If you\u2019ve played \u201cDesert Island\u201d, you know the object of the game is to make a non-negotiable list of items you can\u2019t live without. We put a spin on it by asking three experts: Out of all the skincare ingredients out there, which three essential skincare ingredients get you closer to amazing skin? Some answers might surprise you, but some (ahem, retinoids) should absolutely not. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Vitamin C<\/a> made the cut amongst most of our experts thanks to its seemingly endless supply of skincare benefits. Dr. Susan Bard, MD is a New York City-based, board certified dermatologist\u202fworking with\u202fVive\u202fDermatology, notes that\u202f\u201cvitamin C is a potent antioxidant,\u202fwhich means it scavenges for and neutralizes free radicals that may occur due to a variety of environmental stressors, especially UV damage from sun exposure.\u202fIt not only prevents the damage but can also help repair it.\u201d\u202f\u202f <\/p>\n\n\n\n Vitamin C<\/a>\u202fearns its place on\u202four\u202fessential skincare ingredients\u202flist\u202fbecause its \u201calso an essential cofactor in collagen production,\u202fthereby\u202fboosting\u202fcollagen production to improve wound healing. Lastly, it is an acid which can lead to mild exfoliation, improving texture as well as fine lines and wrinkles and sloughing off any pigmented cells.\u201d\u202f <\/p>\n\n\n\n This might not sit prominently on your skincare shelf, but Eden Gilliam, certified esthetician and owner of skincare brand Eve Milan NY believes it\u2019s a\u202fhealthy skincare routine\u202fessential and\u202fwill skyrocket in popularity.\u202f\u201cStudies show that 90% of the vitamin D your body needs for healthy skin, bones and teeth can be absorbed naturally by the sun which is amazing,\u201d Gilliam says. However, \u201cwith the skincare industry\u2019s push towards daily SPF for all skin tones we will definitely need to supplement this ingredient orally or topically.\u201d\u202f\u202f <\/p>\n\n\n\n In addition to pointing out vitamin D\u2019s ability to strengthen elastin and overall skin structure and health,\u202fGilliam\u202fbelieves \u201cvitamin D will skyrocket in the coming years due to darker skin tones being more prone to deficiency.\u201d\u202f <\/p>\n\n\n\n When it comes to keeping an ingredient stocked (plus an extra to ensure you never run out), pros give retinoids <\/a>\u202fresounding accolades. Board certified dermatologist Dr. Jennifer Trent says \u201cRetinoids, which are a derivative of vitamin A, accomplish many tasks to help repair and treat the skin. They can stimulate collagen production, exfoliate dead skin cells, decrease fine lines and wrinkles, decrease oil production and help lighten dark\u202fsun spots\u202fon the skin.\u201d\u202fRetinoids<\/a> also get high marks for\u202fclearing pesky acne, including\u202fmaskne, hormonal acne, and acne\u202fscars.\u202f <\/p>\n\n\n\nIngredient 2: Vitamin D <\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Ingredient 3: Retinoids <\/h3>\n\n\n\n