What are the top skincare ingredients and how do they work?

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Login or signup to continue reading $ 0 / $ NaN /year All articles from our website & app The digital version of Today's Paper Breaking news alerts direct to your inbox Interactive Crosswords, Sudoku and Trivia All articles from the other regional websites in your area Continue Photo by Shutterstock. When it comes to the all-consuming world of the beauty industry, the sheer variety of skincare products can leave many wondering where to start and what's truly essential for their skin type. If you aren't a dermatologist or beauty expert, it's likely that advertising is guiding the choice on what product is right for you.

But perhaps the best way to determine whether a beauty product is likely to be your new favourite is to find out more about the ingredients themselves. In this article, we demystify the top skincare ingredients to help you understand what they are, what they do, and how to use them. Photo by Shutterstock.

RETINOL: ANTI-AGEING What is retinol and how does it work? Retinol , also known as vitamin A1 is a type of retinoid and a derivative of vitamin A, which is an essential nutrient for eye and skin health, cellular development and immune function. In its topical form, retinol can be found in a range of skin creams, serums, oils and moisturisers at beauty stores or over the cou.