I keep seeing active ingredients listed. What are they for?
Over time, our skin naturally loses its youthful look. This loss of plumpness, elasticity, brightness and hydration is due to the ageing process as well as environmental pollutants and irritants we’re exposed to. Active ingredients in our skincare can step help improve these skin’s overall appearance, by targeting these sorts of skin concerns.
We love these active ingredients
Collagen
We love collagen because it:1
- Is needed for tissue repair and skin health
- Can improve the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles
Retinol (Vitamin A)
We love retinol because it:2
- Increases collagen production to help reduce fine lines and wrinkles
- Helps improve the appearance of age spots
Niacinamide (B3)
We love niacinamide because it:3
- Works to even out skin tone
- May also improve fine lines
Squalene
We love squalene because it:4
- May make improve skin's suppleness and elasticity
- Can reduce the appearance of fine lines and dryness
Hyaluronic Acid
We love hyaluronic acid because it:3,5
- Is a super hydrator, able to retain more than 1000 times its weight in water
- Can also improve skin firmness and better the appearance of wrinkles
Salicylic Acid
We love salicylic acid because it:6
- Is a beta hydroxy acid which reduces the appearance of acne
- Penetrates the skin, helping dissolve pore-clogging dead skin cells
Vitamin C
We love vitamin C because it:7
- Is a powerful antioxidant which stabilises and promotes the production of collagen
- Can brighten skin, plus reduce hyperpigmentation and redness
Perfect pairs
Hyaluronic acid is a great complement to retinol, allowing it to work while hydrating and soothing the skin. It also pairs well with vitamin C as the two complement each others efforts to hydrate and repair skin.^^
Perfect pairs
Hyaluronic acid is a great complement to retinol, allowing it to work while hydrating and soothing the skin. It also pairs well with vitamin C as the two complement ach others efforts to hydrate and repair skin.^^
Sources:
1 https://www.healthline.com/health/beauty-skin-care/skin-care-ingredients-dictionary#collagen
2 https://www.health.harvard.edu/staying-healthy/do-retinoids-really-reduce-wrinkles
3 https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/drugstore-skincare-science-backed-anti-aging-ingredients-that-dont-break-the-bank-2020111121309
4 https://www.webmd.com/beauty/what-is-squalane
5 https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/the-hype-on-hyaluronic-acid-2020012318653
6 https://www.healthline.com/health/skin/salicylic-acid-for-acne#how-it-works
7 https://www.healthline.com/health/beauty-skin-care/vitamin-c-serum-benefits#benefits
^ https://www.healthline.com/health/beauty-skin-care/ingredients-that-work-well-together
^^ https://www.healthline.com/health/beauty-skin-care/hyaluronic-acid-and-vitamin-c#when-they-go-together