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Skincare Ingredients Guide
From the brightening touch of vitamin C to the smoothing power of retinoids, peptides and collagen, discover how botanicals, SPF and skincare acids, like hyaluronic acid, AHAs and BHAs can help you glow with confidence.
Shine Bright With Vitamin C
What is it?
Vitamin C, also known as ascorbic acid, is a water-soluble vitamin that is essential for various bodily functions. It acts as an antioxidant and plays a crucial role in collagen production.
What does it do?
It can be found in serums, moisturisers and suncare and works to brighten your complexion, even out skin tone and reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.
Explore Peptides
What are they?
Peptides are short chains of amino acids, which are the building blocks of proteins in the skin, such as collagen and elastin. They're essential for maintaining the skin’s structure and appearance.
What do they do?
They can help give you firmer, smoother-looking skin and work to improve skin elasticity for a fresher, more youthful look.
What is SPF?
SPF stands for sun protection factor. It indicates how well sun protection helps shield your skin from UVB rays, which can cause sunburn. For example, SPF 30 provides a high level of protection against UVB rays when used as directed.
Find Out More:
- UVB and UVA: UVB rays can burn your skin, while UVA rays penetrate deeper. Broad-spectrum sun protection is designed to help guard your skin from both types of rays
- Absorption and reflection: sun protection products may use chemical filters (which absorb UV rays and convert them to heat) and physical filters such as zinc oxide or titanium dioxide (which reflect UV rays away from the skin)
Why is Daily SPF Essential?
- Sun protection: UV radiation can burn your skin and damage skin cells. Using sun protection regularly can help protect you from the sun's harmful rays
- Anti-ageing: UV exposure can trigger melanin production. Sun protection with a minimum SPF 15 and equivalent UVA protection can help delay premature skin ageing and prevent sun-related pigmentation from forming
Application Tips:
- Amount matters: follow manufacturer guidelines on how much sun protection to apply and ensure you don’t miss any exposed areas
- Timing: sun protection should be applied to clean, dry skin and allowed to absorb prior to sun exposure
- Re-application: re-apply sun protection after swimming or exercising and re-apply regularly, especially if you’re somewhere with high UV levels, have pale skin or are prone to burning
- Daily use: sun protection should be worn even on cloudy days, as UV rays can penetrate clouds and glass
- Be sensible in the sun: take regular shade breaks, stay out of the sun in the middle of the day and take other precautions such as wearing hats, long-sleeved clothing and drinking plenty of water
Stay Safe in the Sun With SPF
Ready for Retinoids?
What are they?
Retinoids are derived from vitamin A and come in various forms, including retinol and tretinoin. These powerful anti-ageing ingredients can be found in many moisturisers, face oils and serums.
What do they do?
They work to help tackle signs of ageing, reducing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, leaving you with a smooth, radiant, youthful-looking complexion.
Dive Into Collagen
What is it?
Collagen is a protein that helps provide structural support to our skin, bones and muscles. It's crucial for maintaining skin elasticity, firmness and hydration, and naturally decreases with age.
What does it do?
It can be found in both supplements and skincare and works to support skin elasticity, reduce the look of fine lines, improve hydration and more.
Spotlight on Acids
What are they?
Skincare acids such as AHAs, BHAs and hyaluronic acid are a diverse group of active ingredients used to help support the appearance and health of the skin.
What do they do?
Each type of acid has its own unique benefits, with AHA and BHA skincare formulas working to gently exfoliate your complexion and hyaluronic acid offering intense hydration.
Beautiful Botanicals
What are they?
Botanicals in skincare refer to natural ingredients derived from plants. These plant-based components are packed with vitamins, minerals, antioxidants and essential oils.
What do they do?
Botanicals can offer aromatherapy benefits, helping to enhance your mood and aid relaxation. Some ingredients can help soothe and calm sensitive skin, while others help hydrate and soften.
Shop by Ingredient
Discover a world of beauty ingredients at QVC UK, from hyaluronic acid and retinol to vitamin C, peptides, botanical extracts, SPF. Whether you're searching for the best skincare ingredients for anti-ageing, hydration, or sensitive skin, we've added helpful details to explain what each ingredient is and what it does. Shop trusted brands and explore trending ingredients to elevate your beauty routine.
Find your perfect beauty ingredients and shop online with confidence at QVC UK.
