the Hannah Hardy

Again, not an expert here, but I’m sharing what I’ve found from researching several common ingredients. I got information from the Cosmetic Ingredient Review (CIR), Food & Drug Administration (FDA), and Paula’s Choice (PC).

Paula’s Choice is a great resource for all things skincare and their Ingredient Dictionary is super helpful. PC also gives each ingredient a rating of GOOD, BEST, POOR, or AVERAGE that I will include with each ingredient.

• Alpha Hydroxy Acid (AHA)
  • Improve signs of aging, dry skin, and uneven skintone
  • Can increase sun sensitivity, be sure to wear an SPF
  • BEST

• Bentonite
  • Type of clay
  • Used as an absorbent
  • Good for oily skin
  • Can by drying
  • GOOD
• Benzoyl Peroxide
  • Anti-acne
  • Can reach and kill bacteria that causes acne
  • Considered the most effective over the counter acne treatment
  • 2.5-10% concentration, start small
  • BEST
• Beta Hydroxy Acid (BHA)
  • Exfoliates skin
  • Soothes skin
  • Used in acne products to improve breakouts and blackheads
  • BEST

• Ceramides
  • Improves skin texture
  • Suppleness
  • Replenish and restore
  • BEST
• Cica (Centella Asiatica)
  • Soothe and repair irritated skin
  • Treat acne
  • Calm sensitive skin
  • Brighten skin
  • Increase hydration
  • BEST

• Dimethicone
  • A type of silicone
  • Emollient ingredient in moisturizers
  • Gentle & effective
  • Forms a permeable barrier that works to prevent moisture loss
  • Silky feel
  • Considered safe as used in cosmetics products
  • GOOD

• Formaldehyde
  • Preservative, prevents mold and bacteria from growing in and spoiling your products
  • Skin irritation is a common side effect
  • CIR says it’s safe at levels that don’t exceed established limits
  • AVERAGE

• Glycerin
  • Skin-replenishing and skin-restoring
  • Defends against dryness
  • Maintain skin’s moisture level
  • BEST
• Glycolic Acid
  • Shed dead skin cells and renew skin’s surface
  • One of the most effective forms of AHA
  • Softens the signs of aging
  • BEST

• Hyaluronic Acid
  • Boosts skin moisture
  • Good for all skin types
  • Helps skin retain moisture
  • Skin feels softer, smoother
  • Improve appearance of fine lines and wrinkles
  • BEST

• Kaolin
  • Clay mineral with absorbent properties
  • Good for oily skin
  • Can be drying if used too frequently in high amounts
  • GOOD

• Mica
  • Mineral used to add shimmer and sparkle
  • GOOD

• Niacinamide
  • Improve appearance of large pores, uneven skin tone, fine lines and wrinkles, and dullness
  • Reduce the damage caused by environmental factors
  • BEST

• Parabens
  • Used as preservatives in cosmetics
  • No FDA rules on preservatives in makeup
  • CIR says they’re safe in cosmetics
  • No info (at this time) showing that parabens, as used in makeup, have an effect on health
  • GOOD
• Peptides
  • Skin-soothing and skin-restoring
  • Improve the appearance of wrinkles and smile lines
  • BEST
• Phthalates
  • Group of chemicals used in different forms of personal care prodcuts
  • CIR says safe for us
  • No evidence to show phthalates, as used in cosmetics, pose a safety risk
  • FDA monitors phthalate levels in cosmetics
  • AVERAGE

• Retinol
  • Stimulate production of new skin cells
  • Wrinkle-smoothing
  • Firming
  • Antioxidant
  • BEST

• Salicylic Acid
  • Exfoliant, help shed dead skin
  • Reduce breakouts
  • Calm aggravated skin
  • Minimize appearance of uneven skintone
  • BEST
• Silica
  • Used as an absorbent powder and thickening agent in cosmetics
  • Certain forms prevent pigments from settling in makeup
  • GOOD
• Squalene/Squalane
  • Natural emollient
  • Lock moisture into the skin, help prevent fine lines and ease dry patches
  • Squalene–more helpful for extra-dry and mature skin
  • Squalane–better for acne-prone and oily skin
  • BEST
• Sulfates
  • Cleansing agents that remove dirt and oil and makes soaps and shampoos lather
  • Can irritate the eyes and skin and be drying to the hair
  • FDA says there’s not enough science to indicate harm
  • CIR found it to be safe for use in rinse off products
  • GOOD
• Synthetic Colors
  • Dyes made from a variety of synthetic chemicals used to change the shade of a product
  • Risk skin sensitivity and irritation, can clog pores
  • Can contain carcinogens
  • A few have been banned by the FDA

• Talc
  • Used to absorb moisture, prevent caking, make makeup opaque, or improve the feel of a product
  • FDA considers granted talc (GRAs) a safe ingredient
  • CIR deemed safe
  • Talc in cosmetics doesn’t present a health hazard
  • GOOD
• Tea Tree Oil
  • Antioxidant
  • Skin soothing properties
  • Improve skin concerns such as breakouts
  • Potent
  • Concentrations of 2.5-10% recommended
  • GOOD
• Titanium Dioxide 
  • Protects from UVA and UVB rays
  • Good in sunscreen for sensitive skin
  • Used as thickening, whitening, lubricating, and sunscreen ingredient
  • BEST
• Tretinoin
  • Used to treat acne
  • Start with small percentage and build up
  • Prescription strength retinoid

• Vitamin C
  • Brighten uneven skin tone
  • Skin-restoring and soothing
  • Improves signs of aging
  • Maintain healthy-looking and radiant skin
  • BEST
• Vitamin E
  • Antioxidant
  • Occurs naturally in the skin
  • Moisturizing
  • BEST

• Witch Hazel
  • Antioxidant
  • Can be drying and sensitizing
  • Short term solution, on-going use is likely to cause problems
  • POOR

• Zinc Oxide
  • Protexts against UVB and UVA rays
  • Sometimes used in makeup to increase pigment/opacity
  • Used as a thickening, whitening, lubricating, and sunscreen ingredient in cosmetics
  • BEST