Beneficial Cosmetic Ingredients Explained

I am passionate about a many things in life. One of those is Skincare & Cosmetics. Over the years, I have purchased most due to un-substantiated marketing hype either in a Magazine or on TV. My bathroom was FULL of Cosmetic Graveyards. Currently, I am in search of the truth which seems to be what's not in the products. Have you noticed lately that Natural and Botanical are the buzz words of choice pertaining to all we ingest or put on our faces & bodies? Sounds good to me although you need to a PHD to decipher the entire ingredient list which in MOST cases contains something UN-Natural. I have listed ingredients that have a POSITIVE GREAT END RESULT ON YOUR SKIN. These ingredients are in nearly every product I currently use on my face & body.

VITAMIN A (Retinyl Palmitate) - The normalizing vitamin. Essential for increasing skin elasticity and thickening of the epidermis and the dermis. Vitamin A plays an important role in RNA synthesis, which produces new and healthy cells in the skin and the body. Medical studies indicate that vitamin A is effective in slowing down skin aging and in reducing in the number and depth of wrinkles. A regression of pigmented spots has been demonstrated in medical studies with regular use of Vitamin A.

VITAMIN B COMPLEX (Panthenol) - Essential for formation of new healthy tissues.

VITAMIN E - Essential for maintaining the activities of enzymes in the cells and for the formation of red blood cells. Vitamin E has been shown to inhibit skin cancer and aid in the healing of skin ailments. It is a dynamic weapon against premature aging and combating wrinkles by neutralizing free radicals to stop the chain reaction of molecular damage and to protect the skin against oxidation.

ALGAE EXTRACT - Hydrates, protects, and softens the skin. Helps penetrate the top layer of the stratum corneum and enhances the skin's ability to repair itself.

ALOE VERA - Renowned for moisturizing, soothing, and healing. Recent studies indicate that aloe vera gel has the ability to enhance and accelerate cellular growth.

ALMOND OIL - Valuable for its mildness and skin softening and lubricating abilities.

AMINO ACIDS - The body's building blocks from which proteins are constructed. Widely used in moisturizers to help water penetrate the skin.

ANTIOXIDANTS - A group of substances that prevent the oxidation of fats and oil and the formulation of free radicals in food, cosmetic products and in living tissues. Vitamin E is an example of a natural antioxidant.

AVOCADO OIL - A very stable oil that contains lecithin and more than 20% essential unsaturated fatty acids. The age of skin is partly determined by its content of soluble collagen. A recent study found that treatment with avocado oil significantly increases the water-soluble collagen content in the dermis while offering protection from ultraviolet rays.

BLUE ALGAE EXTRACT - Helps prevent aging by hydrating, tightening, and toning the skin. Also provides sun protection.

BORAGE SEED OIL - Contains essential, unsaturated fatty acids valuable in skin-conditioning agents. Regulates hydration of the skin while acting as a natural humectant.

CHAMOMILE FLOWER EXTRACT - Soothing and refreshing botanical recognized as a sun protector, an anti-bacterial, and an anti-inflammatory.

FREE RADICAL - Short-lived, reactive chemical compounds that contain an unpaired electron. They react with constituents of a living cell thereby destroying the cell. They are believed to be one important factor in the natural aging process. Some free radicals are formed inside the body from unsaturated fatty acids and atmospheric pollutants like ozone. Vitamin E and other antioxidants have the ability to prevent the formation of free radicals inside the body.

GLYCERIN - A humectant and emollient used in cosmetics for its ability to absorb moisture from the air and help keep moisture in the products and on the skin.

HUMECTANTS - Moisturizing agents whose purpose is to keep the skin moist and elastic and prevent the upper skin layer from drying out.

JOJOBA OIL - Most closely resembles the skin's natural waxes and oils. Aids in the prevention of moisture loss.

LIPOSOMES - When present in a cream or lotion, liposome's can more easily penetrate the surface skin to underlying layers, melt, and deposit other ingredients in products deep.

LAVENDER OIL - Used in cosmetic preparations for its significant medicinal value. Its anti-bacterial, antiseptic, and anti-fungal benefits soothe inflamed skin and foster regeneration of skin cells. Since it regulates sebum production, it is useful for all skin types.

This article brought to you by Carol Clifton. Independent distributor of Senegence Cosmetics, the makers of LipSense

By Carol Clifton