Some sources say that the best skincare products depend on your complexion type. That’s only partly true. Everything actually depends on the ingredients the manufacturer chooses to use.

Some ingredients can be used on any skin type. Others should not be used by anyone. Examples of the second category include petrolatum, mineral oil and paraffin. Those are petroleum derivatives that clog the pores and contribute to a greasy feeling, but actually do nothing to correct dryness. They are also prone to contain cancer-causing contaminants.

Alcohols can be good or bad, depending on where they come from. Plant based alcohols are light natural waxes that improve the skin’s texture and smoothness. Ethyl and other types of petroleum-based alcohols cause dryness, blotchiness and contribute to free radical damage.

Free radical damage is the primary cause of wrinkles, sagging, age spots and other problems often attributed to getting older. Free radical damage can be prevented and reversed through the use of ingredients like natural vitamin E and coenzyme Q10.

Including more antioxidant-rich fruits and vegetables in your diet can help, too. You should also be careful about the amount of time you spend in the sun. Sunlight causes more free radicals to form and stimulates their damaging activities.

The best skincare products contain a variety of antioxidant-rich extracts and plant-based oils. They can be used for cleansing and moisturizing. They help reduce bags and dark circles under the eyes. Basically, they convey a more youthful appearance.

But what if you already have some sun damage? You may have age spots or a generally hyper-pigmented complexion. What can you do about that? Antioxidants will help. A protein formula called bioactive keratin will help by increasing the amount of antioxidants naturally present in the skin.

One of the best skincare products for correcting hyperpigmentation is a cream containing cyperus rotundus root, in simpler terms, nut grass root. It works by inhibiting melanin production and melanin is the skin’s naturally occurring pigment.

Some products are not only ineffective. They are downright dangerous. For example, most of the age spot reduction creams on the market contain hydroquinone, which is a possible carcinogen. People who use it have an increased risk of skin cancer.

Safety should always be the first thing to consider when choosing cosmetics. There is no reason to use something that could be damaging to your health. The best skincare products contain only natural ingredients that are completely safe.