Do You Know What These Labels On Your Skincare Products Mean?

If you go to a restaurant and make sure to read the menu to know what goes into your dish, then you need to make similar efforts to learn about what you’re feeding your skin.

Understanding suitable versus unsuitable products for your skin make you a more educated consumer with healthy skin to boot. It might even save you some serious moolah in the long run!

Products that are non-comedogenic don’t include ingredients which clog the pores and cause blackhead or acne formation. Such products are suitable for those with oily or acne-prone skin.

Cetaphil’s moisturising lotions are sold at pharmacies around the country.

SOURCE: amazon.co.uk

While the word acid sounds scary, this naturally occurring one is actually good for your skin. AHAs are commonly used in facial peel treatments which remove and loosen cells from the skin surface, leaving you with a smoother and healthier skin layer. It also reduces fine lines, skin discolouration, and acne scars.

AHA peels can be performed at a dermatology centre or at home, with home kits. Make sure to do thorough research beforehand though, it is after all, still acid!

Here’s another great acid, and one you should look out for in your serums or moisturisers as it increases the epidermis’ (skin’s outermost layer) water content by holding 1000 times its own weight in water.

Not only does this ingredient increase moisture retention, it also acts as a moisture barrier, preventing moisture loss throughout the day.

Try Etude House’s hyaluronic acid face mask for intense moisturisation.

SOURCE: beautyproducts.healthybe.uk

These products have been tested under the supervision of a 3^rd party dermatologist, which is bonus assurance for a skincare brand name you might not recognise.

An acne solution that kills bacteria, reduces inflammation, and unclogs pores. It comes in different percentage strengths, depending on the acne severity. Benzoyl Peroxide is a common acne solution that is widely praised for its efficacy.

You can get this cream at your nearest pharmacy without a prescription.

SOURCE: myskinpharmacy.com.au

Products with these labels have not been tested on animals. However, it does not mean that the product’s separate ingredients have not been tested on animals and might not be totally cruelty-free.

Still, you can do your part by supporting products that make an effort not to test on animals. Demand for such products will send a bunny-hugging message to major skincare brands.

Brands like Burt’s Bees have already hopped onto this bandwagon. Products available at Sephora.

SOURCE: Diapers.com

This is a protein found in the dermis (the skin’s middle layer) and it makes up for 75% of the skin. It is the wonderful protein that gives the skin elasticity and strength, the main contributors of youthful complexions.

Look out for this ingredient in your skincare products, especially if your concerns are fine lines and wrinkles.

Sunlight and pollution create unstable molecules (i.e. free radicals) that damage your skin’s cells; leading to saggy, wrinkly, and rough skin.

Products with antioxidants reduce free radical effects by repairing cellular damage and promoting collagen growth. So look out for antioxidants in your skincare!