Best skincare ingredients now in your make-up

Maybe the concept of smart beauty has only recently come into your life (or maybe not). Perhaps you hadn't put into words what you felt. It's clear that your relationship with make-up has changed. You no longer look for the same things and pay more attention to the small print. If before you were more moved by impossible colours or projecting something you weren't, now it's the opposite. You want to feel good - that's for sure - but you don't want to sacrifice your skin in the process. So, it's only natural that the active ingredients that go into your facial routine —day and night— should also be in your lipstick and blush.

If you've recently learned something new about vitamin C and why you should include it in your skincare and make-up, then it's time to do the same with other key players in the cosmetic industry. You already know their names, so now it's time to find out what else they can do for you because, yes, there is life beyond serum.

The boom of active ingredients ( in make-up as well)

If one thing is clear, it is that the beauty sector is experiencing its best moment. And self-care is more in vogue than ever. Day and night routines, facial yoga, the acceptance (at last) of the general use of sun protection, be it winter or summer... More and more people are reading and talking about it, maybe even listening to a podcast or two. A few years ago, few people had heard the expression "active ingredient" and now there's (almost) no one who doesn't use it. 

There is no doubt that the two most sought-after active ingredients are hyaluronic acid and retinol, although others, such as lapacho oil, are coming on strong. You have them in your creams, serums, or ampoules. Their fame is well deserved, as they have a long list of properties and benefits, from brightening or firming the face to reducing acne. 

So, it's no surprise that they are not limited to traditional cosmetics but have also found their way into your make-up bag. Because if you're going to spend more than eight hours with your lipstick on, why not treat them, too?

Hyaluronic acid, the ubiquitous active ingredient in multi-benefit make-up products

What is it about this active ingredient that makes it so irresistible?

Depending on its size and molecular weight, its benefits can vary. The best part is that it is an active ingredient that is perfectly tolerated and meets most of the skin's basic needs:

• A moisturiser par excellence, it prevents water loss, helps repair the skin, and treats fine expression lines and wrinkles. 

• Maintains proper skin structure and creates a protective barrier to ensure good skin health.

And when its molecular weight is low, it fills in fine expression lines and wrinkles.

The search for hyaluronic acid for more moisturising make-up than ever before

It's obvious. If you're looking for hydrating creams or face serums with hyaluronic acid, you must do the same with your make-up. Specifically in areas where extra hydration is required, where loss of elasticity is more common, or where wrinkles are more likely to appear. It is especially true for products that come in direct contact with your skin, such as foundations and correctors (or concealers) for dark circles around the eyes or your lips, one of the thinnest, most delicate, and most exposed areas.

MULTIACTIVE SERUM FOUNDATION

A foundation that leaves skin luminous, hydrated and smooth thanks to its combination of active ingredients such as copper peptides, hyaluronic acid, and vitamin C.

RRP: €45 (available in 4 shades)

MULTIACTIVE BRIGHTENING CONCEALER

Eye contours are among the most delicate areas of the eyes, so they need to be treated with the utmost care. This corrector contains caffeine to revitalise the eyes and hyaluronic acid to hydrate and improve the expression lines that are so common in this area. 

RRP: €24

Retinol, the least common ingredient in your make-up (for now)

Although initially used to treat acne, retinol has become one of the active ingredients par excellence. Not only because it is recommended for all skin types - even the most sensitive ones - but also because it is a powerful cutaneous renovation accelerator. 

The popularity of this vitamin A derivative is due to its effectiveness in minimising wrinkles, expression lines, blemishes or improving skin firmness. However, unlike hyaluronic acid, it is not as common to find this ingredient in make-up. However, it is gradually making its way into one of your favourite products: lipsticks.

A lip balm with retinol, but also with hyaluronic acid, jojoba and argan oil, and shea butter to protect, moisturise, rejuvenate, replenish and smooth your lips. 

RRP: €23

At the end of the day, when looking for a lip balm - tinted or otherwise - moisturising properties should be the bare minimum. There are added bonuses when they smooth the skin, improve its elasticity or blur localised expression lines. Don't forget that this area is subject to constant muscle contraction - smiling and talking is the name of the game - which leads to a loss of collagen and elastin. Not to mention the so-called "barcode".

Lapacho oil, the improved ageing super-ingredient you didn't know about yet

Also known as the "tree of life," lapacho oil is gaining popularity in the beauty world thanks to its anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and antibacterial benefits. This elixir comes from South American landscapes such as Paraguay, Uruguay, Argentina, and Bolivia and promises to become one of the key active ingredients in make-up.

4 properties of lapacho oil

In vivo and in vitro studies have shown that this natural active ingredient has great skin care benefits, as it works at a cellular level to achieve this:

Firming: stimulates collagen and elastin production in the skin for firmer, more structured skin. 

Brightening: reduces uneven pigmentation, promotes cell renewal and improves skin luminosity for a more radiant and even complexion.

Hydrating:  helps retain moisture in the skin, strengthen the skin barrier, and prevent dryness, resulting in a smoother, healthier complexion.

Improved Aging: helps prevent (and care for) the appearance of wrinkles, fine lines, blemishes and other age-related signs.

MULTIACTIVE SERUM BLUSH

This multi-beneficial, multi-functional cream blush (can be used on cheeks, lips, and eyes). It contains lapacho oil and caffeine to illuminate, highlight, firm, and hydrate the skin, resulting in a natural, healthy-looking flush.

RRP: €26