The outer appearance of a person generally defines their beauty. However, beauty is more than just shiny hair, perfect makeup, and flawless nails. Thus, maintaining overall wellness with healthy habits is essential. Beauty and wellness are inseparable as wellness boosts self-esteem, confidence, inspires positivity, improves physical health, and relieves stress.
At the same time, leading a healthy lifestyle with a balanced diet and nutrition is not enough to maintain overall wellness. Thus, people are more inclined towards good skincare products which can help in improving the skin texture and overall appearance. Moreover, these products also effectively protect the skin and hair from the harmful effects of pollutants, sun, and other problems.
The growing desire among women and men to look beautiful has led to a huge demand for beauty and wellness products. The beauty and wellness industry has witnessed a boom in recent decades and the sector is growing at a fast pace. With a huge contribution to economic growth, it has emerged as an important industry. There are several leading players in the beauty and wellness sector with a wide array of products promising to meet the requirements of the consumers. Thus, it is essential to pick the right beauty and wellness product.
Beauty and wellness products get divided into three categories, i.e. cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, and cosmeceuticals. The active ingredients used in beauty and wellness products are either cosmetic-grade or pharmaceutical-grade or cosmeceutical-grade. All products don’t get formulated equally; thus effectiveness also varies. Moreover, there is a vast difference in the price of the products under different categories.
Cosmetics-grade products
Cosmetics-grade products are commonly found in department stores and also at local drug stores. These products contain ingredients that don’t meet the pharmaceutical standards. The FDA regulates cosmetics as foods and defines skincare products as cosmetics. Cosmetics-grade products are available in different qualities and can contain impure ingredients. These products offer minimal effect.
Pharmaceutical-grade products
The FDA regulates Pharmaceutical-grade products as drugs. These products are sold as medicines and must be sold by licensed medical clinics. , thus, those must contain 99.9% pure ingredients without any adulteration. Moreover, the highly-stabilized ingredients must be scientifically proven to work as claimed and compliant legally as stated on the labels by the manufacturing companies. These products offer effective results with long-lasting features.
Importance of active ingredients
Active ingredients in the products are responsible for the therapeutic effects and nourishing the skin. These ingredients possess unique properties that actively contribute to delivering the desired results. The active ingredients are either derived from nature or synthesized in a laboratory. After undergoing precise testing, these get used for formulating different products. A wide range of active ingredients gets used for the formulation of both cosmetics-grade and pharmaceutical-grade products. Some of the active ingredients have dual benefits and thus get used in both cosmetics-grade and pharmaceutical-grade products.
Active ingredients with dual benefits
Here are some of the common active ingredients with dual benefits and generally found in cosmetics and pharmaceutical products.
Vitamin C & E – Vitamin C and E are widely used active ingredients and are found in both cosmetic and pharmaceutical products. The antioxidant properties of Vitamin C & E reduce the action of free radicals, which are created by sun rays. It prevents premature skin aging caused by sun exposure. It also promotes the production of dermal cells and collagen synthesis that decrease in the skin with age.
Alpha Hydroxy Acids (AHA)- Alpha Hydroxy Acids are also known as AHA. These are common active ingredients used on drug and cosmetic products applied to the skin. AHAs are a group of acids that get extracted from natural products. In skincare, these are used as exfoliants that remove dead skin cells. This group of acids works by loosening the top layer of old skin cells. Further, it breakdowns the gluey substance which keeps the cells joined together. Thus, it encourages the skin to grow new cells. Apart from exfoliation, AHAs improve skin texture, reduce visible signs of aging, and reduce hyperpigmentation, sun damage, and acne.
Retinol- Retinol, a derivative of vitamin A, is now often used as an active ingredient. Once restricted to the white walls of a dermatologist’s office, it has now found its way into innumerable over-the-counter skincare products from creams to serums and oils and gels. The compound noted for its effective action on wrinkles, acne, and aging spots works by accelerating the rate of turning over fresh skin cells to the skin surface faster than naturally.
Benzoyl peroxide- Benzoyl Peroxide is a widely known active ingredient found in Cosmeceuticals for the treatment of skin disorders like acne. Available as face washes to toners and even for spot treatments, Benzoyl Peroxide comes in different concentrations for mild to moderate breakouts. It effectively gets rid of bacteria and dead skin cells that clog skin pores and is available as both over-the-counter and prescription formulations in various concentrations.
Glycolic acid – Glycolic Acid, a widely-used water-soluble alpha hydroxy acid is derived from sugar cane. It has very tiny molecules that are very easy for your skin to absorb making it ideal for smoothening fine lines, improving texture, and reducing anti-aging of skin. Glycolic acid enhances cell turnover by dissolving the bonds that hold skin cells together. It helps to shed dead skin cells faster than the natural way. This skincare can be easily found in many over-the-counter products.
Disclaimer:
The information provided in this sheet is gathered from reliable and well published sources to the best of our knowledge, information, and belief on the date of its collation, release and is not to be considered a warranty or quality specification. Information is supplied upon the presumption that the receivers will make their own determination as to its suitability for their purposes prior to use. In no event will Vinner Labs, or its group companies or any company bearing Vinner logo, be responsible for damage of any nature what so ever resulting from use of or upon reliance of the information.