With 51% of us now considering a cosmetic enhancement*, it’s no wonder the topic of ‘tweakments’ is now being discussed not just behind clinic doors, but also over brunch and during Friday night drinks.
But while the temptation to smooth pores with the zap of a laser and render wrinkles invisible with a lunchtime injectable is real, if the price, pain and permanency of non-surgical treatments leaves you feeling cold, there are other, less invasive routes to a fresher, perkier complexion.
Swap the salon chair for a supercharged skincare routine and fool people into thinking you’ve had a month of early nights. Here are three trending skincare ingredients to incorporate into your youth-boosting skincare stash immediately.
Chances are, you’ve already heard of chemical exfoliants – their ability to speed up skin cell turnover and gently resurface the skin to reveal a radiant, baby-soft complexion has rendered them a favourite among professional facialists. The ever-popular HydraFacial uses salicylic acid to clean pores and banish breakouts, but for some this can cause skin irritation. For a wrinkle-bashing winner that’s gentler, yet still incredibly effective, look to LHA.
‘LHA stands for beta-lipohydroxy acid and it’s very similar to salicylic acid,’ says consultant dermatologist Dr Vishal Madan. ‘It’s a popular anti-ageing solution as not only does it unclog pores, but it also boosts collagen production and reduces dark spots.’
How to use it: Get instant results with an LHA-fuelled moisturiser such as L’Oréal Revitalift Laser Renew SPF20. Inspired by laser treatments, this highly concentrated formula also contains Pro-Xylane to reduce the appearance of wrinkles and smooth the contours of the face, and SPF to help fight signs of premature ageing.
Retinol, move aside. Meet the wonder vitamin everyone in the know is telling their friends about. The reason it’s so sought-after? This multitasking antioxidant offers several different benefits to stressed-out skin, from brightening dark spots to helping to produce more collagen and hyaluronic acid.
‘Niacinamide is a form of vitamin B3,’ says Dr Madan. ‘It can help minimise fine lines, shrink pores and repair sun-damaged skin. A true suits-all skin hero, its antioxidant properties mean it also soothes inflammation and helps regulate the skin’s oil production.’
How to use it: Niacinamide is gaining in popularity, so you won’t struggle to find products that will allow you to reap its many benefits. Keep an eye out for serums with a 2-5% concentration, or where it’s featured highly (in the top three-to-five) on the ingredients list.
L’Oreal Revitalift Laser Renew SPF 20
When it comes to hydration, few ingredients can compete with this radiance-enhancing favourite. Hyaluronic acid (HA) is now commonly used in dermal fillers due to its ability to smooth the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. ‘Hyaluronic acid binds water within the skin, leaving you with a firmer, bouncier and more plumped-up complexion,’ says Dr Vishal.
Despite being an acid, it’s safe to use on all skin types, so you can enjoy visible results without worrying about irritation. And you don’t need to step foot in a salon to get that I’ve-just-had-a-facial glow either – simply work it into your everyday skincare routine instead.
How to use it: For a targeted dose of HA, try L’Oréal Revitalift Laser Renew Eye Cream. Enriched with hyaluronic acid and caffeine, this triple-action eye formula will firm, tighten and lift the skin around the eyes, meaning crow’s feet and eye bags appear reduced. The cooling pen applicator will also work wonders when it comes to waking up tired eyes.
Postpone the procedure with L’Oréal Revitalift Laser Renew, available now at Boots
*L’Oréal 2019 topic scan in which UK women aged 18-49 were surveyed
