6 Skincare/Makeup Ingredients To Look For In Your Products

It’s common for this generation, both Z and Alpha, to take more care of their skin and overall health for that matter. Therefore, they are prioritising skincare and makeup that includes the good stuff. That good stuff includes hyaluronic acid, vitamin C, niacinamide, retinol, salicylic acid and ceramides. 

All of those ingredients have their own unique positive impact on your skin, which we will get into shortly.

Hyaluronic Acid

You will find this in most moisturisers and serums for its powerful ability to help your skin retain moisture, which is a huge must for those who wish to wear makeup for hours, have dry skin or live in a relatively dry climate. Overall, keeping your skin nice and hydrated prevents early ageing, which is a must.

A lot of makeup products, including foundations, eye creams, cream blushes and lip gloss and beyond, include hyaluronic acid to combat how drying makeup can be to the skin and give the skin an adverse effect.

Vitamin C

Another ingredient you will see as a selling point for a range of moisturisers. This potent antioxidant helps brighten the skin while helping protect your skin barrier from sun damage. In addition, this can help with collagen production, which is an effective anti-ageing cream to keep your skin feeling healthy.

You can find vitamin C in products like foundations, primers, and even setting sprays, so in every step of your skincare routine, you can add vitamin C.

Niacinamide (Vitamin B3)

This is a product that is like a 2-in-1; it works by reducing inflammation and redness, and in doing so, it strengthens your skin barrier. This is a great product to use at night to ensure it soaks up all of its goodness and can work effectively. All in the process of skin healing, it reduces your pores, which is another huge bonus, creating a smoother and softer surface for makeup application.

Ceramides

These lipids are essential for maintaining a healthy skin barrier, which is key in 2025 to heal and fix the skin barrier. These all in all help prevent skin dryness and irritation in the future.

While it’s relatively uncommon for makeup to contain ceramides, it’s still possible. This ingredient is much better suited to go along with serums and moisturisers for it to work to the best of its abilities.

Retinol

The anti-ageing GOAT, especially when picking creams for that purpose. It’s a powerful ingredient that is pretty expensive; however, it’s because it’s effective at doing what it says on the tin. This is usually a serum-only product, so don’t expect to find this in any makeup products. Retinol works by encouraging cell turnover and collagen production, and therefore reducing fine lines and wrinkles.

Salicylic Acid

The BHA (beta hydroxy acid) helps exfoliate the skin gently, which draws out all the clogged pores with oil and dirt, giving your skin the deep clean it occasionally needs. This helps people who may struggle with regular breakouts, acne and so forth. This is a good nighttime serum ingredient to include in the routine.