Even beauty-experts sometimes have difficulty deciphering what the ingredients in their skincare products really mean. At Dermatique we only use ingredients that are compatible with the skin and help the body to heal. It is the body that does the healing and gentle creams and washes should be but aids, to keep the skin clear and healthy. This means that it is important to look at what you are using on your skin, to understand how chemicals and hormones can upset the skin and take away its natural balance, leading to conditions such as Eczema, Psoriasis and Acne. In order to help you understand what is really in the products in your cabinet, here are some jargon busters for what certain ingredients and classifications really mean.
Parabens
Parabens are widely used in beauty products to prevent bacteria growth. However, in the 1990s Parabens were deemed xenoestrogens - agents that mimic the hormone estrogen in the body. This has been linked to breast cancer and reproductive issues as well as longer-term effects on the body when stored up over time. Dermatique’s products do not contain parabens for this reason.
Free Radicals
These are in the air we breathe and the food we eat. They are unstable compounds that attack human cells and damage DNA, effectively speeding up the ageing process through damage to skin cells.
Mineral Oil
Mineral Oil is a synthetic oil which makes up most traditional baby oils. It is a byproduct of the distillation of gasoline from crude oil. There have been reports that Mineral Oil is harmful to the skin as it acts as a layer which clogs pores and slows the skin’s ability to eliminate toxins. It can also be harmful if ingested into the stomach and intestines. A more natural alternative to mineral oil for babies and children is our Recuperating Cream, which contains no perfumes, colour, mineral oil, parabens or steroids.
Antioxidants
These are Free Radicals natural enemy. Eating foods rich in antioxidants is a great way to limit the damage as well as using products that contain antioxidants to protect the skin. In beauty products, vitamin E is an important antioxidant.
Organic
In the beauty industry, there is no industry-agreed meaning for terms like ‘organic’ or ‘natural’. There are many different professional bodies and accreditations in the EU who define what ‘organic’ means but unfortunately, all of them differ in definition. In most cases, organic refers to the avoidance of synthetic chemicals, fragrances, parabens and other ‘filler’ ingredients which can irritate the skin.
Steroids
Corticosteroids are creams and lotions that are prescribed by Doctors and Nurses to treat dry skin conditions such as Eczema and Psoriasis. They do not cure the condition but are often able to reduce inflammation and irritation. Many sufferers are reluctant to use steroids because to work, they are made with hormones that suppress the immune system and narrow the blood vessels in the skin. Often, steroids can be avoided if a consistent skincare routine is developed with products that contain natural healing ingredients such as our Recuperating Cream.
Fragrance
Fragrance is a term used within many beauty ingredients, usually a synthetic chemical which has been added to a product to create an artificial smell, or sometimes even to cover up the smell from another chemical.These can be hazardous to the health and particularly the skin, as fragrance mixes are often associated with allergies, Eczema, Dermatitis and even affects on the reproductive system. Our products do not contain any artificial perfumes or fragrances.
If you have any queries about the ingredients in our products please contact us - we are always happy to answer questions!