Desiring smoother and healthier skin is a common goal, but the skincare market is flooded with countless products, making it challenging to choose the right ones.

To make an informed decision, it’s essential to examine the labels of your skincare items. You’ll likely encounter terms like “active ingredients” and “inactive ingredients,” but what do these terms really mean? What should you consider when selecting skincare products? Keep reading to find the answers and make wiser skincare decisions.

You’ve probably inspected the label of a food product before, and skincare labels can be just as enlightening — provided you know what to look for. Let’s start with arguably the most crucial part of the label: the active and inactive ingredients.

An “active” ingredient implies that it has been tested and proven to serve a specific function for the skin. Common active ingredients in skincare include alpha hydroxy acids (AHAs) like glycolic acid, for enhancing skin texture and tone; retinoids like vitamin A, to help reduce signs of aging; benzoyl peroxide and salicylic acid, which help fight acne; vitamin B3, for reducing inflammation; and hyaluronic acid, which works to hydrate the skin.

On the other hand, an “inactive” ingredient is not active but might serve as the carrier for the active component, delivering it to the skin. These ingredients could also offer additional skin benefits, even if their specific functions aren’t proven. Typical inactives include plant oils like jojoba oil, for balancing the skin; plant butters like shea or cocoa butter, for moisturizing and shielding the skin; and aloe, which helps to provide various benefits such as moisturization and cooling. Essential oils might also be present for natural fragrance.

It’s crucial to recognize that different active ingredients can provoke varying skin reactions. Hence, carefully reading product labels and following instructions is wise. Overusing a product, especially for those with sensitive skin, could do more harm than good.

Since individual skin types differ, paying attention to product reactions is essential. Always read labels diligently before trying any new product. For more detailed information on this topic, refer to the following resource.

This infographic was created by SeSpring, a cruelty-free Korean moisturizing cream

Categories: Skin Care

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