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Identifying Key Ingredients
  • kpaigekpaige
    I love love love the Beauty Brains...and I have a question that has been on my mind a lot lately. Now that I'm more aware of ingredients and what they may or may not do, I often find myself stuck when I actually look into them. How can I idenitfy these actives by their scientific name/names??

    Retinol or Vitamin A
    Alpha Hydroxy Acids
    Lactic Acid

    All of the various forms of ingredients seem confusing too!! Any help would be greatly apprecited.

    -Kristen Paige
  • anonymousblondeanonymousblonde
    Retinol or Vitamin A: tretinoin (Retin-A), isotretinoin,alitretinoin, retinoic acid, and there are more descriptors here

    Alpha Hydroxy Acids: glycolic acid (hydroxyacetic, 2-Hydroxyethanoic), lactic acid (2-hydroxypropanoic), malic acid (hydroxybutanedioic), citric acid (Hydrogen citrate, 2-hydroxypropane-, 1,2,3-tricarboxylic acid), tartaric acid (2,3-dihydroxybutanedioic acid, 2,3-dihydroxysuccinic acid, threaric acid, racemic acid, uvic acid, paratartaric acid)

    Glycolic and Lactic are the most commonly used AHAs in cosmetics.
  • KarenKaren
    Glycolic Acid is definitely the most popular AHA when you start looking at all the product choices out there. I read that Lactic Acid is a little milder than Glycolic Acid, so it might be a good alternative for people who have sensitive skin.

    Unfortunately, I'm finding that figuring out which products are smart choices and also right for my skin can almost be a full-time job. :angry:

    I'm narrowing it down, though! :bigsmile:
  • Right BrainRight Brain
    Anonymous: Nice job on the ingredient listings! Thanks.
  • anonymousblondeanonymousblonde
    Aw shucks Right Brain.. thanks :)

    Karen- the issue with Lactic acid and sensitive skin (or any skin) is that Lactic Acid still causes increased sensitivity to the sun. So even if it is less irritating, one shouldn't be under the impression that it can't have adverse side effects.

    If you use Lactic Acid as a less irritating alternative, make sure you wear a higher SPF at least on your face and neck (or wherever the AHA is being used) and wear a wide -brimmed hat during prolonged exposure. A good friend of mine didn't think AmLactin cream on her neck would need SPF and ended up with a severe, blistering sunburn from a few days exposure.
  • kpaigekpaige
    Thank you guys so much - this has really helped me a lot!!
  • KarenKaren
    Thanks for the very good advice, anonymousblonde! There sure is a lot to learn about this subject,
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