In today’s saturated skin care market, it can be overwhelming to navigate the countless options available. With new brands popping up every day and each claiming to be superior, it’s only natural to wonder: What makes one better than the other? If they all have access to the same ingredients, then what’s the difference? That’s a fair point. Monitoring material trade reports, such as Supplier’s Day for fabricators and chemists, it exposes me to aisles full of people selling raw materials and prototypes. In theory, anyone can harness these ingredients, but the real innovation in skin care products comes through formulation and application.
I think of it like baking a cake. Although we may all be using the same ingredients, the resulting flavor can vary drastically. One might have used an extra pinch of salt or one less egg, making a huge difference in the final product. Skin care works in exactly the same way. We all have access to the same ingredients, but it is up to the chemist to find innovation in product formulation. Let’s see how they do this!
Where skin care innovation happens
Skin care products today are made with the same ingredients that have been used forever. Check the ingredient label for any older creams, cleansers, etc. and you will see that they are not very different from those used today. Why is this? Simply because they are tried and true. However, a product manufacturer can still find ways to be innovative when formulating the product – see how!
DELIVERY METHODS
Advances in skin care product delivery methods have caused a shift toward more potent products. For example, using smaller molecules in skin care allows products to penetrate deeper into the skin. Using smaller molecule sizes of ingredients like Hyaluronic Acidwe are able to penetrate through the skin barrier and attract water internally to replenish the skin underneath.
Textures
What was once just creams and lotions is now a world of serums, oils, light gels and innovative dual-phase cleansers like Better than Balsam (the cleaner that solved the problem caused by thick, waxy balms!). The reason product texture developments are such a big deal is that different textures entail different effects. Some lightweight products absorb faster than others, making them ideal for layering, while some will absorb more slowly into the skin for deeper, restorative results. Some are light and airy which are perfect for oily skin, while others are thick and creamy to provide extra nourishment. Some are smooth for everyday use, while others are for use gentle exfoliating beads to provide exfoliation on days when your skin needs a boost. These developments in product texture bring new ways of using products and additional benefits not previously available.
If you have ever tried us Triple Berry Smoothing Peel, you might be surprised at the somewhat chunky texture (and fruity smell) of this peel. The reason behind this? We actually use real fruit – that’s right, 100% fresh berries, seeds and all. This is an unconventional ingredient in the skincare world, and frankly an expensive one, but investing in quality ingredients like this can really make a product stand out from the competition (and this peeling definitely does!)
Pharmaceutical and Medical developments
Ingredients traditionally used for non-skin care purposes are now finding their way into the beauty industry. For example, witch hazel, previously used in wound healing and as a vasoconstrictor in modern medicine, is now used to soothe the skin and reduce excess oil production. Tranexamic acid is a popular oral medication to prevent blood clots that has more recently shown promise for treating melasma, sun spots, age spots, and other forms of discoloration. Even Botox, popular in modern times for smoothing fine lines and firming the skin, was used for the first time as a treatment for Parkinson’s disease.
At the end of the day, while we all have access to the same ingredients, it’s what we do with those ingredients that makes the difference. Plus, skincare isn’t just about the products you use. Your routine, ingredient knowledge and skin concerns are what make your products unique to you. Everything that touches your skin should be determined by your skin’s needs and goals. That’s why I think educating yourself on your skin type (starting with a Skin Type Quiz!) is a key ingredient when it comes to clearer, healthier skin.
Speaking of innovative skincare products, here it is five reasons you’ll love Rapid Response Detox Mask.
Celebrity Esthetician & Skin Care Specialist
As an esthetician trained in cosmetic chemistry, Renée Rouleau has spent 30 years researching skin, educating her audience and building an award-winning line of products. Her hands-on experience as an esthetician and trusted skin care expert has created a real solution — products designed to nine different skin types so your face will have exactly what it needs to look and feel its best. Trusted by celebrities, editors, bloggers, and skincare enthusiasts around the world, her vast real-world knowledge and constant research is why Marie Claire calls her “the most passionate skin professional we know.”
