Ever felt like you need a science degree to understand skincare? Here’s the thing: you absolutely don’t. We’re hearing about advanced ingredients more and more, but really there are 10 main skincare ingredients worth understanding.
The main thing with anything related to skincare shopping and regimes, is to fully understand you skin type. Are you dry, oily, combination, acne prone, or sensitive? Next, consider what your concerns are. And sure, you can have more than one (I have about ten, literally not joking!).
These tend to be pigmentation, aging, fine lines, acne, large pores, blackheads, uneven skin tone, dull skin, age spots… etc, etc. These are basically concerns that have developed over time.
Then take a read of the top 10 key skincare ingredients below, and why they are needed in particular products. This will help shape your education and knowledge about which ones are worth trying, and which you really don’t need:
Retinoids:
Retinoids, including retinol and prescription-strength retinoids like tretinoin, are popular for their anti-aging and acne-fighting properties.
If you’re preventing the aging process (sorry, slowing down we should say), and wanting to ease away lines while helping acne, use a retinol twice a week to begin with, and then gradual up it to 3-4 if your skin doesn’t show any redness after the initial break-in period. We personally love e.l.f. Youth Boosting Advanced Night Retinoid Serum applied at night, and once absorbed, topped with a rich night cream.
Hyaluronic Acid:
Known for its hydrating properties, hyaluronic acid is a buzzworthy ingredient in skincare, often found in moisturizers and serums. It’s best used as a serum straight on top of damp skin, so the molecules can absorb deeper into the skin. One of the best ones we’ve tried is The Ordinary Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5, which is super affordable, as well as The Inkey List HA Serum too.
If you’re not a serum girl (whaaaat!), you can always opt for a day cream or night cream loaded with HA too, like L’Oreal Paris Revitalift Filler + Hyaluronic Acid Anti-Wrinkle SPF 50 Replumping Day Cream (wow that sounds a mouthful!) – it’s one we personally recommend for plumping.
Vitamin C:
This antioxidant is praised for its brightening effects on the skin and its ability to even out skin tone. The best way to use Vit C in your skincare is via a brightening serum. The Trinny London Boost Up is great – we usually recommend anything higher than 10% to get the best benefits, and this one has a whopping 30%.
Niacinamide:
Also known as vitamin B3, niacinamide is gaining popularity for its multiple benefits, including reducing inflammation, minimizing pores, and improving overall skin texture. You’ll find it creeping into breakout prone skin products more and more now too, and for fading dark spots.
If you want to incorporate Niacinamide into your regime, start with Simple’s Booster Serum 10% Niacinamide (Vitamin B3). It’s both gentle yet effective.
Peptides:
Peptides are becoming increasingly popular for their role in stimulating collagen production, which can help improve skin elasticity and reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. They have definitely become a beauty buzz word more recently, with peptide rich product ranges. If you want the crem de la crem of peptide products, you won’t be disappointed by Medik8 Liquid Peptides, although it’s on the pricey side.
A cheaper alternative is the The INKEY List Peptide Moisturizer, which is a brilliant price point for a rich moisturiser packed with peptides.
Glycolic Acid:
A type of alpha hydroxy acid (AHA), glycolic acid is known for its exfoliating properties, helping to remove dead skin cells and improve skin texture. You’ll find it in peels and toning products too, mainly for those with stubborn pigmentation, dull and aging skin.
Try not to use Glycolic Acid daily, just a couple of times a week is more than enough. We have tried and tested the CAUDALIE Vinoperfect Concentrated Brightening Glycolic Essence, which feels much more gentle and milder on the skin than some of the other solutions and toning products out there.
Ceramides:
Ceramides are lipid molecules that help strengthen the skin’s natural barrier, making them popular in skincare products aimed at repairing and moisturizing the skin. Ceramides are great to use if you have overdone acids, or had too many facial treatments/used too many strong ingredients. CeraVe AM Facial Moisturising Lotion SPF50 with Ceramides for Normal to Dry Skin is a gentle moisturiser with SPF that you can use daily to help repair your skins barrier.
Salicylic Acid:
This plant-based ingredient has gained traction for its soothing and healing properties, particularly for sensitive or irritated skin. You’ll see it mainly across acne prone skin products, and depending on the strength and brand, you’ll find it can be very subtle to keep small breakouts at bay, or very strong to help fight the more serious cases of acne.
La Roche Posay, Dermalogica and Paula’s Choice have been known for their great SA products, and starting with the La Roche-Posay Effaclar Clarifying Lotion for oily, spot prone skin every other day is a great way to introduce yourself to SA.
Bakuchiol:
Often touted as a natural alternative to retinol, bakuchiol is a plant extract known for its anti-aging benefits and gentler approach to improving skin texture and reducing wrinkles. I personally used this ingredient when I was pregnant both times! The swear-by one I used was by Medik8 – the Medik8 Bakuchiol Peptides – a fantastic alternative to retinol when you can’t use retinol for whatever reason.
Squalane:
Squalane is a lightweight moisturizing oil derived from olives or sugarcane, prized for its ability to hydrate the skin without clogging pores. I first heard of squalane from the iconic Squalane Cleanse from The Ordinary – it has so many rave reviews for cleansing, hydrating and smoothing the skin while looking after clogged/breakout prone skin.
Of course, there are many more ingredients out there that are brilliant, but these are 10 key ones you commonly see pop up when browsing skincare, therefore it’s important to know which ones are right for YOU. Remember, everyone has their own skin type and concerns, so do consider your own skin before taking any leaps.
