When it comes to skincare, it's easy to get overwhelmed.
With so many serums, potions and lotions claiming to wind back the clock - how are we meant to know where to spend our hard-earned cash, and what's just a waste of time?
I don't know about you, but I feel like I only just get my head around ingredients like retinol, hyaluronic acid and vitamin C before another one comes along.
One of the latest is Beta-Glucan, which is a key active in Lancôme's Génifique Ultimate Dual-Repair Augmented Serum - and science says this one is worth knowing about.
Naturally occurring in yeast, oats and grains, Beta Glucans are a powerhouse skincare ingredient because they attract and bind moisture to your skin. Meanwhile, it also penetrates deeply and improves your skin's natural ability to retain moisture.
I've been trying Génifique Ultimate at morning and night over the last few weeks and it definitely gives my tired skin a boost, and feels soothing without being sticky.
The formula has been developed from 27 years of research in skin repair science, and focuses on hydration and a healthy skin barrier, which increase smoothness and reduce visible redness, lines and pores.
Thankfully, though, you don't have to take my word for it. We asked Brittany Hanchard Lancôme's National Educator, to help us make sense of which ingredients our skin really needs to look and feel its best.
Is 'anti-ageing' actually achievable in skincare, and what's the science behind it?
We cannot completely stop aging with skincare (as it is a biological process), but we can reduce the visible signs of aging and delay aging effects on the skin.
This is achievable through using scientifically backed ingredients to support, protect and repair the overall skin quality.
For example, Beta-Glucans are a powerful anti-aging ingredient as they serve multiple functions required for a youthful looking skin, including strengthening the skin barrier, providing intense hydration (studies show it holds up to 20 times the amount of water as hyaluronic acid) and offering antioxidant protection against free radicals from UV, pollution and external aggressors.
What steps should a basic skincare routine include to promote healthy, youthful-looking skin, and which steps are unnecessary?
Focusing on protection, hydration and repair is key. For a basic regime, I would always recommend four essential products.
Starting with a gentle cleanser to remove dirt and oil, following with a multifunctioning serum with key ingredients to repair and maintain the skin barrier, a moisturiser to provide long-lasting hydration, and of course, finishing with a daily SPF (one of the most important anti-aging steps!) to protect the skin.
It is important that your skincare regime is tailored to your skin type and skin goals, and isn't dictated by skincare trends . Not all skin needs every ingredient, so ensuring your regime is personalised to you is very important.
Why is skin repair needed, and which ingredients can actually do this?
Our skin is constantly exposed to daily aggressors which affect our overall skin quality and health. Things such as UV, pollution, diet and lifestyle all play a role in the way our skin ages.
On top of that, as we age, our skin slowly loses its ability to repair itself in the way it was once able to. Incorporating ingredients to not only repair but also strengthen and protect the skin barrier is essential.
Some of my personal favourites for this include Beta-Glucans for barrier repair and hydration, antioxidants such as Vitamin C to fight free radicals in the skin caused from harmful UV rays which will ultimately break down collagen, and humectants such as Hyaluronic Acid to keep skin plump and hydrated.
This article is sponsored by Lancôme's new Genifique Ultimate Serum, powered by Beta-Glucans to deliver ultimate skin repair.
