Form of vitamin C that is a potent antioxidant and anti-inflammatory agent (Sources:... Read More »
Categories: Anti-Irritants, Vitamins, Antioxidants
Also known as carboxylic acid, it is often erroneously labeled an amino acid (which it is not). It... Read More »
Categories: Antioxidants
See antioxidant
Alpha hydroxy acid extracted from milk, although most forms used in cosmetics are synthetic. It... Read More »
Categories: Leave-On Exfoliant
Type of “friendly” bacteria found in the intestine that helps maintain a healthy natural flora in... Read More »
Categories: Miscellaneous
Polysaccharide that has water-binding properties for skin. Read More »
Categories: Skin-Identical/Repairing Ingredients
See polyhydroxy acid
Enzyme derived from milk; it has antibacterial properties for skin and may be helpful for... Read More »
Categories: Antibacterial/Anti-Acne
See Alchemilla vulgaris
Categories: Antibacterial/Anti-Acne, Plant Extracts
Extract for which there is a great deal of research showing it has many medical health applications... Read More »
Categories: Plant Extracts, Cell-Communicating Ingredients, Antioxidants
No research shows this plant as having any benefit for skin although it is used as a mosquito... Read More »
Categories: Plant Extracts
See algae
Categories: Thickeners/Emulsifiers, Plant Extracts, Antioxidants
Categories: Plant Extracts, Thickeners/Emulsifiers, Emollients, Antioxidants
The Latin name for a species of kelp, also known as brown seaweed. Applied topically, it helps... Read More »
Categories: Plant Extracts, Anti-Irritants
Categories: Plant Extracts, Thickeners/Emulsifiers, Antioxidants, Emollients
A species of the nettle plant that is used topically as an anti-inflammatory owing to its saponin... Read More »
Categories: Antioxidants, Plant Extracts, Anti-Irritants
Emollient, very thick substance derived from the sebaceous glands of sheep. Lanolin has long been... Read More »
Categories: Emollients, Skin-Identical/Repairing Ingredients
Emollient derived from lanolin. Read More »
Categories: Skin-Identical/Repairing Ingredients, Emollients
See burdock root
Categories: Plant Extracts, Antioxidants, Anti-Irritants
See chaparral extract
Categories: Plant Extracts, Antibacterial/Anti-Acne, Antioxidants
Categories: Antioxidants, Plant Extracts, Antibacterial/Anti-Acne
Brand name for the prescription drug whose active ingredient is the prostaglandin analogue... Read More »
Categories: Prescription Drugs
Mild detergent cleansing agent. Read More »
Categories: Surfactants/Detergent Cleansing Agents
See soy extract , quaternium ammonium compounds
See quaternium ammonium compounds
Paula Begoun is the best-selling author of 20 books on skin care and makeup. She is known worldwide as the Cosmetics Cop and creator of Paula's Choice. Paula's expertise has led to hundreds of appearances on national and international TV including:
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