Just like food, many people have now become conscious about the things they apply on their faces so insisted of just picking up a product, many are taking a closer look at the ingredients.
Have you ever wondered what certain ingredients used in skincare products mean? Worry no more and have a look at some phrases and ingredients used in cosmetic products.
AHAs – Alpha Hydroxy Acids
They include Glycolic acid, Citric, Mandelic and Lactic acids which remove dead skin cells by dissolving bonds between them.
This helps in reducing the appearance of fine lines, acne scars, enlarged pores, and dark spots.
BHA – Beta Hydroxy Acid
The most common BHA is Salicylic acid which unlike AHAs can penetrate the skin’s surface to remove dead skin cells and excess sebum. BHA is good for acne and sun damage.
Parabens
Parabens are preservatives used in cosmetic products with the most commonly used being butylparaben, methylparaben, and propylparaben.
It is believed that they disrupt hormone function by imitating estrogen.
“Parabens are believed to disrupt hormone function by mimicking estrogen. Too much estrogen can trigger an increase in breast cell division and growth of tumours, which is why paraben use has been linked to breast cancer and reproductive issues,” reads an excerpt from Elle Magazine.
Non-Comedogenic
This means that the products do not clog your pores so they are recommended for people with acne-prone skin. Oils like Bio-Oil are Non-Comedogenic while coconut oil, though popular is very pore-clogging so those with acne-prone skin are advised to steer clear of this oil.
Double Cleanse
It’s a two-step cleansing regimen where you first clean the face using micellar water or a deep cleansing oil. This is done to remove makeup and sunscreen while the second step with a cleanser is to remove dirt and excess oil.
Broad-Spectrum Sunscreen
This kind of sunscreen protects the skin against both UVA and UVB sun rays. Get a sunscreen of an SPF value of 15 or higher.