We really need to give our skin more credit. It’s the largest organ in our body, weighing from two to four kilos and it completely refurbishes itself every seven to 10 weeks. Everyday, our skin works hard to protect itself from pollution, sweat and general dirt, therefore finding effective skincare ingredients that work for us is a must!
When it comes to skincare, you can’t always buy products based on the packaging or false promises plastered on the front of the bottle. Because, to be honest, brands are likely to tell you what you want to hear… This is why it’s important to understand the ingredients inside each product, and work out which are best for your skin type.
Figuring out what ingredients you should look for in skincare products can be a really tedious task though, and it can be overwhelming when you hear so many different names. But, you don’t need to worry… We’ve looked into the five skincare ingredients that, when used correctly, will be absolute game changers for your skincare routine!
Vitamin C
So, let’s start this off by saying this... Vitamin C needs to get the attention it deserves! This ingredient is a total life saver and it’s included in so many products due to the vast amount of benefits it has. Vitamin C is an antioxidant which means it protects the skin cells from being damaged by UV exposure.It also encourages melanin production in the skin, which helps to even out skin tone and enhance skin radiance. Vitamin C is vital in the skin to support collagen production, help brighten dull skin and prevents premature ageing of the skin.
Add vitamin C into your skincare routine with the following products:
Hyaluronic Acid
Hyaluronic acid is found naturally in our skin and is a large sugar molecule which holds moisture between our skin cells. And this is essential to keeping our skin plump and hydrated. As we age, our skin becomes dehydrated quicker - yet another reason why you need to create a tailored skincare routine that suits you. Other great advantages of using products with this ingredient in include the fact it is very lightweight, it can be used on all skin types, it locks in moisture and acts as a humectant that attracts water to the skin to keep it well hydrated. Always look for product with hyaluronic acid on their ingredients list, as this is a sign that the product has great moisturising qualities that'll benefit your skin.
Add hyaluronic acid into your skincare routine with the following products:
Rice Exfoliator
Exfoliating your skin is seriously important and should be done at least once or twice a week. Why? Well it helps to get rid of unwanted dead skin cells, so new skin can come through in its place. There are many exfoliators out there, but it seems as though a natural rice exfoliator is a big win! They are known for softening the skin, relieving inflammation, smoothing out fine lines and treating uneven skin tones, as well as helping to brighten your skin. What’s not to love about that?
Add rice exfoliator into your skincare routine with the following products:
Retinol
If you’ve ever wondered what it would be like to find a skincare ingredient that literally does it all, then here it is. Retinol, better known as vitamin A, is a great ingredient to look for in skincare products as it works differently to anything else. Instead of removing dead skin cells from the surface of your skin, the small molecules that make up retinol go deep beneath the top layer of your skin to cleanse and refresh your whole complexion. Retinol comes in a variety of forms too, and each targets different skincare concerns - think dark spots, fine lines and ageing. We can see exactly why this ingredient is so popular!
Add retinol into your skincare routine with the following products:
Salicylic Acid
Anyone can use products with salicylic acid in them, however if you suffer with oily skin or are prone to blemishes, this is the ingredient for you! Salicylic acid is a beta-hydroxy acid (BHA) as well as an oil-soluble chemical exfoliator ,which means it can penetrate the skin at a deeper level than water-soluble AHA ingredients. This brings with it so many benefits - as the deeper it penetrates, the better as it allows the build-up of sebum to be reduced. This particular acid helps improve the skins appearance, reduces blemishes and clear clogged pores as well as reducing puffiness and redness.