Hold back the years with the best anti-ageing active ingredients

Hyaluronic acid acts as a sponge, thanks to its amazing ability to retain moisture. The acid is already present in your skin and it holds 1,000 times its own weight in water, which is stored to plump up your face and add softness, firmness and elasticity. It's the star molecule when it comes to the fight against skin-ageing, whether you get it from an injection, cosmetic treatments or a skincare capsule.

Retinol is a derivative of vitamin A and is also found naturally in your skin. It boosts cell renewal and slows down the ageing of new cells, plus it can help rebuild collagen, resulting in plumper-looking skin. Retinol works deep in the basal layer of your skin, rather than merely sitting on the surface, which is how it activates the production of collagen.

Vitamin C is a powerful antioxidant, and is highly effective at neutralising free radicals that cause premature skin ageing. It also plays a vital role in boosting collagen production, which we all know is the way to giving skin a denser, firmer appearance. The ascorbic acid in vitamin C also helps the surface of the skin fight off external stress and exposure to the elements we face in everyday life.

Pro-Xylane is a sugar protein whose molecules are responsible for defending the skin against water loss. It restructures the skin, layer by layer, by stimulating growth proteins in skin cells, and therefore helps combat wrinkles and sagging skin. It adds density, evens out skin tone and brightens the complexion.

Like all antioxidants, resveratrol; a plant compound found in the skin of red grapes; helps to fight the signs of skin ageing. It is an anti-inflammatory, boosts collagen and elastin production, and firms the skin on the chin and neck. This molecule is the queen of antioxidants.