Let’s talk a little about a booming skincare industry that’s about to knock the doors. Here's an overview of all the trending ingredients that would dominate the skincare arena in the coming new year. So, cheers to a great year ahead! Have a blast with that flawless and gorgeous looking skin of yours!

NIACINAMIDE

This ingredient is immensely useful in reducing oil production by your dermis and thus efficiently works on acne break out. Acne creams and the blemish-correcting products would, therefore, concentrate on the use of Niacinamide to give an extra layer of protection to your skin. Niacinamide helps brighten as well as hydrate the skin. Increasing collagen production and reducing hyperpigmentation are among its virtues too.

MARULA OIL

Heard of this oil or are you new to this terminology! Most probably, you're in the second team; as this product is rarely discussed. This lightweight oil is packed with antioxidants and omegas. Interestingly, there is four times more Vitamin C in Marula oil than an orange! Its anti-microbial properties are, therefore, evident. It suits almost all skin types and possesses anti-pore-clogging as well as non-irritating properties too. Night creams are usually heavily laden with Marula oil to work miracles for your skin, especially if yours is a sensitive skin!

RETINOL

Okay, so this is one of the most commonly heard skincare ingredients, isn't it? It's hyped because it has anti-aging virtues; it's got collagen-boosting properties enhancing the new cell generation capacity of the skin too. Retinol usage comes with a warning signal, however. Not many years back, this ingredient had earned the ill reputation of causing dryness, and therefore the latest versions have been upgraded with more and more smoothness.

COPPER

Wondering how copper does a job for your skin? In recent years, thanks to the latest advancement in chemical engineering, unmatched qualities of copper have been discovered. The most important of them being anti-inflammatory antioxidants against pollution and stress. Secondly, copper can do away with DNA-damage, and this makes it a great anti-aging product too!

SQUALANE

This ingredient is derived from olives or sugarcane. They are generally recommended for dry and sensitive skin. With a fantastic oil regulation capacity, they are highly effective for dry skin, especially those that are prone to breakouts if traditional face oils are applied! This makes it an excellent choice for oily skin too when the latter needs some right amount of hydration.

MANDELIC ACID

What about exfoliation? When skincare is being discussed, shedding of the dead and dull-looking outer layer of the skin is a crucial part of it. Scientifically, mandelic acid is ideal for sensitive skin because its larger molecule size doesn't allow it to penetrate the skin as deeply as other acids. Apart from removing dead skin cells, it also helps to do away with pigmentation, scars, and acne.

LINOLEIC ACID

More commonly known as Vitamin F, its skin benefits are many – it is an essential fatty acid whose omega-rich structure helps keep the lipid barrier secure and delivers a healthy-looking skin.

With the list of all these skincare ingredients at hand, few queries concerning your skin strike you almost immediately. For instance – which ingredient is right for my skin? Which suites my age and lifestyle perfectly? Which are the best products that contain the ideal amount of these ingredients? And so on. This piece of article would indeed turn out to help solve some of those FAQs.

How should skincare ingredients differ from my 20s to my 50s?

In the 20s hydration and sun protection are two absolute necessities. A magic formula for this is - Hyaluronic acid. It works for every skin type and tone. Another issue prevalent in the 20s is the onset of adult acne, even if it was a never-before problem. This could be dealt with products that soothe breakouts with salicylic acid and zinc.

Between the 30s and 40s, a considerable change is noticed in the skin. Till the mid-30s, the damage is extrinsic, when, external factors like sun damage cause aging. Mostly after 35, intrinsic aging starts taking its toll upon your skin health. This refers to a deterioration in the connective tissues that causes deeper lines and increased sagging. The ideally recommended ingredient for this stage is L-ascorbic acid. It is an antioxidant, which is pure, a potent form of vitamin C; and therefore, its capable of brightening, firming and protecting your skin.

The 40s make the signs of aging on one's skin more prominent. The skin becomes thinner and less elastic, and this happens as the collagen breaks down, resulting in lesser volume. This is coupled with dryness, dark circles, bigger skin pores, and rougher skin texture. All of these demands nothing but a little more hydration. Powerful antioxidants and ingredients like peptides can stimulate as well as increase collagen and elastin production.

During the 50s, substantial hormonal changes take place within the body. The synthesis of compounds in epidermis such as free fatty acids, cholesterol, ceramides, etc. begins to decline. Your skin, therefore, loses the cushioned look and feel. This indeed is an indication that you need to incorporate rich moisturizers; they help rebuild volume from within. Products with active retinol as well as hydrating serums would help. At least you'll partly get back the plumpness of your skin!

How do I know what my skin type is?

An individual's skin could be anything from regular to oily to dry. It could be sensitive too! Most people have a combination of skin which means that the skin type in one area differs from that in another area. How is that possible? Say, considering your face – the T-zone could be oily and everywhere else the skin tone could be normal. In fact, for combination skin types, that's the most common case!

Additionally, a person's skin type could change depending upon factors such as hormones, medications as well as a diet too. Tip to get an idea as to what skin type you possess: Wash your skin (or face) thoroughly but gently and leave it like that (without applying any product) for several hours. At this point, try observing different areas closely; it gives you a gross idea of your skin type!

How do I figure out if a product would suit my skin type?

Often, the only way to determine this is to try out the product and see how it impacts your skin. Only if you are aware of the functionalities of the different skincare ingredients, you can check out the ingredient list of the product. You could alternatively try to ensure that a product won't irritate your skin by preferably going for a fragrance-free cream, cleanser, serum or moisturizer (whichever you are seeking); it should ideally be alcohol-free.

You know your skin best; better than any skin expert or a dermatologist! The only trick is that you need to be a little more careful in keeping track of the changes in how your skin looks, feels and the response of your skin to any product-use! This way, you can zero in on the skincare products that are suitable for your skin type. Try to discover a skincare routine that will leave you looking fresh, young and vibrant. Practicing that routine every day will let your skin stay healthier and beautiful for years to come.