Natural Skin Care Products Ingredients

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Glycolic Acid & Lactic Acid. These two organic acids are also called Alpha-hydroxy acids (AHA). They are biologically occurring acids, derived from sugars in particular plants or in milk. Some examples are Glycolic Acid (Sugar Cane), Malic Acid (Apples), Lactic Acid (Milk), Tartaric Acid (Grapes), Citric Acid (Citrus Fruits), and Mandelic Acid (Bitter Almonds). These acids work at the very base of the stratum corneum, dissolving the cement that holds devitalized skin cells together. This allows for an increase in cell turnover and modifies the structure of new stratum corneum being made.

Salicylic acid acts from the external layer of the skin, dissolving skin layer by layer. Salicylic acid is a chemical composite with the formula C6H4(OH)CO2H, where the OH group is adjacent to the carboxylic acid group. This colorless crystalline organic acid is mostly used in organic synthesis and acts as a plant hormone. It is probably best known as a composite that is chemically alike but not identical to the active component of aspirin. The name derives from the latin word for the willow tree (Salix), from whose bark it can be extracted.

Also called beta hydroxy acid (compare to AHA), salicylic acid is the basic additive in many skin-care products for the treatment of stretch marks, corns, keratosis pilaris, psoriasis, callouses, acne and warts. It heals acne by causing skin cells to slough off more quickly, preventing pores from clogging up. This effect on skin cells also makes salicylic acid an active ingredient in several shampoos meant to treat dandruff. Use of straight salicylic solution may leave hyperpigmentation on unpretreated skin for those with darker skin tones (Fitzpatrick phototypes IV, V, VI), just like the lack of use of a broad spectrum sunblock.

Facial cleansers also contain Camphor. This is a biological ingredient taken from wood of the camphor laurel (Cinnamonum camphora), a large evergreen tree growing in Asia (specially in Borneo) and some other similar trees in the laurel family, notably Ocotea usambarensis. Camphor is quickly absorbed through the skin and gives a feeling of cooling similar to that of menthol and works as slight local anesthesic and antibiotical substance.

Cleansers also contain a little Phenol, which is an organic chemical of the formula C6H5OH. Its structure is that of an alcoholic group (-OH) bonded to a phenyl ring; it is thus an aromatic compound. It has antiseptic and anesthesic properties.

When an alpha-beta facial cleanser is used to clean oily skin the result is a more elastic, smoother skin, and a more even skin color.


About the Author:
A natural and chemical-free skin care product is the latest answer to all your skin ailments, from acne to major surgical scars.



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