These are the 10 most searched skin care ingredients in Australia

For better or worse, our Google search history tells us a lot about our habits.

And the same can be said for our skin care choices.

At least, that’s what shopping aficionados WeThrift found out when they pulled a recent Google Search report which tallied the 10 most searched skin care ingredients in Australia.

While some of the findings may be unsurprising, (hyaluronic acid took out the top spot, followed by collagen), there are some lesser known ingredients making their way into our vocabulary as skin care enthusiasts (such as tranexamic acid and azelaic acid).

We’ve taken the liberty of rounding up a stable of skin care winners that include these top-searched skin care ingredients, so you can start incorporating them into your routine ASAP.

1/ Hyaluronic Acid

Medik8 Hydr8 B5 Liquid Rehydration Serum

In order for hyaluronic acid to be an effective part of your skin care routine, you need to get a formula that incorporates HA molecules small enough to penetrate to the deeper layers of the dermis. This pick from Medik8 does just that, ensuring moisture retention and preventing transepidermal water loss too. 

$79 at Adore Beauty

2/ Collagen

FERMIO Collagen + Clarity

When it comes to collagen, bioavailability is everything. Forget messing around with low-grade forms of collagen. This innovative ingestible formula utilises a Japanese tripeptide blend that takes as little as one hour to present itself in the bloodstream, subsequently entering the circulatory system to get that collagen to all the places that you need it the most. Say hello to healthy skin, hair and nails, as well as an improvement in overall cognitive function. 

$54.95 at Fermio

3/ Salicylic Acid

Paula’s Choice Skin Perfecting 2% BHA Liquid Exfoliant

Paula’s Choice Skin Perfecting 2% BHA Liquid Exfoliant has a fanbase like no other. Celebs like Kaia Gerber sing the salicylic acid solution’s praise for ridding them of pesky pimples and acne scarring. “I used to be very into exfoliating and I would scrub my face like crazy, and I have learned now that you can gently exfoliate with toners,” said Gerber in a Beauty Secrets with Vogue segment on YouTube. “I rub it mostly on my T-zone area or the places that I tend to break out”.

$38.01 at Paula’s Choice

4/ Niacinamide

THE INKEY LIST Niacinamide Face Serum

The great thing about niacinamide is that it’s an inexpensive ingredient, so you don’t have to spend a big chunk of your next paycheck to reap the skin toning, refining and hydrating benefits of vitamin B3. Tackle everything from blemishes, redness and inflammation to dehydrated skin with this budget-friendly pick from The Inkey List. 

$12 at Sephora

5/ Retinol

Ultraceuticals Ultra A Skin Perfecting Serum Mild

Introducing retinol into your routine has many benefits, but it’s definitely best to start low and slow when it comes to your first dalliances with a retinol formula. Ultraceuticals Ultra A Skin Perfecting Serum Mild delivers the refining, anti-ageing benefits associated with retinol, without the threat of unsightly peeling and dryness. Amp up the concentration of your retinol serum once your tolerance has increased or switch to retinal, which is essentially retinol on steroids. 

$118 at Ultraceuticals

6/ Benzoyl Peroxide

La Roche-Posay Effaclar Duo Plus

Nothing stops acne in its tracks quite like benzoyl peroxide. La Roche-Posay Effaclar Duo Plus is packed full of the stuff, as well as piroctone olamine to help kill bacteria, zinc to manage sebum production, salicylic acid to micro-exfoliate skin, mannose to promote cell production and niacinamide to calm inflammation and redness. 

$23.99 at Chemist Warehouse

7/ Azelaic Acid

The Ordinary Azelaic Acid Suspension 10%

Target skin texture and a lack of radiance with the Internet famous azelaic formula from The Ordinary. The lightweight cream-gel is great for blemish-prone skin thanks to azelaic acid’s antimicrobial and antibacterial properties. 

$12.50 at ASOS

8/ Tranexamic Acid

Murad Replenishing Multi-Acid Peel

Tranexamic acid is a relatively new ingredient in the world of skin care. The bio-engineered amino acid is great for targeting discolouration, pigmentation and dullness, but it’s also super gentle on sensitive skin, making it a great switch for vitamin C. The Murad multi-acid peel blends the wonder ingredient with AHAs and BHAs for a dead skin cell sloughing effect that results in brighter skin, even tone and a minimisation of texture. 

$95 at Adore Beauty

9/ Jojoba Oil

JOJOBA COMPANY Australian Jojoba

Jojoba oil is a much-loved ingredient in the land downunder. A mainstay in natural beauty routines for it’s nourishing, skin-strengthening properties, you really can’t go wrong slathering yourself in the stuff from head to toe before you go to bed. This pick from the Jojoba Company is rich in vitamins A, D and E, plus omegas 6 and 9. Beauty sleep just took on a whole new meaning. 

$19.99 at Priceline

10/ Argan Oil

Josie Maran Cosmetics 100% Pure Argan Oil

Argan oil is one of those skin care ingredients that suits a wide range of skin types, including acne-prone skin. Thanks to its anti-inflammatory properties it’s excellent at healing acne scars and minimising any redness caused by particularly potent acne serums. Protect and heal skin with this vitamin E and essential fatty acid-rich formula from Josie Maran Cosmetics. 

$24 at MECCA

The perfect partner for good skin care? A silk pillowcase. 

Main image credit: @adutakech