The skin is the largest organ in the human body. It's responsible for regulating our body temperature, producing vitamin D when exposed to ultraviolet light, and it prevents germs from entering our body. The skin is also an area that many people are concerned about when they think about their appearance, especially when it comes to signs of aging, pigmentation treatment, and uneven skin tone. As such, it can be beneficial for people to use products that will improve their skin function.
What are the best ingredients for skin care? The answer to this question is not an easy one. There are many different ingredients that can be used in skin care, and what may work for one person might not work for another. It's important to remember that everyone has different skin, so while some people may have success with a chemical exfoliant, someone else might experience adverse reactions or need something different altogether. So, knowing what works for you and want doesn’t is essential, however, as a general rule harsh chemicals should be avoid and natural ingredients are good. like those from Purely Minerals Australian Natural Skincare. Generally, we have found that Korean skin care brands often use the best ingredients and keep harsh and potentially bad ingredients out.
The Gold Standards in Depth
Hydroquinone
Hydroquinone is an excellent remedy for many skin problems, including age spots, freckles, melasma, hyperpigmentation treatment, and even some types of acne. It works by preventing the over-production of pigment on the skin’s surface. If you are experiencing any of these problems on your face or body, it's time to see your dermatologist. Let’s take a look at how it treats a few of the aforementioned:
Hydroquinone is a skin-lightener that prevents the skin from producing too much melanin. It blocks this production by inhibiting the enzyme that triggers melanin synthesis, tyrosinase. Hydroquinone has been proven to be effective for treatment of hyperpigmentation and melasma and it remains one of the most popular and best-selling skin-whitening agents in many countries.
The History of Hydroquinone
Hydroquinone, a white crystalline powder with a melting point of 173-174 °C , was created for the first time by Pelletier and Caventou in 1820 by the dry distillation of quinic acid. In 1844, Wöhler determined its molecular structure and named it ‘hydroquinone’. Originally, it was used as a major component in most black and white photograph developers for both film and paper.
Hydroquinone has been approved by the FDA since the 1930s and has proven to be very effective in removing acne scars. Hydroquinone works by reducing melanin production in the skin.
In a handful of countries, Australia included, this miracle ingredient is unfortunately banned in concentrations of over 2% in any OTC creams or serums. At this dose, the effects are trivial, and temporary at best.
Kojic Acid
There are many misconceptions about the ingredients that are used for pigmentation treatment. Many people believe that kojic acid is a harmful bleaching agent, but this isn't the case. Kojic acid is actually an antioxidant that has many health benefits. It's commonly used to treat conditions like eczema and other irritations of the skin.
Kojic acid is a natural ingredient derived from mushroom extract. It's also found in small doses in quinces, apples, and rice. Kojic acid is used to reduce the appearance of dark spots, freckles, and other marks on the skin. It can also lighten the overall tone of the skin, making it more even-toned. It is found in many food products and has also been used in both topical skincare formulations, typically when applied with lactic or glycolic acids. Kojic acid is an alternative to hydroquinone treatment specially when it's combined with other non-hydroquinone depigmenting ingredients.
The skin lightening ingredient kojic acid, has been used in cosmetics and foods for a while now. Kojic acid inhibits the catecholase activity of tyrosinase, which is rate-limiting, and an essential enzyme in the biosynthesis of melanin. Additionally, it inhibits bacteria, fungi, and viruses.
The History of Kojic Acid
In 1907, Saito isolated kojic acid from the mycelia of A. oryzae grown on rice. In 1912 Yabuta gave it the name kojic acid, and only in 1924 deciphered the correct structure of this molecule of this acid.
Tretinoin
A form of topical vitamin A that is more bioactive than other forms – worth its weight in gold. Tretinoin stimulates and regulates skin cell turnover, breaks up pigmentation, supports collagen production, and decreases collagen breakdown by enzymes called matrix-metalloproteinases (MMPs).
The History of Tretinoin
Topical tretinoin has been used since the 1960s for a wide range of skin problems, including acne, actinic keratoses, other hyperkeratotic conditions and the treatment of basal cell cancers. Other uses have been described since then, including the treatment of oral mucosa and ocular surface epithelia.
Miracle Skin Care
With regulations being as tough as they are, and with skin conditions being as personal and often uniquely challenging as they are, finding the right solution becomes an uphill battle. Many of you have been on this journey and some of you will have found some semblance of success, but for those who haven’t and for those who aren’t quite satisfied with the results they’ve been seeing, do we have the solutions for you!
Before we list them, it’s essential to note that those of us who are experiencing skin conditions to the extent where no OTC creams or serums make a difference, prescription skin care providers are the next most logical choice. Remember that issues like acne, melasma and rosacea are actual medical conditions and thus they often require professional consultations and solutions.
Online prescription skin care is one of the fastest growing sectors within the healthcare and skincare industries, which is fantastic news, but it’s easy to get lost with how many options there are.
Here are our favourites:
North America:
Curology
What We Love About Them
- Custom blended formulas
- Medical grade ingredients
- Great reviews
- Easy on the wallet
Australia:
Qr8 Mediskin
What We Love About Them
- Custom blended formulas
- Medical grade ingredients
- Great reviews
- Personalised service
- Australian owned
- Easy on the wallet
In the end, treating skin conditions like melasma, chloasma, acne, rosacea and others actually require medical solutions, and that’s because they are ultimately medical conditions. If you’re not enjoying the satisfaction of great results with what you’re currently doing, maybe it’s time for a change. We believe that change is best in the form of prescription skin care.
