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B E A U T Y
T h e r ig h t fa c ia l m o is tu r iz e r d o e s m o r e
th a n k e e p s k in lo o k in g h e a lth y , d e w y ,
a n d g lo w in g — it w a r d s o f f s ig n s o f a g in g .
B u t n o w d o y o u c h o o s e ? H e re ’s w h a t
y o u n e e d t o lo o k fo r .
By Melissa Milrad Goldstein
Confused by all the facial creams on the market and the jargon
that comes with them? Creams, lotions, serums, gels, emulsions,
elixirs, and treatments all make big promises. Anti-aging,
anti-wrinkle, lifting, firming, toning, brightening, clarifying,
nourishing, energizing , cellular revitalizing, Botox-like, pore
minimizing, oil mattifying, and damage reversing. Dizzy yet? We
called in “cosmetics cop” Paula Begoun, author of
D on’t Go to the
Cosm etics Counter W ith o u t M e,
to ferret out the facts.
“The days of plain water-and-wax moisturizers are over,”
Begoun says. “To be of any value for skin, a moisturizer
must be formulated with three components, no matter what
your skin type. They are: antioxidants, skin-identical
ingredients, and cell-communicating ingredients. As
long as the product you are using contains a selection of
these types of ingredients, you are going to be taking the
best possible care of your skin.”
A N T IO X ID A N T S
These ingredients are said to reduce or prevent
free radicals (unstable oxygen molecules), which contribute to
skin aging, while also protecting skin from the degenerative
effects of the sun. But which antioxidant is the best? “There is no
single best one, and many work well together,” says Begoun. But
one thing they all share is that they deteriorate when exposed to
air or light. So seek out moisturizers packed in opaque tubes or
bottles with an opening that is small enough to minimize
exposure to air and ensure potency—which admittedly may be
hard for those with dry skin types. Because of their rich texture,
most creams for dry skin are packaged in jars.
Look for: ingredients like coenzyme Q10, grape seed or green
tea, vitamins C and E, pomegranate, or acai.
“Usingan antiquated formula is like using a computer made in
the
1 9 8 0
s. T hat would be cheating your skin by not giving it
the best that’s out there,” says “cosmetics cop” Paula Begoun.
BETTER HOMES AND
GARDENS FEBRUARY
2010 129
