I’m a skincare pro – hyaluronic acid won’t fix wrinkles and witch hazel makes acne worse, but an £8 buy is absolute gold
SKINCARE is very personal business: each complexion has its own set of unique characteristics and needs that can affect the look and feel of your face.
And with most of us falling into one of five ‘skin type’ categories, finding the right products can be a mission.
The American Academy of Dermatology categorises these primary types as oily, dry, normal, combination, and sensitive.
The carousel nature of skincare trends on social media makes it even harder to find the right products, with TikTok throwing up a new acid, facial or tool you apparently 'need' every week.
Now a skincare expert has shared two major ingredients she thinks are overrated.
Unfortunately, it’s bad news for hyaluronic acid and witch hazel fans.
read more on skincare
According to Cigdem Kemal Yilmaz, there's many more "beneficial" ingredients on the market.
Fabulous spoke to the chemical engineer and founder of Skin Masterclass to find out what you should be using instead…
HYALURONIC HYPE
Hyaluronic acid gained immense popularity in recent years due to its unique moisture holding abilities, with it being able to attract and retain more than 1,000 times its own weight in water.
But Cigdem warned everything is not as it seems, particularly claims that the popular acid is a winner for wrinkles.
“While hyaluronic acid is most definitely a beneficial skincare ingredient, it is overrated,” she said.
“Gone are the days of using a single-ingredient hyaluronic acid product – we’re looking for multi-active products that offer a multitude of benefits."
That means you should look for products infused with peptides, ceramides and vitamin C if you want to plump out fine lines.
“Hyaluronic acid is now very popularly combined in formulations with amino acids and panthenol, providing a cocktail of moisture and barrier repair properties to the skin," Cidgem continued.
The light gel-textured moisturiser goes beyond the basics, as it not only hydrates, but also protects and soothes the skin.
INGREDIENTS WORTH YOUR HYPE
- Ellagic acid
"Ellagic acid is your new skin superhero," Cidgem said. "Packed with antioxidants and anti-inflammatory properties, this powerhouse acid is beneficial for fighting against sun damage.
"I would highly recommend using in your morning skincare routine, as it can boost sun protection and manage hyper-pigmentation."
- Licorice
“Licorice isn’t just a sweet treat for consumption – it’s a super underrated ingredient for the skin," Cidgem said. "Not only does it contain anti-inflammatory properties, it moisturises the skin, while fighting acne-causing bacteria.
"This is a great all-rounder ingredient, which is particularly beneficial for those with dry, acne-prone skin.”
- Ectoin
“Ectoin is a multifunctional skin protector," Cidgem added. "It's a powerful and clinically proven active which excels in repairing damaged skin, promoting barrier repair and offering anti-ageing benefits.
"Its efficacy spans anti-pollution, blue light protection, and nurturing a healthy skin microbiome, catering to various skin types with its pure and sustainable formulation."
“It’s important to note that, even if an ingredient is deemed as overhyped, that doesn’t mean that you should stop using it if it works well for you,” Cidgem added.
READ MORE SUN STORIES
“Depending on an individual’s skin type, certain ingredients will work more harmoniously for some rather than others.
“In my opinion, overrated ingredients aren’t always ‘bad’ to use, but rather that there are other ingredients out there that are more beneficial.”