Erase Years with This Ingredient Revelation

The beauty industry is filled with words like "all-natural," "organic," and "paraben-free."

Brands that love nature and influencers on Instagram have made us more curious about what's in the products we use on our skin.

But what do these words really mean? The truth is, there's no clear definition for terms like "clean" or "all-natural."

And to make things more confusing, our understanding of ingredients is always changing.

So, how do you make sure that the fancy product you're putting on your face is good for you and not just something that smells nice in a pretty bottle?

One way is to get to know some common ingredients in skincare. This can help you identify things that might bother your skin.

However, it's not foolproof. Your skin type and genes play a big role in how your skin reacts to different things.

Even things labeled as "natural," like lavender essential oil, can cause irritation depending on your skin type, says Ashley White, who knows a lot about skin as a licensed aesthetician.

So, when you're checking out a product, don't get distracted by the cool words on the front. Instead, look at the full list of ingredients.

Pay special attention to the first five to ten, because they're used the most. That way, you'll have a better idea of what you're putting on your skin.

Alcohol

Alcohol: In cosmetics, there are various types of alcohols. They're often included to help other ingredients get into your skin.

Some alcohols, like SD alcohol*, ethyl alcohol*, and denatured alcohol*, are known for making skin and hair dry.

But don't let the word "alcohol" scare you when you see it on a product.

Skin-care experts say not all alcohols are bad. For example, Cetearyl alcohol and cetyl alcohol are known as good or "fatty" alcohols.

Fatty alcohols can make hair softer and even help soothe dry skin in moisturizers and hair conditioners.

Alpha-hydroxy acids

These are chemicals like glycolic acid and lactic acid. They're used to make the top layers of the skin shed by loosening the "glue" between skin cells, encouraging new cell growth.

You can find AHAs in different skincare items, including cleansers, and they come in various strengths.

Even though the word "acid" might make you think twice, when applied in the right concentration (based on your skin type), alpha-hydroxy acids can be helpful in removing dead skin cells.

Antioxidants

These are substances that can stop or decrease the damage caused by free radicals.

Free radicals often come from things like sunlight and air pollution, and they can lead to wrinkles and fine lines on your skin.

There are many kinds of antioxidants, and here are a few to be aware of:

Studies have proven that L-ascorbic acid, also called vitamin C, can bring good things to your skin. It's known to brighten hyperpigmentation when used consistently over time.

Beta-hydroxy acid

This is a chemical commonly found in cosmetics, especially in products designed to address acne.

It's known for treating acne, clearing out pores, lessening inflammation, and controlling excess sebum, which is the natural oil your skin produces.

Examples of beta-hydroxy acids include salicylic acid and betaine salicylate.

Willow bark extract is also considered a BHA-like ingredient because it contains salicin, a compound found in aspirin.

While willow bark can be soothing, it can't replicate the acne-fighting benefits of salicylic acid, as noted by Paula's Choice.

Essential oils:

These are concentrated chemical compounds with a strong fragrance, extracted from plants like lavender (Lavandula) or rose (Rosa damascena).

They're commonly used in aromatherapy and skincare products.

These compounds are considered "volatile," meaning they can easily evaporate, and they have the potential to irritate the skin, especially when used without a carrier oil (like coconut oil, castor oil, jojoba seed oil, etc.).

Despite many promises associated with these elixirs, the science behind their benefits is often unclear, and there are no guarantees beyond providing a pleasant smell.

Fragrance/parfum

This is a blend of chemicals created to give a pleasant smell. It's hard to categorize this ingredient as strictly "bad" or "good."

While  fragrance might be okay for some, it can also cause issues for the skin.

For individuals with allergies or skin conditions, avoiding fragrance might be a good idea since there are no proven skin benefits and there's limited transparency about their composition.

The Food and Drug Administration doesn't require companies to reveal the specific chemicals in fragrances, but they must list "fragrance" as part of the ingredient list.