Daniel Isaacs, chief product officer at Medik8, shares the three skincare ingredients he recommends for smoother, more youthful skin.
Hyaluronic acid
“Hyaluronic acid is one of the major components of our natural extracellular matrix, the very framework our skin sits on,” shares Isaacs, “and [it] has a unique ability to attract and retain more than 1,000 times its own weight in water.” Look for products that contain multiple weights of hyaluronic acid, with smaller molecules penetrating deep into the skin and “drawing moisture up from the lower layers of the dermis”, while larger ones sit on the surface of the skin “to create a moisture reservoir, feeding the upper layers and preventing moisture from escaping”. The end result? Supple, nourished and healthy skin.
Intuisse Active NAD+ Eye Serum
£155
Intuisse
Eucerin Hyaluron-Filler + Elasticity Anti-Ageing Face Cream SPF15
£36
Boots
Fresh Kombucha Facial Treatment Essence
£72
SpaceNK
Orveda The Bio-Tech Emulsion
£305
Orveda
Matrixyl 3000
This peptide blend can work miracles when it comes to retaining skin’s natural strength and resilience – visibly reducing the appearance of fine lines and stimulating collagen production to boot. “Peptides started to gain traction in 2005 when a clinical paper was published in the International Journal of Cosmetic Science showing the improvement of sun-damaged skin with Matrixyl in 2005,” says Isaacs. “From then on, peptides have become more and more coveted within skincare.”
The Ordinary Matrixyl 10% + HA High Strength Peptide Formulation
£10.40
Look Fanatastic
Skin + Me Brighten + Boost Firming Vitamin C Serum
£19.99
Skin+Me
Cellular Goods Rejuvenating Cannabinoid Face Serum
£99
Cellular Goods
Omnilux Peptide Concentrate
£48
Omnilux Led
Retinol
A gold standard skincare ingredient for a reason, “retinol works to support collagen and elastin production… It also helps to speed up cell renewal, encouraging newer and fresher-looking cells to come to the surface,” says Isaacs. While it’s widely considered “the best ingredient for maintaining younger-looking skin”, a word of caution: “If retinol is delivered too quickly, the skin can become irritated.” As always, it’s best to start with the lowest possible potency and work up from there.
Elizabeth Arden Retinol + HPR Ceramide Capsules Rapid Skin Renewing Serum
£51 £40.80
Elizabeth Arden
La Roche-Posay Retinol B3 Anti-Ageing Serum
£45
Look Fantastic
SkinCeuticals Retinol 0.3 Corrective Treatment
£65
Look Fantastic
CeraVe Resurfacing Retinol Serum
£21
Look Fantatsic