The Best Cosmetics & Restoratives - 2021

There are many products that promise to turn back time by wiping away wrinkles and giving your skin the youthful glow it once had. The truth is, though, there is no fountain of youth. The best way to slow down the aging process is to prevent it in the first place by drinking plenty of water, wearing sunscreen, moisturizing and making healthy eating choices.

That said, there are some products that can help keep your skin hydrated, and possibly reduce puffiness and plump up areas that need it. These products come in a variety of formats, from night creams to daytime moisturizers to formulas designed specifically for your eyes and hair.

One product you’ll see mentioned often is retinol, which is a version of vitamin A that is used in many beauty products. Retinol is available over the counter or in a more potent prescription form called retinoids. Retinol sinks beneath the skin’s surface to stimulate the production of elastin and collagen. The result is a plumping of the skin that helps reduce the appearance of wrinkles and lines on the skin.

You’ll also find many beauty products that include biotin, one of the B-complex vitamins used to convert food into energy in the body. You can find biotin in some of the foods you eat, but it’s also available in oral and topical form. You’ll often find it in haircare products that promise to make your hair healthier.

• As great as moisturizers can be at hydrating your skin, they can have a heavy, greasy texture that some find uncomfortable. You can find moisturizers that do the job without feeling heavy or greasy.
• Scent is an important part of any cosmetic product. Look closely at whether a cosmetic has a fragrance added that you might find unpleasant before buying.
• If you have sticker shock when you’re shopping for smaller tubes and bottles of cosmetics, keep in mind that some only require a small amount per application. If one tube lasts you for months, you could find that the expense is worth it.
• If you aren’t using a particular beauty product for a while, check in on it occasionally. These products can dry out or harbor bacteria over time, so you may want to make a note to replace items in your makeup kit every six months or so.
• Vitamins and minerals are essential ingredient list items. Vitamins C and E are especially popular in cosmetics.
• If you’re following a vegan lifestyle, animal testing is a concern when shopping for cosmetics, as is the use of animal derivatives. Common animal derivatives found in cosmetics include honey, beeswax, carmine, lanolin, keratin, collagen and elastin.
• Sulfates like sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS) and sodium laureth sulfate (SLES) are cleansing and foaming agents that help shampoo get that lather that’s so gratifying. However, they can cause allergic reactions in some people and may also strip away some of the natural oils. If you have color-treated hair, it’s especially important to look for sulfate-free shampoo since some think sulfates can adversely affect the intensity of the color over time.
• If you have sensitive skin, shopping for the right cosmetics can be a chore. Start with products that are formulated specifically for sensitive skin. As always, test any new product on a small patch of skin or hair before proceeding with a full application.