The Air In Your Skincare

No, we don’t mean air bubbles. We’re talking about oxygen, the colorless, odorless gas that makes up almost a quarter of our atmosphere-and it’s also part of an increasing number of skincare products these days.

Acne is one of the most common concerns targeted by products that contain oxygen. In addition to killing acne-causing bacteria, it’s also anti-inflammatory, so it can benefit those with breakouts. Some products treat acne by killing bacteria with hydrogen peroxide, which contains two atoms of hydrogen and two atoms of oxygen. However, although it’s effective in initially cleaning a wound or clearing debris from skin, it may not be appropriate for long-term use because it can actually slow the healing process.

A lack of oxygen in the skin can make it look thinner and wrinklier, thus accelerating the aging process, so oxygen is found in some anti-aging products, as well, as it plays a role in collagen synthesis.