Introduction

For a while, social media has been driven by trends, from facial contouring to dermaplaning. Over the years, there have been many favourites regarding the ingredients. Do you know what the latest favourite ingredient is? Well, the answer is Allantoin.

But What is Allantoin? You are at the right place if you have heard about it recently and want to know more about this famous ingredient. In this blog, we will look at Allantoin's meaning and everything about the ingredients.

What is allantoin?

It is a naturally occurring chemical compound. In its purest form, it is an odourless and white powder. There are a lot of plants that contain Allantoin, such as horse chestnuts, comfrey, and beanberry. Allantoin can be extracted from plants, as well as made from urea and glyoxylic acid.

Several skincare product manufacturers add Allantoin to various personal care products because it protects the skin from irritation and momentarily stops the irritants from inflaming wounds or sensitive skin. There are various forms of Allantoin other than its purest form. These are:

• Allantoin panthenol
• Allantoin ascorbate
• Allantoin biotin

Combining Allantoin with other substances produces various effects. For example, the aluminium salt of Allantoin is an effective antiperspirant and acne treatment.

Uses of allantoin in skincare products

Many people have been using and potentially benefiting from the products containing Allantoin for years. As it is soothing and there are few known risks, almost anyone can use it.

That being said, here are some of the Allantoin benefits you need to know:

• Reducing irritation

A study compared the anti-irritant effects of comfrey extract and pure Allantoin, which also carries naturally occurring Allantoin. The researchers noticed that both of these substances reduce irritation.

However, in terms of effectiveness, the comfrey extract has the edge over the Allantoin. It suggests that combining compounds in comfrey roots has an advantageous effect on irritation.

• For moisturisation

One of the top reasons why people use Allantoin is because of moisturisation. These days, Allantoin is present in many moisturisers. According to many experts, this ingredient assists the water in staying within the skin layers. As a result, the skin remains hydrated.

Speaking of moisturisation, if you want to get your hands on the best product that comes with Allantoin as one of its ingredients, the Acne Care & Healing Gel Moisturiser with Tea Tree & Cica is your best bet! From helping speed up the healing of acne & refining skin texture to hydrating the skin and locking in moisture, it is the moisturiser to have in your skincare cabinet.

• Acne

Benzoyl Peroxide is the first ingredient to be used for acne therapy. That said, its drying effect on the skin can accelerate ageing and discourage people from using it. It can lead to worsened signs and more acne scarring.

Even in scientific studies, the participants responded well to a brand-new acne regimen containing Allantoin and a blend of ceramides. Overall, they noticed reduced acne signs and enhanced skin barrier function.

• For exfoliation

Although there are no peer-to-peer reviewed studies that can claim that Allantoin helps exfoliation, it is still found in many exfoliant products. It is an excellent addition to exfoliators, from removing dead cells to helping dull skin.

• Scars

A combination of onion extract and Allantoin has been available as a scar-treatment gel for decades. The proponents claim onion extract has anti-inflammatory properties, whereas the Allantoin is epithelizing and hydrating. This means it assists in growing new skin cells.

Medical studies have also proved that people found their scars hardly noticeable after using onion extract and Allantoin after the skin surgery. This supports the theory that Allantoin comes with scar-healing traits.

• For hyperpigmentation

There is no doubt that hyperpigmentation is challenging to treat. However, a serum containing Allantoin might just be beneficial for treating hyperpigmentation. The Dark Spot & Hyperpigmentation Correcting Power Serum is your best bet here. From reducing hyperpigmentation to enhancing skin tone, many benefits come with this power serum.

Precautions while using allantoin

Before adding any new ingredient to your skincare regimen, it is imperative to check the additional factors that come with it. So far, no data suggests Allantoin is unsafe. According to many experts, there is currently no evidence that it is toxic to humans, accumulates in the body, affects the environment negatively, or causes cancer.

It does not often cause adverse effects when an individual uses it according to the product instructions. However, topical products are always probable to cause irritation or allergic reactions, mainly if they contain many other ingredients. In case any of the following happens. Wash off the product immediately and stop using it:

• Dryness
• Hives
• Inflammation
• Itching
• Redness and Discoloration

Keep in mind that you should not be using Allantoin for:

• Animal bites
• Serious burns
• Deep puncture wounds

Different skin treatments have various usage guidelines. Experts say one should use Allantoin products twice daily to get the full benefits, particularly scar gels and moisturisers.

Wrapping Up

So there you have it. Now that you understand the Allantoin meaning and its contribution to skincare, you can make informed decisions when choosing the products and introducing them to your skincare regime.

Skin care professionals are working on allantoins and trying to come up with treatments that make the most of this ingredient.

According to recent studies and reports, the ingredient is generally safe to use, so there is no typical harm in trying it. However, it is always advised to speak to a healthcare professional regarding concerns and introduce the products in your regimen slowly.