At 62, beauty expert Georgina Tang is frequently told she looks two decades younger. The London-based founder of YNNY attributes her youthful appearance to a deep understanding of skincare ingredients, cultivated over a decade of creating products. She believes knowing what to avoid is just as crucial as knowing what to use.
The Ten Ingredients on Georgina's 'Avoid' List
Ms Tang, whose brand has won multiple National Beauty Awards, has built her philosophy around high-quality, natural formulations. She advises consumers to seek out products with a high concentration of active ingredients, rather than those bulked out with water or cheap carrier oils. Here, she details the ten ingredients she personally steers clear of.
Silicones, Parabens, and Mineral Oils
First on her list are silicones, often listed as ingredients ending in '-cone' or '-siloxane', like dimethicone. 'This is a barrier ingredient trapping dirt, oil and dead skin, leading to clogged pores,' she explains, noting they can be difficult to rinse off and raise environmental concerns due to slow biodegradation.
She also avoids parabens, preservatives she believes can mimic oestrogen and disrupt hormonal balance, despite their legal approval. For mineral oil, a petrochemical by-product, she cites its heavy, pore-clogging nature and environmental footprint as key reasons for exclusion.
Alcohol, Hyaluronic Acid, and Other Concerns
Ms Tang warns against denatured alcohol, which can strip the skin's natural oils, leading to dryness and sensitivity. Even popular hydrator hyaluronic acid requires scrutiny; she avoids low molecular weight versions that can penetrate too deeply and cause irritation, preferring high molecular weight types for surface-level plumping.
Her extended list of ingredients to bypass includes:
- Polyethylene Glycols (PEGs): Can compromise the skin barrier and may risk contamination during manufacturing.
- Coal Tar: Used for psoriasis but has a strong odour, stains, and increases UV sensitivity.
- Butylated Hydroxyanisole (BHA): A synthetic antioxidant with carcinogen concerns in animal studies.
- Formaldehyde-releasing preservatives: Known irritants, problematic for sensitive skin.
- Paraffin: A heavy, petroleum-derived occlusive she finds pore-clogging and non-renewable.
From Personal Solution to Professional Mission
Georgina Tang's journey into skincare began at age 51, motivated by her disabled son, Alessio, who suffers from psoriasis. 'I created my shea butter cream for him. When it cleared up, I realised other people could benefit,' she said. This led to the creation of YNNY and her acclaimed 'Elixir' serum, dubbed 'Botox in a bottle'.
Her core advice is simple: 'Your skin barrier is everything. Protect that, and most other things fall into place.' By choosing quality, natural products and avoiding specific ingredients, she believes anyone can see a significant difference in their skin's health and appearance.
