Three categories of skin care ingredients are key for reducing the signs of ageing, according to a doctor
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Skin care can help to turn back the years on our appearance, but not all products are built the same.
Speaking exclusively to GB News, global skin doctor and cosmetic formulator Dr Vanita Rattan shared the ingredients to look out for when building an anti-ageing skin care regime.
The expert, who boasts 2.6 million social media followers, suggested three things to look out for - antioxidants, vitamin A and peptides.
Dr Rattan explained: "Point number one is you want all your antioxidants on the skin. That's all your vitamin C and green tea extract.
Dr Vanita Rattan shared anti-ageing skin care advice
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"Number two, you want your vitamin A's on the skin. So vitamin A would be things like retinol and retinal aldehyde.
"The third thing I would recommend is your peptides, which behave as a humectant. But they also help with fine lines.
"So there are three categories of ingredients that I would start with to build your anti-ageing skin care routine."
Vitamin A products such as retinol have been proven to have anti-ageing benefits.
One study published in the National Institutes of Health looked at the effectiveness of topical retinol in improving the signs of ageing in 36 subjects with an average age of 87.
After 24 weeks, there were significant differences between those who had retinol-treated skin and those with vehicle-treated skin when it came to the appearance of fine wrinkles.
It concluded: "Topical retinol improves fine wrinkles associated with natural ageing. Significant induction of glycosaminoglycan, which is known to retain substantial water, and increased collagen production are most likely responsible for wrinkle effacement.
"With greater skin matrix synthesis, retinol-treated aged skin is more likely to withstand skin injury and ulcer formation along with improved appearance."
The ingredients Dr Rattan recommends can be found in various skin care products but for those who do not know where to start, the expert suggested looking for the basics.
She said: "I would say start simple, especially if you're a newbie. If you've never done [a skin care routine] before, I'd use a moisturiser with ceramol and peptides in it.
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Sunscreen is an important part of an anti-ageing skin care regime
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"Then you want to go for your SPF 50. I love mineral sunscreens because they are anti-inflammatory plus they don't absorb into the skin. Go for one without a white cast."
The expert added: "Even if you're just doing those two things plus washing your face in the mornings with a simple micellar gel wash, you're off to a really good start."
Dr Vattan explained it is good to try this simple routine for a few months. If you feel comfortable with your routine after that, you can add in a serum - "ideally one with lots of ingredients in it, like a cocktail serum so you're not having to layer lots of different products".