The human body is a fascinating, complex and highly intelligent machine. So, it should come as no surprise that the skin (the largest organ in the body) is no exception to the rule. 

While we’ve spent the past few years becoming au fait with skincare buzzwords like active ingredients, retinoids and acids, our skin has been working away in the background to create some of the chemical compounds it needs most to remain in good condition. 

Two core components of non-irritated skin – a well-functioning skin barrier and a balanced microbiome – can heavily impact its appearance and overall health. Fortunately, our skin creates a number of ingredients to look after both and you’re more familiar with their names than you may think. 

Allow me to introduce you to skin-identical ingredients – the hero compounds and molecules our skin naturally creates – and how to incorporate them into your skincare routine.

According to leading Harley Street aesthetician Dr Surbhi Vimani, a skin-identical ingredient is defined as onw which “pre-exists in our body and is a part of our natural structure”.

Hyaluronic acid, ceramides, glycerin, lecithin, cholesterol and fatty acids – these key moisturising, strengthening ingredients are all naturally produced by our skin.

So, if our skin can produce these important compounds, why do we need to supplement them with our skincare routine? 

Dermalogica education manager, Victoria Evans explains: “Our skin’s barrier is under constant threat from our environment and is easily impaired by free radicals, harsh climates, pollution and UV as well as overuse of acids, retinoids etc. 

“As the skin ages, we naturally produce fewer lipids and natural moisturisers and when under chronic stress, ceramide production is negatively impacted. Supplementing the skin daily with leave-on formulas that contain skin-identical lipids and humectants helps the skin to stay protected and healthy.”

The way in which these ingredients are incorporated into skincare varies by their use and purpose within the skin. 

Glycerin and hyaluronic acid are both humectants, meaning they draw moisture into the skin and help to bind it to the topmost layer. 

Hyaluronic acid is known for being able to hold more than a thousand times its weight in water – making it a key hydrating, plumping ingredient. 

Lecithin and cholesterol contribute to the maintenance of the stratum corneum (the uppermost layer of skin). In fact, according to CeraVe consultant dermatologist Dr Alexis Granite, cholesterol actually “makes up about 25% of the intercellular lipids within the stratum corneum and helps hydrate and support skin barrier function.” 

Although all skin types are different, skin-identical ingredients are essential components of the human cell structure which means everyone can benefit from using them. 

In particular, skin-identical ingredients are particularly well suited to sensitive and reactive skin types, as the body is far less likely to react to an ingredient it recognises and knows. 

Leading aesthetics doctor and the brains behind her eponymous, celebrity-loved brand Dr Barbara Sturm tells us, “The benefits of using skin-identical ingredients is that they are utmost tolerated (low allergy risk) by the skin and aid in enhancing the skin’s natural function, delivering additional building blocks required for barrier protection such as regeneration and repair. Skin-identical ingredients can also have powerful antioxidant properties.”

Images: Getty; courtesy of brands