Greetings – at a socially responsible distance – from all of us at Austin Clinic.
A question we’re asked a lot at Austin Clinic is “how do I know what ingredients to look for in my skincare?” To help you find the right anti-ageing ingredients we’ve put together this easy-to-read guide.
We hope this helps you understand why certain products do what they do so well, while look-alikes and imitations fall short. We also hope it will be your guide to some of the most effective and popular products we’re making available online to you.
Jojoba Oil – Don’t Let the Name Deceive You
In the hierarchy of facial moisturising ingredients, jojoba oil is at the pinnacle. It outshines other oils such as avocado, coconut, and grapeseed, earning it accolades from Shape Magazine as “(the) one that takes the cake when it comes to doing good things specifically for the skin of your face.”
Why is jojoba the winner? Dr Austin has the answer, “Jojoba isn’t an oil at all. It’s a wax ester, a chemical compound made of fatty acids already produced by the skin. As a non-oil, jojoba is brilliant for moisturising skin, but is:
- Lighter than other oils
- Less greasy
- Has a better shelf-life
Jojoba is one of the ingredients in Colorscience’s Total Eye Restore Regimen, specifically in the company’s Total Eye treatment. The presence of jojoba helps correct the appearance of:
- Dark circles
- Puffiness
- Fine lines
- Wrinkles
A Peptide by Any Other Name
The word peptide refers to amino acids in the skin that act as building blocks in the creation of three essential proteins. You undoubtedly already know them as the foundations for skin texture, strength and resilience:
- Collagen
- Elastin
- Keratin
There are hundreds of different members of the peptide family, so it can be tough to spot in a long list of skincare ingredients. “Look for ingredients that end in ‘peptide or start with ‘palmitoyl’” recommends Dr Austin, referring to peptides including:
- Acetyl tetrapeptide-9
- Acetyl hexapeptide 3, 8, and 20
- Palmitoyl oligopeptide
- Palmitoyl pentapeptide
- Tripeptide 1
If you’d like to let your skin know how much you care about it, lockdown or otherwise, consider trying Skinbetter Science Interfuse Treatment Cream FACE. “It’s a cutting edge firming enhancer that relies on a potent blend of messenger peptides to target sagging skin,” says Dr Austin.
Twice the Oxide for Twice the Protection
Without robust sunscreen protection, you can kiss your beautiful, unlined skin good-bye. Thank goodness, then for the power of zinc oxide and titanium dioxide found in physical (mineral) sunscreens. These skincare ingredients sit on top of your skin, deflecting UV rays and helping to prevent:
- Skin damage
- Skin cancer
Zinc oxide and titanium dioxide are also known to be gentle and less likely to irritation or allergic reactions in people with sensitive skin. You’ll find both in Second Skin Crush SPF 40 from Synergie Minerals. It’s a lightweight, loose mineral foundation that enhances sun protection all year long.
We’re Here with Skin Care When You Need It
Don’t let COVID-19 impact your beautiful skin. Order products with premier ingredients from our online Austin Clinic Shop and you’ll be ready to emerge from lockdown looking as beautiful as ever.
No one understands your skin better than Austin Clinic, so please don’t hesitate to contact us with any questions. Our answers may surprise you.