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Beauty
THE BEST INGREDIENTS FOR SUMMER SKIN
The powerhouse ingredients to add to your skincare regime.
As the mercury rises (finally) our skin comes under threat from UV exposure and increased perspiration. In addition to stocking up on the SPF, it’s important to keep your skin well hydrated and exfoliated to prevent buildup. To do that, you need to focus in on key ingredients. Don’t know where to start? We’ve recently added an A-Z of ingredients online, so you can make sure you’re always on the right track before making a purchase.
To get started, we’ve broken down a few of our favourite summer skincare ingredients worth embracing from now right through to autumn (and in some cases, even beyond).
Vitamin C
Vitamin C is a potent antioxidant that protects the skin against photo-damage, stimulates collagen synthesis and fights against free-radical damage, helping to reduce wrinkles and discolouration. Vitamin C plus your sunscreen helps to both repair and protect and offers your best defence against free radical damage. It’s also thought to have brightening benefits, so if you’re concerned about developing brown spots or sun spots, incorporating this ingredient into your morning skincare routine can be a helpful way to prevent that or improve the appearance of skin as well.
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Aloe Vera
Aloe Vera has long been recommended as a soothing antidote for sunburnt skin. Thanks to TikTok, the centuries-old plant has undergone a modern revival and is currently one of the most hyped ingredients of the summer – aloe vera juice has been trending on the social media platform, with upwards of 12.2 million video views. But this is one trend worth following. Thanks to its naturally hydrating and soothing properties, Aloe Vera is the ingredient that will save and smooth your skin. The aloe latex in particular is a sticky gel and is the part of the plant that is best for topical application. Consisting of 90% water, Aloe Vera as a botanical extract has extremely hydrating properties. Similarly to arbutin, aloe inhibits the production of melanin (responsible for dark spots) by inhibiting tyrosinase, the rate-limiting enzyme for controlling the production of melanin.
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Hyaluronic Acid
Keeping your skin hydrated is even more important in the summer months, especially if you're using exfoliants and retinoids. Hyaluronic acid holds water to help keep the skin hydrated and plump. Holding a thousand times its weight in water, hyaluronic acid prevents the moisture from escaping the skin and retains it within the skin’s cells in order to deliver a brighter and plumper complexion. It gives that dewy glow that we are constantly trying to recreate through make-up. Now, you won’t have to.
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CHARLOTTE TILBURY Hyaluronic Happikiss
€37.00
PESTLE & MORTAR Pure Hyaluronic Serum
€45.00
111 SKIN Meso Infusion Overnight Micro Mask
Now €43.50
Was €145.00
NIOD Multi-Molecular Hyaluronic Complex (MMHC2)
€34.00 - €58.00
HOURGLASS Illusion® Hyaluronic Skin Tint
€62.00
AHAs
Exfoliating can be a very helpful way to get rid of the dullness that we accumulate with the dead skin buildup from the winter months. Just be careful not to do it too frequently—once or twice a week is sufficient. To exfoliate, use alpha-hydroxy acids like lactic acid or salicylic acid. Renowned for their brightening benefits, AHAs may suit a more dry, dehydrated and mature skin types. A targeted, active cleanser that includes exfoliating acids or enzymes will allow for a more controlled mode of exfoliating, which will encourage your skin to exfoliate away any dead skin cells by dissolving the bonds keeping them attached to the surface of the skin. Hello, summer skin!
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THE ORDINARY AHA 30% + BHA 2% Peeling Solution
€10.80
SKINGREDIENTS Skingredients AHA Cleanse Brightening + Exfoliating Lactic Acid Cleanser Refill Tube 100ml
€28.00
THE ORDINARY Glycolic Acid 7% Toning Solution
€13.90
DERMALOGICA Dynamic Skin Daily Superfoliant
€76.00
MALIN+GOETZ Resurfacing Face Serum
€74.00
MORE TO READ
With your skin safely protected for the sunny days ahead, why not plan a fun summer adventure? See what 3 Irish Creatives have planned for the season in What’s On Your Radar.