If you’re interested in the Skincare scene, you may have noticed there are quite a few different keywords and ingredients that have emerged in recent years like ‘Retinol’ and ‘Glycolic Acid’, but what are they?!


If you’re unsure about these ingredients, you’re not alone. Even for a regular skincare junkie, it can be difficult to know what’s different about each one and what they do. But if you want to learn a little more about these new-found popular ingredients, then please keep reading!

Retinol:

Retinol is a form of Vitamin A, an ingredient that promotes skin renewal and enhances collagen production (which starts to deplete as we age). As well as improving the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, Retinol can also reverse some of the side effects of sun damage. Retinol is best for age 30+ skin with fine lines and wrinkles, but you can start using Retinols younger if you want to! Although younger skin types may not see the benefits as much as older skin types as they have less visible age concerns, however, prevention is always better than cure. Be aware that Retinol products should be phased into your routine gradually as initially they can cause some irritation due to an overwhelming amount of vitamin A being added to your skin. Therefore, for the first two weeks of using Retinol products apply it twice a week. For the next two weeks apply it every other night and from then on apply it every evening. If you feel your skin is irritated by this, drop down a step to allow your skin to naturally adjust to the higher levels of vitamin A in its system. Don’t forget to always apply retinol products at night! As retinol can be photosensitive. Also, we would recommend applying straight after cleansing to get the most benefit from the vitamin A and then place a moisturiser over the top if you feel you need more hydration. There are no specific ingredients you should avoid when using Retinol, but try to only use one product with vitamin A in your skincare routine, to control how much you apply to your skin. Doing so leads to multiple benefits like firmer, plumper skin with diminished fine lines and wrinkles, Retinol can also speed up the skin cell regeneration cycle, which encourages a smoother, more even complexion! YAY
Find Vitamin A in our post peel retinol 1% concentrate!


Glycolic Acid:

EEK ACID, Don’t be scared, they can be extremely beneficial! Glycolic acid belongs to a group of chemicals called alpha hydroxy acids (AHAs) and originally comes from Sugarcanes and is perfect for ageing and dull skin! At low concentrations, these types of acids can be very effective for skin. As with vitamin A (like Retinol) in skincare, it’s best to use low concentrations when you start using applying them to the skin as they can cause irritation. As the skin gets used to AHA’s you can increase the concentration without much risk of irritation or reaction. Rather than a physical exfoliant Glycolic acid chemically dissolves dead dull skin cells and goes that bit further! Glycolic is often prescribed to resolve major skin concerns related to dryness, texture, clarity, firmness and elasticity. Where dry skin can cause dullness, using an acid removes the top dull layer, promoting the production of collagen and elastin. This results in an even-toned radiant and glowing appearance! Again, we recommend to only use Glycolic acid at night as your skin will be more sensitive to sunlight when using acids and to avoid the eye area!
See our Glycolic E+F Ampoules!


Salicylic Acid:

Now we know Glycolic acid is great for ageing skin, Salicylic acid is great for spot prone and congested skin! A type of beta hydroxy acid (BHA) which is also found in Aspirin, Salicylic Acid is a multi-tasking ingredient that can tackle skin’s many problems and is often prescribed by Doctors but is now readily available at your local drugstores. Essentially Salicylic Acid breaks down the bond that keeps dead, dull cells glued together. If not broken, this bond can clog pores with daily grime along with oil, leading to dreaded blackheads and whiteheads. It’s also been proven to have renewing properties, helping to firm and plump the skin by promoting new cell turnover. The reason Salicylic Acid is able to give such a deep clean is that it can penetrate deeper into the pore lining than other while Alpha-hydroxy acids that only treat the surface layer of the skin. It’s therefore able to exfoliate inside the pore as well as the surface of the skin, winner winner! Helping to clear congested skin. On top of that, it can reduce sebum secretion, which is another way to treat acne. As with any acid product, when you first apply it to clean and dry skin at night you’ll probably experience some stinging and perhaps a little peeling or slightly reddened skin, but it’s actually safe to use on sensitive skin because of its anti-inflammatory properties! Over time, your skin will become used to it and any side effects will lessen; we recommend to start with a small percentage! Soon you’ll notice your skin to be smooth and clear!
Find 2% Salicylic Acid in our Resurfacing peel booster!


Vitamin C:

As health and wellbeing goes, Vitamin C is known as an essential staple in any skincare routine! Originally developed in Japan to lighten skin tone and reduce pigmentation. It evens out your skin tone, shields skin from the visible impacts of environmental pollution and sun damage, significantly improves hydration and collagen production and generally creates brighter, healthier skin and keeping your skin looking younger for longer! Vitamin C creams and serums are best applied in the morning as that is when it is absorbed most and protects your skin from the daily free radicals our eyes cannot see. It’s also worth noting that there are actually several different kinds of vitamin C to be aware of. Ascorbic Acid is the most common when it comes to skincare—it absorbs the quickest and has the highest potency when applied topically. Magnesium Ascorbyl Phosphate (MAP) is another water-soluble derivative of vitamin C that can be effective in lower concentrations. Then there’s Ester-C, a trademarked form of vitamin C that’s been amped up with Calcium Ascorbate. This one comes with a lot of claims, but not a whole lot of data backing up. When in doubt, look for Ascorbic Acid. That’s really the one you want and what we would recommend!
Find stable Vitamin C in our AOX ferulic and Energy C range

Peptides:

As we age unfortunately our collagen breaks down and short segments of amino acids are formed, these are the tiny proteins and active molecules known as peptides, which provide us with significant anti-aging benefits! When collagen is reducing from age and environmental factors, it is not fully replaced. As a result, smooth, young skin slowly becomes thinner and wrinkled over time. As collagen deteriorates, it produces certain peptides – These peptides then send a “message” to your skin that it has lost collagen and needs to generate more. So when skin care peptide creams are applied topically, your skin “thinks” that it’s a collagen break down product and that your body needs to manufacture new collagen, ultimately helping to successfully minimise wrinkles and give your skin a more youthful appearance! You can find chronosmart peptides in our Collagen 360 essence!

We hope this has helped you to understand more in-depth about the products you are putting on your skin!
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