CeraVe Hydrating Facial Cleanser

It’s no surprising CeraVe Hydrating Facial Cleanser made it on Mimoglow’s June Most Popular Shelf Products! This product has been raved about on Reddit’s Skincare addiction. Known for its powerful ingredients like ceramides and hyaluronic acid.

Ingredients: Water, Glycerin, Cetearyl Alcohol, Peg-40 Stearate, Stearyl Alcohol, Potassium Phosphate, Ceramide Np, Ceramide Ap, Ceramide Eop, Carbomer, Glyceryl Stearate, Behentrimonium Methosulfate, Sodium Lauroyl Lactylate, Sodium Hyaluronate, Cholesterol, Phenoxyethanol, Disodium Edta, Dipotassium Phosphate, Tocopherol, Phytosphingosine, Xanthan Gum, Cetyl Alcohol, Polysorbate 20, Ethylhexylglycerin

What is Ceramides?

Ceramides are lipids (fats) that are found naturally in high concentrations in the uppermost layers of skin. Imagine the tiles in your shower, those are your skin cells. Now look at the gout that holds the tiles together, that’s ceramides. Ceramides seal the cracks between the skin cell tiles - keep all the hydration from leaking out. Ceramides help form the skin’s barrier, help skin retain moisture, and protect against environmental aggressors like irritants and pollution. Ceramides may be depleted by exposure to soap, hot water, and certain chemicals and other environmental factors. Age and sun damage also can reduce the effectiveness of your skin’s natural ceramides, and eventually also depleting them, which weakens the skin’s barrier. This makes your skin drier, rougher, wrinkles, irritation, redness, and visible signs of dehydration. Products containing will help your skin by reinforcing your skin’s barrier and increase hydration - giving you a plumper, smoother, firmer-feeling skin with less visible lines, wrinkles, as well as sensitivity. Ceramides are most effective when combined with other skin-replenishing ingredients like fatty acids, glycerin, and cholesterol.

What is Hyaluronic Acid?

Molecular formula: C33H54N2O23

Hyaluronic acid is a powerful humectant. Hyaluronic Acid is also a sugar that is naturally produced by the body. Found in high concentrations within the skin, hyaluronic acid is responsible for the skin’s plumpness and volume. Hyaluronic acid acts like a sponge that can attract and retain 1,000 times its own weight in water, bringing moisture fo the surface of your skin, making it an excellent non-comedogenic hydrating ingredient. The skin’s natural production of hyaluronic acid declines with age, just like collagen and elastin, which is why it’s important to supplement the skin with skincare products that contain Hyaluronic Acid. Hyaluronic acid plays well with most other ingredients and can be paired with peels, retinols, vitamins, and other acids. The only exception would be acids with low pH levels, like glycolic acid, because it may degrade the HA and make it ineffective.

COSRX Advanced Snail 96 Mucin Power Essence

Up next on our list is COSRX Advanced Snail 96 Mucin Power Essence. I have actually gone through several bottles of this holy grail. When I used this product, my skin was pump and glowly the next day. You are thinking, SNAILS?! I know, I did too. This highly concentrated essence contains 96% snail mucin, a powerful ingredient known to aid in skin repair, hydration, brightness, and tone. Like a multivitamin for your skin, this replenishing essence contains nutrients to repair skin damage, boost elasticity, and maintain skin moisture.

Ingredients: Snail Secretion Filtrate, Betaine, Butylene Glycol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Sodium Hyaluronate, Panthenol, Arginine, Allantoin, Ethyl Hexanediol, Sodium Polyacrylate, Carbomer, Phenoxyethanol.

Snail slime has been shown to have antioxidant properties, as well as the ability to stimulate collagen production and enhance wound healing. It is also rich in hyaluronic acid, which is a humectant ingredient that pulls in hydration to the outer skin layer. Korean Beauty or known as K-Beauty launched snail crazy in the USA. Did you know, most of the snail slime that is used in skincare comes from Cryptomphalus aspersa species, a.k.a. the common garden snail? Their mucin contains ingredients like glycoproteins, hyaluronic acid, and glycolic acid (which all have long-documented skin benefits). New research has shown that snail mucin may have anti-aging potential, too. Clinical studies have shown that skin-care products containing snail mucin gave statistical improvements in facial lines and wrinkles, but take it with a grain of salt, since the sample size was small.

Brands that have snail mucin, like AmorePacific, Mizon, CosRX gather snail slime by harvesting the slime involves having the nocturnal snails crawl around a mesh net in a darkened room for 30 minutes at a time, then transferred back to their natural habitat to rest. The snails are never harmed, and their moisturizing slime is then collected and pasteurized for the bottle.

Another great snail product that I love is CosRX Advanced Snail 92 All In One Cream. I use it at night underneath my sleeping mask and always noticed my skin dewy, plump, and glowing the next day.

The Ordinary AHA 30% + BHA 2% Peeling Solution

I don’t think we could have made this list without some The Ordinary products. For June, users really love The Ordinary products. I can see why The Ordinary AHA 30% + BHA 2% Peeling Solution made the list. Known for it’s awesome Instagram photos or Tik Tok videos, TO AHA 30% + BHA 2% Peeling Solution

Ingredients: Glycolic Acid, Aqua (Water), Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Water, Sodium Hydroxide, Daucus Carota Sativa Extract, Propanediol, Cocamidopropyl Dimethylamine, Salicylic Acid, Potassium Citrate, Lactic Acid, Tartaric Acid, Citric Acid, Panthenol, Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer, Tasmannia Lanceolata Fruit/Leaf Extract, Glycerin, Pentylene Glycol, Xanthan gum, Polysorbate 20, Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Benzoate, Ethylhexylglycerin, 1,2-Hexanediol, Caprylyl Glycol.

