10 Powerful Skincare Ingredients and How They Work

Are you ever curious about what’s going on in your skincare? Or perhaps you know that a certain ingredient is good, but you’re unsure why or how it works. At GlyMed, we take pride in using only the highest quality ingredients that we can find.

Powerful Skincare Ingredients That Work

Are you ever curious about what’s going on in your skincare? Or perhaps you know that a certain ingredient is good, but you’re unsure why or how it works.

At GlyMed, we take pride in using only the highest quality ingredients that we can find. Made from potent botanicals sourced worldwide, our ingredients are all certified organic and backed before making it into any of our formulas.

Besides being high-quality, you may still ask yourself what makes a key ingredient good for your skin. We’re here to answer that very question with our guide to these ten ultra-powerful skincare ingredients.

Retinol (Vitamin A)

Retinol is one of those ingredients that seems to do everything, so we had to put it first on this list! Known as one of the best age management ingredients, retinol reduces fine lines and wrinkles by increasing collagen and elastin production in your skin. It also has the power to improve skin tone and fade age spots and acne scars as it stimulates the production of new blood vessels.

But the benefits don’t stop with aging skin. Retinol has been proven to be a powerful acne treatment as it is a gentle exfoliator that removes dirt, oil, and dead skin cells. It works wonders for all kinds of acne, especially those who deal with stubborn hormonal acne.

There are a few things to be aware of with such a powerful ingredient. First, skin not familiar with retinol will need some conditioning to get used to the ingredient. Try using it sparingly at first, increasing use as skin normalizes. Additionally, retinol is not suitable for women who are pregnant or trying for pregnancy. The last thing to note is that retinol will cause sun sensitivity, so use only at night and be diligent in using SPF during the day.

Best-Selling Retinol Products:

• Retinol Restart Rejuvenation Cream

• Retinol Restart Rejuvenation Serum

• Other Professional Only Peels and Products

Hyaluronic Acid

These days, it seems like hyaluronic acid is everywhere, and for good reasons. Hyaluronic acid plays a critical role in regulating water content, distributing nutrients to cells, and maintaining elasticity. Since hyaluronic acid is healing and hydrating, it improves skin appearance, creating supple skin with fewer fine lines and wrinkles.

Hyaluronic acid is an excellent treatment and preventative ingredient safe for all skin types, conditions, and Fitzpatricks levels. If you’re looking to add it to your skincare routine, check out these products below.

Best-Selling Hyaluronic Acid Products:

• Eye Calm

• Facial Hydrator

• Skin Recovery Mist

• Skin Bliss Hydrating Masque

• Ultra Hydro Gel

Vitamin C

Another popular skincare ingredient that seems to have endless benefits is Vitamin C. Vitamin C is an antioxidant, so it offers protection against environmental stressors you run into daily. But this ingredient holds power to do so much more!

Vitamin C has anti-inflammatory properties, offers UV protection and repair, boosts collagen synthesis, and treats hyperpigmentation. It’s ideal for treating sun-damaged skin and strengthening the skin’s barrier response for healthier, younger-acting skin.

This ingredient is a must-have for aging skin and those with hyperpigmentation disorders, but everyone can benefit from its protective and antioxidant properties. Many of our Vitamin C-infused products are suitable for all skin types.

Best-Selling Vitamin C Products:

• Daily Repair Mega Moisture Cream

• Mega-Purifying Cleanser

• Vitamin C Serum

• Vitamin C Cleanser

• Vitamin C Cream

Ceramides

Ceramides are fats or lipids found in skin cells that play an essential role in maintaining the skin’s barrier function. As we age, these natural ceramides decrease, so topical ceramides become necessary for maintaining healthy skin.

While using ceramides now will have some anti-aging effects along the way, they should not only be reserved as an age-management ingredient. Ceramides are beneficial for everyone since they prevent trans-epidermal water loss, protect from environmental damage, and protect your skin from harmful bacteria and other germs. This ingredient is key to keeping your skin healthy now and in the future.

Best-Selling Ceramides Products:

• Amino Acid Epidermal Sealant with PC10

• Anti-Wrinkle Eye Cream

• Cell Protection Serum

• Daily Lift Serum

Alpha Hydroxy Acids (AHAs)

Alpha Hydroxy Acids are best known for their chemical exfoliation power. They can slough away dead skin and draw out impurities without harsh scrubbing, which makes us love them so much! But this gentle exfoliation leads to more than just softer, smoother skin. AHAs treat wrinkles, age spots, and acne while leaving behind a glowing complexion.

Another benefit of a chemical exfoliant is that your skin will absorb critical ingredients better, allowing your skincare to work more efficiently. You’ll find a low percentage of AHAs in many GlyMed retail products, while many of our chemical peel solutions use higher percentages of these ingredients to provide a deeper treatment that must be performed by a licensed professional.

