Ever wondered what all those scientific-sounding words on your beauty products mean? Here are the most commonly used beauty jargonAHAs/BHAs
Found In: Face Washes, Facial Creams
What: These are two types of hydroxyl acids, alpha and beta. AHAs are natural products found in sugar cane, fruits, milk and molasses, and there is only one form of BHA-salicylic acid – which is most effective on oily skin, prone to whiteheads and blackheads.
Best at: Both help smooth fine lines and wrinkles, improve skin texture and cleanse pores. As we age, dead skin layers build up, and natural exfoliation slows down. AHAs/BHAs aid the skin’s natural exfoliation process. The extent of exfoliation depends on the type and concentration of the acid. AHA products sold over the counter have a concentration of less than 10 per cent. BHA works best in a concentration of 1 to 2 per cent. A higher concentration should not be used unless your dermatologist prescribes it.
Keep in mind: When using AHA/BHA products, your sensitivity to the sun increases and you’ll need to step up the sunscreen.
Lanolin
Found In: Soaps, Cosmetics And Ointments
What: Lanolin has heavy moisturisation properties, and is also used to prevent irritation and itchiness. A fat obtained from sheep, it is also called wool fat.
Best at: Lanolin products protect you from the harsh effects of the environment; therefore using products that contain lanolin will help protect your skin.
Keep in mind: Some people may be allergic to lanolin. An allergic reaction may cause irritation, redness, or burning and stinging sensations. It is possible that some components of lanolin may make your skin more sensitive to the sun. Make sure you use sunscreen and shield your face if you use lanolin-based products regularly.
Omega 3 and 6
Found In: Sunscreens And Make-up
What: Omega 3 and 6 are two families of essential fatty acids that form part of our cellular membranes.
Best at: They contribute to the skin’s suppleness and are essential for maintaining the barrier against harmful external elements.
Keep in mind: Although great when applied topically, these provide greater benefit when included in your diet in the form of nuts and oil-rich fishes.
Non-comedogenic
Found In: Sunscreens, Face Moisturisers And Foundation
What: This product will not clog your pores.
Best at: Oily and acne prone skin will benefit from these products.
Keep in mind: Non-comedogenic make-up still needs to be removed, like any other cosmetic, with a good cleanser.
SPF-enrichedFound In: Primers, Lipsticks, Compacts And All Types Of Foundations
What: Make-up that also protects your skin against UV rays. Be as picky about the SPF of your make-up as you are about your lotions.
Best at: SPF in make-up offers some protection from the sun. But as the make-up fades, so does the protection. Use SPF products enriched with vitamins for best results. The most useful ones are moisturising SPF lipsticks or lipglosses.
Keep in mind: All SPF-enriched make-up should contain at least SPF 15. Apply a tinted moisturiser under the make-up for extra protection; not only do you get the coverage of lightweight foundation, you also get softer, smoother skin.
Humectants
Found In: Cleansers And Moisturisers
What: The primary use of humectants is to keep the skin moist. Humectants attract moisture from the atmosphere. The most common natural humectant, glycerine, works on this principle. It keeps the skin moist as long as there is sufficient moisture in the air.
Best at: A good skin-care product will have just the right amount of humectants present to enable the skin, when the cream is used, to preserve moisture. They provide continued hydration and increase the protection, nourishment and regeneration of the skin.
Keep in mind: Natural humectants include panthenol (pro-vitamin B5), glycerine and lecithin; look for them on the ingredients tab.
Antioxidants
Found In: Serums And Creams For Hair And Skin-Care
What: Antioxidants are phytochemicals, vitamins and other nutrients that protect our cells from damage caused by free radicals, which are unstable molecules created in our body that lead to skin aging.
Best at: A product could have antioxidants in the form of vitamins A, C and E and green tea. Choose skin-care products that contain topical antioxidants like vitamins and essential oils to boost your skin’s defenses against sun damage and pollution.
Keep in mind: White topical application of antioxidants will help keep skin aging in check, include them in your diet in the form of fresh fruits and vegetables to boost health and metabolism.
Hypoallergenic
Found In: Soaps, Moisturisers And Make-up
What: Hypoallergenic is a term used to describe any product that is less likely to lead to an allergic reaction after application, in comparison to others in its category.
Best at: Since a hypoallergenic product is less likely to contain any of the common irritants and allergens, it should suit most skin types.
Keep in mind: There are no guidelines regulating the usage of this term, which means that the decision to label a product hypoallergenic lies with the manufacturer. Also, there is no way to guarantee that a cosmetic product will not cause an allergic reaction. The only way to be sure is to do a patch test before using any product.
Keratin
Found In: Skin, Hair And Nail Care Products
What: It’s a type of protein found in the skin, hair and nails. It is tough and fibrous, and helps hold your skin together firmly, preventing sagging.
Best at: As a structural component of our skin, keratin plays a major role in skin and hair health. The Brazilian Keratin treatment is very effective in treating sensitised, frizzy, dry hair and also gives them a smoother look.
Keep in mind: Hair treated with keratin should not be washed for 72 hours after the treatment for it to show optimum results.
Kaolin
Found In: Face Masks
What: One of the oldest cosmetic ingredients, kaolin is a kind of white clay-like mineral.
Best at: Kaolin has excellent absorbent properties. It is used to draw out impurities and toxins from the skin. It also stimulates circulation in the skin while gently exfoliating and cleansing it.
Keep in mind: While clays work very well for oily to normal skin types, people with dry and sensitive skin should probably steer clear.
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