#cosmetic database

Necessary Ingredients to Look for in Anti-Aging Products

 Retinol

You might have seen many anti-aging products boast about their retinol content on the bottle label. As a vitamin A compound, this antioxidant neutralizes free radicals—unstable molecules of reactive oxygen that react with important cellular components such as the cell membrane or DNA—and decreases the risk of wrinkles and broken down skin cells.

 Alpha Lipoic Acid

This acid is known as the universal antioxidant. Because it’s fat and water-soluble, this acid easily absorbs through the skin’s lipid layers and works against free radicals in the cell membranes, all the while strengthening the water-like interiors of the skin cells.

Known to be 400 times stronger than Vitamin C and E, ALA is mostly used in topical products and imparts a healthy glow to the skin.

 Dimethylaminoethanol

Considered a nutritional substance for the skin membrane, this anti-inflammatory stabilizer is a precursor to an organic chemical known as acetylcholine, which causes your muscles to contract and tighten under your epidermal layers. When used for facial skin care, this substance tightens your muscle tone and prevents it from dropping or sagging.

 Neuropeptides

Not to be mistaken for pentapeptides (more commonly marketed as the peptide Matrixyl), neuropeptiedes are protein-like molecules that improve your skin’s texture, tone and resilience.

They increase fullness and protect your pores against dehydration and effects of tiredness. Very important for those with sensitive skin!

 Hyaluronic Acid

Listed as sodium hyaluronate, this ingredient acts as a humectant, meaning that it holds 1000 times its own weight in water. Mostly used as an anti-aging ingredient in topical treatments, this moisturizing agent is even injected as filler for wrinkles and expression lines for its property for skin-firmness.

 Linoleic Acid

This form of Vitamin B3 reduces blotchiness, discoloration and brown spots. Also useful for reducing and treating acne, linoleic acid maintains and develops skin barriers to help keep out toxins and retain natural skin moisture and nutrients so your skin continues to benefit from the added protection.

Best Way to Search for Such Products?

There are numerous products that have the above in their ingredient list. Your best chance at finding the right one for your skin is by using a trusted guide.

Search on cosmetics database websites such as Cosmetiqo to learn all about the best anti aging ingredients for your skin to make an educated purchase.

Makeup Tricks You’re Doing Wrong

 Skipping Foundation

No foundation is so much worse than bad foundation. Keep in mind that your skin tone does look dull in some places while looking shiny in others. Using the right foundation (a sheer, small coat) can give your skin a translucent finish. When buying foundation, apply a little and check it in daylight. The right product will hide your fine lines and make it look fresher.

 Applying Blush Incorrectly

Instead of applying blush on just the apples of your cheeks, apply it along your cheekbone, using the center of your eye as the guiding point. Use upward swipes, and focus on brushing on the cheekbone, rather than below it, otherwise you’ll look jowly.

Note: A note when using blush, buy a tone that matches the undertone of your skin. If you have a fairer tone, go with roses and pinks. Medium skin tones should use pinks and peaches, or mauve. Darker skin tones can use corals, oranges, berries and rich bronzes to give their skin that glow of beauty.

 Overdoing the Lip liner

Heavy and overdone lip liners give you a feathery line around your lips that emphasizes the lines in your skin, making you look older. Instead of jamming that pencil against your lip line, dab the pencil along your lip gently and stroke the line. Use a color that matches that of your lipstick. For best results though, use a cream liner and be sure to fill your lips with lipstick. Lip liner does not equal to lipstick.

 Using a Heavy Concealer

Caked on concealer dries and cracks, and actually highlights your wrinkles and fine lines, so there’s really no use in slathering on too much of it. Instead, dab on concealer on the corners of your skin to fill in the marks. Choose a highlighting concealer. It lights up your face and makes it look more radiant.

 Not Using Eyeliner Properly

Amateur mistakes involving eyeliner include: only lining the lower lid, using sparkly eyeliner and applying a thick layer. Making any of these mistakes automatically makes your eyes look puffier and darker. Instead, use a soft pencil and apply it close to your lash lines on both lids, and smudge it to lighten up the look. For eye shadow, use a soft brush and trace the shadow over the lashline to soften the look.

How Should You Use Your Makeup?

Instead of going in blind, use the best sources at hand to make the right make up decisions. Websites such as Cosmetiqo offer their cosmetics database so you can choose the best ingredients for your skin type and tone.