Cosmetics: What's in there?

CEBU, Philippines – Most people - women especially - apply makeup without ever looking at the label. Knowing the "inside story" of cosmetics will help you to be a smarter consumer.

Learn the ingredients in your cosmetics:

.Botanical extracts: Ingredients derived from plants and used chiefly for their cooling and soothing properties. Examples: cucumber, cornflower, rosemary, aloe vera, kelp.

.Carbohydrate: A compound of carbon, hydrogen and oxygen; used for thickening and moisturizing.

.Collagen: A natural body protein that is part of the connective tissue in the dermis that gives the skin firmness. For cosmetic products, collagen is usually derived from cows. It is claimed to help skin regain firmness; but most doctors believe that it does not penetrate the dermis. On the plus side, collagen is a good moisture binder.

.Elastin: With collagen, elastin is part of the connective support tissue of the dermis. It gives skin elasticity and, as an anti-aging ingredient, is supposed to help restore this quality.

.Emollients: Oil-based ingredients that help prevent moisture from evaporating from the skin. Examples: cetyl alcohol, glyceryl stearate, hydrogenated vegetable oil, isopropyl myristate lanolin, mineral oil, petrolatum.

.Glycoprotein: A combination of carbohydrate and protein thought to enhance the cell-renewal process.

.Moisture binders (also called humectants): Water-trapping and water-sealing ingredients that hold moisture in the skin. Examples: hyaluronic acid, biohyaluronic acid, cholesterol sorbitol, glycerol, plyethylene glycol, propyleneglycol, sorbitol, urea.

.Placental protein: Cells taken from the placenta of sheep and other animals. Nutrient rich, they help skin look fresher and smoother, supposedly by speeding up cell renewal.

.Protein: A combination of amino acids vital to all living cells. Used in anti-aging products as a skin conditioner.

.Retin A (or retinoic acid): A vitamin-A derivative, successfully used to treat acne. Thought to promote collagen production and increase blood flow for more youthful-looking skin.

.SPF: Sun protection factor. A number indicating amount of time you can safely stay in the sun without burning. The higher the number, the more protection offered. For example, an SPF of 15 means that you can be in the sun 15 times longer than if you used no protection at all.

.Thymus extract: Taken from the thymus gland of animals. Known as the youth gland because it is present in younger animals and tends to disappear with aging, used for rejuvenation purposes.

.Tocopherol: An alcohol form of vitamin E, an antioxidant.

.Tocopheryl: A form of vitamin E, an antioxidant.

.Vitamin C: Vital to collagen production.

.Vitamin E: An antioxidant. Hampers an oxidation process that leads to the formation of molecules called free radicals. Free radicals are aging because they can damage other cells, such as collagen and elastin.

- from Hints, Tips & Smart Advice By FamilyCircle