Key Ingredients Matter in your Skincare!

By Geelda Raoofi

We all have skincare products we can't live without. A lot of us may know that a product is working for our skin, but don't know what the key ingredient really does. Let's dig into some of the ingredients in my personal favorite products and what makes them special.

ZO Skin Health

Daily Power Defense

• Vitamins A + E - These are potent antioxidants that protect against environmental damage. They override harmful molecules, known as free radicals, which are produced within your cells and which may cause tissue damage or disease.
• ZO-RRS2 - Exclusive plant stem cell complex that helps to neutralize free radicals while soothing visible redness.
• ZPOLY - Exclusive plant derived polysaccharide complex that minimizes signs of premature aging while infusing extended hydration.

This powerful combination of ingredients easily makes Daily Power Defense a staple in everyone's skincare routine regardless of their skin type. Not only does it protect the skin from damage, but it also boosts collagen and cell renewal and tackling fine lines and wrinkles.

• Illuminating AOX Serum - This product has almost all the same ingredients as the Daily Power Defense. This one is ideal for the day time and perfect for anyone looking for an illuminating effect. It has an added antioxidant complex of encapsulated vitamins A, C, and E which delivers 12 hours of defense against free radical damage from IR-A rays and other environmental aggressors. Micro minerals are added to provide the subtly pearlescent “soft focus” finish.
• Growth Factor Serum 
• Disodium acetyl glucosamine phosphate and fermented red ginseng extract - This has skin calming properties, supports skin make its own hyaluronic acid naturally, and overall helps to restore hydration to support elasticity and firmness. As for fermented red ginseng, this ingredient is believed to be more effective in reducing wrinkles and enhance whitening compared to unfermented red ginseng.
• ZPRO - The main purpose of this ingredient is to provide hydration to the skin by supporting the skins natural replenishment of HA (hyaluronic acid).

• Wrinkle + Texture Repair:
• 0.5% Retinol - Retinol is the derivative of Vitamin A which plays a key role in helping cells regenerate. 
• ZCore complex - Consists of a biomimetic tetrapeptide and sweet yellow clover, and supports the anchoring fibrils for dermal-epidermal junction integrity.
• Radical Night Repair:
• Zanthoxylum bungeanum (sichuan pepper) fruit extract, sunflower seed oil and rosemary leaf extract - Sichuan pepper has natural anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties, which make it ideal for use in products that target acne and other skin conditions. These combined ingredients minimize the appearance of redness to restore a more youthful skin tone.
• High potency microencapsulated retinol - This type of retinol is surrounded by a protective layer that helps to keep it stable and prevent it from breaking down too quickly. This allows the retinol to be more effective in improving the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles, and other signs of aging, while also being gentle on the skin.
• Exfoliating Polish
• Ultra-fine magnesium oxide crystals - These crystals work by removing dead skin cells from the surface of the skin, which can help to improve the texture and appearance of the skin.
• Tetrahexyldecyl ascorbate - This is a form of vitamin C that is used in many skincare products due to its antioxidant properties. This particular form of vitamin C is more stable than other forms, which means that it is less likely to break down and lose its effectiveness over time. It works deeper in skin to minimize the appearance of future dark spots.

• Enzymatic Peel:
• Papain and bromelain enzymes and glycolic acid (AHA) - Papaya fruit contains the proteolytic enzymes papain and chymopapain before ripening, but they are not present in the ripe fruit. Bromelain is a group of enzymes found in the fruit and stem of the pineapple plant. These enzymes work by breaking down the proteins that hold dead skin cells together, which can help to improve the overall texture and appearance of the skin. In other words, they act as natural exfoliants. Glycolic acid is the most effective AHA due to it having the smallest molecular structure and it is derived from sugar cane!
• Diglycerin, kukui seed oil and safflower seed oil - Diglycerin is a naturally occurring compound that has been found to have potential benefits. It has moisturizing properties, anti-aging benefits, and skin brightening. The combination of these ingredients together replenishes hydration and lipids for skin barrier restoration and reinforcement.

• Exfoliation Accelerator
• 10% glycolic and lactic acid complex - Glycolic (derived from sugarcane) and Lactic (derived from milk) are AHAs with exfoliating properties.
• Vitamins A and E - Vitamin A promotes the shedding of old skin cells and stimulates the regeneration of newer, healthier, and smoother cells. Vitamin E is a fat-soluble vitamin that acts as an antioxidant, helping protect cells from damage throughout your body.

