If you ignore all the marketing fuss, the big four are the most important active ingredients. These ingredients cover a wide range of skin concerns including wrinkles, pigmentation, weak texture and acne.
These are ingredients that have been repeatedly tested and proven in countless (high-quality!) clinical studies over the years:
- Chemical peel: Acids such as glycolic acid, lactic acid and mandelic acid that gently slough away dead skin cells.
- Retinoids: The “all-rounder” category of ingredients.
- Vitamin C: Important antioxidant for long-term aging prevention.
- Niacinamide: Best additive for glowing, hydrated skin.
Each of these products has long been proven to be useful for many skin problems, but can be a bit idiosyncratic and finicky in their formulation. Choosing the right products and effectively incorporating them into your skincare routine can be difficult. In the following sections, we'll explain how they interact with the skin, what benefits they provide, how they should be used, how long it takes to see the benefits, and general tips for incorporating these ingredients into your routine can.