Skincare Ingredients 101: Understanding Retinol, Hyaluronic Acid, and Vitamin C

With access to so many of our favourite celebs and influencers online nowadays, it’s no wonder that we’re seeing all of their favourite skincare products and routines.

And don’t get us wrong, that’s super fun. But it can get confusing, can’t it? 

When your favourite influencer is telling you all about ‘Retinol Cream’ this and ‘Vitamin C Serum’ that, and you’re feeling like you’re out of the loop, it can be disheartening.

We’re here to help! By understanding the ingredients in your skincare and how they help your skin, you can feel confident that your skincare routine is perfect for you.

Consider this your skincare ingredients 101!

 

Hyaluronic Acid

 

We’re starting off strong with a classic skincare ingredient, Hyaluronic Acid.

 

Hyaluronic Acid is actually already found in our bodies, as a naturally occurring glycosaminoglycan found in our connective tissue (that just means they’re a carbohydrate or sugar in the body!)

 

As the main ingredient that gives our skin structure, it’s what we can thank for skin looking plump and full. With this in mind, it’s no wonder that it’s used in so many skincare products including creams, serums, and cleansers.

 

This powerhouse ingredient helps our skin in so many ways, including:

 

Anti-ageing: Hyaluronic Acid helps the skin stretch, reducing fine lines and wrinkles whilst also stimulating the body to produce more collagen.

 

Reduces scarring: It encourages wounds to heal faster, meaning less acne and spot scars.

 

Hydration: By helping the skin retain water molecules, hyaluronic acid delivers essential hydration to the skin, keeping it looking fresh and radiant for longer.

 

 

Moving on to an ingredient closely associated with oranges…anyone? That’s right, Vitamin C.

 

Vitamin C is found in a lot of foods including peppers, strawberries, broccoli, potatoes, and so much more, but it’s also a staple ingredient in skincare.

 

Also known as ascorbic acid, Vitamin C helps to protect our cells and keep them healthy. By doing this it maintains the skin through:

 

Anti-ageing: Like Hyaluronic Acid, Vitamin C helps promote collagen production in the skin, meaning fewer fine lines and wrinkles. 

 

Sun protection: With antioxidant properties, Vitamin C can protect skin cells from free radicals caused by UV exposure.

 

Reducing hyperpigmentation: It can also reduce the formation of excess melanin which leads to things like dark spots, helping the skin to look brighter and smoother, with an overall even skin tone.

 

And finally, Retinol. 

 

As a form of Vitamin A, retinol is another very popular skincare ingredient. It is a type of retinoid that can be applied topically to the skin in creams, gels, lotions, and serums. 

Like other exfoliating ingredients, retinol can cause the skin to become slightly more sensitive to the sun, so remember that it’s key to have an SPF as part of your skincare routine every day, all year round (we’re sure you do, just checking!)

 

Like our last two ingredients, Retinol is a powerful ingredient that benefits the skin in a lot of ways:

 

Anti-ageing: Retinol works great alongside ingredients like Hyaluronic Acid and Vitamin C to bring together all of their anti-ageing abilities. It helps to reduce fine lines, wrinkles, sun spots, and uneven skin texture.

• It also slows the breakdown of collagen in the skin, promoting more elastic, firmer skin.

 

Treating acne: Retinol can also help to prevent clogged pores which lead to acne. It does this by exfoliating away dead skin cells to make room for new ones.