The process of shopping for skin care products and makeup may look simple at first, but with the sheer number of beauty products on the market today all with long lists of ingredients, deciding what's right for your skin may get too confusing.
Let’s check out the meaning of the most commonly used words in beauty products
Natural
A natural ingredient is derived from nature, be it a plant, animal, or mineral, as opposed to being produced synthetically.
Organic
Organic means the ingredients are grown without the use of pesticides, synthetic fertilizers or genetically modified organisms. A certified-organic ingredient refers exclusively to plant ingredients that have been certified organic by a reputable agency such as the USDA.
Whitening, Lightening & Brightening
The terms whitening, lightening and brightening refer to products that aim to reduce pigmentation in the skin, whether the product is targeting dark spots or the complexion as a whole, Lightening products are more targeted for post acne scars, pregnancy scars or to lighten unwanted discoloration. Brightening may also mean a product that adds a glow to the skin and may contain ingredients as those found in chemical peels .Whitening is more commonly used in products that seek to whiten or bleach the complexion. The most common ingredient in whitening products is hydroquinone.
Anti Wrinkle & Anti -aging
Anti-wrinkle products will typically focus on collagen-boosting ingredients or filling ingredients to specifically target wrinkles, while an anti-aging product will address one or many signs of skin aging, including fine lines, wrinkles, dark spots, broken capillaries, sagging, and lackluster skin.
Cruelty Free
Cruelty-free means that the individual ingredients and the finished products have not been tested on animals, whereas animal-friendly is more for vegan products, i.e., no animal by-products are used,
Lift & Firm
Some ingredients will be able to firm the skin by contraction when they dry on skin albeit temporarily, Ingredients which trap moisture in the skin, and draw it in deeper, can create the appearance of a firmer complexion. Always opt for gel-like formulas, which are more easily absorbed into the skin.
Smoothing & Plumping.
Plumping will provide a fuller appearance, while smoothing should have a soft-focus effect, minimizing pores and evening out the skin tone. Plumping skin is achieved by boosting the blood flow, leading to mild swelling and redness, which can last a few hours. Products that smooth the skin work by reducing irregularities and roughness.
Exfoliators& Peels
Mechanical exfoliation refers to the process of physically abrasing the skin to remove dead skin cells, such as with micro dermabrasion products. Chemical exfoliation refers to the process of chemically dissolving dead skin cells, such as with a peel, or other chemical formulations.
Sweat proof & Waterproof
These are mainly used in sunscreens and make up.waterproof and sweat proof simply mean they can withstand water and sweat. While the difference between the two might feel insignificant, it’s an important distinction to make.
Hypoallergenic
Hypoallergenic is a broad term that means a product is less likely to cause an allergic reaction. However its usually used as a guide, not a guarantee.
Non comedogenic
This term is common on products meant for oily skin. Non-comedogenic means that the formula is designed not to clog pores, but it does not guarantee the product won’t cause breakouts.
Clinical Trials
A clinical trial is a research study conducted in order to see if a product is safe and effective .Under strict scientific standards; the product is tested rigorously under the industry standards in order to prove that it performs as it promises.
Consumer Trials
Consumer trials are the introduction of a product to a chosen group of consumers and are a way for them to try a new product before they decide to purchase it. They are not done for data and proof but more for spreading the word about the new product.
Alcohol
Alcohol in skin care falls into one of three categories: simple, fatty, or aromatic.
Fatty alcohol, such as cetyl alcohol works to prevent skin’s moisture loss and acts as a thickening agent, whereas aromatic alcohol, typically known as benzyl alcohol, is used in very small doses in fragrance as a solvent. Simple alcohol used under names such as isopropyl alcohol and denatured alcohol are used to enhance the absorption of the other ingredients.
Active ingredients
An active ingredient is one that is able to biologically affect the skin. Usually, these are at the top of the ingredients list and will often have a percentage listed on the packaging.
Essential Oils
Essential oils are distilled oils derived from a plant that have the ‘essence’ of that plant. They have been used for healing for thousands of years and are currently being used in many natural skin-care products for their healing ability