What you apply to your skin will at some point get absorbed and become part of your system. Some ingredients have even shown the ability to build up in your skin over time — an effect that can lead to long-lasting consequences. Is a product necessarily better if the ingredient percentage is higher? Do the same rules count for your face and body? And can enriching ingredients ever be harmful? We're exploring these questions and much more in this blogpost on everything you need to know about skincare percentages.
Niacinamide
What's special about niacinamide is that it can offer the skin varying effects depending on the concentration it's applied in. While as little as 0.5% can enhance a healthy glow, 2% is needed to strengthen the skin's balance and barrier. Finally, 4-5% niacinamide has been shown to provide brightening properties which can effectively help even out discolorations. We recommend that you opt out of products with a concentration above 5% niacinamide, as these can lead to irritations, redness, and even imbalances.Niacinamide in our Ultra-Rich Cream, Niacinamide Lifting Mist and Niacinamide Repair Body Lotion.
Vitamin A
Vitamin A possesses numerous proven benefits — minimizing premature signs of aging, encouraging the skin's natural collagen production, balancing the skin's oil production. In the EU, the maximum content of vitamin A for safety approvals is 0.3% in facial products and 0.05% for the body. Bring the optimizing effects to your complexion with our Vitamin A Treatment Cream containing 0.3% vitamin A.
Beta Hydroxy Acid (BHA)
BHA is an acknowledged, oil-soluble exfoliant that effectively rids the skin of dead skin cells, build-up, excess oil, and bacteria. It's generally recommended that the concentration doesn't exceed 2% to avoid irritating the skin. Introduce BHA-content products to your skin slowly and steadily. Experience the refreshing and rejuvenating effects of BHA with our Skin Perfector 2% BHA (2% BHA) or our Deep Cleansing Mask (0.2% BHA).
Body and face — is there a difference?
Yes. Because your body constitutes a larger surface than your face, you'll automatically use more product on your body, and it'll therefore ultimately absorb a higher concentration of ingredients. For this reason, a lower percentage of specific ingredients are recommended in body care than facial products — simply to avoid the ingredient building up in the skin and thereby causing negative effects. Percentages in skincare are never random and they always matter.