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I grew up and went to school as an herbalist and then went back to become a certified Holistic Nutrition Consultant. For years I told people, outside of Latin names, “If you cannot pronounce it don’t use it.” Here’s the thing… That is just not true. Below you will find a list of very scary named ingredients that you definitely WANT to find in your beauty and skin care products.
Dimethylaminoethanol (DMAE):
This is a naturally occurring choline analog which is an important component to cell membranes. DMAE is known for its skin tightening and toning effects. Several studies have concluded that DMAE successfully reduces fine lines and wrinkles, improves lip fullness and tightens the loose skin under eyes and around neck and jaw lines. Overall this wonderful ingredient with a terrible name has true skin lifting and tightening effects.
Methylsulfonylmethane (MSM):
This ingredient is found in all plant cells and tissue. In fact it plays a roll in building every cell in our bodies as well. MSM has a high sulfur content which reduces inflammation and detoxes the body. What’s more is it increases cell permeability allowing vital nutrients to flow with ease into the cells. This leads to a little known fact about MSM that it when in beauty products it actually enhances absorption ability thus allowing the other ingredients to be more available to (hopefully if they are good ingredients) nourish our skin cells. It is great for increasing collagen support, skin elasticity and tone, reducing inflammation, which all goes a long way to being an anti aging super star.
Retinol:
Retinol is actually Vitamin A and stimulates the production of new and healthy skin cells. It also stimulates fibroblasts, the cells responsible for developing tissue that keeps skin firm and healthy, in the deep layers of your skin. There’s more, Vitamin A is the hero of fighting against UV damage and fighting other free radicals as well. Overall Retinol is one of the best proponents of healthy, youthful skin.
Glycolic Acid:
Any time that we hear the word “acid” in our skin care products it can cause a knee jerk reaction of “No Way!” However Glycolic Acid, most commonly derived from sugar cane, belongs to the alpha-hydroxy acid (AHA) family. Its main function in beauty and skin care products is exfoliation. Basically it helps unglue the dead skin cells from the healthy layers below. This is a natural process that Glycolic Acid speeds along thus creating a youthful healthy glow.
Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate/Ascorbic Acid:
Good Old Vitamin C! Vitamin C helps fight free radicals like few other. It creates a beautiful firm yet supple look to the skin, helps in the resurfacing of skin tissue, feeds the underlying dermal layers of the skin and brightens and tones, with it’s amazing antioxidant properties.
Cyanocobalamin:
Sounds like cyanide right? Well, this beauty is Vitamin B 12. Its main role in beauty products is the regulation of the production of pigment in the skin. It helps to prevent dark spots and over pigmentation. We certainly don’t want to cut that out of our skin care regime.
Tocopherol:
This one is a must have! Vitamin E is its common name and it is king when it comes to wound healing, scar reduction. This antioxidant also helps fight free radicals and heal UV damaged skin sites. Another added benefit to Vitamin E is its ability to help create more stability in oil based products. Its antioxidant properties actually help other oils from going rancid!
Methylsilanol:
This is a derivative of sea weed. This is an important ingredient that binds moisture in the epidermis which in turn firms and strengthening the skin. Found in many sea weed spa wraps it is also making its way into more and more beauty products as a key player in the anti aging world.
This list could go on and on… What I hope you glean from this article is that it pays to dig a little deeper. The age old adage doesn’t always work, “If you can’t say it don’t use it”. Because, if you are anything like me, I am hoping these above listed ingredients ARE in my body care products. Nourishing our cells and taking care of our skin is the best way to feel and look younger.
Until Next Time Beauties,
Hillari