Fragrance-Free

What It Means: The product has no noticeable smell and usually contains no added artificial or chemical fragrances.
What It Doesn’t Mean: It's totally free of added substances, like botanical extracts, that mask the smell of the basic ingredients.
Best For: Sensitive, allergy-prone skin.

Firming

What It Means: Contains ingredients that help plump up skin for a fuller look.
What It Doesn’t Mean: Dramatic results. Chances are any "firming" effects you see will be subtle and not permanent.
Best For: Skin that lacks elasticity.

Lifting

What It Means: The product helps repair sagging skin, fine lines, and wrinkles.
What It Doesn’t Mean: Miracles. "The only thing that can really lift is the plastic surgeon," says Annet King, director of training for the International Dermal Institute.
Best For: Mature skin.

Detoxifying

What It Means: Helps skin look radiant by expelling toxins from cells.
What It Doesn’t Mean: Purification. It's hard to prove that products can eliminate whatever is actually "toxic" to skin.
Best For: Dull, oily, or acne-prone skins.

Noncomedogenic

What It Means: Contains no ingredients known to clog pores or cause acne.
What It Doesn’t Mean: It definitely won't cause a reaction or be irritating in other ways.
Best For: Those with acne-prone skin and anyone concerned with clogged pores.