Cosmeceuticals are non-prescription products that are intended to improve your appearance and the functioning of your skin.

Cosmeceutical products normally include anti-aging moisturizers, lightening serums and firming lotions.

What makes cosmeceuticals different to normal skincare products is that they often contain high levels of active ingredients such as antioxidants, phytochemicals, alpha hydroxy acids and various botanical ingredients.

Many of the cosmeceutical skincare lines are formulated and endorsed by leading dermatologists and physicians.

Ingredients to look out for in a Cosmeceutical product:

Alpha Hydroxy acids:

AHA's – which include glycolic acid, lactic acid, citric acid, mandelic acid and tartaric acid – speeds up the skin's exfoliation process, resulting in improvement of texture, blocked pores and general health of the skin. Can also lighten pigmentation marks.

Antioxidants:

Vit. C, Vit. E, green tea and Idebenone is amongst the antioxidants that help restructure collagen, sweep up free radicals that cause aging, reduce sun-damage and may even lower your risk of skin-cancer.

Botanicals:

Natural ingredients include aloe vera and olive leaf extract that help to reduce inflammation and improve wound healing; pomegranate, coffee berry, white tea and blue berries that contain potent antioxidant properties and many more.

Peptides:

Copper peptides and Argireline firms, smooths and softens skin.

Retinoids:

All-trans retinoic acid, also known as Tretinoin, is a prescription form of topical vitamin A and is the active ingredient in Retin-A and other generic retinoids. It is used to improve the outer layers of the skin by increasing cell production that results in blotchy, pigmented skin being shed faster and increased collagen production in the dermis. The result is brighter, healthier looking and more supple skin with fewer lines and dark patches.