L-Arginine Is The Anti-Aging Ingredient Your Skin Craves

Keeping your skin healthy and happy long-term is hard. It requires lots of love, care, and most importantly, all the latest skincare products on the market. Isn't that how it usually goes? Let's admit it — the more you pamper your skin, the fussier it becomes. Nothing will appease the irritation, fine lines, and breakouts but the best of the best skincare ingredients. And thankfully, these keep coming. We've never been better informed on active ingredients than we are today (thank you, scientists, for giving us niacinamide and retinol). The information just keeps piling on, and all we can do is try our best to keep up with the news of the skincare world.

The latest ingredient to look out for? L-arginine, the do-it-all anti-aging ingredient of our dreams. But what makes it so good at turning back the clock on our aging skin? It seems this powerful ingredient, derived from nutrient-rich foods, is excellent at boosting our skin's collagen and elastin production, rewinding the face back to a time when plumpness abounded and skin bounced back quickly. Read on for more details on our new favorite ingredient.

Derived from protein-rich foods, such as whole grains and beans, L-arginine (or arginine) is a natural ingredient commonly used in anti-aging skincare. According to Proven Skincare, arginine is a powerful amino acid that boosts collagen production to support your skin's continued elasticity, making it a crucial ingredient for an effective anti-aging skincare routine. And it is great not only for the face but also for the rest of the body.

Arginine is versatile and can be used both orally as a supplement and topically through the use of serums and creams that list it as an active ingredient (per Mayo Clinic). Arginine also plays well with other skincare ingredients that target the skin's aging process, such as retinol and vitamin C, as well as hydrating ingredients, such as hyaluronic acid and peptides. These can enhance the performance of one another for more optimal and quicker results without irritating the skin. Feel free to mix and match your active ingredients worry-free.

Arginine has countless benefits that culminate in the perfect anti-aging concoction. What are they?

First, L-arginine, as a product derived from protein-rich foods, promotes the building of protein in the body, especially collagen when applied topically on the face. Collagen production is one of the first things to decrease as we age, which is one of the tell-tale signs of aging in people's skin. In addition, arginine (like vitamin C) helps protect your skin from free radicals throughout the day, lessening their damaging effects on collagen production. It is also a humectant, keeping your skin plump and moisturized. 

All in all, the collagen boost, layer of protection, and humectant qualities of arginine are great for people wanting to combat multiple signs of aging at once. Consistent use of arginine in your skincare routine can reduce the appearance of wrinkles and fine lines, restore and maintain firmness to the skin, and bring back that plump, youthful look of well-moisturized skin. 

While arginine is suitable for all skin types, those who stand to benefit most from this magic ingredient are those who have dry and normal skin types, as well as those with combination skin looking for that boost of hydration. Those with skin on the oilier side may abstain due to the humectant quality of arginine, though that depends on the individual. Keep in mind that moisturizing any skin type, including oily skin, is of the utmost importance for anti-aging (and sebum control). Humectant ingredients, contrary to popular belief, do wonders to keep oil overproduction at bay. 

That said, people with dry skin can definitely benefit most from its hydrating qualities, which not only keep the skin barrier healthy but also help with the harsh look of dehydrated fine lines. Skincare aficionados with normal skin can also easily incorporate arginine into their routines for extra protection against free radicals and all the potent anti-aging benefits.