By Becca Newell
More than two decades ago, Procter & Gamble—a global consumer goods company that owns Pantene, Charmin, and Gillette, among other beauty, health, and home ands—developed the first ever two-in-one shampoo and conditioner. Created for consumer convenience, the multifunctioning product was an instant hit—who wouldn’t want to buy one product instead of two?—and inspired other manufacturers to follow suit, in more than just the shampoo market.
As scientists continue to research ingredients with versatile properties, skin and haircare lines become even more populated with multipurpose products. Although our list is ever-expanding, here are our current multifunctioning favorites, along with the all-star ingredient your nightly anti-aging serum needs.
TNS Essential Serum by SkinMedica
$281, Effective MedSpa, Gambills
A medical-grade formula, TNS Essential Serum provides the benefits of multiple anti-aging products in one convenient package. “This all-in-one defense complex improves the overall skin tone, texture, age spots, wrinkles, and elasticity of your skin,” says Laura Hardnett, owner of Effective MedSpa in Gam ills. “It also promotes collagen and fights free radical damage.”
Age Intervention Duality by Jan Marini
$93, Janmarini.com
Over-the-counter adult acne treatments can be useful in reducing out eaks and taming blemishes, but adding yet another step to your bedtime beauty routine can be cumbersome. Age Intervention Duality removes the need for an acne-fighting cream in combination with an anti-aging serum with its dual chamber dispensing solution that combats stubborn eakouts while addressing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.
YsthéAL Eye and Lip Contour Care by Avène
$40, Aveneusa.com
With a formula designed to visibly reduce signs of aging without causing harsh irritation to the skin, YsthéAL Eye and Lip Contour Care is a multi-benefit product that’s delicate enough for the more sensitive areas of the face. It can be used around the eyes to ighten dark circles, restore radiance, and minimize crow’s feet while diminishing the appearance of fine lines around the lips.
All-Star Ingredient: Retinol
A form of vitamin A, retinol is a predominant ingredient in over-the-counter anti-aging products. Research suggests the multi-tasking compound is effective in diminishing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, improving skin tone, and increasing skin firmness, among other youth-enhancing properties. A 2016 study saw a significant improvement in skin ightness, hyperpigmentation, smoothness, and wrinkles after participants engaged in a daily skin care regimen that included the application of a moisturizing cream with retinol. When applied to the skin in a topical treatment, retinol is converted by the body’s natural enzymes into retinoic acid, which is widely used to treat photoaged skin. Other forms of retinol often found in prescription skincare products include retinoid—a compound derivative of vitamin A—and Tertinoin, or Retin-A—the first FDA-approved retinoid. With so many options, it can be difficult to find a formula that’s effective and tolerable for an individual’s unique skin type. Still, all solutions work in a similar fashion: killing old cells to promote new cell growth. As a result, side effects of treatment include redness and peeling of the skin.
Retinol Reminders:
- Use a small amount (start with a pea-size portion) for the entire face
- Apply sunscreen (SPF 30 or higher) every morning
- Use a soothing cleanser and toner, daily
- A hydrating moisturizer before bed might be beneficial, too
- Opt for retinoids in opaque packaging with limited exposure to air and light
- Be patient—noticeable results take about 12 weeks
