THE LATEST MUST HAVE INGREDIENTS
Move over Hyaluronic Acid. Stem Cells? So last year Nowadays, the ever-changing skin care markets moves at breakneck speed. New skin care ingredients and skin care advancements are being discovered practically every day. While we all raved about coconut oil in 2014, this year there are even newer discoveries or extracts that have been used before coming back into vogue. But which ones are worth trying and why. Below we demystify the latest hero ingredients on the market and the products you can find them in. The tried and tested ingredients should still hold a place in your skin care regimen, but these are the new and exciting ingredients and trends that you should try.
- ACTIVATED CHARCOAL
What it does: It’s the hot ingredient of the moment and been added to everything from cleansers through to face masks. But don’t worry this isn’t the coal you put on the Bbq, but activated charcoal powder that has been specially treated. Although not strictly new- it has been used in medicine for many years mainly to treat alcohol poisoning and drug overdoses – it works by attaching and absorbing toxins in the stomach before they hit the bloodstream. Now it has been reformulated for skincare and the theory is similar, in that it will act like a magnet to absorb dirt and oil. Highly absorbent, it draws out the impurities from skin and also help with exfoliation, making it ideal for oily and acne prone skin. The deep cleansing properties also mean serums and moisturisers will be more effective as they can penetrate deeper
Try it :Origins Clear Improvement Active Charcoal Mask, £23 and Clear Improvement Charcoal Body Wash, £25
- FULVIC ACID
What it does: Already popular in Australia and China, this powerful antioxidant is actually a by-product of decomposing plants which sounds pretty awful but it actually has powerful anti inflammatory powers and so it great for soothing sensitive skins. Some studies also suggest it has anti ageing properties and can help dehydrated skin as well as eczema.
Try it: Pur Minerals Miracle Mist Hydrating Spray £15 marksandspencer.com
- IRISH PEAT
What it does: The incredible properties of peat – the bog material formed when plant remains partially decompose – are well documented – ancient ‘bog bodies’ with well preserved features which had been naturally mummified within a peat bog have reportedly left scientists speechless. Bogs are almost exclusively in central Ireland and their Celtic forefathers often used peat to heal themselves after a day’s battle. Now the peat that preserved many of these ancient bodies has inspired a new luxury peat based skincare range called Ogra – the Irish word for youth. Peat contains a powerful antioxidant, called trolox, the water soluble equivalent of vitamin E along with zinc copper, iron, selenium and rotted plants such as bog whortleberry which is claimed can promote collagen production, tighten pores slow the ageing process and restore the skin’s natural PH balance. In more recent times peat has been used to treat skin conditions like acne and psoriasis through the use of peat baths in Europe
Try It: Ogra Peat Face and Body Mask which contains 100 per cent organic peat – £59.95 www.ograskincare.com
- PRICKLY PEAR
What it does: Move over argan oil, prickly pear is the next big thing on the skincare radar. Boasting essential fatty acids omegas 3 and 6 as well as extremely high in Vitamin C, it will help boost collagen production, kick-start cell turnover and improve hydration.
Try it: Moroccan Natural Prickly Pear Seed Oil, £23.80 www.beautybay.com
- KAKADU PLUM
What it does: This green, Australian plum is popping up in hair and skin products, contains the highest concentration of vitamin C found in nature, 55 times more than a naval orange Vitamin C is a powerful antioxidant that helps protect skin from free radicals and is also helpful for UV damaged skin. In addition to brightening and protecting skin it also has shine boosting properties for hair
Try it: Molton Brown Plum-kadu Glossing Shampoo £18 and Glossing Conditioner £18 moltonbrown.co.uk
- RHAMNOSE
What it does: Unlike retinoids, which work by increasing cell turnover (often leaving redness and flaking), rhamnose, a naturally derived active ingredient found in a Brazilian plant signals a jump-start, telling the relevant cells to behave like younger versions of themselves, The sugar molecule was shown to thicken the epidermis significantly after eight weeks and boost production of elastin, collagen, and other beneficial proteins while diminishing the enzymes that break down collagen and lead to wrinkles.
