Best Ingredients to Look for in Skincare and Makeup

Skin is the body's largest organ. It is made of three layers that produce thousands of cells that renew approximately every four weeks. Skin serves several functions, including keeping toxins out, keeping moisture in, regulating body temperature, and protecting from environmental factors such as ultraviolet radiation.

An important factor in skincare is knowing what ingredients are in the skin care and color cosmetics that you use. TrūAura's scientific team researches and tests the ingredients we put into our products to ensure your skin benefits from our skincare and makeup formulations.

All TrūAura’s products include prebiotics and probiotics derived from natural sources. They are high in antioxidants, skin-nourishing vitamins, anti-aging compounds, essential fatty acids and collagen-stimulating peptides. These nontoxic formulations promote skin health. Healthy skin results in a more youthful appearance.

Here, we delve into some of the key ingredients that we use and outline and what they do to ensure healthy beautiful skin.

Prebiotics and Probiotics Support the Skin Microbiome

The effectiveness of the skin barier is partially due to the millions of microbial organisms that live on its surface. The skin microbiome contains bacteria, viruses, fungi and other organisms that protect skin from exterior forces. These microorganisms fight infection, control inflammation, help wounds heal and boost your immune system.

Each person’s microbiome is unique. Genetics partially determine your microbiome, but it is also affected by environmental factors, diet and lifestyle. Hormones and health issues can cause changes to the skin’s microbiome. For example, many teenagers have acne. This occurs in part because hormones during puberty cause an increase in sebum production. Scientists show that specific bacterial and non-bacterial organisms thrive on sebum. These organisms colonize in pores, which causes oil to build up, changes skin pH and promotes inflammation.

Probiotics are beneficial bacteria that help protect your body and promote overall health. Fermented foods like yogurt, pickles and miso contain good bacteria.

Prebiotics are non-digestible, fiber-rich, components of plant foods that create an environment for probiotics to thrive. Prebiotics include pectin in fruit, starches in oats and legumes and inulin in garlic and wild yams. Studies show that prebiotics can enhance the skin’s protective barrier and reduce skin inflammation. Researchers note that prebiotics and probiotics applied directly to the skin increase the effectiveness of the skin’s microbiome. Here’s more on Prebiotics and probiotics .

Essential Fatty Acids

According to Linus Pauling, a Nobel prize winner in the field of chemistry, topical applications of beneficial nutrients can enhance skin health. Keeping skin hydrated is important in maintaining skin health. Dry skin can lead to cell damage, wrinkles, sagging skin and inflammation. Lack of essential fatty acids can cause skin dryness, compromise the skin's protective barrier and affect its structural integrity. Experts define the two classes of essential fatty acids as omega-3 and omega-6.

Essential fatty acids cannot be made by the body. Instead, they come from food and topical applications. Common sources of omega-6 fatty acids include cooking oils, grains and poultry. The best sources of omega-3 fatty acids include walnuts, soy products, fatty fish and flaxseed.

Topical applications deliver essential fatty acids to the skin and the entire body. Essential fatty acids help protect skin against UV radiation, reduce inflammation and keep skin hydrated. They help keep skin more youthful looking, maintain skin function and appearance and are associated with a lower incidence of thinning skin.

Washing your face removes natural oils, which can dry the skin. The ingredients in our Nourishing Cleanser are mild enough for all skin types, infused with essential fatty acids to help restore natural oils and minimize dryness.

AntioxidantS

Antioxidants protect skin from environmental stresses and improve skin health. They fight free radicals, which are unstable molecules that can damage cells. An effective combination of antioxidants boost protection from UV radiation and oxidative damage and enhances cell health.

We use a wide variety of antioxidants that help maintain skin elasticity, enhance collagen production and keep cells healthy.

Tocopherol

Vitamin E is a complex of eight compounds known as tocopherol. It is a fat-soluble antioxidant that destroys free radicals, molecules that can damage cells and contribute to premature aging. The body produces vitamin E through oils present in skin pores. When skin is exposed to environmental stresses such as UV radiation, vitamin E neutralizes free radicals, which reduces its effectiveness as an antioxidant. Vitamin E is found in many vegetables, fruit, nuts and oils, including sunflower oil, avocados, almonds, corn and soy.

Hyaluronic Acid

Hyaluronic acid is produced by the body. This sticky substance occurs throughout your body, particularly in skin, joints and eyes. Hyaluronic acid helps tissue grow and aids in wound healing and scar repair. Topical applications keep skin hydrated and soft. Its moisturizing effects help reduce fine lines and wrinkles, which makes skin look younger and more supple. It hydrates skin and enhances skin flexibility and elasticity. Its ability to absorb water makes it one of the best moisturizing ingredients for face lotions and makeup.

Saccharide Isomerate

Saccharide isomerate, made from natural sugars, is known for its hydrating effects. This prebiotic boosts the effects of hyaluronic acid, smooths skin and helps reduce fine lines and wrinkles. A controlled study demonstrated that it helps hydrate the skin and preserve the natural skin microbiome.

Our Replenishing Day Lotion includes saccharide isomerate to help bind moisture to the layers of the skin. Use our probiotic-rich day lotion after cleansing to lock in moisture and protect your skin against environmental factors that can damage skin cells. Other ingredients in our day lotion include peptides that work from the inside out by stimulating collagen production and maintaining elasticity.

Firming Peptides

Peptides are amino acids, which are the building blocks of protein. They are naturally produced by the body or they can be engineered, using skin identical compounds (amino acids) to create a desired result on the skin. Basically speaking, peptides are messengers that trigger a desired reaction in the body.  The desired reaction depends on the type and configuration of the peptide used.

Collagen accounts for approximately 30% of the protein in your body, forming the primary substance of skin, bones, muscles and connective tissue. Collagen helps new cells grow and replace dead cells, gives elasticity to skin and provides support and structure to tissue. As we age, our bodies produce less collagen, and existing collagen breaks down more quickly. Peptides stimulate natural elastin and collagen production, which can help soften skin, reduce wrinkles, ease inflammation and firm tissue.

Simply put: peptides = proteins like collagen = anti-aging defense. Without peptides, there’s no collagen, and without collagen, there’s no defense against aging.

Moisturizers containing peptides penetrate deeply into the skin. Our Replenishing Night Cream works while you sleep, repairing tissue, enhancing collagen production and restoring texture and brightness to your skin. An independent clinical trial showed that women who used our core skincare products saw visible improvement in skin tone, firmness and smoothness and reduction of fine lines.

By understanding the benefits of the ingredients in skincare products, you can evaluate how the formulations will work for you. Check out the ingredients we do not use. The best skincare and color cosemetic products are those that complement your skin type and help keep your skin healthy. When you know you look your best, you feel your best.

For more information about our products, call our representatives to discuss your skincare needs. Our consultants offer solutions for your skincare needs and concerns.