As you get older, skin gets drier, so you pile on thicker moisturisers. But ageing skin also gets oilier, because if you haven’t noticed, skin that is dry tends to overcompensate by producing more sebum. And to add to the bad news , your cell turnover rate also decreases as you age, which means that if you don’t cleanse your skin properly and remove the surface impurities, your skin will be even more prone to congestion and breakouts.
So how do you strike a balance between curbing the breakouts and nourishing your skin properly? Products that do the former tend to dry up skin, while those that do the latter might clog up skin. But not all hope is lost, because there are products that can do both. Look out for key ingredients such as retinol, a form of vitamin A, which improves collagen production as well as promote skin renewal. It’s great for treating acne because it helps prevent dead skin cells from clogging pores. At the same time, it improves skin texture and diminishes the appearance of enlarged pores. The downsides? It’s not suitable for pregnant women, and will cause flaking. Thus, it’s best used with a super hydrating moisturiser afterwards.
Niacinamide, or vitamin B3, is another super ingredient for fighting acne in ageing skin. It’s soothing, antimicrobial, and helps regulate sebum production, smooth out skin texture, as well as even out skin tone. Plus, it’s used to treat dry skin by improving the skin’s moisture barrier and it prevents collagen glycation, so it helps plump up skin and fine lines.
So here are 10 beauty products (five which have retinol and five which have niacinamide) you should add to your skincare routine, especially if you have ageing skin that’s prone to breakouts.