Tara Weng is always looking for the next "big thing" in skin care.
"I go for products that say 'repair sun damage', and anything that says 'diminishes lines and wrinkles,'" she said.
Last year, more than $5 billion was spent on facial skincare, and for many, finding the perfect product can be a guessing game.
Weng said, "Sometimes it's just going to the store and looking around."
The greatest skincare ingredients were a hot topic at this year's American Academy of Dermatology meeting.
"We've got something for everyone, every price point, every type of skin," said Dr. Ranella Hirsch with the American Academy of Dermatology.
Retinols are time proven acne-fighters that recently received a facelift.
"They've been made and focused on people with very sensitive skins, who historically haven't been able to tolerate using these potent ingredients," Dr. Hirsch explained.
Rhamnose is a sugar extract that promises to help fight wrinkles. It targets the layer of tissue in between the dermis and epidermis.
"It's sending a message for it to increase its regeneration of skin cells, including collagen and fibroblasts. By extension, the skin looks younger and smoother," Dr. Hirsch said.
Or, try rose apple leaf to help reverse sun damage.
"It's great when used in conjunction with a product that contains sunscreen," said Ron Robinson, CEO of BeautyStat.com.
Two ingredients are making a major comeback!
"When ingredients make a comeback, there's new research or data that's showing that it provides additional benefits to the skin that may not have existed before," Robinson said.
Co-enzyme-q-10, which helps produce the skin's energy, is also a proven anti-oxidant. And Dr. Hirsch says niacin, or vitamin b3, is now known for more than its moisturizing power.
She said, "It's gaining new life in its abilities to potentially exfoliate the skin, and also as protecting the skin's barrier."
How do you know which product is right for you?
"Find the thing that is most concerning to you about your skin, and then target new ingredients based on those items. Trying to fix too many things at once is a recipe for disaster," Dr. Hirsch advised.
