Beauty scientist Hannah English: These are the five things I wish I knew about my skin in my 20s
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A beauty scientist and author has revealed five things you’d like to know in your 20s, including that you’re not too young for retinol and that SPF in makeup isn’t enough to protect your complexion.
Hannah English, from Sydney, said she always thought she was “too young” to use retinol in her 20s, but in reality, if you start earlier than you need to, you’re much more likely to see the positive effects.
“You’re not too young to start using retinol and yes, you can use it on the delicate eye area,” Hannah explained in a instagram video.
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A beauty scientist and author has revealed the five things she wants to know in her 20s (Hannah English pictured)
Hannah English (pictured) said she always thought she was “too young” to use retinol in her 20s, but in fact, if you start then, you’re much more likely to see the positive effects.
1. You’re not too young to start using retinol
Retinol refers to a form of vitamin A, which is an ingredient added to skin creams, lotions, and serums.
It has anti-aging effects and can help clear up acne when used in various concentrations.
Retinol increases skin cell production (proliferation) as well as unclogs pores.
Exfoliates your skin and increases collagen production, which can reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, giving your skin a fresher, smoother appearance.
Many are afraid to use it as it can lead to flaking skin and can be tricky around the eye area, but if you start slowly and build up to using it every other night, Hannah said you can see great results.
“Retinol can be used in the eye area and is fantastic for dark circles,” Hannah said.
She recommends Olay Retinol 24 ($29.99) to start.
2. Niacinamide Gives You Smooth, Glowing Skin
The second thing Hannah said she wishes she knew is that niacinamide (or B vitamins) is great for brightening the skin.
Niacinamide is a form of vitamin B-3, an essential nutrient.
When used topically, niacinamide can improve skin hydration by preventing the evaporation of moisture from the skin into the environment.
“Niacinamide 1.5-2 percent gives you smooth, glowing skin and minimizes pores,” Hannah said.
You use it every day combined with your retinol for the best effects.
While many of us think that SPF50 in our foundations and/or moisturizers is enough to protect us from the sun’s harmful UVA and UVB rays, Hannah (pictured) said that’s simply not the case.
3. The SPF in your moisturizer or makeup isn’t enough.
While many of us think that SPF50 in our foundations and/or moisturizers is enough to protect us from the sun’s harmful UVA and UVB rays, Hannah said that’s simply not the case.
Your foundation may say it’s SPF30+ or SPF50+, but the correct amount of sunscreen to apply is 1/4 teaspoon or about 1 ml, which is much more SPF than you would ever apply foundation.
“If you’ve ever measured 1 ml of foundation, you know that no one uses that much foundation,” Hannah said.
Instead, apply your SPF, and then layer your foundation, BB cream, or tinted moisturizer on top.
You might be tempted to skip sunscreen when it’s rainy or cloudy, but Hannah (pictured) wishes she’d known to use it every day to make sure her skin is protected.
4. You need to use SPF every day
You might be tempted to skip sunscreen when it’s raining or cloudy, but Hannah said she wishes she’d known to use it every day to make sure her skin is properly protected.
Hannah recommends a broad spectrum product, as this means you’ll be protected from the sun’s UVA and UVB rays.
“Of course, put on your moisturizer, let it dry, then put on your sunscreen and let it dry, and then go with any makeup,” Hannah said.
But please, do not mix any tint, bronzer, or foundation with your sunscreen.
“The reason for this is because it needs to form an even film on the skin and this could cause it to trigger and destabilize everything.”
The five ‘red flags’ of beauty
1. Use a loofah: The first thing Hannah said she never does is use a loofah, which are dirty and probably full of ‘mildew’. “They’re disgusting, no one washes them, and they probably definitely have mold on them,” Hannah said.
Hannah (pictured) previously shared her top beauty red flags, including the thought that preservative-free is a good thing.
2. Spray perfume on the neck and chest: Second, Hannah said that she never sprays any perfume on her neck or chest area. The reason is because they have ‘compounds that aren’t necessarily bad for you, but they do make your skin more photosensitive’.
3. Mix sunscreen with other products: Hannah doesn’t mix these products because the SPF needs to form an even film on the skin and this could trigger it and throw everything off balance.’
4. He thinks that without preservatives is a good thing: While many people may look at a product and think that if it markets itself as ‘preservative-free’ that’s a good thing, Hannah said the opposite is true. “Preservatives are put into the products to prevent mold from getting in,” she said.
5. Trust SPF in makeup: Your foundation may say it’s SPF30+ or SPF50+, but the correct amount of sunscreen to apply is 1/4 teaspoon or about 1 ml, which is much more SPF than you would ever apply foundation.
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5. Retinol and niacinamide together are an ‘iconic duo’
Finally, the beauty scientist said that her latest skincare secret is to combine retinol and niacinamide for brighter skin.
“When used together, retinol and niacinamide combat breakouts, uneven skin tone, fine lines, and wrinkles,” Hannah said.
If you alternately use them morning and night, you can expect brighter skin in a few weeks as skin cells renew themselves to reveal a new layer.