Allantoin
Allantoin is a leaf extract of the comfrey plant found in Europe and temperate areas of Asia. For several years, potent healing and soothing properties have been attributed to this anti-inflammatory skincare ingredient.
Allantoin is the main ingredient in comfrey- which has been used as a poultice for centuries to treat minor fractures by reducing swelling in the area of the break. The long-standing anecdotal evidence supporting the beneficial activity of allantoin led to some acceptance by the medical community in the early part of the 20th century.
Where does allantoin come from
Allantoin Skin Care Products:
Allantoin is found in skin care products to soothe and calm skin. It is an affordable natural ingredient that is safe and meets clean beauty standards.
Allantoin To Soothe and Calm Skin
Allantoin is an anti-inflammatory ingredient.
It can be used in the following inflammatory skin conditions:
Acne- Helps get rid of the redness from pimples, papules and pustules and make the red marks from acne go away faster.
Sensitive Skin- Allantoin is found in many anti-inflammatory skincare products intended to soothe and calm skin.
Rosacea- Helps prevent and treat facial redness.
Eczema- When combined with barrier repair moisturizers will help sooth eczema prone skin.
Psoriasis- Helps calm and soothe itchy skin from psoriasis.
Allatoin
Allantoin for Acne
Allantoin has benefits for acne-prone skin due to its soothing and healing properties. Derived from the comfrey plant, allantoin is known for its ability to promote skin regeneration and repair. When applied to acne-prone skin, allantoin helps to reduce inflammation and redness, calming irritated skin. It also aids in the gentle exfoliation of dead skin cells, unclogging pores, and preventing further breakouts.
Allantoin’s moisturizing properties help maintain the skin’s natural barrier, preventing excessive dryness that can occur with certain acne treatments.
Allantoin For Eczema
Allantoin is a beneficial ingredient to treat eczema due to its moisturizing, soothing and healing properties.
When applied to eczema-affected skin, allantoin helps to alleviate itching, redness, and inflammation, providing relief to irritated and sensitive skin.
Allantoin is considered a humectant. It is not a barrier repair ingredient. Eczema sufferers should combine allantoin with barrier repair ingredients for the best results treating eczema and dry skin.
Allantoin for eczema
Allantoin for Hyperpigmentation
Allantoin is a versatile skincare ingredient known for its skin-lightening benefits. It helps treat hyperpigmentation in several ways.
Exfoliant
Allantoin works by promoting cell turnover and exfoliation, helping to fade hyperpigmentation and dark spots over time. By encouraging the shedding of dead skin cells, it reveals fresher, more even-toned skin underneath.
Anti-inflammatory properties
Allantoin blocks inflammatory pathways reducing inflammation. Inflammation is well known to increase skin pigmentation.
When combined with other skin lightening ingredients and used consistently in a skincare routines to lighten dark spots, allantoin is a good choice to even skin tone.
Allantoin For Melasma
Allantoin has weak skin lightening effects due to it’s anti-inflammatory properties that help prevent pigmentation. It can be used for melasmabut should be combined with stronger skin lightening ingredients such as tyrosinase inhibitors.
Allantoin for melasma
Allantoin gel vs Cream
Allantoin is an excellent ingredient for formulating gels due to its humectant and hygroscopic properties. As a humectant, allantoin attracts and retains moisture from the surrounding environment, keeping the skin hydrated and plump. Its hygroscopic nature allows it to hold onto water molecules, preventing moisture loss and maintaining optimal skin hydration levels. These properties make allantoin an ideal choice for gel formulations, as it creates a lightweight, water-based texture that provides a cooling and refreshing sensation upon application. The gel’s ability to deliver deep hydration without a greasy or heavy feel makes it suitable for various Baumann Skin Types.
In creams, allantoin is typically combined with oils and fatty acids to create a more luxurious texture with better hydrating abilities.
The best cream with Allantoin is Zerafite Soothing and Calming Moisturizer.
Allantoin Side Effects and Safety
Allantoin is generally considered safe for topical use and is well-tolerated by most individuals.
It has low potential for causing adverse effects when used in skincare products.
The Cosmetic Ingredient Review (CIR), has evaluated allantoin and concluded that it is safe for use in cosmetic and personal care products when used within specific concentrations.
The Environmental Working Group (EWG) assigns allantoin a low hazard score of 1, indicating that it is not considered to be a significant health or environmental concern.
Overall, allantoin is a safe and well-tolerated skincare ingredient. It meets most clean ingredient standards.
