Trendy & Effective Ingredients Found in French Skincare Products
It is no secret that the French have an intriguing philosophy when it comes to the creation and development of beauty products. Known for its unapologetic passion for romance and natural beauty, France is a leader in the cosmetic industry and offers products that are unlike anything else in the world.
People from all around the globe seek to add unique French skincare products to their everyday regimen of self-care, but sometimes these products are hard to get ahold of for people that live in other countries.
Are French products unique because they are formulated with secret ingredients that nobody else knows about?
Maybe so. Let’s take a closer look at some of the more trendy (and effective) ingredients that the French infuse with their skincare products, and maybe we can unravel one of the most profound mysteries of the planet:
Why are French skincare products so amazing?
Hyaluronic Acid - What is it?
Hyaluronic acid is the key to instantly plumping fine lines and making skin glow.
Hyaluronic acid (HA) is a sugar found naturally in our skin that helps hold water and helps keep it hydrated. The HA within our bodies holds a thousand times its weight in water to not only retain all that moisture in our skin and joints, but also prevent all that moisture from evaporating.
Similar to collagen, the amount of naturally-occurring hyaluronic acid in our bodies decreases as we get older! And HA actually pulls water from the air and absorbs it like a sponge into your skin.
It is very important to note that simply buying a product that says it has HA is not enough. The delivery system has to penetrate the skin's surface, many products do not do this, which is why they don’t work at all.
There are, however, ways to help stimulate production of HA in our bodies and skin.
Diet - eating fruits and veggies (the ones that are high in antioxidants)
Using A313 Pommade - the delivery penetrates the skin because A313 uses retinyl palmitate suspended in a base of polyethylene glycol.
Peptides
One of the leading ingredients found in high-quality skin products today is peptides. Our bodies naturally create our own peptides, but life events such as sun damage and aging can slow the production process.
Peptides are amino acids that help to build firm skin by encouraging collagen, elastin, and keratin to produce. Collagen helps to keep the skin firm and supple, while elastin helps the skin to regain its shape after being stretched out. It is easy to see that when you add peptides to a daily skin care program, it can help to slow down the aging process and aid the skin to look younger.
Glycolic Acid
The one detail that makes glycolic acid stand out from other types of acids is that it is made up of very tiny molecules. The fact that it is composed out of such small molecules allows it to penetrate the skin on a much deeper level than acids with larger molecules. Since it can get so much deeper into the skin it brings forth a much more effective exfoliation process.
As the acid penetrates the skin it helps to dissolve the bonds that hold the skin together which in turn causes the dead skin to disappear quicker than it would on its own. Glycolic acid is a superior exfoliant and helps to stimulate the skin in order to create more collagen.
Bakuchiol - the Retinol Alternative
For the last several years one of the leading anti-aging ingredients that products boasted to contain is retinol. There is no denying that this derivative of vitamin A has the ability to stimulate collagen production, fill out the skin, and reduce the visibility of wrinkles. Retinol is also known for its ability to alleviate acne. The problem with retinol is that it can cause uncomfortable skin irritation. People that have sensitive skin have to be careful with products that contain it because it can cause damage. Since retinol can cause problems to the skin it can only be used sparingly.
Bakuchiol is a plant-derived compound that has the ability to deliver the same kinds of anti-aging properties as retinol but without the painful skin irritation properties that come along with it. Bakuchiol has shown to possess properties such as:
- Antioxidant
- Anti-inflammatory
- Collagen growth stimulant
- Anti-aging
- Vegan
Although bakuchiol was first discovered years ago in the 1970s it was only proven to be effective through research recently. The French have already begun to include this amazing ingredient in many of their skincare products.
Vitamin C
Vitamin C is a water-soluble antioxidant that is also naturally present in our skin. As we begin to advance in age, the levels of vitamin C that are found in the layers of our skin begin to dwindle away. Age, sun exposure, pollutants, and diet are all factors that contribute to the amount of vitamin C that is produced in our skin. When our vitamin C levels get low, it becomes very evident in our skin as the signs of age become more prominent.
Skin products that contain vitamin C have the ability to protect the skin from the effects of free radicals and other environmental stressors. Since vitamin C is water-soluble and versatile it can easily infuse with other skincare compounds such as exfoliating acids, antioxidants, and other vitamins.
In addition to being a powerful antioxidant, vitamin C has shown the ability to stabilize skin tone and fade away the appearance of fine lines and small wrinkles.
French Secrets Revealed
From the magical cleansing power of micellar water to the healing properties of A313 pommade that is found only in France, there are no secrets that are hidden within the skincare realm.
The people of France that are concerned about the beauty of their skin are not as obsessed about it as you might believe. The laid-back, natural way of French beauty is what is so attractive to the rest of the world.
The French are more concerned about allowing the natural process of their bodies to allow their skin to stay beautiful and young than they are about creating products that force their skin to do a certain thing.
The French create skincare products that bring out the natural beauty that is already there by gently allowing it to reveal itself by way of natural processes.
Less is more.
That’s the secret. The ingredients that the French use are natural, gentle substances that allow the beauty within to shine the way it is intended to.