Because mum deserves the best: the ultimate anti-ageing skincare guide
Key Points:
- Expert explores the best anti-ageing skincare ingredients to gift this Mother’s Day
- Expert highlights powerhouse ingredients like retinol, peptides, hyaluronic acid, and vitamin C—explaining their benefits and how to use them
- Expert gives tips on giving a thoughtful and luxurious gift, and suggests adding a personal touch to make the present even more special
Mother’s Day is just around the corner (Sunday, 30th March, to be precise), and if you’re still searching for the perfect gift, forget the predictable flowers and chocolates. This year, why not give your mum the gift of glowing, youthful skin?
Ryan Porter, a skincare expert at Fat Cow Skincare, a brand dedicated to creating natural, grass-fed, tallow-based skincare products, has rounded up the powerhouse ingredients that can help keep skin looking smooth, hydrated, and radiant.
“Whether she’s already a beauty aficionado or just starting to take an interest, these ingredients will have her thanking you for months to come,” says Ryan.
Peptides & Retinol: The Ultimate Power Couple For Youthful Skin
“Retinol (Vitamin A) is a skincare workhorse, speeding up cell turnover, boosting collagen production, and smoothing fine lines,” says Ryan. “It also fades dark spots, evens skin tone, and helps unclog pores. The only downside is that it can be drying and irritating when you first start using it.”
Peptides are tiny chains of amino acids that help build collagen and elastin, keeping skin firm and resilient. They repair damage, improve elasticity, and calm irritation—making them the perfect partner to balance out retinol’s harsher effects.
How To Use Them For Maximum Glow
- Start Slow With Retinol – If your mum is new to retinol, she should begin with a pea-sized amount 2–3 times a week, gradually increasing to nightly use as her skin adjusts.
- Peptides In The Morning, Retinol At Night – To avoid irritation, use peptides in a serum or moisturiser in the morning and apply retinol at night (always followed by a moisturiser).
- Hydration Is Key – Retinol can be drying, so pairing it with a peptide-rich moisturiser helps repair the skin barrier and lock in hydration.
- ALWAYS Wear SPF – Retinol makes skin more sensitive to sunlight, so daily sunscreen is a must.
Where You’ll Find Them
You’ll see these two in serums, night creams, and targeted anti-ageing treatments. “Peptides and retinol work well together, but if your mum has sensitive skin, she should use them on alternate nights to avoid irritation,” says Ryan.
Ceramides & Hyaluronic Acid: The Hydration Dream Team
If your mum’s skin feels dry, tight, or not as plump as it used to be, this is the moisture-locking duo she needs in her routine.
“Ceramides are the bodyguards of your skin barrier, sealing in moisture and protecting against environmental damage,” says Ryan. “Hyaluronic Acid is a moisture magnet, pulling water into the skin and plumping it up to reduce the appearance of fine lines. It can hold up to 1,000 times its weight in water, making it one of the most powerful hydrators in skincare.”
Together, they hydrate, protect, and repair—perfect for keeping skin soft, smooth, and bouncy.
How To Use Them For Maximum Glow
- Apply Hyaluronic Acid First – “This ingredient loves water, so apply to slightly damp skin after cleansing for the best results,” says Ryan. “Follow up with a moisturiser to lock it in.”
- Layer Ceramides On Top – Think of ceramides as the “seal” that keeps all that hydration locked in. Look for a moisturiser with ceramides to strengthen the skin barrier and prevent moisture loss.
- Use Daily, Morning And Night – Hydration is key to preventing premature ageing, so these two should be part of everyday skincare.
Where You’ll Find Them
You’ll spot these powerhouse ingredients in moisturisers, serums, and cleansers. They’re especially great for dry, sensitive, or mature skin, but all skin types benefit from extra hydration.
Vitamin C & Niacinamide: The Brightening Dream Team
Vitamin C and Niacinamide are like a double shot of radiance! Together, they brighten, protect, and smooth the skin, making them a must-have duo for anti-ageing.
