Skincare ingredients significantly impact skin health and warrant careful consideration. Here is a straightforward guide to what to look for on your labels — and what to skip.
Ingredients to Look Out For
Ceramides
Ceramides are lipids found in the skin's outer layer that excel at moisture retention. They help create a plumper appearance and may address signs of aging. You'll find them in both prescription formulations for eczema and over-the-counter moisturisers.
Antioxidants
Similar to dietary antioxidants, skincare versions protect skin from environmental stressors and free radicals. Ingredients like Vitamin E, coconut oil, and kojic acid can brighten your complexion, provide deep cleansing, and fade scars and hyperpigmentation.
Vitamin C
Vitamin C neutralises free radical damage and gradually brightens dark spots while promoting a radiant appearance. Choose products in airless, opaque packaging since the ingredient degrades when exposed to light.
Ingredients to Avoid
Parabens
Many products now carry paraben-free labels due to research linking these preservatives to breast cancer tissue. Despite regulatory approval, consumers prefer avoiding them as a precaution.
Formaldehyde
This carcinogenic ingredient persists in some beauty products despite known toxicity. Retailers increasingly ban such formulations, though the substance sometimes hides under alternative names.
Mineral Oil
Though moisturising, mineral oil can clog pores by coating skin like plastic. This petroleum by-product interferes with the skin's natural toxin defence and increases acne risk. Check creams and lotions carefully.
