If digital detoxes and the uptake of ayurveda are anything to go by, we’re all for looking to the past to further our wellness goals. And in the beauty sphere, joining venerable heroes like coconut oil and honey is ginkgo biloba. A tree native to China, ginkgo is used in traditional Chinese medicine – but it’s modern science that’s putting it firmly back in the beauty frame. Researchers studying ginkgo seed extract were guided by a 16th-century text to look at its antibacterial activity on pathogens that cause skin infections such as acne, eczema and dermatitis. Further research is needed, but these findings give validity to the historical use of gingko seeds as a topical antimicrobial. Plus, it’s rich in antioxidants to fight the free radicals that cause skin ageing. Find it in Trilogy Balancing Face Lotion (£27.50, 100ml).
Whether you ind yourself bewildered in the suncare aisle or consider yourself SPF-savvy, with new research constantly being done in the ield of UV damage, it’s never a bad idea to swot up. Plus, the fact remains that we, the great British public, have dermatologists and skin cancer specialists tearing out their hair in frustration. ‘People know what they should be doing, but it’s not translating into a change in behaviour,’ says Dr Rachel Abbott, a consultant dermatologist and British Skin Foundation spokesperson. ‘There’s such a time lag between the damage being done and the development of skin cancer that people just don’t see it as a problem.’ In countries like Australia, where government-funded prevention schemes are in place, skin cancer rates are declining. But in the UK, they’re on a steady increase. Dr Abbott shares the lesser-known facts when it comes to sun cream.