What to Look for in Body Lotion Ingredients
Body lotions are in abundance in today's market, and that can make it challenging to decipher between them. You may think one body lotion is just like another, but the truth is there is a difference in them that makes some better than others.
The one thing that could make or break your body lotion choice is the ingredients used to develop them. We always hear about what ingredients are toxic or about the harmful ingredients we should avoid, but there are some you want to see in your body lotion.
Before you buy the best body lotion for you, make sure you find one that contains the ingredients listed below.
Peptides
When it comes to producing collagen, peptides are what you need. These are amino acids that are designed to help your skin with collagen production and to help it function appropriately. By applying peptides as a topical cream, such as through lotions, you can help to minimize a variety of skin conditions such as psoriasis, rosacea, and dermatitis. That is what makes peptides in a lotion ideal for your body.
Glycerin
This ingredient is a humectant that will help your skin to retain moisture. Having this in your body lotion will help your body's natural moisturizing capabilities to work correctly. If you are looking for increased hydration and want to combat dry skin, then you want to find a lotion that is at least 20 percent glycerin.
Antioxidants
There are long lists of reasons why various antioxidants are necessary and useful for your skin. However, the bottom line is that they help to reduce cell damage, reduce wrinkles, and fight back against free radicals. There are a variety of types of antioxidants you can find in your lotions. These antioxidants come in a variety of types such as green tea, grape seed, vitamin C, and lycopene. Most of these will moisturize your skin, causing it to look and feel healthier.
Fatty Acids
You hear people say to consume good fats in your diet. These come in the form of avocados, olive oil, and other things. These fatty acids come in the forms of omega-3 and omega-6 foods for your diet and the kicker, they are also excellent for your skin. Since your lotion is more likely not going to state avocado in the ingredients list, you may need to look for the oil version instead. Avocado oil, cottonseed oil, safflower oil, and much more are the types of fatty acids you want in your lotions.
Ceramides
These are lipid molecules that will help to lock in the moisture of your skin and protect your skin against damage. Therefore, if you have dry skin, chances are you are lacking ceramides. Your body will produce ceramides naturally, but there are times when you need to help that along by making sure that these ingredients are found in your lotions.
What ceramides will do is help your skin restore its natural moisture barrier for healthier and more vibrant looking skin. Additionally, since ceramides are so absorbent, they will help to lock water into your skin, giving you a more healthier glow.
Sodium Pyroglutamic Acid (PCA)
This ingredient is one of those humectants that are often found in personal care products. What it basically means is that it helps to absorb a lot of water. Water is essential to helping bind much-needed moisture to your skin cells. Ultimately, it helps to prevent dry skin, and it has anti-aging benefits. One of the ingredient's best benefits is that it also pulls moisture from the air and uses it to bind to your skin.
While all of the above ingredients are great when it comes to finding a good body lotion, there are a select few that you should avoid when searching for a body lotion. Below are some ingredients that you should avoid in body lotion.
Fragrance and parfum
Although it is nice to smell like fruits and flowers, the fragrances are a toxic mix of chemicals that aren’t good for your skin.
Parabens
This ingredient is found in most commercial lotions. Therefore, you want to find one with a small concentration.
Triethanolamine
This ingredient is often used for balancing pH in body lotions. It is one of those things that you shouldn’t use long-term.
Final Thoughts
When you are on the market for the best body lotion, you want to make sure that you find one that contains as many of the above ingredients are you possibly can find. Each one of those ingredients is designed to benefit your skin in a variety of ways. Therefore, make sure the next time you are lotion hunting that you pay close attention to the ingredients being offered.
Resources– SheKnows, Feel Beauty, ProductReportCard.com
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