“Vitamin C is a supercharged antioxidant that neutralises free radicals, helping to slow down signs of ageing and boost collagen production for firmer skin,” says Ryan. “Niacinamide (Vitamin B3) evens skin tone, strengthens the skin barrier, and reduces redness—all while helping to prevent moisture loss.”
How To Use Them Like A Skincare Pro
- Morning Application Is Best – Vitamin C fights environmental damage, while Niacinamide calms inflammation and strengthens the skin.
- Layer Correctly – “Apply Vitamin C first, let it absorb, then follow with Niacinamide,” Ryan advises. “If you prefer, use Vitamin C in the morning and Niacinamide at night.”
- Go For Stable Formulas – Vitamin C is notorious for breaking down when exposed to air and light, so opt for products with airtight, opaque packaging.
Where You’ll Find Them
“These ingredients pop up in serums, creams, and toners,” says Ryan. “You’ll often find them in lightweight, fast-absorbing formulas that work well under SPF – which, by the way, is non-negotiable when using Vitamin C.”
Collagen: The Support System For Youthful Skin
Collagen is like scaffolding for your skin—keeping it plump, firm, and smooth. But from our mid-20s onwards, collagen production starts to decline, leading to wrinkles, sagging, and a loss of elasticity.
Does Collagen Actually Work?
“There’s plenty of buzz around collagen supplements, and while they won’t magically rewind the clock overnight, studies suggest that oral collagen peptides can boost hydration, improve elasticity, and reduce wrinkles over time,” says Ryan. “Topical collagen (i.e. collagen applied directly to the skin), on the other hand, struggles to penetrate the skin due to its large molecular structure.”
How To Get The Most Out Of Collagen
- Try A Supplement: Look for hydrolysed collagen peptides and marine collagen; these are both popular due to how easy they are for the body to absorb.
- Eat Collagen-Boosting Foods: Bone broth, fish, chicken, eggs, and nuts all support natural collagen production.
- Pair It With Vitamin C: “Your body needs Vitamin C to actually synthesise collagen, so add a Vitamin C serum to your skincare routine and eat plenty of citrus fruits and leafy greens,” says Ryan.
- Protect What You Have: UV rays break down collagen faster than you can say “fine lines,” so daily SPF is non-negotiable.
Where You’ll Find It
“Collagen is sneaking into all sorts of beauty products now, from serums to night creams,” says Ryan. “However, the benefits of applying collagen to your skin are still unclear, so oral supplements are your best bet for now.”
SPF: The Anti-Aging Shield Your Mum Needs
Wrinkles, fine lines, sagging, and age spots? Blame UV rays. Sun exposure is responsible for up to 80% of visible skin ageing, making SPF the most powerful anti-ageing weapon in any skincare routine.
“The sun breaks down collagen and elastin, the proteins that keep skin plump and firm,” says Ryan. “The result is known as photoaging. A broad-spectrum SPF will protect the skin against both UVA rays (which speed up skin ageing) and UVB rays (which cause sunburn).”
Where To Find It
SPF isn’t just for suncream—it’s sneaking into moisturisers, foundations, serums, and even lip balms. But don’t rely on SPF-infused makeup alone—layering a dedicated sunscreen underneath is your best bet.
Ryan Porter, a skincare expert at Fat Cow Skincare, commented:
“On Mother’s Day, gifting these skincare essentials can help show your mum she deserves to be pampered and prioritised. Whether it’s a morning glow-boosting duo or a night-time ritual for relaxation, a beautifully wrapped skincare set feels thoughtful, indulgent, and a daily reminder of how much she’s loved.
“To make the gift extra special, you could curate a personalised skincare set tailored to her needs. Alternatively, you could increase the indulgence even more by pairing her new favourite serum with a plush robe or a silk pillowcase. Whatever you decide to gift, adding a handwritten note explaining why you chose each product helps the present feel truly personal and thoughtful.”