Like retinol, AHAs are highly active ingredients and may require skin conditioning for those new to the ingredient. Make sure to start slow and increase usage as your skin gains more tolerance for it.

Best-Selling AHA Products:

• Gentle Facial Wash

• AHA Accelerator

• Alpha Therapeutic Hand & Body Lotion

• Alpha Therapeutic Ultimate Body Scrub

• Skin Gel

• Other Professional Only Peels and Products

Peptides

Peptides are chains of amino acids that act as messengers to our skin cells. Peptides prompt our skin to perform specific functions like producing collagen and elastin, repairing tissue, and even relaxing the muscles. They are an excellent age-management tool that can be easily incorporated into any skincare routine using a cleanser, serum, cream, or a combination of all three.

Natural peptides are already found within the body, so your skin doesn’t react to the ingredient but responds to them, making them gentle enough for all skin types, conditions, and Fitzpatrick levels.

Best-Selling Peptide Products:

• Peptide Cleanser with PC10

• Intense Peptide Skin Recovery Complex

• Peptide Serum

• Bio Renewal Serum

• Atraxi Peptide

• Age Delay Cream

• Other Professional Only Peels and Products

Niacinamide (Vitamin B3)

Niacinamide is a rejuvenating ingredient that stimulates lipid production within skin cells and improves your skin barrier function. It has powerful anti-aging properties as it reduces fine lines and wrinkles by boosting collagen production and microcirculation. Niacinamide is also an effective anti-inflammatory agent that can treat all types of inflammatory skin conditions like acne, eczema, and rosacea, and it’s suitable for even the most sensitive skin types.

Best-Selling Niacinamide Products:

• CBD-B3 Facial Mist

• CBD-Micro Silver Hydratherapy Masque

• CBD-B3 Age Delay Facial Dew

Cannabidiol (CBD)

CBD is one of the newest additives to make its way into the professional skincare scene, but don’t let that stop you from taking advantage of this incredible ingredient. CBD is a powerful antioxidant – even more powerful than vitamins C and E and is the only plant source of vitamin D in skincare.

CBD is best known for its anti-aging effects and for balancing the skin by regulating oil production. CBD is safe for all skin types and conditions as a restorative ingredient.

Our CBD is derived from the hemp plant and is tested to ensure 0% THC; therefore, there is no psychoactive component, making it legal in all 50 states. GlyMed is proud to use only the highest quality cannabidiol available in the US, which never contains pesticides, heavy metals, or harmful chemicals.

Best-Selling CBD Products:

• CBD Booster

• CBD Regenerative Eye Cream

• CBD Power Balm

• CBD-Micro Silver Miracle

Tyrosinase Inhibitors

Tyrosinase Inhibitors are a specific set of ingredients that suppress excess melanin production by interrupting the biochemical process that triggers the production of tyrosinase, therefore preventing and treating pigmentation disorders and age spots.

At GlyMed, we use bearberry, licorice root, azelaic acid, kojic acid, and mulberry extract, all potent botanicals that are effective tyrosinase inhibitors. Using the below products at home in conjunction with regular treatments will give you the best results in reducing age spots and the appearance of hyperpigmentation.

Best-Selling Tyrosinase Inhibitor Products:

• Diamond Bright Skin Lightener

• Living Cell Clarifier

• Other Professional-Only Peels and Products

Enzymes

Enzymes work on the surface of your skin to slough off rought, dead skin cells, leaving your skin smoother, brightener, and clearer. Most notably, enzymes alone do not disrupt the pH balance of your skin and are gentle on your skin barrier. Enzymatic exfoliation is one of the mildest forms, making it an especially beneficial option for those with dry, sensitive, and aging skin types.

There are four common enzymes used in skincare, and each comes with its own benefits:

• Papain – Reduces blemishes, nourishes skin, and fights premature aging.

• Bromelain – Anti-inflammatory, reduces redness, accelerates healing, and improves skin texture.

• Protease – Increases hydration, supports skin cells, and reduces fine lines and wrinkles.

• Pumpkin – Brightens skin, regulates oil production, reduces acne, and fights signs of premature aging.

Best-Selling Enzyme Products:

• Ultra-Hydrating Enzyme Masque

• YOUTH Firm Age Defying Peel

• Restorative Skin Clarifying Masque

• Daily Smoothing Peel

These Ingredients and More with GlyMed

If you’re looking for effective skincare solutions, it’s time to give GlyMed a try. We’ve kept a high standard of using only the best skincare ingredients to create the highest quality skincare for professional treatments and at-home use.

As skincare innovators, we strive to find the next best solution for skin. Rest assured you’ll find these powerful skincare ingredients and so much more in our formulations.

If you have any questions, please email support@glymedplusaustralia.com.au

Written by The Institute of Skin Science