Three Essential Skincare Product Ingredients
Abstract
According to a 2022 MarketWatch report, the global skincare market is estimated at $63.8B USD ($86.5B CDN). This high market value is evidenced by the plethora of consumer products currently available in the retail sector. The skincare landscape is vast, with a greater number of products available than seen previously. A significant number of skincare products are launched on a monthly basis, purportedly containing novel ingredients, and making bold efficacy claims such as improved skin brightening, collagen regeneration and deep hydration.
The myriad number of skincare product ingredients from which to choose can lead to a sense of being overwhelmed and confusion on the part of patients regarding the actual effectiveness of any given skincare product. This sense of confusion is further compounded by the rapid increase in and broad distribution of skincare-related consumer content created by skincare influencers on social media, only 4% of whom are board-certified dermatologists. Although the majority of skincare social influencers are not, in fact, licensed dermatologists and may therefore not be qualified to disseminate skincare advice, nevertheless the clinical data demonstrates their ability to influence patients’ treatment decisions. Furthermore, when patients present their healthcare providers with treatment options they’ve sourced online, some of these providers may react negatively and be unwilling to explain the advantages and disadvantages of over-the-counter skincare treatments as an alternative to clinically-based solutions. These experiences may result in a sense of uncertainty on the part of patients regarding their providers’ recommendations.
For these reasons, it is critical for dermatologists to become aware of the skincare-related content their patients are researching online regarding treatment recommendations, particularly on the topic of ingredients contained in skincare formulations. It is the responsibility of healthcare providers to continue to educate patients, which will enable them to arrive at informed and well-researched decisions relating to their dermatologic health. This paper summarizes clinical evidence-based findings on three of the most popular ingredients currently utilized in consumer skincare products: niacinamide, vitamin C and hyaluronic acid.
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