BEAUTY PRODUCT LINGO - A GUIDE

Almost all cosmetics can cause allergic reactions in certain individuals. Often the first sign of a reaction is a mild redness and irritation. There is no list of ingredients that can be absolutely guaranteed not to cause an allergic reaction, stherefore consumers who are prone to allergies should pay careful attention to what they use on their skin.

Because of the almost limitless combinations in all sorts of mixtures and formulations, it is virtually impossible to know if, when, or how anyone’s skin will react to any skin care product.

Terminology:

Terminology related to “allergenic” conditions and some other terms, as you will soon see, can be totally meaningless when it comes to cosmetics. Some of the more common terms that consumers should be aware of include:

• Natural: implies that ingredients in the skin whitening cream are extracted directly from plants or animal products as opposed to being produced synthetically. There is no basis in fact or scientific legitimacy to the notion that products containing natural ingredients are indeed good for the skin.

Hypoallergenic: implies that the product/s making this claim are less likely to cause allergic reactions. There are no prescribed scientific studies required to substantiate this claim.

• Dermatologist-tested sensitivity tested, allergy tested, or nonirritating carry no guarantee that they won’t cause skin reactions.

• Alcohol Free: traditionally meant that certain skin whitening products do not contain ethyl alcohol (or grain alcohol). Cosmetic products, however, may contain other alcohols, such as cetyl, stearyl, cetearyl, or lanolin, which are known as fatty alcohols.

• Fragrance Free: implies that a cosmetic product so labeled has no perceptible odor. Fragrance ingredients are sometimes added to a fragrance-free cosmetic to mask any offensive odour originating from the raw materials used, but in a smaller amount than is needed to impart a noticeable scent.

• Noncomodogenic: this term suggests that products do not contain common pore-clogging ingredients that could lead to acne.

• Shelf Life (Expiration Date): the amount of time for which a cosmetic product is good under normal conditions of storage and use, depending on the product’s composition, packaging, preservation, etc. Expiration dates are, for reasons that are practical, a rule of thumb. A product may expire long before that date if it has not been stored and properly handled.

• Cruelty Free: implies that products have not been tested on animals. Most ingredients used in cosmetics have at some point been tested on animals so consumers may want to look for “no new animal testing,” to get a more accurate indication. Alpha Hydroxy Acids: Alpha hydroxy acids (also known as AHAs) and beta hydroxy acids (referred to as BHAs) have become widely used in recent years.

This component often appears in skin lightening products and at sites like Skin Lightening Advice you’ll find the best skin lightening products articles, guidance and information. AHAs are derived from fruit and milk sugars, and are popular ingredients that attract customers with their claims to reduce wrinkles and age spots, and help repair sun-damaged skin. It is suggested that the consumer take precautions with AHA and BHA products:

• Test any AHA/BHA-containing product on a small area of skin before applying to a larger area.

• If possible, avoid the sun.

• Always use an effective sunscreen when using an AHA-containing product, even if you haven't used the product that day.

• Follow use instructions on the label.

• Do not exceed recommended applications.

• Do not use on infants and children.