• Complexion renewal pads
• Glycolic Acid + Salicylic Acid - A combination of AHA (water-soluble) and BHA (oil-soluble) to help to smooth, brighten and decongest skin.
• Botanical extract blend - Provides antioxidant benefits as well as helping heal and repair skin by improving its protective barrier.

SkinCeuticals

• Resveratrol B E:
•  1% Resveratrol - Derived from the knotweed plant, resveratrol benefits include strengthening skin’s natural antioxidant defense system. It works on a cellular level to fight the process of aging by stimulating healthy cell proliferation.
• 0.5% Baicalin - A flavonoid antioxidant derived from the roots of Baical Skillcap. This potent antioxidant has skin calming properties, shown to help protect skin from environmental aggressors.
• A.G.E. Eye Complex:
• Blueberry extract - Blueberry fruit extract is a natural ingredient that is used for its potent antioxidant and skin-conditioning benefits.
• Proxylane - Proxylane is a sugar-molecule derived from the beech wood tree. Designed to help support skin’s own G.A.G.(glycosaminoglycans) synthesis and restore water and nutrients to skin.

• Phyto Corrective Gel:
• Cucumber, olive, and thyme - botanical ingredients specifically formulated to calm and hydrate skin while reducing visual redness.
• Eucalyptus leaf - This has antibacterial and antifungal properties and an essential oil that delivers a purifying feeling to skin.

• H.A. Intensifier:
• Containing 10% Proxylane (the same ingredient we mentioned above in the A.G.E. Eye complex)
• 2.0% Licorice Root Extract (dipotassium glycyrrhizate) + 0.2%
• Purple Rice Extract - Licorice is said to have a soothing effect on skin and helps to ease inflammation. Purple Rice Extract preserves hyaluronic acid content in your skin to retain moisture, firmness, and smooth texture⁣⁣.
• 1.3% Hyaluronic Acid - This is a humectant— a substance that retains moisture, leading to hydrated, plump skin.
• Phloretin CF:
• 2% Phloretin - Derived from apples and the root bark of fruit trees including apple, pear, and grapefruit, this antioxidant helps improve cell turnover, and the appearance of skin discoloration.
• 10% L-ascorbic acid - L-Ascorbic Acid comes from natural sources such as oranges. This highly potent form of pure vitamin C protects against environmental factors while providing visible anti-aging skincare benefits.

• Metacell Renewal B3:
• 5% niacinamide (vitamin B3) - Niacinamide is an ingredient we see in many skincare products and it is a form of vitamin B3. It helps build keratin, a protein that maintains skin health. It’s also been shown to make your skin stronger, smoother and brighter.
• 15% pure glycerin - This humectant has water-binding properties that deliver intense hydration without a heavy or tacky feel. Glycerin can remain in the skin for a while, which helps the skin retain moisture even when exposed to damaging environmental aggressors like pollution.

• Triple Lipid Restore 2:4:2:
• 2% Pure Ceramides 1 & 3 - Ceramides are essentially the glue that holds our skin cells together to keep our skin barrier intact and healthy. These ceramides are proven to synergistically increase the optimal barrier function and hydration.
• 4% Natural Cholesterol - Already present in our skin, cholesterol plays a major role in supporting and boosting our barrier function. It's proven to accelerate barrier recovery in aging skin to improve the appearance of skin fullness and overall radiance.

• Clarifying Clay Mask:
• Kaolin and bentonite clays - Kaolin is a type of clay that absorbs sebum and prevents pore clogging. Bentonite clay does similar things as well as having antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties that may help your skin heal.
• Aloe and chamomile - Aloe vera provides extra hydration to hasten the healing process and chamomile will cool down the skin. Clinically-proven, this botanical soothes and calms dry skin.

• Physical Fusion UV Defense SPF 50:This sunscreen contains 100% mineral filters.
• Zinc oxide - Microfine sunscreen filter provides broad spectrum protection from UVA and UVB rays without leaving white residue.
• Titanium dioxide - Microfine titanium dioxide forms a barrier on the skin to protect against UVA and UVB rays.

I hope you learned something new about the ingredients that our skin loves and what makes them effective! We do offer complimentary skincare consultations, so if you want to build the perfect skincare routine please don't hesitate to reach out by calling us at (604)262-4111 or email hello@aerskinlab.com.

I will be happy to book you in and go over all the products that will help you get closer to achieving your skin goals.