Skincare Ingredient Index: A to Z of Skin + Me

Fancy becoming a skincare expert in five minutes? Well, we can’t promise that, but you can brush up on your knowledge with the A to Z of Skin + Me. We’ve compiled a list of common terms and ingredients that make a difference – whether you’re dedicated to your Daily Doser or just getting started on your skincare journey, we hope you learn something new. And remember, our Dermatology Team is always on hand to answer your individual treatment progress questions. Let’s go!

Azelaic Acid

Azelaic acid is an antioxidant and great all-rounder ingredient. It works to gently exfoliate, reduce inflammation, fight the bacteria that can cause acne, and tackle unwanted redness and pigmentation. This superstar will likely feature in your Skin + Me Daily Doser if you want clear, healthy skin, and you can also use it as a morning treatment step – Brighten + Boost Calming Azelaic Acid Serum is a great way to start your day.

Bedtime Routine

From your Daily Doser ritual to the quality of your sleep – it’s important to establish a regular bedtime routine to ensure happier, healthier skin. Ensure your bedroom isn’t too warm and minimise screen time an hour before bed. Late night scrolling is the enemy of beauty sleep – and we’re definitely not immune to the temptation!

Clindamycin

Clindamycin is an antibiotic that’s used by dermatologists to help fight acne. It targets acne-causing bacteria to reduce inflammation and angry spots. It also helps to soothe the skin, reducing visible redness and swelling caused by acne.

Daily Doser

Your Skin + Me Daily Doser is a bespoke formulation tailored to fit perfectly with your skin’s needs. Your dermatology clinician will decide which ingredients you need – the cream could include tretinoin, clindamycin, azelaic acid, niacinamide or metronidazole if needed.

The Daily Doser has a unique ‘twist and click’ function that dispenses the perfect amount of treatment cream each evening. This takes any guesswork out of your skincare routine, for the most effective results. The Daily Doser is also made from infinitely-recyclable aluminium, and all our formulations are vegan and cruelty-free.

Eye Cream

The skin around your eyes requires regular attention and care, but not necessarily a specific eye cream. Unless you have a sensitive eye area, then you can just use your moisturising face cream and your usual SPF. 

When it comes to actives such as retinoids, you do need to be a little more careful – for example, the immediate eye area may not tolerate strong prescription tretinoin. You could try using a more gentle over-the-counter retinol in that area if you are targeting fine lines and wrinkles.

Free Radicals

Free radicals are an inescapable part of life, but they are also responsible for damaging cell membranes, proteins and DNA in a process known as oxidative stress. This can lead to the early signs of ageing, including fine lines, wrinkles, dull, tired skin and dark spots. 

A diet rich in antioxidants can help to reduce the amount of free radicals present in your skin. Using a broad spectrum sunscreen (like Skin + Me Daily Defence SPF 50) should be your first line of defence. Antioxidant skincare ingredients such as vitamin C may also improve the early signs of ageing.

GP

While we’re here to support you on anything skincare-related, it’s super important that you talk to your GP if you have any medical conditions that may affect your treatment progress. You should let your GP know you’re using Skin + Me if you are starting any new medication.

Hydroquinone

Hydroquinone is an ingredient found in skin-lightening creams. It is used to treat cases of hyperpigmentation, including melasma and other conditions that result in darker patches of skin. Hydroquinone works by reducing the skin’s production of melanin, and it is a gold standard ingredient prescribed by dermatology experts, including those at Skin + Me.

Injectables

Injectables range from botox to dermal fillers and are used to relax facial wrinkles, contouring and creating volume and framework to the face and lips. A number of different types exist and can be used to target specific skin concerns. Remember to always go to a professional if you are interested in injectables or other cosmetic treatments.

Journeys

Your skin is dynamic and its needs change over time and so skincare and treatments may need to be adjusted. We are here as your skin evolves so make sure to check in with your prescriber during your journey and let them know if you have any concerns.

Keep it up

Staying on track and sticking to a simple but effective routine will allow you to see the best results. Keep up the good work with your Daily Doser and you’ll notice visible changes to your skin – remember, it takes around 90 days to see results.

Less is more

Less is more – or as we like to call it, ‘Skinimalism’ – is all about making your skincare routine work smarter, instead of piling on the products. Twenty-step skincare routines are a thing of the past, now that clever, multi-tasking products like your Daily Doser offer an approach that saves time, money, and actually works.

