The 6 Best Anti-Ageing Ingredients

Not an ingredient, but your best anti-ageing hero, so we could not start this list without it!

The biggest driver of premature skin ageing is UV rays and it's not just those harmful rays in the middle of the day that we need protection from, but daylight in general. From the moment the sun rises until it sets, we are surrounded by UVA rays (what we refer to as the 'ageing rays'). UVA Rays are the most damaging rays and can break down our collagen and elastin (the most important support structurea to keep our skin firm).

A daily application of sunscreen is a must for everyone, but especially if you have concerns of ageing and uneven skin tone! Applying a moisturiser with an in-built susncreen is the easiest way to ensure your skin is protected.

Retinol is a type of retinoid made from Vitamin A. It's a winning ingredient that targets multiple concerns on our skin. Here are some of the benefits of Retinol for the skin:

• Helps reverse the signs of skin ageing by accelerating skin cell renewal
• Reduces the appearance of wrinkles, fine lines and age spots
• Helps reduce the appearance of acne by helping prevent dead skin cells from clogging pores
• Helps clear breakouts at a faster rate
• Helps even skin tone

Peptides are proteins that are found in every human cell and they play a vital role in how our body function. They are referred to as 'messengers' and they communicate with cells what to do and what not to do. They are essential for life!

Peptides are essential for our skin because they support collagen, elastin and keratin in our body. These peptides keep our skin strong, resilient and are responsible for the texture of our skin too.

When applied topically to the skin, peptides act as little messengers, triggering skin cells to perform specific functions such as building collagen and elastin, encouraging the skin to look and act younger. They also have an amazing ability to turn off the function of a cell. For example, peptides can tell cells not to make melanin which shows itself as pigmentation on our skin.

Vitamin C is a powerhouse antioxidant and helps fight the signs of ageing on the skin. Vitamin C acts as an antioxidant, helping to protect cells from the free radical damage we encounter daily - think pollution, cigarette smoke, alcohol and overprocessed foods.

When applied topically to our skin, Vitamin C is one of the most potent antioxidants available – and it lives up to the hype, effectively tackling the primary causes of premature ageing.

Hyaluronic Acid has the incredible ability to hold moisture in the skin. Think of hyaluronic acid like a big drink of water for the skin. It penetrates the skin and binds water to skin cells, infusing all layers of the skin with valuable, rejuvenating moisture.

Unfortunately, as we age, our natural levels of Hyaluronic Acid reduce and combined with factors like pollution and UV rays, it's common to see an acceleration of dehydration in our skin.

AHA's are considered to be a chemical exfoliant, which means acids or enzymes are used to remove the dead skin cells from the surface of our skin by dissolving them. There are common types of AHA's commonly used in skincare products such as: Glycolic Acid, Lactic Acid, Malic Acid and Citric Acid.

BHA's help exfoliate the skin and are very effective in targeting concerns of ageing, acne and blemish-prone skin. The most popular BHA is Salicylic Acid. BHA exfoliants works on the upper layers of the skin, lifting dead skin cells away from the layer of healthy, radiant skin hidden underneath.

My name is Sarah and I am the founder of GLO Skin Body. With almost 20 years experience, I believe a professional relationship with your skin therapist is crucial in helping you to achieve your skin care goals and to ensure your skin is always looking and feeling its best. Whether it's in person or through our online support, Im here to guide and support you towards your healthiest skin ever.

On a personal note, I am a Mum of 3 so I understand completely the juggles and balancing of life and family commitments . My goal is to help everyone have an effective and enjoyable home care routine that gets you the results you want...no matter how busy you are!