Anti-ageing skincare ingredient that's 'unheard of' will 'reduce wrinkles', says doctor

Taking care of your skin is pivotal to maintaining a youthful complexion and anti-ageing ingredients are must-have for results.

Retinol has become a major buzzword in skincare right now, and while effective at reducing the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles, and pigmentation, it's not for everyone.

The strong substance, also known as Vitamin A1, has flooded mainstream skincare brands, but Hada Labo Tokyo (Japan's number one skincare line) is one that's bucked the trend. 

And it's for good reason too, as Doctor Nisa Aslam, GP, skin specialist and adviser to Hada Labo revealed. She said: "Six in 10 women have bought a skincare product because it promised a more youthful skin appearance, yet there are some big gaps in women’s knowledge around the ingredients to look out for."

Nisa continued: "Often unheard of, panthenol is one of the eight B vitamins."

As a derivative of the B5 vitamin panthenol has powerful humectant properties, which Nisa said are "fantastic at reducing water loss from the skin, trapping water in the skin and helping restore the skin barrier".

There is also evidence it improves elasticity and the absorption of other active ingredients in skincare products, such as hyaluronic acid and retinol.

Panthenol is perfect for mature complexions struggling with hydration, and it can be found in many, including this Amino Acids + B5 water-based serum by The Ordinary, making it easy to incorporate into your skincare regime.

Hada Labo Tokyo make it even easier to start using with its water-resistant sunscreen. 

Nisa said: "It’s also important to ensure your sunscreen contains powerful ingredients such as this to tackle ageing. Go for a high-SPF sunscreen like Hada Labo Tokyo Face Cream SPF 50 (£18.99 at Superdrug).

"It uses top-quality, photostable filters to shield the skin against harmful UVA and UVB radiation. And while it protects, it also replenishes with panthenol, which helps to regenerate collagen and elastin, plus contains three forms of hyaluronic acids which help keep the skin well hydrated, bust wrinkles and help stop the skin ageing."

A clinical trial on the anti-ageing product showed that all of the women found it easy and pleasant to use; all had fewer wrinkles overall and the length of wrinkles was reduced for 90 percent of participants, said Nisa.

As for other complexion-enhancing ingredients, Doctor Aslam said that retinol and hyaluronic acid are good ones to look for in addition to panthenol.

She remarked: "Ultimately, if it’s anti-ageing you’re after, the skin care products you use should contain the correct blend of ingredients to ensure you’re getting the most from your skin care routine.

"Be sure to read labels properly so you know that what you’re buying will deliver the results it claims to.”