Metronidazole

Metronidazole is an antibiotic medicine which is not only used to treat all sorts of bacterial infections, but is also extremely effective at treating rosacea. It’s actually considered to be a gold standard treatment for the spots and redness caused by the condition.

Niacinamide

Niacinamide is an antioxidant that tackles a myriad of skin concerns from oil regulation to barrier repair, and boosts cell rejuvenation for a healthy, more radiant complexion. It is a form of Vitamin B that improves the early signs of ageing, and also reduces hyperpigmentation by working on skin barrier function.

Over the counter skincare

Over the counter skincare – it’s exactly what it says on the tin! You can purchase skincare off the shelf, but some of the most effective evidence-based active ingredients are available on prescription only. At Skin + Me, our dermatology team will study your photos before creating a bespoke treatment cream just for you – we believe that there’s no one-size-fits-all solution to skincare.

Pigmentation

Our skin’s natural colour tone is determined by a pigment called melanin that’s produced by cells in the top layer of our skin. Hyperpigmentation most commonly occurs when that melanin is overproduced which can lead to uneven tone patches and darker spots on the skin’s surface.

Questions?

If you need help while using Skin + Me products, you can check our FAQs online or log into your account to get in touch with our Dermatology team – we’re always here to support you through your unique journey towards healthier skin.

Rosacea

Rosacea is a chronic skin condition that mostly tends to affect the centre of the face – across the cheeks, nose, chin and forehead. The visible symptoms include transient or persistent redness, flushing, broken small blood vessels, and spots and swollen or thickened skin.

SPF

It’s super important to always wear sunscreen every day – especially when using powerful ingredients in your Skin + Me Daily Doser. You need a broad-spectrum sunscreen that has an SPF of at least 30 and protects against UVA and UVB rays in your daily regime. That’s why we created the Daily Defence Oil-free Sunscreen SPF 50 – the ultra-nourishing formula is packed with niacinamide and vitamin E. Log into your Skin + Me account to add a tube of Daily Defence to your next box.

Tretinoin

Tretinoin is a vitamin A derivative and powerhouse ingredient that’s part of the retinoid family. Twenty times stronger than retinol, it’s prescribed by dermatologists to fight acne, make pores less visible, and reduce fine lines and wrinkles. It’s also used by clinicians to treat unwanted pigmentation such as melasma and sunlight-induced pigmentation (including freckles).

Under-eye bags

Under-eye bags can have many causes, most often it is due to swelling and puffiness. As we age the skin and underlying tissues, as well as muscles around the eyes, can weaken and cause a small pocket of fat below the eye to move to the lower eyelids, resulting in the appearance of under-eye bags. The effects of gravity and reduced skin elasticity over time can make this more visible.

Vitamin C

Vitamin C already occurs naturally in your skin – you’ll also find it in skincare products and certain foods. Vitamin C and its derivatives are antioxidants which means they can protect the skin from environmental stressors and potentially skin-damaging free radicals. If you want to add it to your routine, we’d recommend starting your day with one of our Brighten + Boost Vitamin C Serums. The Regulating Serum reduces the appearance of dark spots, while the Firming Serum smooths fine lines and boosts collagen.

Wisdom

At Skin + Me, we love sharing the wisdom of our in-house dermatology team as much as we love being a platform to connect with our community – that’s you! Supporting others, inspiring commitment and sharing your treatment progress is part of what inspires us everyday – we’re all on a collective journey to healthier skin.

Exfoliate

Gentle exfoliation can help to brighten your skin by sweeping away dull, dead skin cells. Don’t overdo it though! There’s no need to exfoliate every day, especially when you’re just starting out using powerful actives such as tretinoin. A soft muslin cloth to wipe away a cream cleanser may be all you need.

You

As you start a new phase in your skincare journey, it’s important that you remember it is all about you! From our bespoke formulations to your lifestyle – you have the power to build new routines and positive-habits that give you more confidence and healthier skin, starting today.

Zinc Pyrithione

Zinc Pyrithione can be effective at treating psoriasis, eczema, and acne due to its antimicrobial, antibacterial, and antifungal properties. Shampoos containing Zinc Pyrithione are often used to treat dandruff or seborrheic dermatitis.

Medical facts checked by Consultant Dermatologist, Dr Malvina Cunningham