Snail mucin, lotus extract, and other Korean beauty trends had gone viral much earlier but although Allantoin has been around for a while it has gained popularity only recently. Do you know why most skincare essentials contain Allantoin? Let us find out from scratch!

What is Allantoin?

Allantoin or aluminum dihydroxy allantoin is a compound found naturally in various plants and animals. It is majorly extracted from the roots and seeds of the comfrey plant. It can also be extracted from beets, chamomile, wheat sprouts, and tobacco seed.

Benefits of Allantoin in Skin Care

The major advantage of using Allantoin in a skin care product is that it has soothing properties and suits every skin type. It is also a keratolytic agent which helps in the gentle exfoliation of dead cells. So it's super safe and sensitive skin friendly.

1. No more irritation 

It calms down irritated and inflamed skin and reduces sensitivity and redness. It is used in different skin care products- facewashes, scrubs, and moisturizers to soothe and repair the skin.

2. Deeply Moisturizes 

Allantoin helps to bind moisture to the skin, enhances the skin's water content, and is extremely effective for all skin types. It also prevents Transepidermal water loss.

3. Bye Bye Acne

Allantoin's moisturizing properties can further help skin prevent breakouts and clogged pores. It also helps in reducing sensitivity and calming down the skin.

4. Repairs Wounds

Allantoin has exemplary wound-repairing and collagen-boosting properties which help reduce signs of aging. It stimulates the fibroblasts and boosts extracellular matrix synthesis. This re-establishes normal skin on the wound site.

5. Reduces Scars

It has scar healing and pigmentation reduction properties, especially when combined with onion extract and other pigmentation reduction active ingredients.

Allantoin for Lips

• Allantoin has been used in various lip care products to reduce irritation and sensitivity. The comfrey plant is known to soothe and reduce inflammation.

• It is a keratolytic agent, it gently exfoliates dead and dry lip cells without ripping away the moisture.

• Our Lips cannot hydrate themselves and they get pretty dry and chapped. Since Allantoin has great moisturizing properties it is best to combine it with other ingredients to provide intense nourishment to our lips. 

• It prevents transepidermal water loss and can help lips stay hydrated and moisturized for a longer period of time. 

• Allantoin might also help in reducing hyper lip pigmentation as it has wound-repairing and scar-healing properties. 

Allantoin for other purposes:

Haircare

Allantoin has been used in a variety of shampoos, conditioners, hair serums, and masks for reducing irritation and inflammation.

Makeup

You can find Allantoin in Mascaras, eye shadow, concealer, lipstick, eyeliner, foundation, etc, it is added to ensure your skin does not react to the makeup.

Babycare

Infant creams, baby shampoo, lotion, and baby sunscreens also contain Allantoin. As the baby's skin is quite sensitive, it works best and does not cause any irritation.

Things to Remember 

These are a few things that must be kept in mind before incorporating Allantoin into your regime.

Side effects 

Allantoin generally does not cause any side effects. If inflammation, redness or discoloration, dryness, itching, or hives occur then stop using the product immediately.

Not for serious and severe wounds

Do not use allantoin for deep puncture wounds, animal bites, and serious burns. It will not heal them, you need first aid for it.

Patch Test is your Bestfriend

Always do a patch test to ensure you are not allergic to any product. Read the ingredients list carefully before applying any product wholesomely.

Allantoin during Pregnancy

Although allergy medicines are taken during pregnancy, there is no scientific evidence behind Allantoin is unsafe or safe during pregnancy. Please consult your doctor before using any product for the first time when you are expecting a baby.

Layering 

Allantoin works well with almost all ingredients. However, avoid using it with glycolic, lactic, mandelic, and salicylic acids, basically AHAs and BHAs. It is because allantoin and AHAs and BHAs both exfoliate the skin. Combining may cause over-exfoliation and skin irritation.

It works best with Alpha Arbutin, PHA Lactobionic Acid, and Ferulic Acid. As PHAs are gentler and milder than AHAs and BHAs. PHAs gently dissolve dead and dry cells instead of aggressively ripping out the skin.

Conclusion

Allantoin has been used in skincare products for quite a long time. You can surely find it in the ingredients list of almost all of our products on your shelf. It is a great active to reduce sensitivity and provide hydration and nourishment to the skin. It also aids in reducing pigmentation and is extremely safe for sensitive skin. That's (all(antoin)) for today!