Best Glow-Giving Ingredients to Include in Your Morning Skin Routine

So, you’ve seen the Pinterest boards and numerous TikTok trends discussing glowy skin and now you want to emulate it, but don’t know where to start? We’ve all been there. 

The “simple” days of skincare are now replaced with multi-step routines, a new dictionary of vocabulary, and the desire to understand what’s really in the products we’re putting on our faces — and what they do for our skin. With the wave of interest in skincare thanks to the pandemic, skincare has never been such a hot topic of conversation.

In this day and age, where “dolphin skin” is trending and that enviable glow is just that — enviable — how can we trust that the products we put on our skin, are going to work for us? How do we know which products to avoid and which to gravitate towards for a glowy completion? 

Having all the information about your skin is imperative, even if you’re a skincare newbie or a self-proclaimed skinfluencer. Dr Burcu Kim, Specialist Dermatologist from Quayside Specialists says that if you’re in need of assistance, always seek the advice of a dermatologist to understand your skin’s needs.  

There’s no denying that skincare can be a minefield due to so many products on offer, after all, there’s a lot to wrap your head around, especially when it comes to ingredients. However, it’s important to note that nowadays skincare is both accessible and affordable — it’s just about knowing what to look for.  

Below is a list of ingredients that will assist you on your journey to glowy skin.

Vitamin C

Vitamin C is ubiquitous in brightening products and treatments and you’ve probably heard of it as a powerful antioxidant. “It is an antioxidant which can help fight the effects of UV and photoaging on the skin, improve tone and texture of the skin, reduce pigmentation, minimise the appearance of fine lines, and increase collagen production,” says Kim. When paired with ingredients like pineapple fruit extract, it works together to brighten the skin’s complexion and deliver an effortless glow. 

Pineapple Fruit Extract

Fruit in your skincare? Bear with us, it has some truly amazing properties to achieve that enviable glow. Kim tells POPSUGAR Australia that, “pineapple extract contains an enzyme known as bromelain, which is an exfoliant”. Exfoliating is important in any routine as it assists with cell turnover, which then can even out skin tone and lead to brighter skin. When paired with other antioxidants, such as vitamin C, you get an effective blend of exfoliation and brightening properties that work to fight dull skin. 

SPF

A must-have in any routine. Skincare is useless unless you’re using SPF. Truly. Including an SPF in your skincare regimen daily is a must if you want to see the benefits of your skincare routine flourish, as well as protect your skin. SPF is important, not only because it protects you from UV rays (and therefore skin cancer and melanoma), but it also helps with concerns such as hyperpigmentation and melasma.

Retinol

While few skincare ingredients have become household names, one that is extremely deserving is retinol, a derivative of vitamin A. It’s an ingredient that has been scientifically proven to slow down the signs of ageing as it increases cell turnover and boosts collagen production. Basically, if you’re looking for a miracle ingredient that does it all and will assist you on your journey to youthful skin, this is it. Thanks to retinol’s ability to speed up cell turnover, reduce the appearance of sun damage and brown spots, lines, wrinkles, and even large pores, it’s a must-have in every beauty cupboard as it really is the gold standard in skincare.  

AHAs and BHAs

By now, you’ve probably seen these acronyms floating around, and chances are you’ve already used them in your skincare. There are two classes of hydroxy acids, and they’re called alpha-hydroxy acids (AHAs) and beta hydroxy acids (BHAs), and they’re divided into these categories because they treat different concerns for the skin. Neither type is “better”, as both are highly effective in terms of deep exfoliation — the difference lies within their use. 

Incorporating an AHA or BHA (or both) into your routine is useful in maintaining a healthy and hydrated complexion, and also assists with the efficacy of your other skincare. To give a very streamlined description of what they do, these acids remove dead skin cells, assist with blemishes, and promote cell turnover. AHAs specifically tackle things like pigmentation and dark spots, whereas BHAs get deep into the pore and remove excess sebum to give your pores a good clean. In short, they’re both definite glow givers. 

If you want to check out the range of Garnier Green Labs serum creams in the range, head to the Garnier website. 

Editor’s note: Dr Burcu Kim is an independent dermatologist and is not contracted to Garnier Green Labs in any capacity.