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The Biggest Skincare Ingredients to Know in 2024
In recent years, we’ve seriously increased our skincare ingredient knowledge. With brands like The Ordinary exploding in popularity thanks to its no-fuss, ‘does what it says on the tin’ approach and science-backed names like Orveda and Cellcosmet bringing clinical ingredients straight to our bathroom cabinets, it’s clear that the skincare lexicon once reserved for laboratories and those in-the-know is now firmly part of our everyday routines.
But, with so much information out there, it can feel overwhelming when choosing the right skincare ingredients for your routine. And deciphering between TikTok’s buzziest beauty trends as a fad or a game-changing investment can make the process even more complex. Thankfully, we’ve curated an essential handbook on the ingredients to know. As well as the usual suspects (vitamin C, retinol, and collagen), you’ll notice that there is a focus on skin-barrier-supporting ingredients that can help rebuild and soothe sensitive skin. Plus, we’ll be turning to mother nature for botanicals that help heal and calm skin (mushrooms and witch hazel taking centre stage). Not forgetting, of course, the biggest ingredients taking over the skincare world this year (exosomes and peptides, looking at you). Whatever your skincare needs, we’re sure you’ll find the right hero for you in our guide to the hottest skincare ingredients to know in 2024.
Flying Off The Shelves
You want it? We’ve got it. These are the trending ingredients that everyone is talking about for 2024.
Exosomes
Shop Dr. Barbara Sturm Exoso-Metic Face SerumExosomes have been making its way into the latest (and tech-savvy) skincare launches. Though formally reserved for aesthetic treatments to support downtime and reduce any inflammation, brands such as Dr. Barbara Sturm are using exosomes to help slow down skin’s ageing process. These cell signallers work to help increase collagen production, improve inflammation and skin texture, as well as boost your skin’s ability to repair itself.
Peptides
Shop Lancôme Rénergie H.P.N. 300-Peptide Face CreamPeptides – the building blocks of proteins – have been getting a lot of attention in the skincare world lately. That’s because, when it comes to your complexion, these short chains of amino acids yield results. Stars such as Lancôme’s Rénergie H.P.N. 300-Peptide Face Cream are fantastic for your skin as it helps skin cells to perform at its best, boosting collagen and elastin production while strengthening your skin barrier.
Mushrooms
Shop Origins Dr. Andrew Weil Mega-Mushroom Fortifying EmulsionMore specifically, tremella mushrooms, which are having a moment. The superfood operates in a similar way to hyaluronic acid, drawing additional moisture beneath your skin’s surface for plumping and rejuvenating results. Favourites such as Origins’ Dr. Andrew Weil Mega-Mushroom Relief & Resilience Advanced Face Serum is favoured for its ability to hydrate skin but also calm any redness and soothe your complexion.
The Acid Alphabet
We have AHAs, BHAs and PHAs, then there is hyaluronic acid, glycolic, lactic, mandelic and polyglutamic … yes, there are a lot of acids in the skincare ingredient world, all with very important roles to play to give you the best skin of your life. Being the parents of the group, AHAs, BHAs and PHAs come in handy to help resurface and brighten skin. Loosening dead skin cells (AHAs), de-clogging pores (BHAs) and gently exfoliating (PHAs) – they are key in revealing new, healthy skin underneath. Within these ingredient families we have exciting new formulas that are brightening, blemish-busting and fortifying for your skin barrier.
Azelaic Acid
Shop Paula’s Choice Azelaic Acid BoosterWhen it comes to azelaic acid, there’s a long list of benefits as far as your dermis is concerned. Not only can regular use improve hyperpigmentation, breakouts and even skin tone, but it also has a ton of skin-soothing benefits making it especially suited to sensitive skin types.
Linoleic Acid
Shop Perricone MD Chia OilOtherwise known as Vitamin F, expect to see linoleic acid cropping up more and more this year. What’s all the fuss about? A type of polyunsaturated fatty acid which helps look after the epidermal barrier, it’s an essential ingredient to protect against external aggressors and adds vital hydration.
Tranexamic Acid
Shop Dermalogica Liquid PeelfoliantAnother blemish-busting ingredient that helps to fade discolouration after a breakout. Tranexamic acid is a derivative for the amino acid, lysine, and improves the appearance of discolouration.
Polyglutamic acid
Shop Omorovicza Midnight Renewal SerumSo, you’ve heard that hyaluronic acid is the most hydrating amongst them all? Well, not exactly. Proven to be four times more hydrating than our beloved HA, polyglutamic acid is a strong contender when it comes to locking in moisture. Plus, this little-known polymer also helps support your skin barrier and tackles fine lines.
