SOMEHOW THE WORD “CHEMICAL” HAS BECOME SYNONYMOUS WITH SYNTHETIC TOXIN.

Active ingredients in skincare are what work to address the skin problem that the product is meant to target. Simply put, the term “active ingredient” refers to a chemical that actively targets a specific skin concern such as acne, pigmentation or fine lines and creates a physical change in the skin. Using products that contain active ingredients can be the difference between achieving your skin goals and falling short.

A PRODUCT’S FRAGRANCE CAN BOOST YOUR MOOD, SOOTHE THE SENSES OR SIMPLY MAKE APPLYING YOUR FAVOURITE PRODUCTS EACH DAY AND NIGHT MORE ENJOYABLE.

MOST SKINCARE INGREDIENTS THAT ARE CONSIDERED BENEFICIAL TO THE SKIN AREN’T STABLE, THEY LOSE THEIR EFFECTIVENESS IF EXPOSED TO LIGHT AND AIR, WHICH IS EXACTLY WHAT HAPPENS EVERY TIME YOU OPEN A JAR

IF YOU HAD TO ASK TO NAME A SINGLE SKINCARE PRODUCT THAT HAS PROVEN TO WORK IN KEEPING THE SKIN LOOKING HEALTHY AND YOUTHFUL, THAT PRODUCT WOULD BE SUNSCREEN

