Things That Laaleen Wrote: Skin Deep: Beauty in a bottle

Skin Deep: delivering beauty in a bottle

Laaleen Khan

http://tribune.com.pk/story/294400/skin-deep-delivering-beauty-in-a-bottle/

Ignorance isn’t bliss when it comes to one’s skin. Consumers are often duped into using products that may cause long-term damage to their health. If a ‘miraculous’ skin cream comes in a shoddy container with a dubious name like ‘Lady Pretty Fair,’ it’s likely that the ingredients oughtn’t to be trusted.  On the flip side, many fancy containers or products that claim to be ‘herbal’ do not guarantee safe results either. In other words, study the ingredients—and their safe dosage—before exposing them to your skin.

With imported brands and homegrown products featuring ingredients like licorice, beeswax, caffeine and sheep fat, Pakistan’s growing skincare industry claims to treat everyday skin ailments.

Hyperpigmentation affects warmer complexions with varying skin tones, leading to an uneven facial appearance.

SOLUTIONS:

1.     Titanium Dioxide (L’Oréal’s White Perfect product line; Garnier’s Light product line;) is an ingredient found in sunscreens that acts as a barrier from UV rays.

2.     Kojic Acid (Derma Clin Forte Cream, Vincé Extra Strength Lightening Cream) is derived from fermented rice and lightens the skin. However, its overuse and exposure to sunlight often leads to skin irritation.

3.     Licorice (Himalaya Clear Complexion Whitening Day Cream, Luscious Foundation Stick, Fair & Lovely Herbal Natural Fairness Cream, The Body Shop Moisture White Shiso Whitening Night Treatment) is a natural anti-inflammatory agent that also inhibits pigmentation.

4.     Sandalwood (Saeed Ghani Sandal Whitening Cream) is a calming, indigenous essential oil considered to be beneficial for the skin and emotional well-being.

Wrinkles and fine lines are just not fine for most people. Anti-ageing serums vie for innovative ingredients, like animal placenta and diamond dust, to regenerate the skin.

SOLUTIONS:

1.     Retinol, or Vitamin A (L’Oreal Revitalift with Stimulift technology contains Pro-Retinol A; Pond’s Age Miracle has Retinol boosters;), is a highly effective complexion enhancer. Overuse and exposure to sunlight may increase a risk of reproductive damage.

2.     Q10 (Nivea Anti-Wrinkle Q10 Plus, Eucerin Anti-Wrinkle Sensitive Skin Crème) has co-enzyme properties that firm the skin.

3.     Pomegranate (The Body Shop Natrulift Firming Serum contains pomegranate seed oil) is an antoxidant that works to regenerate skin cells.

4.     Glycerine (Oriflame Diamond Cellular Anti-Ageing Cream, Olay Regenerist, L’Oreal Skin Expertise RevitaLift Night Lotion) is a natural skin softener found in animal and plant fats.

Problem skin breaks out with adult or adolescent blemishes.

SOLUTIONS:

1.     Neem Oil (Himalaya Neem Face Pack, Saeed Ghani Neem Oil) is an indigenous Ayurvedic ingredient with healing properties for the skin. It can, however, cause reproductive problems when used in excess.

2.     Tea Tree Oil (GNC’s pure Tea Tree Oil; The Body Shop’s Tea Tree product line) is a natural antifungal agent that heals dry scalp conditions as well as skin afflicted with acne, insect bites and rash.

Tired eyes with puffy under-eye bags and unsightly circles can be treated with more than traditional cucumbers slices.

SOLUTION:

1.     Caffeine (Garnier Caffeine Eye Roll-On, The Body Shop Natrulift Eye Roll-On) claims to improve under-eye circles.

2.     Cooling eye gel (Olay Age Defying Revitalizing Eye Gel, The Body Shop Elderflower Cooling Eye Gel) works to freshen tired eyes.

Irritated scalp conditions may lead to hair breakage and loss.

SOLUTIONS:

1.     Amla, or Indian Gooseberry (Saeed Ghani Tarchup Herbal Tonic combines Amla Oil with Neem leaves and other ingredients), is rich in Vitamin C and thought to stimulate hair follicles.

2.     Cactus Oil (Dabur Vatika Cactus Enriched Hair Oil also contains Garlic and Garger/Rocket Oil) helps to nourish the scalp and improve brittle hair textures.

Cracked heels, the sandpaper-like base of one’s chapped feet, are a pedicurist’s worst nightmare.

SOLUTIONS:

1.     Beeswax, or Cera Alba, is an efficient emulsifier and a component of the highly effective Saeed Ghani’s Heel Krack Cream and The Body Shop’s Afrique Honey & Beeswax Hand and Foot Butter.

2.     Lanolin is derived from fatty sheepskin secretions found in wool and an ingredient of basic facial and body moisturizers like Oil of Olay, E45 and Nivea, as well as in the pricey Crème de la Mer. Its concentrated form, such as in lotions for nursing mothers, heals chapped or broken skin.

Fair & Deadly:  these controversial beauty product ingredients are often found at cosmetics stores and salons across Pakistan.

Arsenic, popularly used in the Victorian era as a skin clarifier (as well as a murder weapon in Agatha Christie novels), is believed to lead to skin cancer or death by arsenic poisoning. Allegedly, it is an ingredient in popular Indo-Pak homeopathic syrups, leading to their ban in Canada.

Mercury, easily absorbed by body tissues, has toxic results including kidney damage. High levels have allegedly been found in low-end Pakistani bleach and freckle creams leading to an import ban in some western countries.

Lead, used to create then-fashionable facial pallor from the ancient Greeks to the powdered Georgians, causes toxic poisoning when used in abundance. Today, it is found (albeit in lower doses) in various kajal eyeliners and in many lipsticks.

Hydroquinone is a skin-lightening ingredient found in many local and imported extra-strength lightening creams. It works by inhibiting the production of melanin, and could result in an increased likelihood of skin cancer. It is also thought to be an ingredient of ‘whitening’ facials offered by some salons.