Lactic Acid
Shop Biologique Recherche Crème aux Acides de FruitsAn exfoliating ingredient that works predominantly on the surface of your skin, lactic acid sloughs away dead skin cells and increases new cell turnover to firm your complexion.
Mandelic Acid
Shop Paula’s Choice Skin Perfecting 25% AHA + 2% BHA Exfoliant PeelA gentle exfoliating acid that sits within the AHA family, mandelic acid accelerates cell turnover and is beneficial for treating acne and stimulating collagen production.
Kojic Acid
Shop Nurse Jamie Fade To Light Pigment Erase Bar in a JarThe underrated ingredient for fading hyperpigmentation, kojic acid is a pivotal skin brightening ingredient that inhibits the production of melanin.
Sustainable Heroes
Squalane
Shop Biossance 100% Squalane OilCreated through a sustainable process known as biotechnology, this saturated hydrocarbon provides next-level hydration and locks in moisture. It also mimics your skin’s natural oils which helps hydrate and soften your complexion.
Honey
Shop Gisou Hair OilOr, surplus honey which, when used as a sustainably sourced ingredient can do wonders for your beauty routine. Gisou, for example, uses leftover honey to create nourishing hair and scalpcare that would otherwise go to waste.
Centella Asiatica
Shop Kiehl’s Centella Calming BalmStimulating collagen production, packed with amino acids, and providing anti-inflammatory benefits, centella asiatica will firm, repair and soothe skin whilst also decreasing moisture loss and aid in cellular repair.
Skintellectuals
Want to know what the experts and those in the know call upon as part of their daily skincare routine? From the under-the-radar ingredients to those clinically-proven staples, here’s what you’ll find in the skincare bags of the most clued up skintellectuals.
An antioxidant derived from vitamin A, retinol is the only ingredient scientifically proven to reduce signs of ageing. For those new on the retinol journey, start with a low percentage and work your way up – as it can cause irritation, including sun sensitivity, so it’s best used in the PM and followed up with a sunscreen the next day. If you’re a retinol regular, opt for retinal, it’s 11 times stronger than retinol, and will boost your complexion’s reparative process much faster. Consider La Prairie’s Skin Caviar Nighttime Oil or Murad’s Retinal ReSculpt Overnight Treatment.
Vitamin C is not only an antioxidant, meaning it protects your skin from free radical damage that can lead to early signs of ageing (therefore it’s best used in the AM), but it can also boost collagen production and reduce pigmentation. Try a vitamin C serum for maximum potency. Newbies to the vitamin C crew of note include Dr Barbara Sturm’s The Good C and Kylie Skin by Kylie Jenner's Vitamin C Face Serum.
Collagen is what keeps our skin supple, bouncy and ‘plump’, making up 75% of its structure, but depletes at a rather rapid pace as we age – hence wrinkles and ‘sagging’ occur. Keep those levels high (a trend known as ‘collagen banking’) by supplementing regularly and including it in your routine – you’ll find it in lots of skincare including Murad’s Rapid Collagen Infusion Serum, Dr Dennis Gross’ C+ Collagen line and Estée Lauder’s Re-Nutriv Ultimate Diamond Transformative Energy Crème.
Sensitive Skin Solutions
Skin sensitivity is on the rise and the cause is down to myriad factors. Genetic differences in the skin’s protective barrier can mean that your skin is more likely to react to a whole range of influences such as over-exfoliation, environmental aggressors and even the change in temperatures can disrupt the balance of your skin’s microbiome. This means that you may experience unwarranted breakouts, dry and flaky skin, redness and inflammation.
If you’re looking for advice, you can speak to our world-class experts in The Pharmacy and The Wellness Clinic for tailored-to-you guidance. You can also streamline your skincare shelf with products that have a calming effect. Look to cooling, alcohol-free and anti-inflammatory ingredients such as aloe vera, chamomile and calendula to soothe your skin. Plus, bolster your barrier between your skin and environmental aggressors with hydrating hyaluronic acid and ceramides.
Pre, Pro and Postbiotics
Shop Tata Harper Bio-Barrier SerumThese biome-friendly ingredients nurture the microbes that are essential to a healthy microbiome. Incorporated into your skincare routine this soothing trio will help to repair an imbalanced barrier while reducing dryness, redness and any irritation.
Witch Hazel
Shop Murad Clarifying TonerA species of flowering plants found in North America, Japan and China, this natural saviour has anti-inflammatory and antiviral properties. It’s the ideal candidate for relieving inflammation and reducing irritation.
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