So much of skin care comes back to a few simple basics: knowing how to keep skin hydrated and prevent moisture loss, unclog pores, encourage cell turnover, support collagen production in your skin, protect your skin barrier, and defend against damage from stress, sun, inflammation, and free radicals.

So, what are the best skin care ingredients to tackle these important tasks? While beauty aisles are littered with trendy ingredients and clean beauty claims, the science is clear on these. Read on to discover 10 of the best ingredients for skin care.

#1 Hyaluronic Acid

Hyaluronic acid is a powerful humectant (a substance that retains moisture). Drawing water into the skin helps hydrate and plump it, reducing the appearance of fine lines.¹ It’s also clinically shown to support the synthesis of collagen, the structural protein that helps keep skin firm and bouncy.

There are many benefits of Hyaluronic acid serums and moisturizers, which is why it is an incredibly popular skin care ingredient on the market today. HA enhances your skin’s barrier function, which is essential for keeping moisture in and toxins out. If used in a daily skincare routine, Hyaluronic Acid can lead to smoother, softer, more radiant skin, which is why it’s a staple ingredient in many beauty products. But the molecular weight matters. For the best absorption, look for a low molecular weight range of 10,000-20,000 Daltons in your topical applications.

#2 Niacinamide

Also known as Vitamin B3, Niacinamide is a versatile ingredient that offers a wide range of skin benefits. It helps repair the skin’s moisture barrier function and supports the synthesis of keratin and ceramides, making it a great option for both dry and oily skin types.²

Niacinamide also helps minimize pores, fine lines, irritation, and hyperpigmentation, resulting in a more even and refined skin tone with regular use. Its antioxidant properties help protect the skin from environmental stressors to help build holistic skin health.

#3 Ceramides

The skin is your body’s first line of defense, and Ceramides play a role in that. Ceramides are lipids naturally found in the skin’s outermost layer, which you can think of as a brick wall, and these fats help hold together those “bricks” in your skin.³ They play a crucial role in maintaining the skin barrier and moisture. Ceramides are an active ingredient that can help protect the skin from environmental aggressors, reduce dryness, and improve elasticity. They work by restoring the skin’s natural barrier, preventing water loss and shielding against incoming irritants.

Incorporating ceramides into your skin regimen can help you strengthen and repair your skin, making it softer, smoother, and more resilient to damage.

#4 Vitamin C

Thanks to its powerful antioxidant properties, there are numerous benefits of vitamin C serums for your skin. This illuminating vitamin helps brighten the skin by blocking the production of uneven melanin. Vitamin C works by inhibiting the enzyme responsible for producing this pigment in excess, reducing the appearance of dark spots and promoting an even skin tone.

Vitamin C also stimulates collagen production, which helps make skin firm and plump, reducing the appearance of fine lines.^4,5 Its antioxidant properties protect the skin from free radical damage, promoting healthy, smooth skin.

#5 AHAs

Alpha Hydroxy Acids (AHAs) like Glycolic Acid and Lactic Acid are exfoliating agents that help remove dead skin cells, revealing newer, smoother skin beneath.⁶ They work by loosening the bonds between dead skin cells, allowing them to be easily sloughed away. This helps improve skin texture, reduce the appearance of lines, and promote cell turnover.

AHAs are also effective in treating hyperpigmentation and uneven skin tone for more glowing skin.

#6 BHAs

Beta Hydroxy Acids (BHAs) like Salicylic Acid are a popular choice for treating acne-prone and oily skin—and for good reason. Salicylic Acid penetrates deep into your pores, dissolving excess oil and dead skin cells that can get trapped and cause breakouts.⁷

BHAs also have antibacterial properties and help support a healthy inflammatory response, making these active ingredients effective at calming irritated skin and reducing redness. Routine use of BHAs can result in clearer and healthier-looking skin.

#7 Peptides

Peptides are short chains of amino acids that serve as building blocks for proteins like collagen and elastin, which are essential for maintaining your skin’s structure and elasticity. They help stimulate collagen production, improve skin firmness, and reduce the appearance of fine lines.⁸ Peptides also support the skin’s natural repair process, enhancing its overall resilience and health. Incorporating peptides into your skin care routine can help you achieve a more rejuvenated complexion.

#8 Retinol

Retinol, a type of Vitamin A, is a powerful skin care ingredient known for its anti-aging benefits. It promotes cell turnover, helping reduce the look of fine lines and hyperpigmentation.

Retinol also stimulates collagen production, improving skin elasticity and firmness. Further, it helps unclog pores, making it effective in calming and preventing breakouts for those who suffer from an acne-prone skin type. With regular use, retinol can significantly enhance your skin’s texture and tone.¹⁰

#9 Collagen

Again, collagen is an important skin care protein that provides structure and strength to your dermis, helping skin maintain its firmness and elasticity. But as we age, starting in our twenties, collagen production decreases, and we start to lose our overall supply of collagen each year. As collagen becomes depleted with stress and time, this can lead to a look of sagging skin and wrinkles.

