Do you ever wonder about what’s in your skincare? Sure, the labels list the ingredients, but what are they? What does hyaluronic acid even mean much less do?
I often feel I need a translator to tell me what all these popular ingredients are, and then an expert to cut through the noise and help me figure out what’s best for my skin and specific needs. Luckily, there is Toccare Day Spa and their knowledgable staff. Caci, the owner of Charlotte’s two Toccare Day Spa locations (Myers Park & Dilworth), walked me through 5 popular and necessary skincare ingredients that we women need to know about ~ in terms we can all understand.
1. Retinol
Retinol is a retinoid, which is a blanket term for a form of Vitamin A, a vitamin naturally found in many foods. Retinol was originally formulated to treat acne but was found to double as an anti-aging ingredient as it stimulates the epidermal (outermost layer of skin) cell turnover. This causes your skin to rapidly exfoliate, speeding up the rate at which dead skin falls off, and providing you with new, brighter, more even-toned skin. It also stimulates the production of collagen and elastin, which is why it’s so great for smoothing out fine lines and wrinkles, old and new. Retinol additionally works to unclog pores, minimize inflammation and post-acne hyperpigmentation (scars), AND it also kills the bacteria that cause breakouts. It’s definitely a wonder-ingredient.
There are different levels of retinol products on the market, all varying in strength and name. It pays to be educated on this ingredient so you’re applying the right amount to your skin. Caci cautions that “too high a retinol concentration (commonly found in medspa procedures and prescriptions) can speed up the cell turnover so fast that it can deteriorate the outer, protective layer of skin and ultimately give you results opposite of what you’re looking to achieve.”
Caci recommends starting out with a low-dose Retinol product to introduce this powerful ingredient into your routine, such as the Gentle Retinol Night Serum from Marie Veronique. This serum is one of the staff and client favorites, as it contains both Vitamin A and Vitamin C (more on this next), as well as Sodium Salicylate, which helps with inflammation and makes this product safe even on sensitive skin. It also contains a ceramide complex which will help to retain moisture in the skin, so that you won’t need to add on a heavy moisturizer like most do when using a Retinol. Read more about retinol in Toccare’s recent blog post.
NOTE: While we should all be using SPF in our daily regime, it is important to note that Retinol makes the skin more sensitive to UV light and should always be used in conjunction with a sunscreen or sun protectant.
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2. Vitamin C
Vitamin C is probably the most well-known and arguably the most important ingredient on our list, with many benefits to regular use. Vitamin C is safe for most skin types ~ hydrates, brightens, reduces hyperpigmentation, promotes collagen production, and can protect against sun damage. It was the first anti-aging ingredient, is very supportive to the skin, and works well with other products in your bag. Like retinol (and many ingredients) Vitamin C comes from different sources and can be supportive or active. Caci suggests “your 20s-30s are a great time to start playing around with more active vs supportive products.” One active or enzymatic product in the Toccare lineup is the Pai rosehip oil that is CO2 extracted. This is the purest way to extract the Vitamin C ingredient, and so offers you a very clean and effective product.
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A perfect Retinol alternative for pregnant women.
3. Peptides
Peptides or polypeptides are amino acids that makeup proteins the body needs. Collagen is one of those naturally occurring proteins in the body that will gradually slow in production over time, i.e. as you age. While Collagen molecules are too large for the skin to absorb, peptides are easily absorbed by the skin and then used by the body. The benefits of including peptide-rich products in your routine include an improved skin barrier, reduced wrinkles, better elasticity in the skin, and help to clear up breakouts. Over time, the outer, protective layer of the skin gets damaged from over-exfoliation, cigarette smoke, and exposure to other pollution. Peptides are boosting ingredients that amp up your skin’s health, and build a stronger, natural defense.
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4. Hyaluronic Acid
Hyaluronic Acid is a very popular ingredient, and a term mentioned and discussed often but rarely defined. Hyaluronic Acid is a natural substance found in the fluid in the eyes and joints. In more common skincare terms, it is a mega hydrator and hydrates the skin on a deeper level. The best way to explain how it works is to think of the skin as a sponge. The hyaluronic acid is the moisture inside the skin ~ think of the water held inside the sponge when wet. In addition to hydration, hyaluronic acid can increase skin resiliency, reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, and tighten skin tone. If you want to get the most out of your hyaluronic acid treatment, be sure to layer a moisturizer on top. It’s a good habit to top all serums with a moisturizer. If not, your skin will not feel the full benefits of hydration without a moisturizer to lock it in.
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5. Niaminicide
Niaminicide, a derivative of vitamin B, helps build skin cells while protecting them from everyday elements. Think of niaminicide as the next vitamin C or next retinol. Niaminicide formulas help to hydrate the skin on a deeper level and are great for treating acne scarring or inflammation in the skin from acne or rosacea. This ingredient is also helpful in reducing pore size, regulating oil and protecting the skin from UV rays. Toccare Day Spa has two products they specifically recommend. The Soothing B3 Serum from Marie Veronique is one that offers a glowy appearance, helps with hyperpigmentation, and offers plumping from within. As with other serums mentioned above, this one does not offer surface hydration and should be followed with a moisturizer.
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So…Which product is right for me and what’s next?
Caci and the team at Toccare Day Spa are available to help you shop off the spa shelves if you know what you’re looking for or have a favorite you need to re-stock. If you aren’t sure where to begin or what’s best for your skin right now, the Toccare staff wants to spend time with you. They will do a thorough assessment of your skin, talk through everything they find, and explain the benefits of starting a tailored regime suited to your specific needs. You can take comfort knowing they are there to educate and empower clients to make informed skincare decisions and never recommend products for the sake of a sale.
For more information on any of these ingredients or products, call or stop by one of the two Charlotte-area Tocarre Day Spa locations. Their experienced team is ready to answer any questions or get your first facial scheduled.
Myers Park:
Email: myerspark@toccaredayspa.com
Address: 715 Providence Rd Charlotte, NC 28207
Text or Call: 704-562-1912
Hours:
Mon + Fri: Â 9 am – 6 pm
Tues – Thurs: Â 9 am – 7 pm
Sat: Â 9 am – 4 pm
Sun: CLOSED
Dilworth:
Email: dilworth@toccaredayspa.com
Address: 1419 East Blvd Charlotte, NC 28203
Text or Call: 704-614-7503
Hours:
Mon + Fri: Â 9 am – 6 pm
Tues – Thurs: Â 9 am – 7 pm
Sat: Â 9 am – 4 pm
Sun: CLOSED
