Understand your skincare by knowing beauty jargon

Swot up on the latest skincare ingredients, and become a true beauty pro – no lab coat necessary.

Understanding Your Ingredients

Victoria Evans, education manager at Dermalogica, says, ‘Ingredients are listed in descending order, so highest concentration is first; look for key ingredients near the first half. Ingredients are, by law, listed with their INCI names, which can make deciphering tricky. Plus, botanical ingredients typically include their common name – for example, Lavandula Angustifolia (Lavender) Flower Extract.’

 

PHAs

We know all about AHAs and BHAs, but what about PHAs? Polyhydroxy acids are the gentlest of the exfoliating acids, melting away dead skin cells without causing any irritation. If you’ve suffered from stinging or redness from other acids, PHAs might be the perfect solution. Gatineau Exfoliating PHA + BHA Glow Tonique (R595, Woolworths) uses PHAs to boost hydration while exfoliating and brightening the skin. 

 

NeoStrata Glycolic Mousse Cleanser (R685, dermastore.co.za) uses a mix of PHA and AHA to deeply cleanse and exfoliate the skin, without leaving it with that tight, dry feeling.

 

Personalised

According to trend expert Grace Vernon, skincare gets extra personal this year. ‘What we are seeing is the democratisation of dermatology, as people take to social media for expert advice. This is paired with advances in tech, which allow us to gain an even greater understanding of our skin. Hyper-personalisation is at the heart of this, empowering the consumer with the ability to tailor their routines for the best results.’ Local brand Optiphi offers DNA testing, which can get into the nitty-gritty of exactly what your skincare needs, lifestyle and diet should look like to best support your health and skin.

 

Bakuchiol

According to Dr Gross, there’s a gentler alternative to retinol that is just as effective. ‘Retinol is the gold standard for targeting ageing concerns, but it has a bad reputation for triggering sensitivity. Research shows that bakuchiol can mitigate the irritating side effects of retinol, and still work to strengthen our skin’s moisture barrier, increasing cell turnover and improving the skin’s collagen production.’ Ren Bio Retinoid Anti-ageing Cream (R1 200, takealot.com) is a brilliant option – it’s only 1%, but the concentration of bakuchiol leaves the skin feeling plump and bouncy.

 

Probiotics

Also known as good bacteria, these could be the secret to keeping your skin balanced and clear. Similar to the way that probiotics keep your gut happy, in skincare they’re known to restore calm and balance and help cells to flourish. The idea is that probiotics help to protect the skin’s microbiome while regulating oil production and fending off free radicals. Smart, right? Try Esse Probiotic Serum (R1 375, faithful- to-nature.co.za). With 50 million live probiotics per drop, it improves barrier function and delays ageing.

Get these skin-loving deals with Daddy’s Deals:

1. Mini-Facial and Dermaplaning in Fourways

Hydrate and smooth your skin with this fabulous skincare combo – including a mini-facial and dermaplaning – from Remlo Skincare in Fourways for R251. That’s 56% off with Daddy’s Deals.

2. RF Skin Tightening and a Glycolic Peel

Get the healthy, plump and youthful skin of your dreams with this offer for an exclusive RF skin tightening treatment and a glycolic peel from Rejuve Aesthetics in Pretoria for R870. That’s 60% off with Daddy’s Deals.

3. Specialised Hydra Facial or a Chemical Peel

Give your skin the attention it needs with this Choice Between a Specialised Hydra Facial or a Chemical Peel from Aesthetic Beauty Corner in Lone Hill for R399. That’s 43% off with Daddy’s Deals.

ALSO SEE:

Common skincare ingredient named as ‘allergen of the year’

 

Feature image: Unsplash

Originally published in SA Woman&Home Magazine August 2022 edition.