Glowing, radiant, and youthful skin is on just about everyone’s must-have list. These adjectives all describe the look of healthy skin, and when it comes down to it healthy skin is about more than just the appearance of your skin. Healthy skin acts as a literal barrier from bacteria, viruses, and other nasties that you encounter daily. It also works hard to protect the body from UV radiation. The best thing we can do is support the skin, our body’s largest organ, in these important tasks. Bonus? By caring for the health of our skin, it is able to look and feel its best. Whether you’re currently battling acne, dark spots or hyperpigmentation, dry or dull skin appearance, or just the natural aging process, we’ve rounded up the products you need to achieve radiant, glowing, healthy skin.
- Hyaluronic Acid
Purpose: Hydration + Moisture
Good For: Dry skin, but is non-comedogenic, so it’s also great for oily or acne-prone skin types
Use: Daily
Hyaluronic acid boosts moisture retention and hydration abilities. This molecule is able to attract and retain more than 1,000 times its weight in water- that’s more than any other biological substance on earth. When applied topically in a serum, Hyaluronic Acid lends its hydration abilities to the skin to soothe and deeply moisturize. It is a humectant, meaning it pulls in moisture from the environment and its surroundings and holds onto it, delivering long-lasting hydration to thirsty skin. Hydrated skin appears smoother and more youthful. Hyaluronic Acid helps to plump up the skin, making it appear firmer and more toned. Dry skin with little moisture content is one of the main contributors to premature signs of aging. A little hydration goes a long way to reduce the appearance of wrinkles and fine lines and helps the overall look and feel of your skin.
- Alpha Hydroxy Acids (AHAs)
Purpose: Exfoliation
AHAs are chemical exfoliators that help remove dead skin cells and reveal radiant skin hidden underneath, clearing the way for skin cell regeneration.
Glycolic Acid
Good For: Wrinkles, hyperpigmentation, acne-prone skin
Use: Low concentrations (1-2%) can be used daily, higher percentage concentrations (10-20%) should be used 1-2x per week. Anything above 15% should be kept on for a few minutes only and then wiped off.
Glycolic acid is a water-soluble acid that can increase the luminosity of the skin by exfoliating the outermost layer of skin to reveal newer, brighter layers underneath. It speeds up cellular turnover, stimulates collagen production, and helps the skin feel firmer, and minimizes fine lines and wrinkles.
- Vitamin C
Purpose: Anti-aging, UV Protection, hyperpigmentation, and discoloration
Good For: All skin types
Use: Daily
Vitamin C is one of those ingredients that everyone can benefit from as it boasts preventative as well as maintenance benefits. Not only does vitamin C promote collagen production, which can diminish the appearance and fine lines- it is also a powerful antioxidant, meaning it offers protection to the skin from free radicals caused by sun exposure and other environmental toxins. It is for the latter reason that dermatologists usually recommend using a product with vitamin C as a part of your daytime routine: to reap the UV-protecting benefits. Vitamin C also plays a role in minimizing the appearance of pores, brightening the complexion, correcting uneven skin tone, and fading discoloration. You can maximize the benefits of vitamin C by pairing it with vitamin E or ferulic acid- other antioxidants that aid in the absorption of vitamin C into the skin.
- Cold Plazma Whitening Cream
Purpose: Improving skin elasticity, stimulating collagen production
Good For: All Skin Types
Use: Daily
The dr. dream® Cold Plazma Whitening cream is actually a combination of two key ingredients, Plazma and Multi Growth Factor (MGF) that work synergistically to illuminate skin. Plazma, derived from a two-step ferment filtering technology, restores balance to the skin, improves elasticity, and brings out radiance from within. MGF (Multi-Growth Factors: EGF, aFGF, bFGF, IGF-1, KGF, VEGF) works to stimulate collagen production, effectively restoring its softness and suppleness.
- Niacinamide
Purpose: Reduce redness, pore appearance, improve skin tone, and more. See below!
Good For: All skin types including sensitive skin
Use: Daily
Niacinamide (vitamin B3) is a powerful antioxidant whose list of benefits is seemingly endless. Niacinamide can minimize and tighten pores, reduce redness and inflammation- including from acne and eczema, and improve the overall texture and smoothness of the skin. It can regulate oil production, even skin tone, lessen discoloration, hydrate the skin and even reduce signs of aging. Last but not least: niacinamide has been shown to enhance skin barrier function, helping the skin to do its job more effectively.
- Azelaic Acid
Purpose: Acne and Dark Spots, Sun Damage, Rosacea, Melasma
Good For: All Skin Types
Use: Daily
Azelaic acid is an effective lightning agent for dark spots and sun damage. It also has both antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties, making it useful as an acne treatment. Since azelaic acid can both reduce pimple and blackhead formation, as well as even out pigmentation issues caused by acne scarring, it is truly a wonderful ingredient for those with acne-prone skin.
- Sunscreen
Purpose: Sun Protection
Good For: All Skin Types
Use: Daily
Ok, so sunscreen isn’t an ingredient in and of itself, but it is most definitely a product you need to achieve truly radiant skin. Between premature aging, fine line and wrinkles, and skin cancer, you need to be shielding your skin from the sun. Our Urban Protective Sun Cream SPF 40 PA++ offers protection from both UVA and UVB rays in a non-greasy formula with zero white casts. Layer it alone at the end of your skincare routine or under makeup for a flawless finish.
- Retinol
Purpose: Acne, Anti-aging,
Good For:
Use: Start using every 3-5 nights, gradually increasing consistency until your skin is comfortable with every night or every other night
Potentially the holy grail of skincare, we’ve saved retinoids for last. Retinoids (a family of vitamin A molecules) are effective in combating sun damage, treating and preventing wrinkles, boosting collagen production, and thickening the skin. Retinoids have shown to improve hyaluronic acid production in the skin, leaving it more supple and smooth. Basically, retinoids are an anti-aging powerhouse. It is also an effective treatment for acne, reducing clogged pores, inflammation, and oil production. Retinol can be irritating, so take time to let your skin adjust and make sure to use a moisturizing serum to combat dryness. Skip the AHAs on the nights you use retinol.
For glowing, hydrated, and healthy skin, no matter your skin condition, you can find a product or group of products to help you achieve this goal!
