Question

“I keep hearing about ingredients like hyaluronic acid, retinol, and peptides but I don’t know what I actually need. How do I know what’s right for my skin?”

From Rebecca, 41, from Norwich

Charlotte’s Reply

Hi Rebecca, what a brilliant question!

You are not alone in feeling overwhelmed by all the skincare ingredients flying around these days. Every time you scroll on social media or browse the beauty aisle, it feels like there’s a new “miracle” serum you must try. Hyaluronic acid, peptides, retinol, ceramides, niacinamide… the list goes on.

But here’s the truth…You DO NOT need everything. You just need the right things for your skin.

It’s about understanding what those ingredients actually do, how (and when) to use them, and making sure they work together, rather than fighting against each other and causing confusion (and irritation) on your face. When some are put together, you could be causing a firework on your face!

That’s where a skin professional comes in. I absolutely love watching influencers, but we must remember that they are gifted or even paid to promote particular products / ingredients to you. They haven’t seen your skin, and they aren’t necessarily a skin specialist.

I’m going to break this down simply and clearly, so you can feel confident in your skincare again and know exactly what to use.

This question actually deserves a full deep-dive, and you’ve inspired me to write a full blog post all about it.

But in the meantime, I’d love to invite you in for a face-to-face consultation and digital skin analysis with one of our skin specialists at Charisma, so we can really get to know your skin and help you further.

Let me know how that sounds?

Much Love
Charlotte xx

Skincare Ingredient Overload: Why Less Can Be More

At Charisma Beauty & Skincare in Norwich, one of the most common things we see during skin consultations is ingredient overload.

Clients come in with bathroom shelves full of products. They’re layering serums and actives without really knowing what each one does and more often than not, their skin is inflamed, sensitive, or just not improving.

That’s because more doesn’t always mean better.
Better understanding = better skin.

You may be reading this and thinking “that’s me” and that’s ok, we’re here to help you take the guesswork out of your routine.

The Skincare Buzzwords — What They Actually Mean

Let’s look at some of the most talked-about ingredients, and what they really do:

💧 Hyaluronic Acid

A hydration hero!
Hyaluronic acid attracts and holds moisture in the skin.  It makes it plumper, dewier and more comfortable. It’s perfect for winter skin, dry skin, and a must-have in your daily routine.
But remember: it needs to be sealed in with a moisturiser to actually work.

🧬 Peptides

Think of peptides as your skin’s “builders”.
They support collagen and elastin production, helping firm the skin and reduce fine lines. They’re gentle but powerful and perfect for those wanting to age well without irritation.

🌙 Retinol (Vitamin A)

A potent anti-ageing ingredient that increases cell turnover and helps with fine lines, acne, and texture.
BUT… and this is a BIG BUTT.  It needs to be introduced very carefully, and not everyone needs it. Overuse can cause peeling, redness and long-term barrier damage. Always get professional guidance before adding retinol.  

🛡 Ceramides

These are your skin’s natural moisturisers.
They reinforce the skin barrier (your outer protective layer), helping keep moisture in and irritants out. Ceramides are brilliant for dry, sensitive, or compromised skin and ideal in winter when your barrier takes a hit.

🌟 Niacinamide

A multitasking marvel!
Helps calm inflammation, reduce redness, shrink pores, and improve skin texture. It plays well with most other ingredients but still needs to be used in the right amounts for your skin type.

Why It’s So Confusing and How to Simplify

Marketing loves to sell you solutions… but often just adds to the overwhelm.
One week it’s all about acids, the next it’s retinol, then it’s a 10-step routine with snail slime and ice rollers!

At Charisma, we like to bring things back to basics.
No fads. No fluff. Just results.

We use our in-depth skin analysis and consultations to find out what your skin actually needs and then we guide you on how to use the right ingredients, in the right order, at the right time of day.

Our Skincare Philosophy: Repair First, Then Boost

We always start with this rule: Repair the skin barrier first.
There is no point throwing actives at a skin that’s already stressed or sensitive.

Once your skin is strong, hydrated, and balanced then we can introduce targeted ingredients like peptides or vitamin A to tackle ageing, pigmentation, or acne more effectively.

This is where our professional-only skincare brand, Matis, makes a huge difference. Matis formulas are made with intelligent ingredient blends that work with your skin, not against it. They're luxurious, effective, and backed by science, not TikTok trends.

What Should You Be Using?

That depends entirely on your skin’s current condition, goals, and sensitivities.

But as a general starting point, here’s an example of a simplified, effective routine for someone with dry or ageing skin:

Morning:

• Gentle hydrating cleanser
• Hyaluronic acid-based serum
• Ceramide-rich moisturiser
• SPF (yes, even in Norfolk’s cloudy winters!)

Evening:

• Cream cleanser or micellar milk
• Peptide serum or barrier-repair treatment
• Rich night cream with calming actives

Less layering. More intention.

Need Help Building Your Routine?

We offer several ways to get personalised help:

Digital Skin Analysis & Consultation £85 (60 Minutes)
A full assessment of your skin, education session, and product/treatment plan tailored to you.

Bespoke Facial & Consultation £195  (2-hour appointment)
Includes an in-depth consultation, digital analysis, and a 60-minute hands-on facial tailored to your exact needs. This is the ultimate starting point if you're ready to reset your skin.

Charisma Facials
Choose your time (30, 45, or 60 minutes) and we’ll personalise the treatment using expert skincare to target exactly what your skin needs, whether it’s dryness, dullness, fine lines, or irritation.

Book Now

Final Thoughts

Don’t let skincare become stressful.

You don’t need a shelf full of trending products. You need clarity, expert guidance, and a few hardworking formulas that actually make a difference.

And that’s where we come in.

If you’re ready to take the guesswork out of your skincare and finally understand what your skin needs we would love to support you at Charisma Beauty & Skincare in Norwich.

We’re right in the city centre, and we’d love to help you feel confident in your skin again.

Contact Us