Own Your Face
If you feel bamboozled by all of the ingredients in skincare, and not sure which is the best one to choose, be reassured - you are definitely not alone. Every year it feels like there are more and more out there.
This month I am going to demystify some of the key ingredients to help you choose the best one for your skin.
Retinol
A derivative of Vitamin A, used to build collagen, reduce fine lines and improve the skin's texture. It is also used in the treatment of acne.
Unless you have a prescription based product, you should expect 8-10 weeks before you see results. You should build up gradually just using one or two days per week to start with. It does make skin sensitive to the sun, so make sure you ramp up your UV protection. Retinol can be quite drying, so make sure you moisturise regularly, and avoid any harsh exfoliants.
Hyaluronic Acid
This is definitely the one for you if you need moisture. It plumps the skin and helps it to retain water. It plays nicely with other products, so would be ideal to counteract the dryness of retinol for example. It's also suitable for all skins types and all ages, so a real winner.
Vitamin C
All about the glow, baby! Seriously, Vit C is an antioxidant and collagen booster - increasing your skin's natural glow and evening out any spots. Look for reasonably high levels of concentration - 20% plus in a serum or cream. Great in an eye cream for reducing fine lines. Vit C is a good choice for alternating with retinol.
Downsides? It breaks down when exposed to the sun, so is best used at night, and also look for airtight packaging. Store it away from daylight.
Peptides
Strengthens skin, boosting collagen production and speeding up wound healing. Ideal when you are in your 30s and upwards to combat the loss of that youthful firmness we all used to enjoy. In body creams it can help to reduce the appearance of stretch marks.
Of course, there are plenty of other ingredients, but these are the ones you hear about most often. If you would like to find out more about which Germaine de Capuccini products contain these ingredients please let me know.