The 7 Best Skincare Ingredients for Healing Damaged or Aged Skin
Damaged skin from aging, dryness or sun exposure can lead to all sorts of problems.
There are all sorts of products out there that claim to be able to repair your skin and solve these issues, but the only way to be sure which ones actually do is to do your research when it comes to the ingredients.
There are certain scientifically proven anti-aging ingredients and natural treatments for sun damaged skin that are guaranteed to make a difference, while other "top anti-aging ingredients" haven't been proven to repair skin at all.
Finding the best skin healing products is simply a matter of learning the best skincare ingredients, along with the ones that should be avoided, and taking the time to check the contents to make sure you're buying skincare products that really work.
There was a time when doing this accurately involved delving into dozens of academic papers and analysing different studies, but guess what?
Your friends have Luminositie have been doing this for years in an attempt to formulate the most naturally effective skincare products on the market.
So why not share what we've learned with you too?
Welcome to our guide to the 7 best skincare ingredients for repairing damaged skin and preventing dryness, aging and keeping skin firm, youthful and healthy!
First things first:
White Tea Extract
We're starting out with one of the best anti-aging ingredients around, but white tea extract often gets overlooked for its simplicity and the fact it doesn't have a fancy name.
Tea, in general, is packed full of polyphenols, which help us to combat free radicals. This is likely why studies have found that tea applied externally protects the skin from both skin cancer and general sun damage.
Any healing skincare product that contains tea extract or polyphenols is a good start and will help to reduce wrinkles and sagging skin as well as slowing the signs of aging.
White tea extract, in particular, has been found to be excellent for damaged skin treatment and reducing puffy eyes and dark circles.
Our dark eye all-natural eye serum contains white tea extract along with other natural skin protectors such as aloe and rose oil, making it a gentle, effective and low cost damaged skin treatment that is proven and guaranteed to reverse the signs of aging, prevent skin cancer, and keep your skin looking healthy and young.
Apple Stem Cells (PhytoCell Tec Malus Domestica)
Stem cells are currently the talk of the science world, from human stem cells being used in medicine to plant stem cells in skincare and everywhere between.
Being a relatively new skincare ingredient means a lot of people are sceptical about the effectiveness of plant stem cells, but recent studies have found some incredible anti-aging properties.
Plant cells not only stimulate fibroblasts to create more collagen but also contain high levels of antioxidants, helping the skin to protect itself from free radicals, aging and most other forms of damage.
This already makes apple stem cells one of the best anti-aging ingredients in 2019, but even better is how they come from fruit, making them cheaper than other "miracle ingredients" that have less scientific backing.
We have posted a full article on the benefits, side effects and uses of apple stem cells so feel free to check it out if you want more information.
We have also been able to formulate an apple stem cell serum that contains only 100% natural and effective ingredients, for under $30 - so keep that in mind when you see apple stem cell serums for over $100 and don't let anybody pull the wool over your eyes - this is a low-cost ingredient, but that doesn't mean the claims of its power are untrue.
Niacinamide
Niacinamide, also known as nicotinamide, is a powerful anti-inflammatory and countless studies have confirmed without any shadow of a doubt that this allows it to reduce hyperpigmentation, redness, surface sebum, fine lines, wrinkles, pore size, and improve surface texture.
Not only that, but niacinamide comes with huge benefits to the moisturization of the skin and improves its ability to retain moisture, the integrity of the stratum corneum barrier, and general skin elasticity.
Even better, most skin complaints such as acne, rosacea or red/sore spots are caused by inflammation, meaning even if niacinamide doesn't directly treat them, it's anti-inflammatory properties will lead to an improvement regardless.
All of these benefits help with damaged skin repair and help to make niacinamide one of the best anti-wrinkle ingredients bar none.
Even better, just like the apple stem cells, niacinamide is super cheap and easily available naturally, meaning high-quality serums such as our own niacinamide anti-aging cream can be purchased for cheaper than most other anti-aging serums and creams.
To go more into depth regarding the history of niacinamide, the scientific findings regarding its use and even more benefits check out our full post on the topic.
Snail Extract/Snail Mucin
Snail mucin has exploded out of South Korea as one of the modern viral skincare sensations. While it's relatively new on the scene and further studies are required, the existing evidence is already overwhelming.
Snail mucus is created to protect their skin and especially their underside from cuts, scrapes, dirt, bacteria and UV rays.
As a result, it's packed full of copper peptides, antimicrobials, elastin, hyaluronic acid, glycolic acid, and more, making it a skincare powerhouse for repairing damaged skin and protecting it from the effects of aging or exposure.
You can learn more about the benefits, uses and evidence behind snail extract here, but the future is bright for snail extract renewal creams and the sheer versatility and huge range of ingredients with skin benefits in snail extract means that if you only adopt one of the ingredients detailed in this article, this is almost certainly the one you want to go for!
Dragon's Blood
Dragon's blood extract is a bright red tree sap that is extremely high in antioxidants, but it's a lot more than that.
In fact, it even gives snail extract a run for its money with its proven range of benefits, with academic studies confirming that dragon's blood extract has haemostatic, antidiarrhetic, antiulcer, antiviral, wound-healing, antioxidant, and even anti-tumour properties.
All of this comes together to mean dragon's blood is super effective at both protecting the skin and treating existing conditions. These moisturising, protective and restorative effects make it arguably the best ingredient for skin protection and the prevention of the signs of aging.
If you've tried and failed to treat your dry, damaged or aged skin, dragon's blood serum may well be the missing ingredient you need!
To learn more about it, check out our post on the history, benefits and potential uses of dragon's blood extract!
Vitamin E
Vitamin E moisturises and strengthens the skin, removes free radicals, and combats the signs of aging.
With the vitamin being one of the body's preferred antioxidants, it is naturally and immediately effective.
Studies have also found antitumorigenic and photoprotective properties, more than earning vitamin E a place on our list, and in our powerful, puffy eye eliminating all-natural eye serum.
Hyaluronic Acid
Hyaluronic acid is found in the body and works as a natural lubricant, keeping bodily tissues protected, allowing joints to move freely, and protecting the skin from loss of moisture.
Unfortunately, age, smoking and other negative effects can lessen the amount of hyaluronic acid in our bodies.
Luckily, adding it back has been proven to help prevent aging and bring back those same benefits.
It is incredible for helping skin hydration, drawing moisture into the skin and increasing the skin's ability to retain moisture, which keeps it healthy, plump and youthful looking for longer.
This reduces the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, and Hyaluronic acid's natural, gentle effects can be used on even the most sensitive of skin.
We even included it in our niacinamide serum to give you even more scientifically proven, undeniable bang for your buck!
Honorable Mention: Aloe
Since aloe is known by most people and has been in use for a long time, it didn't quite need a place on the main list.
However, this isn't an excuse to forget about this little miracle plant!
Aloe is cheap, natural and rich in healing minerals, antioxidants, and more, while also holding powerful UV protection, anti-aging, moisturising and anti-inflammatory effects.
All in all, aloe more than deserves a place in this article, and in your skincare routine!
That's the end of today's post but we hope you've learned some valuable tips about these powerful natural skincare ingredients. If you're wondering what to use for damaged skin, how to get rid of leathery skin, or generally which products can fight aging, damage, and bring your skin back to it's youthful best - you will not and cannot do better than what's listed here.
Even better?
These are all 100% natural and 100% scientifically proven ingredients that are available at low prices, meaning you can ignore all of those expensive new trending ingredients, knowing your skincare routine is at the top of the game!