Giving your skin the right nutrition for its needs makes a huge difference to how well it works and ages and, of course, how good it looks. Find the right stuff (and the stuff to avoid) here
Our skin doesn’t come with a one-size-fits-all rule book. As we learnt last time, it has a basic skin type we are born with, but things such as hormonal changes, age, lifestyle habits, sun exposure, illness and stress can make its condition change throughout our lives, so we need to keep tabs on its general health and status in order to give it the nutrition it needs.
This means not only giving it the right nutrients that will enhance its health and good function, but also avoiding ingredients that can be harmful or have a negative impact.
GRASS for you
At Skin Renewal, we follow the GRASS principle to ensure that skin receives all the active ingredients and nourishment it requires:
G – Growth factor, stem cell or peptide serums
R – Retinoids or resurfacing agents such as exfoliants (unless not advised for your skin concern)
A – Antioxidants
S – Speciality products, specifically for acne, pigmentation, etc.
S – SPF sun protection
The right active ingredients for your skin
Our skincare experts are on hand to help analyse your skin and its current needs and help you find the correct medical skincare routine for best results.
To make things easy for you, we break down the active ingredients you want in your skincare:
If you have… Dry skin
Active ingredients to look for:
PHAs, lipids (oils/fats) and hyaluronic acid.
These ingredients help build your skin’s crucial hydrolipidic barrier, keeping water in and bad stuff out, as well as actively attracting water and keeping skin nourished and comfortable.
Recommended products: NeoStrata Restore range
You should avoid: Salicylic acid. This beta-hydroxy acid could cause flaking and possible irritation to this fragile skin.
If you have… Dehydrated skin
Active ingredients to look for:
Hyaluronic acid – this moisture magnet attracts water and acts as a reservoir in the skin.
Peptides – there are many kinds of peptides (they are the building blocks of protein), but peptides used in skin care are usually involved in anti-wrinkle and collagen production enhancement, as well as soothing.
Recommended products: NeoStrata Sheer Hydration SPF35
You should avoid: Salicylic acid.
If you have… Oily skin and acne
Active ingredients to look for:
Salicylic acid and tea tree oil.
Salicylic acid (aka beta-hydroxy acid) is one of the stalwarts in oily skin and acne care. This willow-bark extract is a skin exfoliator that keeps pores clear. Plus it helps decrease oil production, and reduces inflammation and redness.
Tea tree oil is known for its anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties. It’s also thought to calm redness, swelling, and inflammation, but should nevertheless be used with caution on skin prone to sensitivity.
Recommended products: NeoStrata Clarify range
With oily skin, you should avoid: Ceramides
With acne-prone skin, you should avoid: Ceramides and shea butter, which can clog pores and cause acne.
If you have… Sensitive skin
Active ingredients to look for:
Peptides and anti-inflammatory actives.
Look for peptides that have a soothing, anti-inflammatory effect (Palmitoyl Tripeptide-8), as well as anti-inflammatory ingredients such as oat beta glucan, dexpanthenol, etc.
Look for the words hypoallergenic, alcohol-free, fragrance-free, which means these products are less likely to cause irritation.
Recommended products: NeoStrata Redness Neutralizing Serum 6 PHA
You should avoid: Vitamin A aka retinoids
If you have… Ageing skin
Active ingredients to look for:
Retinoids aka vitamin-A derivatives. Retinol and retinoic acid are the most famous form of this antioxidant wonder ingredient. It works by ‘normalising’ skin cells and signalling them to act younger, so it helps to reduce fine lines and wrinkles by increasing the production of collagen, as well helping to fade age spots, plumping and smoothing skin. It also helps with acne because it normalises oil production.
Growth factors. These natural substances, made by skin cells in the body, support the skin repair due to ageing, sun and environmental damage as well as promoting and collagen formation.
Recommended products: Neostrata Skin Active Triple Firming Neck Cream, SkinCeuticals Retinol 0.3
You should avoid: Nothing specific, unless you are prone to sensitivity.
If you have… Combination skin
Active ingredients to look for:
Vitamin C and Vitamin A/retinoids (see above).
Vitamin C is a very powerful antioxidant known for its anti-ageing and skin-brightening, pigmentation-evening properties.
Recommended products: NeoStrata Enlighten Illuminating Serum, Neostrata Skin Active Matrix Support SPF 30, SkinCeuticals CE Ferulic
You should avoid: Nothing specific.
Supplement your skin
Research is discovering the crucial role our gut health plays in all aspects of our health, and that includes the health of our skin.
Sometimes your skin needs additional support. Adding gut-health nutrients or acne skin support – such as Acne Aid 2 in 1 – can make a material difference.
Speak to our team to find out which supplements are best for your needs.
Find out more here: Renewal Institute supplements
To find out more about Skin Renewal and how we can help you select the correct topical products for your particular skin type, visit www.skinrenewal.co.za. It’s one of the many ways we can help you enjoy firmer, more youthful-looking skin for longer.
Take the quick Beyond Beauty Survey and you could win a R2 000 Skin Renewal voucher to spend in our online store, with free delivery within South Africa. T&Cs apply.