Which ingredient is your skin craving?

Here's a roundup of all things that ought to be on your beauty checklist

You may own the finest makeup collection in the world; however, if your skin isn't at its happiest, it will still not look good. Keeping your skin looking and feeling nourished and healthy can be quite a challenge with the extensive range of products available in the market today. Many come with baffling and super scientific names and with fierce beauty marketing leading us to believe that we need every single shiny new product that catches our eye, skincare shopping can become a minefield.
To make your lives easier, we bring you the know-how in simpler terms, focusing on ingredients currently on everyone's lips.

Glycolic Acid
This is a naturally occurring acid, part of the Alpha Hydroxy Acid (AHA) family, and its main function is to exfoliate the surface layer of your skin. It does this by breaking down the bonds that hold dead skin cells together as well as dissolving sebum, making it a suitable contender for those with both oily and dry skin. You may have seen this ingredient available in many forms. The majority of toners that contain Glycolic Acid are designed to leave skin brighter and fresher as they remove pore-blocking dead skin cells. For a more intensive treatment, a Glycolic Acid Peel treatment can be performed at a spa or clinic with some less powerful alternatives available to enjoy at home.

Salicylic Acid
If you suffer from acne, Salicylic Acid is set to become your new best friend. Slather it onto a pesky spot before you go to bed, and by morning, it is almost certain to be less noticeable and on its way out of your life forever! Part of the Beta Hydroxy Acid family, Salicylic Acid, due to its structure, is more oil soluble and can penetrate into the pores of the skin. Once penetrated, it works to dissolve the skin's 'glue' unlike the AHAs that stay on the surface of the face. Being anti-inflammatory, it can calm acne too.

Hyaluronic Acid
Looking for smooth and hydrated skin? Hyaluronic Acid (HA) could just be what you need in your beauty arsenal. Interestingly, our skin produces the stuff naturally to maintain moisture levels. However, due to ageing and environmental factors, we just do not produce enough of it. Cue fine lines, uneven skin tone and dullness. Adding this ingredient to your routine ensures more radiant, soft and pillowy skin, as well as shielding us from pollution and other factors. Insta-filter no longer required!

Vitamin C
One of the hottest trends in skincare this year has been Vitamin C. Exploding onto the market, these wonder products come in the form of serums, oils and moisturisers that promise to boost the skin from outside-in. Traditionally, we would take Vitamin C in supplement form but with skin being the last organ to be addressed within the digestion process, topical Vitamin C reaches the skin instantly. Aside from supporting and strengthening our skin cells, Vitamin C fights against UV and pollution as well, making it a great collagen booster to allow our skin to look firm and fresh day in, day out.