Skincare Ingredients Explained

Glycolic acid is known for the incredible results it can have on the complexion, but what exactly is it and how does it work? Derived from sugar cane, glycolic acid is an alpha-hydroxy acid that has an exfoliating action on the skin. This means it can help to shed dead skin cells and reveal brighter, newer skin beneath. But its benefits don’t stop there. It can also help with the visible signs of ageing impacted by collagen decline. 

Due to this exfoliating action, it needs to be used carefully. You also need to take care when mixing it with other skincare ingredients. Read on to discover the dos and don’ts of introducing glycolic acid within your routine. 

Niacinamide is often an overlooked ingredient but it’s actually very beneficial for many different skin types. Niacinamide is a form of vitamin B3 that’s mainly used in skincare but B3 can also be found in foods such as legumes, grains, nuts, and fish. But what does it do when applied topically to the skin?

First of all, niacinamide can help to support a healthy skin barrier by reducing moisture loss and dehydration. It’s also proven to calm the skin thanks to its antioxidant properties, as well as improving signs of environmental damage like fine lines and wrinkles.

But when it comes to adding it into your skincare routine, you’re probably wondering how it mixes with other ingredients. Read on to find out the dos and don'ts of mixing niacinamide with other products in your regime.

Hyaluronic Acid is one of the most talked about skincare ingredients of the moment, and for very good reason. Skin plumping, line smoothing, and skin-barrier strengthening, discover what this incredible humectant can do for your skin and why dermatologists recommend adding it to your routine.

If you’re thinking of adding an antioxidant into your skincare routine like vitamin C, there are a few things to consider first. The first is your skin type – such as dry, oily, or combination – and other main concerns you may have such as congestion, fine lines, and blemishes.

Ahead, we explain what to look for in vitamin C serums for your specific skin type, and everything you need to know before deciding on the formula for you.

Retinol is a derivative of vitamin A and one of the most effective skincare ingredients. Dermatologists love it for its ability to improve a variety of skin concerns, from pigmentation, to visible signs of ageing, to dullness. But as this powerful ingredient has an exfoliating action on the skin, it can cause some photo-sensitivity, so it needs to be used carefully – especially with other products.

Read on to find out the dos and don’ts of mixing retinol with other skincare ingredients!

Salicylic acid is considered a wonder ingredient for blemish-prone skin due to the way it promotes the skin’s natural exfoliation process. It’s a beta-hydroxy acid which means it effectively penetrates the pores and sheds dead skin cells.

How to use it within an existing routine? When used correctly, salicylic acid can also be used with a range of other skincare ingredients but it’s important to ensure they complement one another. Read on to learn how to safely use salicylic acid and understand how it works with other ingredients.

Hyaluronic Acid is the skincare world’s answer to healthy and hydrated skin. Naturally produced by the body, this effective humectant helps the skin to attract and retain water – in fact, it is estimated that HA can hold up to 1000x its weight in water. Unsurprisingly, this hydrating action can have multiple benefits on the skin from plumping fine lines and wrinkles, improving radiance, and protecting the skin barrier.

It's also suitable for all skin types depending on the specific formula as it’s incredibly lightweight and gentle, so it will not generate additional oil to blemish-prone skin types. This makes it ideal for pairing with active ingredients and soothing the skin.

Read on to find out which ingredients hyaluronic acid can be mixed with and the best way of combining them within your skincare routine.

Many of us pay plenty of attention to the skin on our faces while completely forgetting about the more delicate area of the neck. But the neck is actually a vital area to include in your routine as the dermis - the layer of skin that holds collagen - is actually much thinner in this area. This means that it also produces fewer lipids, making the skin barrier weaker and more prone to ageing signs and damage.

Read on to find out how to care for the skin on your neck and treat pre-existing ageing signs effectively.

Vitamin C, or L–Ascorbic Acid (a pure form of Vitamin C) as it’s also known, is lauded as one of the most powerful skincare ingredients and for very good reason. While we absorb vitamin C from antioxidant-rich foods such as fruit and vegetables, its benefits can also be enjoyed when it’s applied topically to the skin.

This powerful antioxidant helps to neutralise free radicals in the environment and protect the skin from oxidative stress. This can help to brighten the complexion and prevent premature ageing signs caused by environmental damage.

Another major benefit of vitamin C is that it complements well with many other skincare ingredients, and introducing the ingredient into your routine will generate visible results. Here we answer some of your most common.

What to expect before and after a Chemical Peel

You may be quite familiar with antioxidants such as vitamin C but what about ferulic acid? Ferulic acid was traditionally used in skincare products to stabilize other antioxidants such as vitamin C and E. But in more recent years, it’s started to enjoy more of the spotlight, recognised for its own unique properties such as improving skin tone, and targeting visible ageing signs.

Found in the cell walls of plants such as spinach, apples, and artichokes, ferulic acid is a naturally occurring compound that’s part of a group of chemicals called hydroxycinnamic acids. This means that it can improve the effectiveness of other skincare products while inhibiting the enzymes that create melanin. In short, not only can it neutralize free radicals in our everyday environment, but it’s excellent at helping skin concerns that stem from excess pigment such as hyperpigmentation.

Ferulic acid is a team player with other antioxidants, but how does it mix with other skincare ingredients? Learn the the do’s and don'ts of using ferulic acid.

The skin around the eyes is particularly delicate, making it more prone to wrinklesand dark circles- That's why it's benefinicial yo find the right eye cream that addresses these specific concerns. in this warticles, we'll talk what an eye contour is, the essential componets of a good eye contour product, how to avoid dark circles, and which producrs to choose for the best results.

The gentle exfoliator azelaic acid has plenty of benefits when used in skincare formulations. In fact, this naturally derived dicarboxylic acid, found in grains such as wheat and barley, is particularly beneficial when used on blemish-prone skin.

This is due to the way that azelaic acid clears the pores, helping to prevent future blemishes and improve the appearance of existing imperfections. It also increases skin-cell turnover, but as this action can cause some dryness and flaking, it’s important to combine it with complementary ingredients that will keep the skin hydrated.

Read on to find out the do’s and don'ts of mixing azelaic acid with other products in your skincare regime.

Benefits of using Vitamin C & SPF

An antioxidant serum and protective broad-spectrum sunscreen are two of the most powerful products in any skincare routine – no matter your skin type. But, when used together, their effectiveness increases and provides the skin with double the defence against environmental aggressors. Dr. Jonquille Chantrey, surgeon and international beauty lecturer, explains why Double Defence is so important and answers your most pressing skincare questions.