7 Best Ingredients for Skincare Products

The UK cosmetics market alone is valued at £27 billion as of 2020 - and with that, there are countless brands and ingredient trends, while everyone tries to find the next big seller and capitalise on it.

As a CBD based brand, we are all for innovation in the market - but it can also be hard to know exactly what to look for, or what’s actually going to be particularly beneficial. Here’s some of our favourites, after trying countless formulas, looking at the science, and after formulating our Body Cream to include all these great additions.

Hyaluronic Acid

This is a skincare industry favourite, and for good reason. Hyaluronic acid is a naturally occurring molecule in our bodies, found mostly in the skin, which binds to water and retains moisture very effectively, which makes skin appear younger and smoother. It can also reduce inflammation and redness by signalling to the body to build more blood vessels in these specific areas, while also providing mild antibacterial properties - a great added bonus for those with damaged skin or open pores.

What’s also great about hyaluronic acid is that almost anyone with any skin type can use it; even when used twice a day, it is incredibly rare to have any issues or reactions, and is almost certainly going to be welcomed by your skin as part of your day-to-day routine.

Sweet Almond

Sweet almond oil is packed with some great skincare specifics; mainly Vitamins A & E, Omega-3 fatty acids, and zinc.

Vitamin A stimulates the skin to produce more skin cells, which contributes towards healthy skin tone and smoother complexion. When paired with Vitamin E, which helps reduce UV damage to the skin, sweet almond oil is also very beneficial for the healing (and even reversal) of skin damage.

Omega-3 fatty acids also are linked to defence against sun damage and protection from skin ageing, while zinc is primarily for reducing inflammation and is a key nutrient in healing acne/ surface scars. 

Ginger

Ginger is a surprisingly powerful skincare ingredient, and contributes towards many areas of skin health. Thanks to its natural oils known as “gingerols” and strong antioxidant properties, ginger is often added for improved skin tone, reduction of scarring or blemishes, and to provide valuable nutrients to the skin to preserve the skin's collagen.

Green Tea

Not only is green tea a super-healthy drink - it also is a strong ingredient in topical skincare products. As one of the most effective natural antioxidants, it helps brighten dull skin, reduce signs of ageing, and combat redness and swelling.

It is also known to hunt down free radicals caused by environmental stress, such as pollutants in the air or UV exposure, whilst promoting DNA repair.

Zinc Oxide

If you’ve ever wondered what ingredient protects you from the sun’s rays when you apply sunscreen - this is the one. Zinc oxide is very effective at defending against both UVA and UVB rays, while simultaneously reducing irritation, and aiding healing.

Zinc oxide is also an “astringent” - this essentially means it tightens skin bonds, reduces pore sizes, and helps keep the skin smooth and firm. 

Elderberry

Similarly to sweet almond oil, elderberry-derived ingredients tend to be rich with vitamin A, making them effective at anti-ageing and smoothing skin tone.

It also helps your skin balance out oil levels to keep your skin healthy and clear, while reducing the chance of unexpected breakouts. The mild anti-microbial and anti-fungal properties of elderberries can also help defend the skin and maintain balance. This is a particularly popular inclusion in products for people who struggle with oily or spot-prone skin.

Sunflower Oil

There’s all sorts that sunflower oil can do for the skin - its high Vitamin E content, for example, is a strong antioxidant that also stabilises free radicals and improving cell strength. It also reinforces skin barrier function, reduces moisture loss, and improves hydration, by locking in moisture without clogging your pores.

Looking for something with all these in (and much more, including an infusion of 350mg of premium CBD)? Our Body Cream is the ultimate formula containing all these, and many more natural ingredients and beneficial supplements.