The Must-Have Ingredients for Every Regimen

Everyone has specific skin concerns and preferences when it comes to skin care. But to keep our skin healthy, glowing, and in a continual state of renewal, there are a few ingredients that every regimen needs. They are the ones that improve skin tone and texture. The ones that fuel your healthy glow. The ones that protect and repair. The ones you can’t do without. These are the skin care ingredients that matter most. 

 

Antioxidants

These all-important compounds are vital in combatting the cell-damaging environmental stressors that skin is exposed to every day. Antioxidants improve cell function and disrupt the oxidative process to prevent and repair signs of aging. Some of the most potent antioxidant compounds are found in vitamins A, C, and E, in phytochemicals and polyphenols from sources including green tea, grapeseed oil, grapefruit extract, rosehip oil, and kiwi extract. 

 

Recommended products: Green Tea Antioxidant Cleanser, Mandelic Acid 3-In-1 Wash (contains mandelic acid and green tea extract), Derm-A-Gel Daily Vitamin A, Spin Trap Antioxidant Serum (a vitamin C and E concentrate), Skin Nourishing Toner (contains rosehip oil, green tea extract, kiwi fruit extract, white grape pomace extract).   

 

Alpha- and Beta-Hydroxy Acids

Acids are highly effective multi-taskers whose main strength is exfoliation. They work by dissolving the cellular glue that binds dead skin cells together and encouraging them to shed off, making room for healthy new cells. These resurfacing agents help to give skin a reset back to radiance. They also help clear the way for better absorption of other essential ingredients. Salicylic acid (a beta-hydroxy acid) has an added feature that makes it excellent for acne-prone skin. It peels not just the surface but inside the pore to remove impactions. 

 

Recommended products: Normalizing Tonic (contains glycolic acid and lactic acid), 3% Mandelic Acid 3-In-1 Toner (ideal for dark or sensitive skin prone to hyperpigmentation), Daily Repair Pads (contains mandelic acid, salicylic acid, lactic acid), 8% Mandelic Acid 3-In-1 Serum (contains mandelic and lactic acids)

 

Retinol

AKA, vitamin A. But not just any vitamin A. Vivant’s patented vitamin A propionate has a smaller molecular structure than other over-the-counter retinols, which allows it to reach the deeper layers of skin to accelerate cell turnover, stimulate cell regeneration, and spur collagen production. This indispensable architect of radiance is on every dermatologist’s or aesthetician’s list of regimen staples because of its multiple benefits and unparalleled results. Use vitamin A in your 20s to clear acne, in your 30s to maintain collagen, in your 40s to fight lines and reduce pigment, in your 50s and beyond to do it all.

 

Recommended products: Any of Vivant’s patented vitamin A therapies. If you have not used vitamin A before, start with the lowest level, Derm-A-Gel, and work your way up.

 

Peptides

These small chain amino acids are the booster squad of cell function. They stimulate the skin’s natural production of collagen, hyaluronic acid, and elastin to combat fine lines, wrinkles, and thinning skin. Peptides also have a calming, anti-inflammatory effect that makes them an excellent choice for treating rosacea, redness, or post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation caused by acne breakouts.

 

Recommended products: Rejuv Rx Peptide Concentrate, Wink Eye Rejuvenation Cream (contains peptides and vitamin A), Derm-A-Renew (contains vitamin A propionate and peptides), MaxiLip Plumper (contains peptides).

 

Barrier Boosters

A resilient skin barrier is essential to overall skin health. These outermost layers of lipids and ceramides keep moisture in and irritants out. Ingredients that enhance the function of the skin barrier have anti-inflammatory, humectant, and cell-replenishing properties. Niacinamide (a ceramide precursor), linoleic acids including rosehip and grapeseed oil, whole leaf aloe, allantoin, glycerin, mineral oil, and algae are all ingredients that fortify the intercellular matrix to keep the barrier at optimum function.

 

Recommended products: Cleansing Milk (contains grape seed oil, mineral oil, glycerin), Marine Skin Nourishing Cream (contains grape seed oil, algae extract, whole leaf aloe), Allantoin Sedating & Hydrating Lotion (contains allantoin, grape seed oil, whole leaf aloe), Algae Soft Mask (contains algae extract, whole leaf aloe, allantoin). 

  

SPF

To protect from the ravages of UV and environmental damage, a daily SPF is non-negotiable. Without this essential ingredient, you undermine all the others since UV exposure is the number one cause of skin aging.

 

Recommended products: Day Treatment Lotion SPF 15