Follow our guide and buff up on the latest beauty jargon with our A to Z of must-have skincare on the high street
Our no-nonsense guide will help you sort the spin from the science and protect your skin with products this Spring
HAVING a hard time selecting your skincare products?
No wonder, with so many buzzword-heavy treatments containing acids, retinols and collagen exploding on to the market. And Brits spend £1.1billion a year on cosmetics.
But before you splash out half of your salary on a plethora of new lotions and potions, consult this no-nonsense A to Z guide put together by Fabulous Daily’s LYNSEY CLARKE.
It will help you sort the spin from the science.
A — ASTAXANTHIN
Astaxanthin is a powerful natural antioxidant derived from algae.
It protects skin and improves moisture and elasticity.
Try Solgar 5mg capsules, £11.99, landyschemist.com.
B — BOOSTERS
Boosters are a way to personalise skincare and target specific problems.
Use a few drops of Vitamin C 10-Day Glow Boosting Concentrate, £17, Body Shop, to combat “tired, grumpy skin”.
C — CORTISOL
(Celeb fave)
Cortisol, also known as the stress hormone, is contributing to a 200 per cent rise in adults seeking acne treatment.
Look for non-comedogenic products. Charlize Theron swears by Cetaphil Gentle Cleanser, £8.99, Superdrug.
D — DERMABRASION
Dermabrasion is a clinical exfoliation to treat acne scarring, while microdermabrasion is used to even out skin tone, soften fine lines and reduce blackheads.
Always consult a dermatologist first.
E — EXFOLIATION
Exfoliation is the process of removing old cells from the skin’s surface, but it can cause irritation.
St Ives Apricot Scrub is the subject of a law suit in the US over claims it agitates and tears skin.
Use with caution.
F — FISH OIL
Fish oil contains omega-3 fatty acids that can hydrate, prevent spots and delay ageing.
Take Wiley’s Finest Peak EPA Fish Oil, £25.99, bodykind.com.
G — GENETICS
Genetics are being used in a new wave of bespoke products.
London-based firm Geneu offers free DNA tests that can be used to make a serum just for you.
H — HYALURONIC ACID
Hyaluronic acid holds up to 1,000 times its own weight in water, helping to restore moisture in dehydrated skin.
Try Vichy Aqualia Thermal Dynamic Hydration Power Serum, £22.50, escentual.com.
I — INGESTIBLE SUPPLEMENTS
Ingestible supplements are full of ingredients to support skin from the inside.
Collagen Extra Marine 250ml, £29.99, thecollagenshop.com, promises to combat the signs of ageing by supplementing the body’s natural collagen production, which decreases with age.
J — JOJOBA
Jojoba is liquid wax made from jojoba beans.
It penetrates the skin, helping to regenerate cells and repair damage such as stretch marks.
Try The Jojoba Company 100% Natural Jojoba & Rosehip Oil, £16.95, Day Lewis Pharmacies.
K — KALE
Kale is full of vitamins and antioxidants that tighten pores, detoxify skin and reduce dark circles.
Freshen up with Nip+Fab Kale Dry Skin Fix clay mask, £6.46 (was £12.95), Boots.
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L — LACTIC ACID
Lactic acid is an alternative to exfoliation to remove dead skin cells.
It is the best type of acid for sensitive skin.
Too much can strip skin and increase sensitivity.
Always read the label and apply sunscreen daily while using.
Try The Ordinary Lactic Acid 10 Per Cent, £6, Asos.
M — MICELLAR WATER
(Star buy)
Micellar water is a gentle make-up remover and toner consisting of oil droplets in soft water that draw out grime without drying the skin.
Dermatologists recommend Bioderma Sensibo H20 Micellar Water, £10.50, Boots.
N — NIGHT MASKS
Night masks rehydrate skin overnight.
Try MaskerAide All Nighter Hydrating Sheet Mask, £5, Marks & Spencer.
The peppermint oil, aloe, argan oil, heartleaf, honey and cactus should cool down puffy eyes.
O — OATMEAL
Oatmeal has particles called avenanthramides that are known to be anti-inflammatory.
It is used to soothe skin.
Use Aveeno Cream with Natural Colloidal Oatmeal, £6.99, Superdrug, on extremely dry skin.
P — PROBIOTICS
Probiotics are full of good bacteria and are used to calm redness.
Clinique Redness Solution Make-up SPF 15, £25, Boots, provides good coverage.
However, note that probiotics are not proven to cure acne or rosacea.
Q — COENZYME Q10
(Bargain buy)
Coenzyme Q10 occurs naturally in the body.
Some studies show topical use may help fight signs of ageing.
Dawn French says Nivea Daily Essentials Q10 Plus Anti-Wrinkle Day Cream SP15, £4.95, superdrug.com, is the key to her glowing skin.
R — RETINOL
(Splurge)
Retinol is the wonder-product of the moment.
Derived from vitamin A, it improves and plumps up collagen to reduce fine lines and wrinkles.
Apply thinly. Murad Retinol Youth Serum, £65, John Lewis or murad.co.uk.
S — SERUMS
(Miracle product)
SERUMS are an extra, applied after cleanser and before moisturiser.
Boots started the trend and its updated No7 Lift & Luminate Triple Action Serum, £27, will reduce lines over time.
T — TEA TREE OIL
Tea Tree Oil is a well-known treatment for blemishes.
Apply directly to the area to avoid drying out skin elsewhere – and use sparingly.
Try Tea Tree Oil, £8.50, Body Shop.
U — ULTRAVIOLET RAYS
Guarding against ultraviolet rays – also known as broad-spectrum protection – is essential, even in cloudy weather.
Use products with an SPF of at least 30 to protect against UVB (sunburn) and UVA (skin ageing and cancer).
V — VITAMIN C
Vitamin C brightens skin and slows down damage from sunlight and pollution with its antioxidants.
Try Jason C-Effects Super C Cleanser, £10.29, Holland & Barrett.
W — WATER
Water makes up 80 per cent of the body when we are born but reduces to 50 per cent as we age.
Try Institut Esthederm’s Cellular Water Spray, £16, feelunique.com.
X — XANTHOPHYLL
Also known as lutein, xanthophyll is an anti-oxidant often used in anti-ageing products.
For a natural fix, eat leafy greens such as spinach and kale, in which the chemical forms naturally.
Y — YUZA
Yuza is a citrus fruit high in vitamin C and is used in South Korea – which is a global capital for beauty innovation – to protect against premature signs of ageing.
Erborian Yuza Sorbet Eye, £28, House of Fraser, also includes vitamin E.
Z — ZINC OXIDE
Zinc oxide is the product you want in your sunscreen.
Unlike chemical suncreams that absorb rays, mineral ones using zinc oxide create a protective barrier to deflect UV rays instead.
Try Clinique Mineral Sunscreen Fluid For Face SPF50, £22, lookfantastic.com.
Find Boots discounts and offer codes on The Sun Vouchers