Remember when we thought skin care was nothing more than a quick make up wipe across our face before bed? Not quite the 10-step routine many of us are used to now.
Yep, skin care is serious business these days — but it can be hard to know where to start, especially when it feels like you need a degree in science to understand an ingredients label. Thankfully, there’s no need to send off a Student Finance request form just yet, as we’ve got all the ingredient intel you need — saving you three years spent at skin care university.
Read on for our at-a-glance beginner’s guide to skin care ingredients...
SKIN CARE INGREDIENTS GLOSSARY
AHAs
AHA stands for alpha hydroxy acid — don’t be put off by the mention of acid, though. AHAs work wonders if a radiant complexion is on your wishlist, helping to exfoliate away dead skin cells to reveal smooth, glowing skin. Some of the most common AHAs are glycolic acid, lactic acid, malic acid and mandelic acid.
SHOP ALL AHAs >>> READ MORE >>>BHAs
Another acid, coming up. BHA stands for beta hydroxy acid, but unlike AHAs, these are oil-soluble, meaning they can cut through the oil that often blocks pores. For this reason, BHAs — like salicylic acid — are typically recommended to those with oily, combination or blemish-prone skin.
READ MORE >>>CBD
Short for cannabidiol, CBD is an anti-inflammatory extract derived from hemp plants and is a go-to for easing the look of redness, irritation and dryness.
READ MORE >>>Ceramides
Ceramides (a skin-mimicking ingredient) help prevent moisture loss and promote the look of supple skin, while also working to protect against environmental stressors, like cold weather and pollution.
READ MORE >>>Collagen
Serving as one of the main building blocks for our bodies (including our bones, skin, hair, muscles and more) collagen is a vital protein. It naturally depletes over time, resulting in loss of firmness (among other things), so collagen is often incorporated into skin care to help improve the look of plumpness, suppleness and radiance.
READ MORE >>>Hyaluronic acid
Despite its name, hyaluronic acid is a moisturising ingredient, not an exfoliant. Unlike AHAs and BHAs, hyaluronic acid is a humectant, meaning it attracts water molecules and retains moisture to hydrate skin. It naturally occurs in our skin, but production slows as we grow older, causing our skin to become rougher and drier in texture. To counteract this, adding hyaluronic acid — which as an ingredient holds up to 1,000 times its weight in water — into your routine can boost your skin’s hydration levels to dewy new heights.
READ MORE >>>Glycerin
Another humectant hero, glycerin attracts (and traps) moisture into skin, resulting in a smoother appearance and a more hydrated feel. And that’s not all, as well as working on its own, glycerin works to supercharge other ingredients too — because of this, it’s often combined with other ingredients, like essential oils, to further strengthen their moisturising benefits.
READ MORE >>>
Niacinamide
Also known as vitamin B3, niacinamide helps reduce the look of pores and uneven skin tone while also supporting a healthy, happy skin barrier.
READ MORE >>>Peptides
Put a peptide in your step (and skin care routine) with this protein-packed ingredient. Peptides work to moisturise skin and may help reduce the appearance of inflammation and uneven skin tone, while also smoothing the look of fine lines and wrinkles.
READ MORE >>>Retinol
Derived from vitamin A, retinol is a true skin care superhero, working to slough away dead skin cells to help renew your complexion. Ideal for targeting the look of fine lines, blemishes, pigmentation and more, retinol is a powerful tool in any skin care collection, but should be introduced into your routine gradually to avoid irritation.
READ MORE >>>Retinal
Like retinol, retinal (short for retinaldehyde) is a form of vitamin A — although, according to Medik8, it’s further along the vitamin A pathway than retinol, and just one conversion step away from becoming retinoic acid, meaning it acts faster on the skin.
SPF
Found in your sunscreen, SPF stands for Sun Protection Factor, which is the amount of time your skin will be protected from UV rays when wearing it. The higher the SPF, the longer this protection lasts — and yes, it is a non-negotiable when it comes to looking after your skin. In fact, to protect your skin from UV damage (and, in turn, prevent signs of premature ageing) SPF should be worn every day.
Squalane
A moisturising must-have and natural emollient, squalane prevents water loss and supports your skin’s moisture barrier. The result? A complexion that’s deeply hydrated.
READ MORE >>>Vitamin C
Not just found in oranges (although that’s certainly a tasty option), vitamin C is a powerful antioxidant that helps to brighten the skin, fading dark circles et al in the process, when applied topically. L-ascorbic acid is the most likely form of vitamin C you’ll find in your skin care, but there are other forms to look out for, like 3-0 ethyl ascorbic acid and magnesium ascorbyl phosphate.
READ MORE >>>SHOP SKIN CARE INGREDIENTS
Now you’ve got the knowledge, are you ready to add these ingredients to your skin care routine? Enter: The Skin Essentials Edit. Starring everything you need to get back to basics with your AM andPM routine (or create a new one from scratch), this expertly curated Edit harnesses the power of essential ingredients like hyaluronic acid, vitamin C, peptides, ceramides and more.