Alpha hydroxy acids (AHA) exfoliate the skin's topmost surface for a brighter and more even appearance. AHA are water soluble acids made from sugary fruits. It helps peel away teh surface of your skin so that new, evenly pigmented skin cells may generate and take their place. AHAs are primarily used to exfoliate. Exfoliation refers to a process where the skin cells on the surface shed off. This helps remove dead skin cells but also makes way for new skin cell generation. As you age, your natural skin cell cycle slows down, which can make dead skin cells build up. When you have too many dead skin cells, they can accumulate and make your complexion look dull.

AHAs can also help promote collagen and blood flow, correct discoloration from scars and age spots, improve appearance of surface lines and wrinkles, prevent acne breakouts, brighten your complexion, and increase product absorption. However, the amount of exfoliation depends on what type of AHA you use. The more a AHA a product contains, the more powerful the exfoliating effects.

There are seven types of AHAs commonly used in products available throughout the skincare industry. These include:

citric acid (from citrus fruits)
glycolic acid (from sugar cane)
hydroxycaproic acid (from royal jelly)
hydroxycaprylic acid (from animals)
lactic acid (from lactose or other carbohydrates)
malic acid (from fruits)
tartaric acid (from grapes)

Out of all the AHAs available, glycolic and lactic acids are the most promising and well researched. Because of this, most over-the-counter (OTC) AHAs contain either glycolic or lactic acid.

Beta hydroxy acids (BHA) also exfoliate the skin with an extended function to help clear pore congestion. BHAs are mainly oil-soluble, which can get deeper into the pores to remove dead skin cells and excess sebum. BHAs are primarily derived from one source: salicylic acid. BHAs can be just as effective as AHAs for acne, sun-related discoloration, and texture improvements. However, salicylic acid is also less irritating, which may be preferred if you have sensitive skin. BHAs draw out the excess oils in your skin, so when you wash away the BHAs with water, the BHAs take the oils with them. BHAs are also anti-inflammatory and antiseptic, which helps them to relieve acne.

Another great product if you are looking for just BHA, is CosRX BHA Blackhead Power Liquid.

The Ordinary Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5

Mimoglow’s users really love The Ordinary. As the next product on our top five currently in Mimoglow’s shelf is The Ordinary Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5. Hyaluronic Acid is one of those powerful ingredients everyone loves.

Ingredients: Aqua (Water), Sodium Hyaluronate, Pentylene Glycol, Propanediol, Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer, Panthenol, Ahnfeltia Concinna Extract, Glycerin, Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate, Citric Acid, Isoceteth-20, Ethoxydiglycol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Hexylene Glycol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Phenoxyethanol, Caprylyl Glycol.

The Ordinary Website: Hyaluronic Acid (HA) can attract up to 1,000 times its weight in water. The molecular size of HA determines its depth of delivery in the skin. This formulation combines low-, medium- and high-molecular weight HA, as well as a next-generation HA crosspolymer at a combined concentration of 2% for multi-depth hydration. This system is supported with the addition of Vitamin B5 which also enhances surface hydration. Hyaluronic Acid is found in the skin naturally but its natural function within the skin is not hydration. Many products have used HA to claim hydration benefits, but HA is too large of a molecule to penetrate the skin and instead sits on the surface and can draw moisture out of the skin making the surface feel soft and hydrated temporarily, while making you feel like you need more HA after the product is rinsed. This formula uses three forms of HA with varying molecular weights, as well as an HA crosspolymer, to offer multi-depth hydration and visible plumping without drawing water out of the skin solely to improve temporary surface hydration.

Hyaluronic acid is great for all skin types, it is nonirritating and doesn’t trigger acne, rosacea, or allergic skin reactions. However, there is a small chance of adverse side effects depending on the user. Always remember to patch test any new skincare products.

The Ordinary Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1%

The last product on our list of June’s most popular Shelf product is The Ordinary Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1%. Not surprised this product made it on our list because of it’s powerful ingredient Niacinamide.

Ingredients: Aqua (Water), Niacinamide, Pentylene Glycol, Zinc PCA, Dimethyl Isosorbide, Tamarindus Indica Seed Gum, Xanthan gum, Isoceteth-20, Ethoxydiglycol, Phenoxyethanol, Chlorphenesin.

Niacinamide also called nicotinamide, is a form of vitamin B-3, an essential nutrient. Lacking B-3, can lead to disorders of the skin, kidneys, and brain. Niacinamide is a water-soluble vitamin that works with the natural substances in your skin to reduce large pores, tighten pores, improve uneven skin tone, help fine lines and wrinkles, diminishes dullness, and strengthen a weakened skin surface.

Niacinamide benefits:

Helps build keratin, which is a type of protein that helps your skin be firm and healthy.
Grow a ceramide lipid barrier, which help retains moisture. This is super important if you have eczema or mature skin.
Reduces inflammation, which can help ease the redness like from eczema, acne, and other inflammatory conditions
Minimize pore appearances by keeping the skin smooth and moisturized, which can lead to natural reduction of pore size over time.
Regulates oil production
Protect your skin from sun damage, Niacinamide rebuilds healthy skin cells which protecting them from damage caused by UV rays.
Treat hyperpigmentation - due to increased collagen production
Minimizes fine lines and wrinkles
Protects from environmental stresses like pollution, toxins, and sunlight
Treats acne - especially helpful for papules and pustules.