Skincare expert’s tip to ‘keep skin looking young and fresh’

When it comes to looking younger, women have plenty of options, ranging from new hairstyles to makeup and cosmetic treatments.

Skincare, however, is a non-negotiable for those wanting to slow the visible effects of ageing on their complexion, and even reverse the damage that’s already been done.

To help women learn the most effective skincare routine, Dr Catherine Hood, women’s health specialist and a member of the Hada Labo Tokyo Skin Care Panel has shared her “miracle” formula for “younger looking skin”.

Speaking exclusively to Express.co.uk, she said: “No matter what age we are, we all want to look our best. Keeping skin hydrated is an essential part of helping it stay healthy, smooth, plump and youthful.

“Hormones, diet, sun exposure and other lifestyle factors can all impact the skin’s hydration levels, so it’s important to try and counteract this by giving skin the hydration it needs.”

She continued: “The key ingredient to keeping the skin hydrated is hyaluronic acid (HA), levels of which fall as we age. Hyaluronic acid is excellent at absorbing water and helping the outer layers of skin hang on it.

“However, the hydration power will depend on the size of each HA molecule and its ability to penetrate the outer layer of the skin.”

There are so many products out there that claim to be packed with HA, but the Japanese scientists at Hada Labo Tokyo have developed smarter techniques to bottle up the different molecule sizes.

These include standard hyaluronic acid which holds 1,000 times its weight in water and is retained in the top layer of skin, and nano hyaluronic acid for deeper skin penetration, plumping from within.

Catherine continued: “Hydration is a key step in the skin care routine yet many of us simply bypass this step moving straight on to applying moisturiser, assuming this provides our skin with all the hydration it needs.

“But this isn’t the case. We need a hydrator to go deep into the skin to provide adequate hydration.”

The skincare expert suggested that a “quick win for younger looking skin” is Hada Labo Tokyo’s New Premium Lotion Intense Super Deep Hydrator, which she branded “a seriously powerful hydrating lotion” from the leading Japanese skincare brand.

It contains an impressive seven types of Hyaluronic acid (HA), each with a complementary role to play in hydrating the skin. 

Included in the product is fermented HA which enhances the skin barrier function, and advanced hyaluronic acid which moisturises the skin and minimises moisture loss all thanks to the power of ions.

When it comes to applying such “miracle” formulas, the process is very simple. Catherine recommended: “After cleansing, pat the lotion onto the face, neck and decolletage can help keep skin looking young and fresh.

“It is one-of-a-kind. The unique Lock-in-Moist formula helps maintain high levels of moisture in the skin for less visible wrinkles and radiant, smooth skin.”