Try it: Vichy LiftActiv Serum 10 £35.50
- MARULA OIL
What it does: The new kid on the oil block. this is from the fruit of the African marula tree, rich in essential fatty acids that mimic those that exist naturally in the outer layer of the skin as well as antioxidants, vitamin C and E . The best thing is it is surprisingly non oily and quickly absorbed without leaving and greasy residue.
Try it: Clarins Pure Melt Cleansing Gel £20.50 from most department stores.
- CAMU CAMU
What it does: Amazon region, are known for their high antioxidant levels and skin brightening properties and are said to contain about 30 times more vitamin C than a piece of fruit. They are also rich in ellagic acid which can help protect skin from free radicals.
Try it: MyChelle Pumpkin Renew Cream £23.50 www.mychelleuk.com
- BOOSTER INGREDIENTS
What it does: Sometimes skincare needs to get even smarter to meet specific requirements. Different factors can alter skins needs throughout the year. Temporary changes such as lifestyle, mood, stress levels, hormones and even geographical location affect the way skin acts. The latest trend is to fix the imbalance with skin boosters which should be added to your current skin regime
Try it: Hylamide new booster series for dehydration, sensitivity and dullness. Try Hylamide Glow Radiance Booster a fast acting serum that creates a radiant skin as subtle touch of tan. It contains Keta-suga which develops a tan in just two days, as well as Glutathione, which evens out skin tone and pigmentation. £20 boots.com
- MEDICAL GRADE MANUKA HONEY
What it does: From skin care multi tasker to wellness elixir, honey has always been one of the hottest health ingredients and the hydrating power of Manuka honey is especially good for skin care as it is rich in anti oxidants and helps balance the skin’s ph. levels. Now medical grade Manuka honey is available, designed to help eczema suffers, target broken and infected skin and support the healing of skin and wound infections. It uses the same key ingredients used in hospitals for treating wounds along with aloe vera and plant butters.
Try it: Medihoney Natural Derma Cream, £10 www.comvita.co.uk
Ever wondered why your cheeks seem to get more wrinkles than your forehead, or that some lines seem more deeply etched than others? A new study suggests that differences in the number of oil glands may explain why wrinkles are different on various parts of the face. Japanese scientists who carried out the new research claim that the presence of oil secreting glands and a thinner layer of skin might be a cause for developing wrinkles which may pave the way for a new line of anti wrinkle skin care.
SUMMER SOS
We often think dry, cracked lips are a winter problem but the sun and harmful UV rays can be just as harmful. Lips have a much thinner stratum corneum than the rest of the face, with about 5 cellular layers compared to around 16 layers in facial skin. The fact they have no sebaceous glands also means they can quickly lose hydration and can even get sunspots. When using sunscreen, don’t forget your lips. Try La Roche Posay Anthelios XL SPF50+ Stick which is quick and easy to apply and can also be used on the nose, ears and other sensitive areas £11 feelunique.com
LEG IT
If long flights and travelling leave legs puffy and feeling heavy give them an instant makeover with Legology’s new instant leg fixes. . Legology Exfo-Lite Stimulating Salts for Legs is a new detoxifying leg scrub. which combines sea salt with diuretic Himalayan pink salt. Both salts will polish skin and help stimulate the lymph for deep drainage to contour lighten and energise the legs. The salts come packed in individual treatment sachets so ideal to pop in your luggage or handbag and should be used on dry skin before showering (.£42 for five sachets available exclusively from Liberty). For bare-leg confidence finish with Legology Sun Lite , dubbed sheer lingerie for legs. A jelly –cream formula, which contains caffeine and centella to boost circulation as well as a wash off tan pigment to give a legs a lightly bronzed finish. (£36 legology.co.uk)
