Reading the label of your favourite skincare products can sometimes feel like you missed a science lesson you should not have. To help you understand what ingredients to look for and why, we’ve listed some of our favourites below and the benefits you can get from using them.
Niacinamide
If you are looking for a multi-tasker that can benefit every skincare routine, regardless of skin type, niacinamide (a form of Vitamin B3) is a name you will want to remember. There is not much that this vitamin does not do. It can improve hydration, reduce inflammation and redness, even out skin tone and reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. Research has even shown that it can help to protect and repair the effects of environmental damage, strengthening your skin’s natural barrier as well as encouraging your skin to make more collagen and hyaluronic acid.
Hyaluronic Acid
Hyaluronic acid is key to hydrated skin, and it is naturally found in our bodies from birth. Thanks to its unique structure, it acts like a sponge, holding up to 1,000 times its weight in water. As we age though, its presence starts to gradually decrease, so it helps to top up your levels with a daily dose as part of your skincare routine. It can be applied twice a day topically, morning and night, to all skin types to help compensate for any loss caused to our body's natural supply by ageing or environmental factors. Minéral 89 Hyaluronic Acid Booster is enriched with Vichy Thermal Mineralizing Water and Hyaluronic Acid to deliver your skin's daily dose of strength.
Vitamin C
Vitamin C was the most searched for skincare ingredient of 2020 and there’s a reason for that. Applying a dose of this glow-giver in the morning can not only help to brighten your complexion but also protect your skin from free radical damage, pollution, and other environmental factors, which can cause skin ageing and fine lines and wrinkles.
Peptides
Peptides are amino acids that make up the proteins your skin needs such as collagen and elastin. Incorporating peptides into your skincare routine can therefore help stimulate collagen production, which naturally decreases as you age. As more collagens can leave your skin looking plumper and younger, this is one of the skincare ingredients that’s worth the hype – especially if you want to target signs of ageing and soften the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.
Salicylic Acid
Salicylic acid is another acid you should have on your radar, particularly if you’re prone to breakouts. This beta-hydroxy acid (or BHA) can penetrate deep into the skin and dissolve skin debris that clogs pores and can cause blackheads and whiteheads. As well as helping you to achieve a clearer complexion, it can also reduce inflammation and redness. Overuse can dry out your skin though, especially if you’re prone to dry skin, so be careful how often you use it.