Topical collagen can help improve skin hydration, elasticity, and overall texture.¹¹ While it primarily works on the surface to provide a plumping effect, some formulations can stimulate your skin’s own collagen production. Collagen is a protein that’s only found in animals, so traditional collagen supplements are made from animals, but there are also some vegan ingredients that can support your body’s innate supply of collagen to help you achieve healthy skin that’s more supple and firm.

#10 SPF

Sunscreen is essential for protecting the skin from harmful UV rays. It helps prevent sunburn, premature aging,¹² and skin cancer by blocking or absorbing UV radiation. Daily use of SPF (Sun Protection Factor) can reduce the risk of hyperpigmentation and fine lines caused by sun exposure. It also helps you maintain an even skin tone and overall skin health.

Using SPF is crucial for long-term skin protection and defense against photoaging, so it’s best to use it every day, even when you’re inside or when it’s cloudy. Keep in mind that many SPFs are packed with harmful skincare ingredients you should avoid. Be sure to do your research and find a safe sunscreen that can be used on a daily basis.

Build Skin Health With Moon Juice Essentials

The foundation of skin care is in building health, not fixing problems. With this guiding belief, Moon Juice makes natural organic skin care products as part of a holistic, whole-body approach. We focus on clean, vegan active ingredients and adaptogens that protect your microbiome and skin barrier. Our formulations include bioavailable, clinical-level actives that nourish from the inside out and the outside in.

If you’re looking to build a minimalist skin care ritual, here are the essential steps:

• Milk Cleanse is a gentle face cleanser and treatment. Sulfate-free, pH balanced bubbles come from Coconut Ferment. After gentle cleansing, adaptogenic Reishi, Silver Ear Mushroom, and Tocos (Vitamin E) help support hydration and healthy barrier function.
• Acid Potion is a potent 25% AHA + BHA facial with Glycolic Acid, Lactic Acid, and Salicylic Acid from Willow Bark to help break down dead cells, unclog pore, and stimulate cell turnover and collagen production. Niacinamide and adaptogenic Reishi hydrate and restore the barrier while soothing irritation. After cleansing, pat this liquid exfoliator onto your face and neck with your fingertips 3 nights a week.
• Plump Jelly is a Hyaluronic Acid serum that hydrates two ways to keep skin bouncy. Low molecular weight HA and PGA Peptides work synergistically to hydrate around the cells, while Beet Amino Acid, Silver Ear Mushroom, Reishi, and Tocos (Vitamin E) rush in to deliver water into the cells, lock in moisture, improve natural barrier function and preserve elasticity. Use this face plumping serum in the AM + PM by applying 3 pumps into damp skin.
• Cosmic Cream™ is a dewy face cream full of Emollient Fatty Acids to seal in moisture and improve skin’s natural barrier function, plus 3 potent adaptogens for an additional layer of protection. Ashwagandha helps protect from blue light that shuts down mitochondria, while Schisandra helps promote the skin’s natural collagen, and Reishi helps nourish the barrier to tame irritation. Use AM + PM after Plump Jelly.
• SuperBeauty is a clinical strength beauty supplement that helps protect cell health for visible benefits, minimizing the appearance of fine lines and promoting collagen production and skin elasticity. Liposomal Glutathione and Vitamins C and E help neutralize free radicals, while Astaxanthin helps improve skin elasticity and reduce the appearance of lines. Finally, Silica is essential for collagen and elastin production. Take 2 capsules every morning and you should start to see results within 4 weeks.
• Collagen Protect is a vegan collagen creamer and skin supplement formulated with 3 vegan ingredients to help protect and preserve your natural collagen. High molecular weight Hyaluronic Acid is clinically shown to support collagen synthesis and reduce the appearance of fine lines. Silver Ear Mushroom supports a healthy skin barrier and promotes deep skin hydration. Finally, Tocos contains essential fatty and amino acids to help protect collagen and prevent visible signs of aging. Add 1 rounded tablespoon to coffee or smoothies.

Skin care is more than the products that you use—it’s also about health. In addition to using high quality products that nourish instead of strip your skin, it’s also important to eat a healthy diet with plenty of whole foods to round out your macro and micronutrients. Stay hydrated by drinking plenty of water and balancing electrolytes, and avoid or limit known skin offenders like alcohol, tobacco, sugar, stress, and sunburns.

For your best skin, avoid the temptation to be a maximalist and stick to what we know based on science. The ingredients discussed in this article have all been clinically shown to support skin health on a cellular level.