Its a question I get asked all the time what key skincare ingredients do we need in our routine. It can be quite daunting for the every day woman to work out what is really important and what can we live without. The list can be endless and exensive as well so I wanted to break it down to what really is important for healthy glowing skin. You have to be commited to your skincare routine for it to really work. I have a day and night routine because I want to achieve the best results. You may feel that in your 20’s you didn’t have to be bothered but I promise you speaking from experience and now being in my 40’s you have to take care of your skin.

There are 3 key ingredients that I always recommend and that are key for your skin. Vitamin A and C plus the hydration powerhouse Hyaluronic Acid. Of course there are other amazing ingredients but as long as you have these 3 you can’t go wrong. But don’t forget your sunscreen too!

Vitamin A:

So many people I chat to don’t use this important ingredient. I used to be like that until I became a blogger and now its an integral part of my beauty routine. Ageing skin is a direct result of sun induced Vitamin A deficiency. Its basically the key element in lots of anti-ageing products that helps deal with skin concerns such as fine lines, wrinkles, hyper pigmentation and so much more.

It helps to speed up healing, prevent breakouts and support the skin’s immune system and promotes natural moisturising – which means the Vitamin A helps to hydrate the skin effectively, giving the skin a radiant glow. By introducing this into your routine you will be working towards healthy skin.

There are lots of Vitamin A products on the market and it can be confusing.  Check out Dermastore if you are looking to introduce Vitamin A into your skin. They break it down beautifully from first time users to oily acne prone skin. There are also Vitamin A derivatives such as Retinol which I have only just introduced into my routine. I wish I had introduced it sooner as its a real game changer for the skin. I will be focusing on Retinol in a later post in the next few weeks as have just started using the Environ Retinol serum and had my first retinol facial yesterday.

I introduced Environ into my skincare routine almost two years ago a South African Skincare brand created by Dr Des Fernandes . I used their C-Quence step up range which slowly introduces Vitamin A to the skin. Plus I also have about two Vitamin A facials a month as they key for anti-ageing and help keep my skin super healthy. The Environ Skin Institute in Cape Town is definitely one of my fav places.

You obviously don’t have to be as excessive as me but you do need to incorporate into your routine. My goal is youthful looking skin and although I am now 44 I have worked hard to keep those fine lines at bay. 

As well as Environ I also love Lamelle another SA brand their Corrective Serums RA 3.0 and RA 5.0 are amazing. Also try the Brighter Serum if you struggle with pigmentation like me.

Vitamin C:

This amazing antioxidant has given a glow to my skin like never before plus it helps with the fight against pigmentation. Living in a hot climate and having kids has not been kind to my skin. This ingredient is a life saver for brightening and lightening and helps with sun damage. Great to reduce dark spots and prevent new ones forming. Vitamin C also increases our antioxidant levels and gives such an amazing glow to the skin.

Its such a potent ingredient that its prevent or reduces damage to our cells by neutralizing the production of highly reactive molecules called free radicals. It also aids in your skin’s natural regeneration process, which helps your body repair damaged skin cells. Vitamin C helps with unseven skin tones, smooths out skin, helps treat acne, fine lines and dull looking skin. Plus helping to offset daily aggressors like UV damage and exposure to air pollution.

Vitamin c is highly acidic, when vitamin C is used topically the skin is triggered to heal itself by accelerating the production of collagen and elastin.

You can apply vitamin C in a serum or cream form. I use Vitamin C every morning currently I am using the Elizabeth Arden Ceramide Capsules. They are amazing for the glow and are  178x more potent than traditional Vitamin C. I also love the Skoon Wow Wow Wonder Serum infused with Vitamin C and Hyaluronic Acid. Lamelle also have an amazing Vita C Lipid Correctives Serum .

Again will be writing a more extensive post on Viatmin C an goiung into more detail on products that I have tried and tested out. Its a big list.

Hyaluronic Acid:

This ingredient is known as the power house of hydration. Its key for instantly plumping fine lines and adding that glow I love so much.

Hyaluronic acid (HA) is a sugar found naturally in our skin that holds water and helps keep it hydrated and plump. The HA within our bodies holds a thousand times its weight in water to not only retain all that moisture in our skin and joints, but also prevent all that moisture from evaporating into the air. Just like collagen and elastin, the amount of naturally-occurring hyaluronic acid in our bodies decreases as we get older.

When used in skin care products like creams and serums, hyaluronic acid brings moisture to the surface of your skin. Because of its ability to draw and hold water, it can be used as a humectant in your skin care regimen. You don’t need to use it in more than one product in your routine because its so effective. Hyaluronic Acid works on all skin types even those that are oily and prone to breakouts.

I have absolutely fallen in love with the Vichy Mineral 89 Booster its like a shot of glow to the skin. Its infused with HA and the highest concentration of Vichy Thermal Mineralizing Water. Skin feels moisturised and glows so beautifully (full review coming soon). The Estee Lauder Night Repair Serum a cult beauty product keeps skin hydrated, plump and glowing. It definitely makes your your skin moreyouthful and radiant. I absolutely love this. I also mentioned the Skoon Wow Wonder Serum earlier on also a great one for hydration.

Sheet masks a great one for a shot of Hyaluronic Acid especially if you need a pick me up before you go out. I am a huge fan of Korean Skincare when it comed to their sheet masks. Glow Theory on line have some amazing ones. Also look out for the Skin Republic Sheet Mask love them.

Hope this has helped in answering some questions on skin. Will be focusing each week on ingredients and trying to make the maze of skincare products a little bit easier.

Shahnaz x