25.02.2010 - Retonoic Acid (Retin A)
Dries and peels the skin.  Stimulates healing of the skin. Loosens comedones, improves healing and stimu­lates collagen formation.
Clays: Kaolin, Bentonite, Green Clay
Absorbs oil.  Calming, astringent and anti-inflam­matory. Reduces oily residue on the skin surface.  Deep cleansing.
Astringents: lemon, water­cress, cucumber
Less aggressive than many tonics and toners. Can help to calm and reduce redness.
Ingredients which can cause allergies
Fragrance
Used to disguise the odour of products such as bath oils. Can cause dermatitis and allergic reactions.
Preservative systems
Used to prevent contamina­tion of products during use, for example formaldehyde (carcinogenic).
Low levels are necessary in repeat use products.
Lanolin
Gives ‘slip’ and ‘glide’ to a product.  An emollient and moisturiser. Can cause al­lergic reactions and itching.  Also carcinogenic.
P.A.B.A.
A sunscreening agent for UVA rays. Can cause rashes, itching and redness.
Phenol
An antiseptic with anaes­thetic properties used in shaving creams and chemi­cal peels. Can cause dryness and itching.
Sodium Hydroxide (caustic soda)
Used by soap manufactur­ers, in cuticle removers, depilatory preparations and hair straightening products.
Can cause dermatitis, is ex­tremely alkaline and dries oil and moisture in the skin.
Ingredients which can accelerate sun damage
Lime oil
Used in fragrancing prod­ucts and aftershave lotions.
Aggravates photosensitive reaction to sunlight.
Retinoic Acid (Retin A)
A base of Retin A is used for acne and fine lines. Can cause skin irritation and photosensitivity to sunlight.
Fragrance
Disguises odours of prod­ucts. Can create a photo­sensitive reaction, causing pigmentation.
Exposure to ultra-violet A or B rays: natural sun or sunbeds (UVA only)
Tans the skin to develop melanin pigment.  Causes damage to collagen in the dermis, producing prema­ture ageing and the possibil­ity of skin cancer.
Ingredients which can inhibit ageing
Benzophenone
A sunscreening agent which absorbs UVA and UVB.
It helps to prevent light ab­sorption in the skin.
Octyl Methooxycinnamate – parsol
A sunscreen agent which absorbs UVB. Helps to pro­tect skin from sun damage.
Retinyl Pamitate – vitamin A
Moisturises and helps to prevent scaling.  An anti-oxidant.
Helps to prevent the forma­tion of free radicals in the skin.
Tocopherols – vitamin E
Moisturises – rich in EFA (essential fatty acids).  An anti-oxidant.
Helps to maintain moisture in tissues and to prevent the formation of free radicals.
Ascorbic Acid – vitamin C
An anti-oxidant.
Helps to prevent the forma­tion of free radicals.
Nicola Roberts is the owner of Bellissima Hair and Beauty in Los Gigantes, Playa San Juan and San Eugenio Alto. For informa­tion or appointments please call 922 867 343, 697 902 361 or 922 719 355.

San Eugenio Alto: 
•  Mondays - free wash and blow dry or gents’ cut with any massage, facial or col­our treatment
•  Wednesdays:  all of these treatments €5 each; brow shape, lash tint, brow tint, underarm wax, bikini wax, upper lip or chin wax. Also half price spray tanning.
Playa San Juan: 
•  Fridays - 25 per cent off all facials
• Saturdays - half price massage
Los Gigantes:
• Tuesdays and Fridays: half price Spa Aromatique body treatment (slimming, de-toxing, relaxing)
• Thursdays: half price spray tanning.
In all Bellissima Hair, Health and Beauty salons: • With every new year spe­cial, receive a free Mavala nail polish worth €6.60.
• Manicure, file and polish on toes, eyelash tint and eyebrow shape (90 min­utes) €49.
By Nicola Roberts



This article appears in the print edition 610 of Island Connections

Gallery: Some ingredients to know

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