Niacinamide Niacinamide is a form of vitamin B3 and is famous for its healing and soothing properties. We can consider it the unsung hero of skincare and a real multitasker. From protecting the skin against environmental damage to boosting hydration, niacinamide has so many benefits for the skin. Here are some of the benefits of this great ingredient: Niacinamide helps build keratin which is a type of protein, keeping the skin firm and healthy. It can also help the skin grow a solid ceramide (lipid) barrier which, in turn, helps retain moisture. Niacinamide is great at helping minimise blotchiness and redness and can also help regulate the amount of oil that the sebaceous glands produce and prevent them from going into overdrive. Some research has also found that niacinamide can be helpful in lightening dark spots and in reducing some signs of sun damage that come with aging. This includes fine lines and wrinkles. Niacinamide helps build cells in the skin while also protecting them from environmental stresses, such as sunlight, pollution, and toxins. Finally it can be helpful for severe acne, especially inflammatory forms like papules and pustules. Over time, you may see fewer lesions and improved skin texture. So how can one ingredient be good for so many skin concerns? It is because of its powerful antioxidant properties and how it helps generate other important substances in the skin. But most of all, niacinamide acts like a cell-communicating ingredient, meaning that it has the ability to “talk” to all of the cells in our skin, telling them to produce healthier and better cells. You can find niacinamide in Carefulface moisturiser Cocoon . Peptides Peptides are the building blocks for a lot of the important things that already exist within the skin like collagen, elastin and keratin, basically, all those things that make sure the skin looks plumped, smooth healthy and youthful. Peptides are chains of amino acids that are found naturally in every human cell in the body. They are biological messengers communicating between various cells in the body. As cell messengers, one of their most important roles is their ability to signal for the production of more collagen and elastin and without these fundamental building blocks, skin loses its firmness and undergoes textural changes that cause sagging and wrinkles, it is like a sagging old mattress without any inner support. Peptides also promote the production of hyaluronic acid, which is vital for healthy, younger-looking skin. Peptides play an important role in inhibiting enzymes that cause an overproduction of melanin, thereby helping to prevent the formation of pigmentation. Types of Peptides There are many different types of peptides that target specific skin concerns and they all work in a slightly different way. Different types of peptides include hexapeptides, pentapeptides, palmitoyl oligopeptides, copper peptides, palmitoyl tetrapeptide-7, matrikines and matrikine-like peptides such as Matrixyl 3000. Matrixyl 3000 Is a peptide comprised of two proteins. It is used to target a wide range of aging signs, which helps your skin look and act more youthful. it promotes collagen and elastin in the under-layers of the skin. It also inhibits and reverses glycation damage. In simple terms, glycation is the internal process by which glucose links with certain important proteins and causes them to bind together. Glycation has been shown to affect the support system of our skin by affecting collagen, elastin, and other proteins. When this occurs, it leads to various stages of wrinkles, fine lines, sagging, and a loss of skin contour. It can also lead to uneven, blotchy skin tones. Matrixyl 3000 does not clog your pores, instead, helps repairs the skin without causing breakouts and dead, dry skin to accumulate on the surface. Bliss from the Carefulface Skincare range is a multi-peptide serum which includes the Matrixyl 3000 formula. Glycerin Glycerin is great for the skin because it acts as a humectant, which is a substance that allows the skin to retain moisture. It can increase skin hydration, relieve dryness, and refresh the skin's surface. It acts as an emollient too, which means it can soften the skin. Glycerin is the skin’s secret weapon, acting like a sponge by pulling in water to the outer layer of the skin. It attracts water from the deeper skin layers but also from the air in humid environments. In addition, it slows down the evaporation of water from your skin. Yeah, that's right. Glycerin is a moisturizer that actually attracts more moisture! Applying glycerin to your skin traps moisture in your skin and gives it a youthful, healthy glow. By drawing moisture to the top layer of skin, glycerin helps reduce the appearance of wrinkles and keeps skin looking soft and smooth. Glycerin also improves skin function to slow down aging. For example, studies have shown that glycerin may also help skin cells mature properly by guiding young skin cells from the deepest layers to the surface to form the skin's protective barrier. As a result, glycerin makes skin look, feel and function better overall. Glycerin is also oil-free and non-comedogenic, meaning it won't clog your pores. Clogged pores lead to breakouts, so glycerin for oily skin may be the right solution. During the winter, humidity levels drop outside, and cold air causes moisture in your skin to evaporate quickly. As a result, winter air can make skin dry, cracked and flaky. When skin breaks down, it becomes more susceptible to wounds and infection, therefore a moisturising lotion containing glycerin is great to lock moisture in. All Carefulface skincare products contain this amazing ingredient! Glycolic Acid Your skin naturally sheds dead skin cells to make way for new healthy cells. This process can become obstructed due to sun damage, dry or oily skin, genetics or a skin concern. The consequence is dull-looking or dry skin, clogged pores, breakouts, or an uneven skin tone. If you remove dead skin cells gently, then you can stop pores from becoming clogged, help to stop breakouts, visibly lessen the depth of wrinkles and even rehydrate dry the skin. The results: You instantly look younger. The most effective type of exfoliants are non-abrasive, leave-on exfoliants, namely AHA and BHA. AHA is the abbreviation of alphahydroxy acid, which consists of glycolic acid and lactic acid. BHA is the abbreviation of betahydroxy acid, sometimes better known as Salicylic acid. Products containing these ingredients are mainly used to remove dead skin cells passively, over a short period of time, or in other words exfoliate. These exfoliants have proved to be highly valuable to your skin, they fight signs of ageing and help to minimise breakouts. Most importantly they are not physical scrubs, which can be very damaging to skin. No, I don’t want no scrub Most scrubs have a rough, coarse, uneven texture, which can be too abrasive for your skin, causing micro-tears and abrasions. Many cleansing brushes are also a problem, with their stiff bristles having the same negative impact on the skin’s surface. Scrubs simply work on the very surface of the skin and can’t reach the multiple layers of built up of dead skin cells and into the pore to really change the skin for the better. ‘A physical scrub will only ever remove the dead skin cells on the surface; a liquid exfoliant will do exactly that but also work deeper into the skin, ungluing the bonds between cells,’ explains facialist and skincare expert Abigail James. Glycolic Acid Glycolic acid is easily absorbed and can penetrate the skin at a deep level which makes it very effective at helping to combat a variety of skincare concerns. Glycolic acid is an excellent exfoliant that will remove dead skin cells revealing new, younger looking skin. Glycolic acid is also a good humectant, it draws water from the atmosphere onto your skin, allowing it to stay soft and hydrated. It is very effective in treating acne and can exfoliate the skin while maintaining a natural PH balance. Safe for all skin types and even for expecting mothers, glycolic acid should be an essential part of any skin-care routine. How to exfoliate Apply your exfoliant in the evening after cleansing (never in the morning). You can use it around the eye area, but not on the eyelid or directly under the eye (along the lower lash line). You don’t need to wait for the exfoliant to absorb or dry, you can apply the other products in your routine (serum and moisturiser) immediately afterwards. How often you should exfoliate depends on your skin type and skin concerns. If you tend to have sensitive skin every other day is recommended, if you have “tough” skin, every night would be good. Carefulface exfoliant Glow contains 7% Glycolic Acid. Ceramides Ceramides play a super important role in having a healthy skin barrier and keeping the skin hydrated. Ceramides belong to the family of emollients and are responsible for keeping your skin soft, supple and flexible. Think of your skin being a brick wall, a brick wall without a very good mortar to keep the bricks together is not going to be a very solid wall, and that is what ceramides are, they are like mortar for your skin, they trickle in between your skin cells to help hold skin together by forming a protective layer that limits moisture loss and protects against visible damage from pollution and other environmental stressors. In addition, ceramides, together with retinol, niacinamide, and peptides, are one of the anti-aging “powerhouses” responsible for supporting skin’s dynamic nature. Ceramides reinforce the natural lipid barrier of dry and aging skin and they are also known for having an outstanding ability to maintain the moisture balance of skin. Ceramides occur naturally within the body and are one of many other lipids that are present in the epidermis of the skin. When people experience dry skin, it is because of a loss of ceramides in the skin, which can also cause flaking, itching, peeling, and scaling. Using ceramides can help replace lipids that have been lost due to environmental factors, chronic dryness and skin damage caused by certain skin conditions. If my skin already contains ceramides, why do I need them in my skincare? Sun damage and age can reduce the effectiveness of our skin’s natural ceramide production and can eventually deplete them, which will result in a weaker skin barrier. Replenishing your skin with ceramides on a daily basis will help to combat dry and rough skin, wrinkles, irritation, redness, and visible signs of dehydration. Carefulface Cocoon moisturiser is packed full with three ceramides.

Skin myths busted