What's all the fuss about cosmecuticals?

What are cosmecuticals and are they good for skin?

There is a plethora of new skincare products and services on the market and it’s not surprising that the general public, let alone skincare professionals, often feel overwhelmed with the pace of product development and the expansive choice of products and services available.

 

The term cosmeceutical comes from the synergy between pharmaceutical and cosmetic and is a marketing term used seduces the customer into perceiving that the products under this category offer some kind of magic bullet without going under the knife to achieve unblemished, youthful looking skin. The products are available over the counter and do not need a prescription.

 

Their unique selling point (USP) is their active ingredients that normally have  been independently, scientifically proven to deliver key benefits to the skin. Products may include moisturisers, serums, anti-wrinkle creams etc. They may contain peptides, anti-oxidants, retinoid, dioic acid with an alpha- and beta-hydroxy acid formulations, vitamins & minerals. The proof is in the pudding of course and what works for one person, may not be suitable or bring visible differences to others. What will make a difference to the efficacy of the formulation is the quality and quantity of the key active ingredients; hence price point enters the equation.

Are they only for the rich and famous?

Not at all.....prices can vary from £20 upwards towards £100 or if you are visiting a dermatologist or private skincare clinic, you may pay more. A good place to start research is in a large department store, on-line specialist stores, health & beauty magazines, beauty bloggers (unpaid, unbiased) and web searches for particular products.  A good source for comparing organic and natural brands and ingredients is the beauty bible http://beautybible.com/ For information on skin conditions check out the British Skincare Foundation http://www.britishskinfoundation.org.uk/ and Skins Matter website http://www.skinsmatter.com/ for skincare and food health.

 

If you suffer from significant skincare damage or a condition that makes using skincare products difficult ask for a referral from your GP to a dermatologist especially in cases of severe psoriasis, eczema, dermatitis as often the preservatives or some ingredients may cause an allergic reaction as may certain foods that may irritate the health of the gut and provoke a reaction that affects skincare health.

 

Borealis Natural Skincare uses active ingredients but at levels the skin can tolerate and without parabens as a preservative, the likelihood of a reaction is reduced. One such ingredient is hyaluronic acid is found throughout the body. It is a natural, a complex sugar, known as a glycosaminoglycan. It helps to transport nutrients to cells and remove toxins. As a skincare ingredient, it has been seen as the Holy Grail for many a product as it helps retain moisture (water) in the body. It can absorb up to one thousand times its weight. As we age, retaining moisture in skin becomes more difficult hence a key active ingredient in the Body Lotions and men’s moisturizers.

Other active ingredients we use include Co2 extracts such as calendula and artic cranberry in our eye repair concentrate. So, you can protect, nourish and repair your skin using natural and organic ingredients as well as using science to harness the benefits. www.borealisnatural.com