Every morning most of us will cleanse, tone and moisturise without a second thought as to what it is exactly that we're putting on our skin. Don't you ever wonder about what's in all those lotions and potions that have become part of your daily routine? Usually, you'll find the ingredients listing on either the product or it's packaging, but this in itself can be a frightening list of polysyllabic gibberish that's hard enough to pronounce, let alone understand.
Fortunately, this little list will shed a bit of light on the usual functions of some of the most common ingredients that can be found in the deluge of products that line the average bathroom cabinet.
All in the description
New legislation dictates that labels be clear and ingredients listed according to concentration, starting with the largest and ending with the smallest. However, some products may sneakily list their active ingredients separately – “active” meaning the ingredient actually does all the work – and this doesn't necessarily mean that it's the largest constituent of your cream.
When you spot the word “hypoallergenic” on certain skincare and cosmetic products, the manufacturer believes their product is unikely to irritate super-sensitive skin, although the term has no official definition or standards to govern its use. This is why many dermatologists feel you should disregard “hypoallergenic” if you see it because it can mean whatever the company wishes it to mean. Test a new product on a small patch of skin, such as the crook of your arm, to see if you experience any adverse reaction before using it on the rest of your body or face.
Should you be an acne sufferer or have sensitive skin that's prone to breakouts, the word “non-comedogenic” should be part of your consumer's vocabulary. Simply put, non-comedogenic means ‘won't clog pores' and the term can be found on many facial products such as moisturisers, powders and foundations.
So next time you slap on your weekly face mask why don't you find out what it is that's giving you that youthful glow? (At the very least, you'll now have something to read while waiting for it to dry.)
A Algae is mineral-rich seaweed that's often used in skincare products because of its special proteins and polysaccharides that have been proven to have a firming, moisturising effect on the skin. This super seaweed also contains silicone and alginates that promote skin elasticity, as well as a bit of iodine to stimulate circulation.
Aloe vera is a restorative plant extract that's been used for years to heal, moisturise and soften the skin. Its soothing properties make it useful in treating minor itches, cuts, scrapes or burns.
Alpha hydroxy acid (AHA) is an active exfoliator that gently dissolves the top layer of old, dead skin cells to reveal the smooth, fresh skin underneath. However, as this can make your skin rather sensitive to light, it is best used together with a good sun block.
B Benzoyl peroxide can be found in many acne treatments. It's an antibacterial that dries imperfections and forces impurities out of the pores.
C Chamomile has moisturising, antibacterial and soothing properties. If added to haircare products, the flower essence of this plant acts as a gentle colour lightener for blonde hair.
Chitosan is found naturally in algae, yeast and the shells of shellfish. It has remarkable skin-healing properties and is often used in anti-ageing products.
Collagen is the supportive fibre responsible for the skin's elasticity. Unfortunately, as we age we lose our natural collagen and it can't be replaced via a cream because it cannot penetrate the skin. However, it is still a useful moisturising ingredient in many skin, hair and nail products because it can hold many times its own weight in water.
D Dihydroxyactone (DHA) usually obtained from sugarcane, is the active ingredient in your self-tanner. It works by reacting with the amino acids in your skin to cause the top layer to oxidise, creating a perfectly safe faux glow.
E (Vitamin) E is a good antioxidant and a fabulous moisturiser that also offers UV protection, making it a skincare, suncare and cosmetic-product favourite.
F Fragrance or parfum is any natural or synthetic substance used to add a particular scent to a product.
G Glycolic acid is an alpha hydroxy acid that's derived from the juice of sugarcane or fruit. It is often used in exfoliatory products as a gentle skin peel to reduce the appearance of fine lines or pores. It is safe for use on blemish-prone or acne- sensitive skin.
Grapeseed oil is a wonderful antioxidant that specialises in protecting your skin's natural collagen. It is also bursting with polyunsaturated fats that moisturise and soften the skin and can thus be found in many anti-ageing skincare products, as well as hair and nail products.
H Honey is a good natural moisturiser that can be found in many face masks, lip balms and creams.
I Ivy is a mild botanical irritant that not only tightens and tones the skin, but also improves the circulation.
J Jojoba oil is extracted from the American desert shrub. Aside from being a good hair conditioner, it has anti-ageing and anti-stretchmark properties that make for a great skincare-product additive.
K Kaolin or China clay is a white, clay powder that's best known for its excellent oil-absorbing properties. It can be found in face masks and many powders that provide a moderate to heavy coverage.
Kinetin is a natural plant growth factor and is often found in anti-ageing products that aim to improve fine lines, hyperpigmentation and sun damage.
L Lanolin is obtained from the oily wax of sheep's wool. It makes a great moisturiser because it can hold up to half it's weight in water. It is used in many body, hand and nail creams.
M Mica is a crystallised mineral, that is ground into a fine dust to give a pearly appearance to cosmetics and nail polishes.
N Nylon , the same stuff your pantyhose is made from, is sometimes added to mascara to thicken your lashes and give them a little extra length.
O Olive oil is a wonderfully penetrative moisturiser that can be found in anything from hair conditioners to hand creams.
P Panthenol is a derivative of vitamin B5. This magic ingredient works as a humectant (holding water to the hair or nail's surface to moisturise it), gives hair a silky shine and it also strengthens brittle, flaky nails.
Q (Coenzyme) Q10 is a powerful antioxidant that is present naturally in every skin cell of our body. It plays a key role in the conversion and storage of energy, protects against the ravages of free-radical damage and improves skin's elasticity. Because of all this, it is a popular ingredient in many anti-ageing products for the body and face.
R Retinol or retinoids, derivatives of vitamin A, are natural exfoliators that encourage deep cellular turnover to smooth and firm the skin, plus protect it from dehydration. They can be found in many skincare products that target the appearance of fine line