Knowing Your Skincare Ingredients

IT’S WHAT’S INSIDE THAT COUNTS!

As everyone knows, not all skin is created equal – and neither are skincare products. Most of us are baffled by the number of products to choose from, not the mention the laundry list of tongue-twisting ingredients that go with them.

Different skin types and conditions benefit from special blends; therefore it’s imperative that we know about the products that target our particular skin types. The long and short of it, when it comes to beauty products, is that “it’s what’s inside that counts!” And with thousands of ingredients already proven to be safe, there really is no need to test on animals anymore. Many of the big brands are now cruelty-free, so you’re not really limiting yourself by saying no to animal testing.

Note: Not every ingredient used in skincare products is mentioned in this blog, as it is impossible to list them all! The following products are cruelty-free and have not been tested on animals.

AHAs (alpha-hydroxy acids)

Alpha-hydroxy acids (which include glycolic, lactic, tartaric, citric, malic and mandelic acids) are naturally occurring acids, derived from the sugars of specific plants. These acids work at the base of stratum corneum (skin) and dissolve the glue that binds dead skin cells together. This augments cell turnover and influences the production of new skin.

Benefits: help diminish fine lines and wrinkles; help diminish irregular pigmentation and age spots; excellent exfoliants and help decrease enlarged pores; help skin become more flexible, smoother and youthful, improve skin tone and hydrates the skin.

Beware: can cause mild irritation and sun sensitivity.

Brands offering cruelty-free products with AHAs:

SEAWEED AND MARINE EXTRACTS

Seaweed is a primitive sea plant belonging to the algae family. It absorbs by osmosis all the elements from the sea such as iodine magnesium, potassium, iron, selenium, zinc, copper, vitamins and amino acids. Rich in chelated minerals, seaweed benefits the skin in a number of ways.

Benefits: restore the tone of the skin by rebalancing and stimulating the metabolism; protect skin, restore elasticity and encourage the regeneration of skin cells; maintain skin firmness, tone and youthful radiance; nourish, repair, remineralize and purify the skin.

Brands offering cruelty-free products with seaweed and marine extracts:

HYALURONIC ACID

Hyaluronic Acid is known for its ability to reverse or prevent aging. It is a component of the body’s connective tissues and is known to cushion and lubricate. Hyaluronic acid is a hydrophilic molecule, which means that it attracts water. When applied to the skin it attracts and retains moisture. Hyaluronic acid fills the space in your skin between collagen and elastin fibres.

Benefits: helps maintain healthy collagen; chases away free radicals; prevents signs of aging; moisturizes the skin.

Brands offering cruelty-free products with hyaluronic acid:

CERAMIDES

Ceramides are skin lipids. They make up the bulk of the lipid layer, which holds the skin’s cells together in a firm, smooth structure. They also exist in plants. They prevent the ingress of harmful substances, regulate cells and protect against collagen breakdown.

Benefits: help skin maintain its moisture-binding and protective barrier functions, provide excellent restorative care for dry and damaged skin; maintain firmness of skin; reverse visible signs of aging.

Brands offering cruelty-free products with ceramides:

RETINOL

Retinol is a derivative of Vitamin A. It is a fat-soluble antioxidant vitamin that neutralizes free radicals and maintains healthy skin and surface tissues. It also aids with cell reproduction. Skin reacts to skincare products with retinol because Vitamin A has a very minute molecular structure that allows it to get into the lower layers of the skin, where it finds and acts on collagen and elastin.

Benefits: helps reduce the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles and age spots; softens and smoothes skin; helps prevent premature signs of aging; stimulates collagen production; helps decrease enlarged pores.

Beware: not be be used at the same time as AHAs and can cause sun sensitivity.

Brands offering cruelty-free products with Retinol:

AMINO ACIDS AND PEPTIDES

Amino acids are proteins that are important building blocks of the skin tissue. They are known to moisturize by enhancing the skin’s water retention and are also important for rebuilding the skin and connective tissue. They are natural free-radical scavengers. Topical applications have shown to help in the production of collagen and elastin, to regulate sebaceous gland activity and to decrease discoloration.

Benefits: effective in rehabilitating the skin and restoring moisture; prevent damage caused by free radicals; diminish fine lines and give the skin a healthy glow.

Brands offering cruelty-free products with amino acids and peptides:

ENZYMES AND COENZYMES

Enzymes and coenzymes are a vast group of protein molecules that accelerate chemical and biological reactions in the skin that have slowed down because of age or sun damage. They encourage cell communication and inhibit free-radical damage.

Benefits: boost skin repair and regeneration; act as effective exfoliants of dead skin cells; provide antioxidant protection from free-radical damage; aid in the production of collagen and elastin; reduce age-related skin issues as wrinkle depths and increased oxidation levels.

Brands offering cruelty-free products with enzymes and coenzymes: