It takes serious skincare to achieve skin confidence— not just good genes. Add these hero ingredients to repair, fortify and protect skin, so you can step out barefaced and beautiful.
Ring, Wunderkind. Earrings, Margova. Ear cuff, Maria Black. Nose ring, Topshop
VITAMIN A
Mention anti-ageing and vitamin A—or its derivatives retinol and retinoid—will most likely be the first ingredient on a skincare aficionados list. Its ability to speed up and stimulate cell turnover and collagen production help to reveal healthier, younger-looking skin with reversed sun damage, dullness and fine lines. The best way to use this is at night, because it can increase skin’s photo-sensitivity and may sting during the day even with the right skincare and sunscreen on top. Even those with sensitive skin can benefit from the right retinol, like Tata Harper’s Retinoic Nutrient Face Oil, which is a gentle, natural formula with a blend of botanicals, vitamins and minerals.
Nose ring, Maria Black
ZINC OXIDE
Three things you need to know: This is one of the safest ingredients for UV protection; it stimulates the healing of wounds and sunburn; and helps to reduce skin inflammation, acne breakouts and excess oil and sebum production. While known for leaving a chalky cast, this centuries-old sun protector is one of the few ingredients that doesn’t just effectively block both UVA and UVB rays—a serious cause of skin ageing—but is also reef-safe, non-irritating and non-comedogenic. Get the best of both worlds with Supergoop!’s 100% Mineral Matte Sunscreen that has a matte, soft-focus translucent finish.
Nose ring, Topshop. Ear cuff (worn as lip ring); ring, Maria Black. Necklace, Lilian von Trapp
CENTELLA ASIATICA
Best known as a herb traditionally used in Ayurvedic medicine, this swamp leaf has been used to treat eczema, psoriasis and wound-healing for decades. It’s having a major moment in skincare today for its anti-ageing properties, and its ability to boost antioxidant activity and repair skin damage and wounds, increase blood circulation, as well as stimulate collagen production. It is found in multiple spot treatments for blemish-prone skin, and youth-boosting elixirs to help plump and increase elasticity, like Novu’s Get Clarity Centella Mask or alche{me}’s Personalised Serum, a gentle elixir with serious results.
Earrings, Charlotte Chesnais; Topshop. Necklace, Lilian von Trapp
SQUALANE
Derived mostly from olives or sugarcane, squalane makes for a lightweight and non-greasy but intensely moisturising face oil. It is naturally present in the human body, making it easily absorbed to help replenish skin’s moisture barrier, leaving complexions soft and supple. This emollient, non-comedogenic elixir is also great for balancing sebum production, minimising congestion and soothing any inflammation, and because it’s just all-round nourishing, it can be used on hair as well to keep your locks silky smooth—our top picks are Indie Lee’s Squalane Facial Oil and Peter Thomas Roth’s Oilless Oil 100% Purified Squalane.
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Photographed by Anna Daki. Styled by Andrei Iovu and Lil Bulgac
Model: Gina Romina/Girls Club Management Makeup and hair: Sina Velke
