Health and Beauty

There are numerous products available that are designed to make us look younger for longer. As a consumer, we are faced with a bewildering array of beautifully packaged products. The cosmetic industry is constantly enticing us to purchase a miracle in a jar by striving to produce the most innovative and effective skin-care products. Cosmetic companies put in enormous resources to develop new and more effective skin products

As with any other product, cheap skin-care products use cheaper ingredients. While with the more expensive brands, we usually pay for the new ingredient or formula that is supposed to deliver the anti-ageing, anti-wrinkle, skin firming benefit. But price alone cannot be the determining factor, as cosmetics can achieve little except temporary moisturisation.

By law store-bought cosmetics and their ingredients must be safe for use. This means if we try them and they do not work, the only thing they will have damaged is our wallet. In some cases a lotion may cause skin irritation, but this will resolve when we stop using the product. By definition, a cosmetic is not allowed to alter the structure or function of the skin. In contrast, pharmaceutical products are subject to tighter controls and tests because they are more potent. Their benefits must be proved and side-effects reported.

Some of the standard ingredients in face creams are preservatives, emulsifiers, humectants, silicone and sunscreens. Preservatives prevent the growth of bacteria in cosmetics and extend the shelf-life of creams. Examples are essential oils or synthetic parabens, including ethyls, propyls and butyls that are non-toxic. Emulsifiers like linoelic acid ensure a smooth mixture and consistency.

Humectants like glycerin and glycol are commonly used derivatives of mineral oil. They act as a moisturizer by drawing water from the air to the skin's surface. They also prevent the product from losing water and drying out. Silicone gives the cream a pleasing texture and...