Achieving radiant, youthful-looking skin is simpler than you think. As long as you’re diligent with your skincare routine, are clued up on your ingredients list and know your correct skin type and skin concerns, you’re good to go. Here’s a quick refresher on the ingredients to look out for when doing your next online shop, plus our list of star creams and serums…
Hyaluronic acid: The hero ingredient to ensure hydrated skin. It helps retain water and fills out fine lines and wrinkles.
Retinol: It helps to exfoliate your skin and increase collagen and cell production to reveal a fresh, plump, youthful appearance. A game-changing ingredient.
Vitamin C: Your go-to ingredient for transforming skin. It brightens, helps fade pigmentation, reduces dark circles under the eyes, helps with sagging of the skin and calms down redness by evening the skin tone. A super-star ingredient.
Ferulic acid: This ingredient helps reduce the appearance of blood vessels under the skin, as well as redness. It also helps protect the skin from discolouration from the sun and is a must for those with a genetic tendency towards dark spots.
Niacinamide: A major moisture-boosting ingredient that enhances the function of your skin’s lipid barrier. It treats dark spots, reduces the size of your pores and calms redness. Wrinkles and fine lines will also appear lighter after including this ingredient in your skincare routine.
AHAs (alpha hydroxy acids): They help smooth surface wrinkles and fine lines and improve the texture of your skin. AHAs help unblock pores and promote general well-being for your skin. Top tip: If you’re already using retinol, you can’t use AHAs and glycolic acid. This will be too overwhelming for the skin. So, take your pick!
Glycolic acid: Like AHAs, glycolic acid removes the top layer of dead skin cells. It helps to reverse sun damage and is used to reduce acne scars, acne, dark spots and dark skin patches on the face.
The Creams:
Eucerin Hyaluron-Filler + Elasticity Day Cream
This moisturiser not only plumps your wrinkles and fine lines, it firms and tightens the skin too. A combination of low and high concentrations of hyaluronic acid is found within this formula, along with arctiin to speed up collagen renewal, as well as silymarin, an antioxidant that helps with circulation and protects further breakdown of collagen and elastin. We love that it also has a SPF 15 to protect the skin. An all-rounder that deserves to be on your bathroom shelf.
Estée Lauder Revitalizing Supreme+ Youth Power Soft Creme
Hydrated skin is the first step towards younger-looking skin. This lightweight, textured moisturiser contains our hydration hero, hyaluronic acid, along with other impressive ingredients, such as exclusive moringa extract (a powerful protein), cactus stem cell extract (for extra nourishment and barrier strength) and Collagen Booster Technology (for firmness). The silky-soft formula melts into your skin with ease and protects your skin all day long. We can’t get enough.
Origins Ginzing Gel Cream with Caffeine + Niacinamide
One of the most popular products within the Origins range, this moisturiser contains two of our recommended anti-ageing ingredients – vitamin C and niacinamide. This potent combo re-energises tired-looking skin, while strengthening its moisture barrier. It’s ideal for those with oily skin types and gives you a glow that’ll last the whole day. We give it a 10/10.
Lancôme Rénergie Cream SPF 20
This super-luxe day cream is enriched with hyaluronic acid, Biotech peptides and has a SPF 20. It gives you an overall even skin tone by correcting dark spots and filling in fine lines and wrinkles. It absorbs beautifully without leaving any traces of greasy residue and has a fresh, uplifting scent. Remember to be meticulous about your routine in order to see results. Dot the product onto your cheeks, chin, forehead and nose and massage into the skin. You’ll be glowing in no time.
L’Óreal Paris Revitalift Hyaluronic Acid Anti-Ageing Cream
Filling out wrinkles and fine lines is what hyaluronic acid does best, along with replenishing the skin’s moisture levels. This easy-to-use everyday moisturiser is loaded with HA and has a SPF 50 for added UV protection. It also helps to define your facial contours. For maximum effect, use this cream on cleansed skin, after you’ve applied one of the serums we recommend below. We couldn’t resist. *wink*
The Serums:
Clinique Even Better Clinical Radical Dark Spot Corrector + Interrupter
Meet the Queen of vitamin C. This brightening serum truly packs a punch, as it contains vitamin C and gyokuro extract, which fade pigmentation and soothe any forms of irritation on the skin simultaneously. As you know, vitamin C is the best antioxidant to combat dull-looking skin, along with dark spots and uneven skin tone. Age spots are one of the leading causes of aged skin – if they’re a major concern, reverse time by including this serum in your daily routine.
Read more: Brilliant Balms To Repair Your Skin Barrier
Elemis Dynamic Resurfacing Serum
An improved, smooth skin texture has the ability to shave years off your real age. This serum contains the magic ingredient that does just that and more – four flower alpha hydroxy acids are found within this formula, along with selastin and Tri-Enzyme Technology to cool, soothe, brighten, even out and smooth your skin to perfection. As if that wasn’t enough, it also reduces the size of pores. And a little goes a long way with this serum – all you need is a pea-sized amount of product.
Elizabeth Arden Retinol Ceramide Capsules Line Erasing Night Serum
Did you know that retinol is a clinically proven wrinkle smoother? These potent little capsules are 76% more powerful than uncapsulated retinol and improve the texture and tone of the skin quickly after use. They’re available in packs of 30, 60 and 90. They’re also so easy to use: simply twist the tab around twice and press the serum onto your fingertips. Apply the product each night to your face and neck before your moisturiser. If you’ve been thinking about including retinol in your skincare routine, consider this your sign.
Estée Lauder Advanced Night Repair Serum
It’s no surprise that this best-selling anti-ageing serum made the list. It’s packed with high levels of hyaluronic acid, as well as Chronolux™ Power Signal Technology, which increases the skin’s ability to self-repair and promotes the renewal of cells. It also boosts collagen production, which gives you that radiant glow after use. This super serum helps to protect the skin from nasty free radicals and provides long-lasting anti-oxidant defence. Apply each morning and night onto cleansed skin, using the innovative dropper to help dispense the correct amount of product. A firm favourite worldwide!
Kiehl’s Ferulic Brew Rejuvenating Facial Essence
This product is the exception to the rule because it’s an essence, not a serum. It contains ferulic acid, along with other super-star ingredients, such as lactic acid (AHA) and squalane oil, which help nourish the skin barrier with moisture while smoothing it too. It removes dead skin cells to improve the signs of ageing, visibly reducing fine lines and wrinkles. To use, shake the bottle well and apply a few drops to your hands, then press into your dry, freshly cleansed skin.
