Which ingredients suit your skin concern?

Retinol: supports skin renewal and helps with the signs of ageing
Helps the skin to renew itself more quickly and is widely used for fine lines, loss of firmness and pigmentation.

Vitamin C: protects and brightens the skin
Works as an antioxidant and helps the skin look more even, fresher and more radiant.

Niacinamide: calms, strengthens and restores balance
Supports the skin barrier and is often used for redness, sensitivity and blemishes. Read more about niacinamide.

Hyaluronic acid: attracts moisture and hydrates
Helps to hold on to moisture, so the skin feels plumper, suppler and more comfortable.

Ceramides: strengthen the natural skin barrier
Support the skin’s recovery and help to reduce moisture loss.

Salicylic acid: cleanses the pores and reduces blemishes
Widely used for oily skin, spots and congested pores.

Glycolic acid: effectively removes dead skin cells
Supports skin renewal and can help towards smoother, more even skin.

Peptides: support firmness and skin recovery
Help the skin to look plumper, firmer and stronger.

Azelaic acid: reduces redness and blemishes
Often used for sensitive skin, redness and acne.

Vitamin E: protects and cares for the skin
Supports the skin barrier and helps to protect the skin against external influences.

Why some ingredients do more than others

Not every ingredient in skincare has the same role. Some are there to help a product spread pleasantly or keep for longer. Others are added specifically for what they do for the skin. These are often called active ingredients. They are used to address a particular skin concern or to support the skin in a specific way, whether that is encouraging skin renewal, reducing redness or supporting the skin barrier. At Babassu we regularly notice that customers choose a product because a certain ingredient is popular. In practice, an ingredient tends to work best when it suits what the skin needs at that moment.

How to choose ingredients that suit your skin

Many skin concerns look alike, while the underlying cause can be very different. A tight feeling in the skin can come from a lack of moisture, but also from a disrupted skin barrier. Redness can go hand in hand with sensitivity, while spots sometimes appear because of hormonal changes. That is why a good choice does not start with an ingredient, but with understanding what is happening in your skin. Once you understand the cause of a concern more clearly, it becomes easier to choose ingredients that genuinely suit it.

What helps when your skin loses firmness

As we grow older, the production of collagen and elastin slows down. As a result the skin can feel less firm and fine lines become more visible. Many women also notice that their skin recovers more slowly and takes on a different look than before.
Retinol is one of the best-known ingredients for skin ageing. It supports skin renewal and is widely used for loss of firmness, fine lines and the pigmentation that comes with ageing. In our boutiques we see that retinol is especially popular with women who notice their skin changing during or after the menopause. It does call for a careful, gradual build-up and is not always immediately suited to every skin. Would you like to know more about the causes of skin ageing and how to approach it? Then The best approach to skin ageing for firm, radiant skin [The best approach to skin ageing for firm, radiant skin] is also worth reading.

Ingredients that can help with pigmentation

Pigmentation appears when the skin produces more pigment in certain areas. Sunlight, hormonal changes and previous inflammation can all play a part. The best approach depends on the cause and on how deep the pigment sits.
Vitamin C is an ingredient that is often used for an uneven skin tone and pigmentation. It is also widely valued for the way it helps protect against external influences. Retinol, too, is regularly used where skin renewal and pigment formation play a role. At Babassu we often see that pigmentation does not come from a single cause. Sunlight, hormonal changes and skin ageing frequently play a part at the same time. That is why pigment usually calls for a broader approach than a serum alone.

What suits sensitive or easily reddened skin?

Skin that reacts quickly to products or to outside influences often needs support for the skin barrier. When this protective layer is not working as well, the skin can become more sensitive to changes in temperature, to skincare products and to other triggers. Niacinamide is an ingredient that is widely used for redness, sensitivity and a disrupted skin barrier. It helps to strengthen the skin and supports its natural recovery process. In our boutiques we regularly see redness, dryness and sensitivity occurring together. That makes niacinamide an interesting ingredient for several concerns at once.

Which ingredients are often used for spots and blemishes?

When spots and blemishes play a role, the focus is often on ingredients that help to calm and support the skin. Not every blemish-prone skin needs harsh products. In fact, for many people too intensive an approach can push the skin further out of balance. Niacinamide is widely used because it can help with redness and unsettled skin. It is also regularly chosen for skin that is prone to blemishes. Because it supports the skin barrier as well, it often fits well within a broader approach.

When your skin is short of moisture

Skin that feels dry or tight does not always need stronger products. Often the answer lies in supporting the skin barrier and improving the moisture balance. The right ingredients help the skin to hold on to moisture and feel more comfortable. Ingredients such as niacinamide are regularly combined with hydrating ingredients to support the skin. Which combination suits best depends on the cause of the concern and the condition of the skin.

Can you combine ingredients?

Many ingredients can be used together without any trouble. Even so, every combination calls for a different approach. One skin copes easily with several active ingredients at once, while another does better with a gentler build-up. It is therefore wise to introduce new ingredients gradually and pay close attention to how your skin responds. Especially if you have sensitive skin, a calm build-up often gives better results than introducing several new products at the same time.

How to discover what your skin needs

The best ingredients differ from one person to the next. Age, hormones, lifestyle, skin type and skin condition all play a part. What works well for one person is not automatically the best choice for someone else. That is why at Babassu we always look at the full picture. Not only at the visible concern, but also at the factors that may be contributing to it. This way we can give advice that suits your skin and your goals.

Frequently asked questions about active ingredients

Which ingredients help with skin ageing?
Retinol is one of the best-known ingredients for skin ageing. Vitamin C and other supportive ingredients are also used regularly.

What helps with pigmentation?
Vitamin C and retinol are often used for pigmentation. The best approach depends on the cause and the type of pigment.

Which ingredients suit sensitive skin?
Niacinamide is widely used for redness, sensitivity and a disrupted skin barrier.

Can you combine retinol and vitamin C?
Often you can, but how you use them depends on your skin and the products you already use.

How do I know which ingredients are right for my skin?
That depends on the concern you want to address. By first looking at the cause, it becomes easier to choose ingredients that suit it.