diyhealth.com

Skincare products decoded

Skincare products

Skin being a very sensitive organ, we need to be very careful before applying any new product based on hearsay or advertisements alone. We must learn to understand and interpret the labels of these products before we decide to use one. This is where science comes to our rescue – once we learn to decode the labels of skin-care products, we’re in a much better position to choose the right one for our skin. Here’s an effective guide to understanding labels of skin-care products and making an informed choice.

The Basics

It is a good idea to go in for products which have an “active” ingredient ( one which results in the actual effect of the product e.g. aloe-vera helps in regenerating damaged skin) listed along with it’s percentage. It should be pH balanced and approved by the FDA. Also, in order to make a positive change to our skin any listed vitamin should be within a rage of one to ten percent of the the total amount.

The Mighty Eight

These are the magic ingredients, the ones that can actually make a difference and boost your skin-care efforts. These are also the ones which have scientific backing and proof of improving the skin. They are primarily the important vitamins as well as small-molecule antioxidants. Look out for the following on the label of your shortlisted products:

1. Retinoids or Vitamin A

2. Nicotinamide or Vitamin B

3. Panthenol or Vitamin B5

4. Vitamin C

5. Vitamin E

6. Alpha-hydroxy acids (AHAs)

7. Co-enzyme Q10

8. Ferulic acid

Most important vitamins and their benefits

We all know that vitamins play a very important role in keeping us healthy and maintaining many essential functions in the body. Though taking these vitamins as pills is important for overall health, using them on the skin in the form of creams and lotions helps our skin remain young and healthy too. The three most important vitamins for a great skin are:

Vitamin A (Retinoids)

This one tops the list of important ingredients for a happy, healthy skin. In it’s various forms it ensures a glowing, well moisturized skin; in it’s absence, our skin (and even hair) would appear dull and listless. Various forms of Vitamin A aid in essential functions like shedding of dead skin cells, regulating the oils that clog skin pores, and removing bacteria. In one of its forms, this vitamin also enhances the very essential elastin and collagen in our skin, making it tight and well moisturized. Another very important role of Vitamin A (retinoids) is to diminish the effect of sun-burns and reduce pigmentation. It is advisable to use vitamin A creams as night creams for it to work more effectively.

Vitamin C

This one has benefits similar to that of Vitamin A and is most effective when used in conjunction with that. It stimulates collagen – which is a key factor for younger looking skin. It also protects the skin against sunburns and wrinkles caused due to UV rays. It also helps in removing the free radicals and in reducing skin itching caused after exposure to the sun. This one is a water soluble vitamin and is again most effective when used at night since it breaks down by the UV rays of the sun. Vitamins A is also prescribed for skin diseases like acne, and is very effective in reducing skin-spots (which might convert to skin-cancer in extreme cases).

Vitamin E

What vitamin C does for water-soluble parts of the skin, Vitamin E does for lipid-soluble parts. So both are important and work hand-in-hand. Vitamin E must be used in a particular form (alpha-tocopherol), to be most effective.

In addition to these, the antioxidants (as listed in the mighty eight, and many new ones like idebenone, resveratrol) are very important. So is olive oil – it is a great moisturizer and protects the skin from UV damage. In most cases the extra-virgin olive is more effective. Another ingredient that prevents skin damage is Coenzyme-Q10, provided its listed concentration is same as shown in the glitzy ads!

Surely, with a little care and some knowledge of the ingredients that go into the making of our skin-care cosmetics, we would be in a better position to choose the right products and give ourselves the gift of healthy, young and beautiful skin. Here’s to the diva in us all!

Today's Top Articles:

Scroll to Top