As we all try to get our skin looking as good as possible, there’s always plenty of new and exciting ingredients that become popular every year.

In 2021 in particular, we’ve seen so many excellent ingredients that we’ve been really happy to see become so popular.

Some of these ingredients are ones that we’ve used and loved for a long time, and some are completely new to us.

Here are some of the skincare ingredients that have been trending this year.

Tranexamic acid

For those people who want a heavy-duty ingredient to help battle pigmentation, tranexamic acid has become increasingly popular. Mostly finding use in overnight serums and masks, this ingredient is a derivative of lysine, that has been found to be extremely effective as brightening the skin and clearing up acne scars and pigmentation after prolonged use.

It’s also an ingredient that works well with other products, especially things like hyaluronic acid.

Glycerin

We know that everyone loves hyaluronic acid for its hydrating and nourishing properties, but don’t forget about some of the other humectants that are similarly able to draw water in from its surroundings to moisturize our skin.

Glycerin is a cheap yet effective ingredient that is found in a lot of serums and moisturizers, it was known as the unsung hero of many skincare routines, but 2021 has seen it rise in the rankings—and we’re very happy about that.

Polyhydroxy acids (PHAs)

Many people love to include an acid in their skincare routine to slough away dead skin and reveal a brighter complexion. Most people will use a BHA or AHA (like lactic or salicylic acids) but if you have sensitive skin, you may find that PHAs are the best for your skin type.

Being far gentler than its sister acids, PHA is ideal for people whose skin can get irritated by AHAs and BHAs. It’s still just as effective at reducing hyperpigmentation, reversing sun damage, and getting rid of any dead skin cells, but you won’t have to worry as much about using it frequently.

Bakuchiol

Over the past year, people have been getting pretty excited about Bakuchiol, as it’s supposed to be able to achieve a similar result as retinol. Although it’s not nearly as strong or effective, it offers a range of impressive benefits like helping with hyperpigmentation and photodamage as well as reducing some of the early signs of aging.