questions, contact Kristen Arthur, Cosmetic Center, at klarthur@carilionclinic.org or 540-853-0510.