We all wish for healthy, vibrant skin. When looking at ingredients, however, it can feel as if you need a degree in biochemistry to make sense of it all. What do you need, and what can be left on the shelf? We bring you five tips to help you make better skincare decisions.

1. Ceramides and useful fatty acids

Ceramides are like cement that holds together the body’s protective wall of skin cells. They are essential in maintaining your skin’s protective qualities and keeping moisture inside the body. Unfortunately, the amount of ceramides in our skin decreases with age. The amount of polyunsaturated fatty acids that give elasticity and mobility to ceramides also decreases. They are replaced by saturated fatty acids, causing stiffness of the skin.

How to get more high-quality ceramides with the help of skincare products? Ceramides are lipids (fats) and can be added to products in synthetic form, as plant extracts, or using high-ceramide vegetable oils. Here at LUMI, we prefer the latter method. Hemp oil contains several ceramides, omega-3, and omega-6 polyunsaturated fatty acids that the human body cannot produce. We avoid excess energy consumption and over-processing raw materials while ensuring our products are efficient. Ceramides are great for addressing extremely sensitive, extremely dry, or atopic skin.

Most LUMI products have hemp oil in them.

Try:

• SENSES firming and toning body lotion moisturises and slightly smoothes.
• Nourishing body oil provides hydration, especially after a shower or a bath.

2. Microbiota of balanced skin

Recent studies have shown that the millions of bacteria living on the surface of the skin play a vital role in skin health. The collection of microorganisms is the first line of defence against environmental damage to the skin. The balance of this ecosystem, involving active cooperation between our immune system and beneficial bacteria, is crucial for maintaining healthy and youthful skin. Numerous studies have found a direct link between an imbalanced bacterial ecosystem and skin issues.

How to keep the skin`s microbiota healthy and vital?

1. Keep in mind, less is more! Maintain an optimal skincare regimen and avoid extremes. Avoid using too many different products, toxic ingredients, and extreme treatments like mechanical exfoliation. For example, do not mechanically exfoliate your skin!
2. Use hermetically sealed cosmetics in pump bottles – they do not need strong preservatives.
3. Avoid products that have fragrances and alcohol in them.

Try:

• BIO-KLINIK restorative moisturiser re-balances skin`s microbiota.

3. AHA-BHA acids and lactic acid

Lactic acid helps maintain hyaluronic acid levels in the body. It stimulates collagen and elastin, making skin more viable and firm. By gently exfoliating the aged surface layer of our skin, lactic acid promotes skin renewal and a more even skin tone. Lactic acid helps to maintain the correct, slightly acidic pH level, which is necessary for a balanced skin ecosystem.

Be careful with AHA-BHA acids! Excessive AHA-BHA exfoliation can damage the skin barrier rather than balancing your skin. It is also vital that AHA-BHA acids are applied to the skin alongside lipids. All LUMI products are formulated with mild amounts of AHA-BHA and include beneficial omega fatty acids.

Try:

• Moisturising cleansing milk for gentle daily exfoliation.
• AHA-BHA cleansing milk for acne-prone skin.

4. Hyaluronic acid

Hyaluronic acid binds water to the skin, providing moisture and elasticity. When hyaluronic acid is mixed with water in a laboratory, the resulting substance has a gel-like, springy consistency. Children’s skin is also flexible and elastic. Unfortunately, as people get older, hyaluronic acid levels decrease, skin dries out, and forms wrinkles. Thankfully, it’s possible to increase levels of hyaluronic acid in the body through skin care, provided the molecules used are of the correct size.

At LUMI, we use various sizes of hyaluronic acid molecules to ensure deep and extensive hydration of the skin’s different layers. We use post-biotic hyaluronic acid produced as a result of bacterial life activity. This vital ingredient is included in all our products for hands, body and face.

Try:

• HALO moisturising mask restores moisture balance in the skin as a week-long course.
• SUPERBLOOM toning mist acts as a moisturising toner.

5. Antioxidants

Antioxidants neutralise free radicals in the body’s tissues. Normal body processes produce free radicals, and some perform vital signalling functions. However, environmental factors such as solar radiation, pollution and stress can intensify the production of free radicals.

Free radicals are like solitary particles that circulate through tissues and seek bonds. These particles can bond with vital molecules, such as DNA or collagen (which gives elasticity to the skin), causing them to break down. Fortunately, our bodies have a pretty effective system that uses antioxidants to control the entire process.

It is recommended to get additional antioxidants through food and skincare. Vitamins A, C, and E are all effective antioxidants; none is favoured over the others. A combination of these works best in skincare.

Try:

• SUPERBLOOM vitamin C night serum full of vitamins.
• Anti-wrinkle face cream, activates collagen production and skin renewal, designed to protect mature skin from free radical damage.

Photographer: Caroline Sada