Choosing the most advanced and beneficial skincare products can be challenging, especially if you find that you’re unfamiliar with many of the listed ingredients. In many cases, what might at first seem like a questionable ingredient is actually a naturally-occurring or lab-created chemical compound that has amazing skin benefits. One such ingredient, allantoin, doesn’t tend to get much media spotlight, so it’s probable that you’ve never come across it before. But rather than simply writing off unfamiliar ingredients such as allantoin, it can be helpful to get to know a little more about them so you can make more informed decisions about your skincare.
What Is Allantoin?
Lab-created allantoin is chemically equivalent to its naturally-occurring counterpart, and has been shown to be non-toxic and safe for use in a variety of cosmetic applications (International Journal of Toxicology). In its organic form, allantoin is found in several plants, such as sugar beet, comfrey, chamomile, tobacco seed, and wheat sprouts. A popular source of allantoin is the extract of comfrey, a species of herb native to Europe. Interestingly, it is named for the allantois, a structure involved in the exchange of nutrients and waste for developing embryos.
Allantoin has been shown to be non-toxic and safe for use in a variety of cosmetic applications.
Possible Anti-Aging Benefits of Allantoin
Most notably, allantoin is considered an effective moisturizing ingredient when used in skincare, and its gentle, non-irritating qualities make it an excellent addition to anti-aging products for those with sensitive or easily irritated skin. Additionally, allantoin is a known keratolytic, meaning that it can increase the water content of cells while also aiding in the process of desquamation of the outer layers of skin. Allantoin may also help to:
- Increase skin smoothness
- Aid in wound healing
- Promote cell proliferation and longevity (Aging Cell)
Allantoin in Skincare
When used in skincare, lab-created allantoin compounds such as allantoin glycyrrhetinic acid, can mimic the effects of naturally-occurring allantoin, providing moisturizing and skin nourishing benefits. Skinbetter science AlphaRet™ Overnight Cream FACE and AlphaRet™ Intensive Overnight Cream FACE utilize this skin-soothing and moisturizing ingredient to provide a sensation of calmness.
The AlphaRet™ formula also contains an innovative combination of a retinoid with lactic acid to form a double conjugated retinoid.
The revolutionary AlphaRet™ formula also contains an innovative combination of a retinoid with lactic acid to form a double conjugated retinoid. The advantage of linking these two gold-standard anti-aging ingredients together is that they can help to minimize the appearance of lines and wrinkles in as little as four weeks without causing skin irritation. When used on their own, retinoids and lactic acid have been shown to lead to irritation, which may inhibit some men and women from utilizing these ingredients in other formulas.
Additionally, AlphaRet™ is formulated with glycolic acid and a targeted peptide blend to help retexturize the skin and nourish collagen for a comprehensive approach to anti-aging. For an increased level of skin retexturization, choose AlphaRet™ Intensive Overnight Cream FACE, which contains a higher concentration of glycolic acid.
In Summary
With so many skincare options out there, don’t let the process of choosing the most appropriate anti-aging products for your skin become overwhelming. You’ll find that in many cases, the seemingly complex list of ingredients on a given product isn’t so complicated after all, and many of the most beneficial compounds for the skin, such as allantoin, may even go unnoticed.
