The skin-care ingredient glossary everybody needs to know

The skin is the outermost part of the body and also the largest body organ. As such, it wellness as well as it freshness exposes to the general public how hygienic, healthy and self-care such person is.

As a result, many people (especially women) applies a dozen of products, containing a total of about 168 different ingredients on daily bases to maintain their skin, according to The Environmental Working Group (EWG).  Personal-care industry remain unregulated as many producers of this products produces more products (like cosmetics which may include skin-care ingredients etc) into the market for profits. Many people using this products, most of their skins are allergy to some of them, hence causing reaction on their skin which may even lead to the damage of the skin beyond repairs. This is why it is important to know exactly what what we(individually) apply on our skin and also important to maintain perspective as necessary.

An important fact to be considered highly in the maintenance of the skin is the knowledge of establishing a good relationship with a dermatologist; letting him recommend for your skin type and skin issues as they have a concise knowledge on types of skin, what's best for a particular skin type or issue and a larger knowledge on skin-care products.

Nevertheless, this article is to provide a concise knowledge on the most common and popular skin-care products' ingredients and buzzwords, and there are the following:

1. Allantoin: This plant compound is known as a "skin soother" because of its healing properties. It is often added to products in order to calm the complexion and lessen irritation, according to Cosmetics Info.

2. Alpa-tocopherol: Sometimes use orally, but it simply means vitamin E. The nourishing vitamin is an antioxidant that neutralizes damaging free radicals.

3. Alpha-hydroxy acid (AHA): AHAs are found in fruits,milk and sugarcane; according to Cosmetics Info. Glycotic, lactic and citric acid respectively. There work by breaking apart the glue that holds dead skin cells together to speed exfoliation.

4. Alpha-lipoic acid: This is an antioxidant that protects against free radical damage that ages skin. It as well repairs damage to smooth lines and improve tone, according to Cleveland clinic. According to The Ordinary, it has an antioxidant capacity of about 40, 000% stronger than vitamin E and C combined.

5. Amino acid: This is the building blocks of proteins like collagen, some of which help prevent lines and wrinkles from forming and bolster skin elasticity.

6. Arbutin: This very ingredient is derived from the barberry plant. The hydro-quinone derivative ia used as a skin brightener.

7. Ascorbic acid: There are also known as Vitamin C. It appears in many anti-aging formulations as a skin protective and repairing antioxidant. It is also use as preservative to protect certain cosmetic products from degrading.

8. Avobenzone: It protects by absorbing UVA rays according to The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA); UVA radiation contributes to both skin aging and skin cancer.

9. Avocado oil: Avocado's fatty acid are made of skin nourishing vitamins like A, D and E. It is the most use ingredient in the market.

10. Azelaic acid:This acid kills acne-causing bacteria when added to pimple creams; reduces redness and soothes skin when found in gels and foams which treat rosacea, according to Mayo Clinic.

11. Benzophenone: This is another common chemical. It is a UVA-absorbing sunscreen agent. This group includes dioxybenzone, oxybenzone and sulisbenzone. Most people may find that chemical-based sunscreens are irritating to sensitive complexions, particularly those with benzophenones.

12. Benzoyl Peroxide: There are mostly used in tropical acne washes and creams. It kills the bacteria that lead to breakout and reduces inflammation.
Warning: This very ingredient bleaches clothes and towels etc.

13. Beta hydroxy acid (BHA): This ingredient exfoliate dead skin cells from the surface of the skin. BHAs are oil-soluble and can penetrate deeper inside the pores and exfoliate all the dead skin built up inside . A most common example of BHA is salicylic acid.

14. Caffeine: This is a plant compound that nourishes the skin and is a common ingredient in under-eye gels and creams because of its anti-inflammatory effects. It also decreases puffiness and constricts blood vessels to reduce dark circles, according to Cosmetic Info.

15. Camellia sinesis leaf: This is a green tea leaf extract. Its been added as an antioxidant, hydrator and fragrance. According to The Environmental Working Group (EWG).

16. Colloidal oatmeal: There are made from oat that have been granded into powder and used in sensitive skin products. There soothes the skin by building skin's barrier to keep out irritants and there are anti-inflammatory properties, according to DermNet NZ.

17. Diethanolamine: There act as an emulsifiers, foaming agent or PH controller. Diethanolamine and other related ingredients are flag by Environmental Working Group (EWG) as high concern toxicity.

18. Dimethicone: There are derived from silicon (a naturally occurring element),is a moisturizing ingredients that locks water into the skin. According to Cosmetic Info, It is found in creams, lotions and soaps.

19. Ethyl alcohol: There are often found in a range of skin-care products as an astringent or are also used to improve the quality of the finished solution (for example its texture or thickness).

20. Fatty acid: There are listed under several names in the ingredients list like; glycerides, sterols, phospholipids, Omega 3 and Omega 6. They prevent water loss from the skin, so there're added as moisturizers, and there also thicken the product formulations as well.

21. Ferulic acid: This is an antioxidant derived from rice bran. It is often added to anti-aging serums, moisturizers and youth-boosting treatments, according to Environmental Working Group (EWG).

22. Formaldehyde: There are preservatives and are listed as imidazolidinyl urea or DMDM hydantoin. They release formaldehyde (overtime) to prevent mold and bacteria from growing in and from spoiling the products, according to Cosmetics Info; when used within advise limits.

23. Glycerin: As a sugar alcohol, draws water from the surrounding environment and pull it into the skin. As a result of it role as a top-notch hydrator, it is the second most used ingredient used in personal-care product after water, according to Cosmetics Info.

24. Hydroquinone: This is a skin-lightening ingredient that inhibits tyrosine; an enzyme involved in melanin production. It's used to fade conditions like melasma as well as hyper-pigmentation, according to American Osteopathic College of Dermatology.

25. Kojic acid: This is a better alternative to hydroquinone. This fungal-based brightener targets discolorations by inhibiting pigment production.

26. Lactic acid: This ingredient exfoliate to boost brightness and even out tone, and draw water into skin to hydrate. As such it is the most used in anti-aging products.

27. Pantothenic acid: This is a source of vitamin B5 which strengthens skin's barrier to stop water loss, and is found in creams, lotions and serums.

28. Retinoids: There are derived from Vitamin A, and are used in anti-aging and anti-acne skin products. There enable collagen production and when it comes to acne; they keep pores clear and reduce inflammation.

29. Sulfur: This is a chemical element. Sulfur addresses acne (from red, angry zits to black or whiteheads) by targeting pimple producing bacteria; exfoliating skin cells that plug pores and control oil.

30. Water: Water is the main and most used skin-care ingredient in the skin-care products. It's a solvent for active ingredients, and when mix with oil; provides the silky texture of skin creams.