Superstar Ingredients To Include In Your Daily Moisturiser

Choosing the Best Hyaluronic Acid Moisturiser

Hyaluronic acid (HA) is a sought-after ingredient for hydration, known for holding 1,000 times its weight in water. As skin ages and moisture decreases, HA-based moisturisers can help restore smoothness, reduce fine lines, and improve elasticity. Here’s how to choose the best hyaluronic acid moisturiser for your skin type and needs.

Some of the benefits of hyaluronic acid include deep Hydration, plumping and skin shielding. This versatile ingredient draws and traps water in the skin, prevents environmental damage and smooths fine lines. HA is gentle, non-comedogenic and suitable for all skin types.

While popular in serums, HA in moisturisers offers an additional hydration layer. For optimal results, choose water-based formulas and apply to damp skin to boost moisture retention.

Top hyaluronic acid moisturisers

• Vichy Mineral 89 72hr Moisture Boosting Cream – Lightweight and non-greasy, providing 72 hours of hydration with low molecular HA and squalane, ideal for all skin types.
• La Roche-Posay Hyalu B5 Cream – Combines HA with Vitamin B5 for hydration and repair, suitable for sensitive skin.
• Ella & Jo Plump & Protect SPF30 – Day cream with ceramides, HA, and SPF for daily hydration and sun protection.

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When choosing a hyaluronic acid product, there are three types to be aware of. Low molecular weight HA penetrates deeply for intense hydration. Sodium hyaluronate hydrates the surface and provides antioxidant benefits. Cross-linked HA forms a protective layer, locking in moisture and preventing environmental damage.

Expert-Approved Retinol Creams for Age Reversal

Retinol, a derivative of vitamin A, is a cornerstone in anti-ageing skincare for its transformative ability to reduce fine lines, wrinkles, and dark spots, while refining skin texture. Retinol promotes faster skin cell turnover, which helps reveal smoother, more youthful skin. Those new to retinol should start with a lower concentration to avoid irritation, slowly building up as their skin acclimates. It’s typically used at night, as retinol can increase sun sensitivity, and always followed with sunscreen during the day. For sensitive skin types, bakuchiol is a gentle plant-based alternative with similar benefits.

Our favourite products

• La Roche-Posay Redermic Retinol Night Cream: With a gradual-release retinol complex and soothing thermal spring water, this cream suits sensitive skin, gently addressing wrinkles, blemishes, and age spots without overwhelming the skin.
• Vichy LiftActiv B3 Pure Retinol Night Cream: Combining retinol, niacinamide, and peptides, this night cream targets deep wrinkles, fine lines, and texture issues, leaving skin hydrated and visibly rejuvenated.
• IMAGE Ageless Total Overnight Retinol Masque: A potent nighttime treatment that improves the look of wrinkles and uneven skin tone while you sleep, harnessing encapsulated retinol and vitamin C for an antioxidant boost.
• Murad Resurgence Youth Renewal Night Cream: Known for a dual-retinol complex, this night cream delivers powerful anti-ageing effects while keeping skin hydrated and firm with minimal irritation.
• Ella & Jo Relax and Renew Bakuchiol Night Cream: This gentle, bakuchiol-based cream offers a non-irritating alternative to retinol, ideal for sensitive skin seeking anti-ageing benefits without the common side effects of retinol.

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Retinol-based creams are powerful tools for addressing various skin concerns and, with regular use, can improve skin tone, reduce wrinkles, and smooth texture. Alternating or combining with soothing ingredients like ceramides or peptides can further enhance results.

Choose the best retinol cream and learn how to use it

The Best Ceramide Moisturisers for Building a Healthy Skin Barrier

Ceramides, natural lipids within the skin’s outer layer, are essential for reinforcing the skin barrier, locking in moisture, and shielding against environmental aggressors. Over time, ceramide levels decrease, especially in those with sensitive or aging skin, which can lead to dryness, dullness, and an increased susceptibility to irritation. Ceramide moisturisers replenish these lipids, making them ideal for anyone dealing with dry, sensitive, or compromised skin.

