6 Ingredients You Need In Your Skincare Routine

There are so many "magic" serums, lotions and potions around that promise to make wrinkles disappear overnight. In reality, there are really only a handful of ingredients that are clinically proven to have anti-ageing effects. And there is something for every budget to suit your needs and skin health, formulated with well-researched ingredients.

So what are those ingredients, exactly?

When it comes to skin health and healthy ageing, prevention is key. One of the most effective habits you can adopt early on in life (the sooner, the better) is to start wearing a broad-spectrum SPF 30 or higher (we prefer SPF 50) every single day. Sunscreen is the number one studied anti-ageing ingredient. It's not very exciting or glamorous, but without sunscreen, any of the other products you are using will be counteracted by the damage from UV exposure.

Sunscreen not only protects the DNA in your skin from UV damage, but it gives your skin cells a chance to rest and regenerate, which helps diminish the development of wrinkles and uneven skin tone. Studies have found that up to 80 percent of the visible signs of facial ageing come from sun exposure, so a daily SPF is crucial to keep skin healthy.

Clinique Mineral Sunscreen Fluid For Face SPF 50 - Sensitive Skin Formula

Incredibly comfortable, even for sensitive skins, this product features invisible shield technology to form a protective veil that's virtually invisible on all skin tones.

Shiseido Expert Sun Protector Face Cream SPF 50+ UVA

This silky SPF 50+ sunscreen delivers peak protection that goes on clear and rubs in quickly without any residue. 

La Roche Posay Anthelios Water Resistant Hydrating Lotion SPF 50

This is a light and moisturising sunscreen that is ultra-comfortable, non-greasy and offers SPF50+ broad spectrum protection.

Vitamin C is a potent antioxidant that has been shown to work in synergy with sunscreen to protect the skin from UV and free-radical damage. Collagen occurs naturally in the human body and it's an important substance for maintaining the skin's firm, bouncy appearance-but it decreases as you age. So, daily vitamin C usage is a great way to not only protect your skin from UV-related collagen loss, but also to help stimulate collagen production.

For an even more powerful vitamin C formula, look for vitamin C serums that are formulated with ferulic acid. The presence of ferulic acid not only helps to stabilise vitamin C formulas, but it's also a powerful antioxidant in its own right.

Perricone MD Vitamin C Ester CCC + Ferulic Brightening Complex 20% Serum

This ultra-potent vitamin C serum is rich in antioxidants for supercharged brightening, smoothing and a more even skin tone.

Skin Ceuticals C E Ferulic High Potency Triple Antioxidant Treatment

Rejuvenate the skin with this brightening serum which reduces the appearance of fine lines and winkles, and improves loss of firmness for fresher, younger looking skin.

Timeless Skin Care Hyaluronic Acid Serum + Vitamin C

Kick start your daily skincare routine with this essential serum. It contains Vitamin C to brighten, clarify, and protect the skin and Hyaluronic Acid to pump up the moisture levels.

Retinoids are considered to be the holy grail anti-ageing ingredient, with years of studies and evidence to support its claims. Retinoids are a vitamin A-derived molecule that work deeper in the collagen to help with collagen remodelling, as well as on the skin surface to increase skin cell turnover and improve pigmentation and uneven skin tone. The word "retinoid" is an umbrella term that encompasses a number of more specific ingredients, including over the counter retinol and prescription-strength retinoids like tretinoin.

While retinoids are considered to be one of the most effective anti-ageing ingredients we have available, retinoids-especially prescription-strength retinoids-can also be extremely effective acne treatments.

DermaQuest SkinBrite Retinol Brightening Serum

This retinol brightening serum provides intense exfoliation resulting in a smoother, more even skin tone and texture. This potent brightening serum can help to dissipate visible photodamage and improves your skin's overall structure.

Dr Dennis Gross Ferulic + Retinol Anti-Aging Moisturiser

This rich, luxurious anti-aging moisturiser helps visibly smooth rough texture, wrinkles, and expression lines. It contains retinol, ferulic acid and a potent blend of actives that help increase skin's moisture barrier, firm the appearance of sagging skin, leaving skin, even softer and smoother.

ROC Retinol Correxion Deep Wrinkle Serum

This retinol serum is clinically proven to make skin look 10 years younger! Do we need any other reason to love this product? It visibly reduces deep wrinkles, and smooths the face and neck in just 4 weeks.

Peptides are building blocks of protein that send signals to help build collagen and hydration. While less-often discussed than ingredients like SPF and retinol, studies have shown peptides to have a role in a healthy ageing routine.

CosMedix Elite Relief Soothing Peptide Gel

This soothing serum is infused with a unique sodium hyaluronate gel that delivers instant hydration and relief to dry, sensitive skin. It helps to speed up the skin’s natural healing process.

DermaQuest Peptide Vitality Nourishing Peptide Cream

This nourishing peptide cream is an extremely potent antioxidant moisturiser that inhibits the breakdown of collagen, regulates cell renewal and provides rich hydration for dehydrated skin.

For dry skin in particular, hyaluronic acid can deliver an immediate plumping effect as well as improve the skin over time. Hyaluronic Acid is one of the best anti-ageing ingredients, as it holds 1000x its weight in water, meaning that it will help hydrate the skin and is pleasing for dry skin and wrinkles.

Timeless Skin Care Pure Hyaluronic Acid Serum

This hydrating serum will rehydrate skin and boost skin's moisture levels with its 100% Pure Hyaluronic Acid. This can hold up to 1000 times its weight in water, making it the number one, go-to ingredient for hydration.

Dr Dennis Gross Hyaluronic Marine Oil-Free Moisture Cushion

This marine-enriched moisture cushion is infused with beautiful ingredients to to enhance skin’s elasticity and moisture content. It provides balanced, lightweight hydration to smooth fine lines and experience a dewy, healthy complexion without looking greasy.

Peter Thomas Roth Water Drench Hyaluronic Cloud Serum

This powerful serum is enriched with 75% hyaluronic acid to help keep skin hydrated. A soothing complex that replenishes dehydrated skin with vital nourishment, imparts a look of youthful radiance, and smooths the appearance of fine lines and rough skin texture.

Niacinamide is a bit of a show-off when it comes to benefits for our skin. From boosting hydration to fading hyper-pigmentation, there's not much it doesn't claim to help with. Extensive research has shown niacinamide works to protect skin from environmental damage and also helps skin to make more collagen and hyaluronic acid. It improves hydration, reduces signs of ageing, diminishes enlarged pores, and significantly lessens skin discolouration.

DermaQuest Advanced Therapy B3 Youth Serum

This serum contains Vitamin B3 which is a potent blend of niacinamide (b3), papyrus plant stem cells and a smoothing peptide complex that work together to control oil production, reduce pigmentation and firm the skin and keep it hydrated and protected.

Exuviance OptiLight Brightening Serum

This brightening serum evens out the skin tone by preventing dark spots formation and minimising existing hyperpigmentation. With ingredients like niacinamide, it helps exfoliate and break up the pigment, minimises the melanin in the skin and improves skin quality.

Dr Dennis Gross B3 Adaptive SuperFoods Stress Rescue Super Serum

This silky-smooth anti-stress serum is powered by niacinamide (B3), superfoods, and other powerful ingredients to boost absorption of vital nutrients to help correct and prevent visible signs of stress such as worry lines, dullness, flareups, and compromised skin.