Just because you don't have a degree in chemistry doesn't mean you can't shop smart in the beauty aisle. Alcide is quick to say that, while there are a lot of things to watch out for in your cosmetic products, there are also a lot of ingredients that can really help your skin.

If you're looking for a great acne product, Alcide says to avoid the harsh ingredients (like parabens), because irritating or drying products can make acne-prone skin overproduce oil, which means more acne and longer healing times. Great acne-fighting ingredients you should look for: salicylic acid (it kills the bacteria that causes acne), willow bark and licorice root (both are anti-inflammatory), citrus essential oils (like grapefruit and sweet orange), alpha hydroxy, clary sage (it helps with hormonal acne), honey (for its natural antiseptic properties), aloe vera juice, avenea sativa (oat) extract, and camphor extract.

For anti-aging products, Alcide recommends ingredients like squalane (a natural emollient and moisturizer), peptides, Vitamins C and E, ingredients from the sea (like blue or red marine algae), grapeseed and avocado oil (they help your skin retain moisture), seabuckthorn oil, non-petroleum derived vegetable glycerin, coconut oil, retinol, and topical antioxidants like Vitamin A, E, C and green tea, which help protect your skin from environmental damage.