by Polly Gonzalez


Our bodies are a true wonder of evolution. The healthy supple skin that contains, protects and describes it, is never so beautiful as when it's entirely nude. Cosmetics, chemicals, the sun's radiation, our harsh home and work environments, not to mention the inevitable ravages of time all work to reduce the vitality of the skin. As we get older our skin starts to lose its youthful resilience and the lives we have lived, and the things we have done remain like ghostly palimpsests.

While it is impossible to actually turn back the hands of time, modern day skincare formulations have made it possible to offset some of their consequences and help restore the skin's natural resilience and vitality. Here are but a few of the most commonly used skincare terms associated with contemporary skin repair products.

## Probiotic

When we refer to probiotics we are referring to a wide array of microscopic organisms which live symbiotically throughout the body and bestow advantageous (and in some cases essential) effects.

## Bio-available

When a compound is referenced in terms of its bio-availability what is being referred to is the percent of the active element which is absorbed by the body and available to enter into the system for which it is intended.

## Bio-compatible

A substance that is said to be bio-compatible is able to interact with the cells of the body in a neutral, natural manner without eliciting any toxic or allergic reactions. The more bio-compatible a substance the fewer potential deleterious reactions to it.

## Ethical

This of course does not so much speak to a product's impact on the body so much as its potential impact on society and the environment. Whenever possible you ought to be looking for skincare products that haven't been tested on animals, whose ingredient have been responsibly sourced, and whose packaging is recyclable.

When you are thinking about various eye creams, hand creams or face moisturisers read the online and packaged literature carefully whether it is a recognized brand like the UK's Nude Cosmetics or a smaller, lesser known brand. Know what it is you're putting on your skin and understand the claims that are being made.




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