DQH Can I use salicylic acid first and then vitamin C?
It’s easy to create a skincare routine, but knowing how to use it is another thing entirely. In most cases, if you’re not getting the desired skin results, it could be due to the layering of conflicting ingredients. So, is it possible that salicylic acid and vitamin C are such ingredients? Or are these active ingredients the duo that’s been missing from your skincare routine? If you want answers, stick around because today we are going to explain the benefits of salicylic acid and vitamin C and how they can be used in your daily life.
What are the benefits of salicylic acid for skin?
Salicylic acid is one of the most commonly used beta hydroxy acids and is favored by many people with oily, acne-prone skin. This acid is derived from willow bark, and unlike its water-soluble relatives (called alpha-hydroxy acids), salicylic acid is oil-soluble, which means it can penetrate deeper into the lower layers of the skin. Once it reaches the lower layers, it can help unclog pores of excess sebum, dirt, bacteria, debris, and impurities. This results in clearer skin tones and greater definition.
Not only does salicylic acid benefit the underlying layers, but the outer surface of the skin benefits as well. When applied to the skin, salicylic acid removes the buildup of dead skin cells. This is accomplished by breaking the bonds that hold dead cells to the surface. Over time, this can cause the complexion to look dull and prone to acne, blackheads, and other blemishes.
If you’d like to learn more about salicylic acid and how it can improve your skin, check out this dedicated blog post from a beauty insider.
What are the benefits of vitamin C for skin?
Vitamin C is considered one of the most powerful antioxidants, which means it is very effective at fighting free radicals and preventing them from causing further skin damage. Examples of free radicals include pollution, central heating, UV rays and harsh climate. They attack proteins, fats and cell membranes as soon as they come into contact with the skin, causing signs of premature aging such as fine lines and wrinkles as well as hyperpigmentation, flaky patches of skin and loss of elasticity.
Many people usually prefer to use vitamin C in their morning routine as this ingredient gives the complexion a radiant glow. You’ll also find that vitamin C can target areas of hyperpigmentation, plumping the skin and reducing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.
The thing about vitamin C is that there are a lot of outdated studies going back to the 1950s that describe vitamin C as an unstable skin component. Thanks to improvements in modern technology, this is no longer the case as all products now contain a stable form of vitamin C.
Visit The Beauty Insider to learn more about vitamin C. So please check out our blog post.
Can I use salicylic acid first and then vitamin C?
Yes, you absolutely can. In fact, it’s thought that using salicylic acid before using vitamin C ensures it penetrates faster and works faster.
This is an efficient way to utilize two power sources, and the reason has to do with pH. For example, the skin’s natural pH is about 4.7, making it slightly acidic. Salicylic acid and vitamin C are also both acidic, and you’ll find that vitamin C is absorbed quickly into the skin. Therefore, using salicylic acid beforehand can increase the acidity of the skin and allow vitamin C to penetrate into the skin faster.
While this is considered an effective way to combine two powerful ingredients, you need to be aware of your skin type and how it reacts to certain active ingredients. Even people with perfect, normal skin can experience skin sensitivity and irritation. Therefore, always consult a doctor or dermatologist before using any new products on your skin.
It’s also important to follow skin application rules. In this case, you need to use the product correctly to ensure you get the best results for your skin. If you’re not sure what I mean, the basic rule for skin is to start with the thinnest consistency and work your way up to the thickest consistency. This prevents a barrier from forming on the surface, preventing other active ingredients from penetrating the skin.
Can I use salicylic acid at night and vitamin C in the morning?
Yes, absolutely, this is considered the most effective way to get returns without any adverse side effects. This is because there is enough time between applications to ensure that the skin’s pH levels return to balance.
You’ll also find that Vitamin C is rich in antioxidants and is perfect for use in the morning to ensure your skin is protected and looking its healthiest. Due to the small size of salicylic acid molecules, it is an acid that is able to reach the deepest parts of the skin. While this is effective at keeping skin clear, it also increases the risk of irritation and photosensitivity. Therefore, many people prefer to use powerful BHAs in their evening routine without exposure to UV rays, pollution, or harsh weather.
Warning: If you avoid using sunscreen every day, none of these ingredients will do what your skin needs. The combination of chemical peels and powerful ingredients increases the risk of further damage to the skin’s surface. Use SPF 50 every day to keep your skin protected and your lipid barrier healthy, even on cloudy days, keeping your skin in top condition.