Explore our favourite ceramide moisturisers

• Skingredients Skin Good Fats Ultra-Hydrating Ceramide Moisturiser: Infused with ceramides and soothing extracts, this rich moisturiser is perfect for dry or barrier-compromised skin, providing intense hydration and protection against irritants.
• Trilogy Vitamin C Ceramide Night Cream: With ceramides, hyaluronic acid, and vitamin C, this night cream works overnight to brighten and hydrate, supporting the skin’s barrier and resilience.
• CeraVe AM Facial Moisturising Lotion SPF30: A dermatologist-developed moisturiser, lightweight and non-greasy, that combines ceramides and niacinamide, making it a suitable day cream for sensitive skin.
• The Inkey List Bioactive Ceramide Repairing and Plumping Moisturiser: Designed for barrier-compromised skin, this ceramide-rich formula is deeply nourishing, though it may be too rich for oily skin types.

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Ceramide moisturisers offer essential barrier support, making them versatile for skin types from sensitive to ageing. They work best when paired with other barrier-strengthening ingredients like niacinamide and hyaluronic acid, which help lock in moisture and improve overall skin texture.

The Best Vitamin C Moisturisers for Brightening and Anti-Ageing

Vitamin C, a potent antioxidant, is prized for its brightening, collagen-boosting, and skin-protective properties. Moisturisers with vitamin C provide a more hydrating alternative to serums, ideal for those who prefer a streamlined routine. Vitamin C moisturisers can improve skin radiance, reduce dark spots, and shield against environmental damage. Stabilised forms like tetrahexyldecyl ascorbate or ascorbyl palmitate are particularly effective, as they penetrate deeply and stay active longer.

Our Top Picks: Vitamin C Moisturisers

• Trilogy Vitamin C Ceramide Night Cream: A night cream packed with vitamin C and ceramides to support skin brightness and barrier function, ideal for dry, dehydrated, and mature skin.
• Murad Essential-C Overnight Barrier Repair Cream: This antioxidant-rich cream restores firmness and radiance overnight, helping to repair environmental and sun damage while you sleep.
• IMAGE Vital C Hydrating Intense Moisturiser: Featuring multiple forms of vitamin C, hyaluronic acid, and peptides, this moisturiser deeply hydrates and repairs, making it ideal for dry or sensitive skin types.
• Murad Essential-C Firming Radiance Day Cream: A lightweight day cream with niacinamide and squalane, formulated to brighten and protect the skin, perfect for daily use under makeup.

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Vitamin C moisturisers are versatile and suitable for most skin types, though dry or sensitive skin may particularly benefit from their dual hydrating and brightening properties. For best results, pair with a high-SPF sunscreen to amplify the protective effects.

The Best Moisturisers with SPF for Daily Protection and Hydration

SPF moisturisers combine the benefits of sun protection with hydration, a convenient choice for everyday use. Regular application of SPF reduces premature ageing by protecting against UV damage, which occurs even on cloudy days. These products vary in SPF levels and ingredients to suit different skin types, ensuring hydration while defending against harmful rays.

The only SPF moisturisers you need

• Ella & Jo Plump & Protect SPF30: This daily cream is packed with protective and hydrating ingredients, including ceramides and glycerin, suitable for all skin types and formulated to guard against UVA, UVB, and blue light.
• Skingredients Skin Shield Moisturiser SPF50: A lightweight, high-SPF moisturiser that sits well under makeup, this product provides comprehensive protection against environmental damage.
• La Roche-Posay Anthelios Hydrating Suncream SPF50+: Known for its comfort and high SPF, this moisturiser offers reliable UVA and UVB protection for sensitive skin, in a hydrating and soothing formula.
• CeraVe AM Facial Moisturising Lotion SPF30: With a ceramide-rich, lightweight formula, this daily SPF moisturiser supports the skin barrier while providing broad-spectrum protection.
• Rosalique 3 in 1 Anti-Redness Cream SPF50: Ideal for sensitive skin prone to redness, this SPF 50 moisturiser calms irritation while protecting from UV damage, making it perfect for those with reactive skin.

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Using an SPF moisturiser daily simplifies skincare routines by combining hydration and protection, catering to all skin types from dry to acne-prone. Reapplication is suggested for outdoor activities, ensuring ongoing protection throughout the day.

In Summary

Selecting a moisturiser with targeted ingredients like hyaluronic acid, ceramides, vitamin C, retinol, and SPF can make a noticeable difference in your skin’s look and feel. Each ingredient brings specific benefits, from intense hydration and anti-aging to protection against environmental stressors. By understanding what each offers, you can create a balanced skincare routine that supports long-term skin health and radiance. With the right combination, you’ll achieve a hydrated, resilient, and youthful complexion that reflects your skin's unique requirements.