Ingredients Glossary and Terms Part i
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Acne
A chronic ailment of the hair follicles and sebaceous (oil) glands. There is non-inflammatory acne, classified as blackheads and whiteheads. Inflammatory acne is characterized by red and inflamed papules, pustules, cysts and nodules. Scarring of the skin can result from these breakouts.
Acne Rosacea
Acne-like appearance characterized by redness, sensitivity, irritation and flushing centralized on the middle of the face, particularly on the nose and across the cheeks.
Actinic Keratosis
Small, rough reddish patches on the skin. Most common occurrences in fair-skinned people, these may become cancerous if not removed.
Algae or Seaweed Extract
A group of sea plants of all sizes and shapes used for their emollient and moisturizing properties benefiting the skin. These extracts are useful for their healing, moisturizing, soothing and anti-inflammatory properties.
Alpha Hydroxy Acid (AHA)
A plant-derived organic compound acid used to help exfoliate the top layers of the epidermis, promoting moisture restoration and helping penetration of other ingredients. Benefits include smoothing of fine lines and surface wrinkles, improving skin texture and tone, unblocking and cleansing pores, and improvement of oily skin or acne conditions.
Apricot Kernel Oil
Emollient prevents evaporation and provides lubrication of the skin’s surface.
A dried flower used to treat bruising and reduce swelling.
Barbados Aloe Leaf Extract
An outstanding moisturizing, soothing, anti-inflammatory agent, benefiting damaged, dry, chapped or sun-exposed skin.
Benzephenone – 3 (1%)
A sunscreen agent that protects the skin from the sun’s UVB and UVA rays.
Bismuth Oxychloride
Compound containing antimicrobial properties which help clear bacteria and heal the skin.
Coenzyme Q-10
Present in all living cells, it’s an important source of energy that allows the cell to perform its intended work. It functions as an antioxidant to boost the skin’s defense mechanisms, enhance immunity, and protect against free radicals.
Collagen
Complex protein that form the elastic fibers which provide skin with its structural support. As men and women age, it’s vital that they use external sources that help maintain a healthy level of collagen to minimize wrinkles and other visible sources of aging.
Cyst
Small, yellowish-tan to skin colored, firm round masses just beneath the skin. These can enlarge slowly and when infected can result in scarring. Can be exacerbated by acne.
Dry Skin
Skin that lacks balanced, natural oil production and other sources of moisture. Also a sign that insufficient water intake is an issue.
Eczema
Skin condition whose cause is unknown. In mild forms the skin is dry, hot and itchy. In more severe forms, the skin can become broken, raw and bleeding.
Elastin
A natural protein that forms fibers within the skin’s dermis similar to collagen, giving support and “snap” to the skin.
Emollient
An ingredient that is normally contained within a moisturizer for the skin. They are compounds designed to maintain the correct balance of water and other important factors affecting the skin’s youthful appearance.
Ethylhexylglycerin
A natural, organic preservative derived from vegetables.
Exfoliation
The chemical or mechanical removal of dead or non-functioning skin cells. This process also aids in improving circulation through stimulating blood flow
Folliculitis
Skin condition also known as “ingrown hairs” or by its other medical term, “pseudofolliculitis barbae.” They are painful, cystic bumps, with hair trapped in the follicle.
Free Radicals
Unstable molecules found naturally in the body and in the environment. To reduce their energy load, free radicals react with certain chemicals in the body, and in the process, interfere with a cell’s ability to function normally. Free radicals are a main cause of extrinsic aging in the skin, and can be offset with the correct skin care regimen.
Glycerin
Organic compound that hydrates and provides a skin barrier against loss of moisture. Used for its water-binding abilities, it allows the skin to draw and absorb water from the air.
Glycolic Acid
The simplest of the alpha-hydroxy acid (AHA) group. It’s one of the most effective AHA’s because it’s water soluble and works the fastest, penetrating skin at its deepest level for quick results, all while improving skin tone and texture.
Hyaluronic Acid (HA)
A complex, high quality organic compound that is vitally important in a number of bodily repair and maintenance functions, including the skin and cartilage. It boasts potent moisture-retaining properties that help the skin retain its youthful appearance. Hyaluronic acid sits on the surface of the skin, pulling moisture from the air constantly, and releasing that moisture to the skin. HA can bind up to a 1,000 times its own weight in moisture, making it highly effective for skin care applications.
Hydrators
Ingredients that add moisture to the skin, and help strengthen the barriers that retain that moisture.
Hydrolyzed Rice Bran Extract
Natural plant derived protein antioxidant with superior water binding properties.
Hydroxy Acids
A group of organic compounds, including alpha hydroxy acids (AHAs) and beta hydroxy acids, known for their outstanding exfoliating properties.
Hyperpigmentation
Excess production of melanin pigment, resulting in darkening of the skin.
Hypopigmentation
Insufficient production of melanin pigment, causing appearance of spotty white patches on skin’s surface.
Jojoba Oil
Natural emollient and water binding agent, chemically very similar to sebum.
Lauryl Isoquinolinium Bromide
An organic compound that naturally inhibits hair growth.
Lesion
A mark, symptom or abnormality on the surface of the skin.
Linoleic Acid
A naturally occurring organic compound with many medical and skin uses, including as an emollient and emulsifier. Also used for redness or rash reduction in conditions like eczema.
Melanin
The natural pigment responsible for giving the skin its color.
Milia
An ailment whose symptoms include little white cysts or bumps under the skin. Unlike whiteheads, these bumps have no pore opening and cannot be squeezed out.
Normal or Combination skin
Partially oily and partially dehydrated skin. The most common condition is when the T-zone is oily, and the outside of the checks and jaw are dehydrated.
Octinoxate (INCI) 3%
An organic compound that is primarily used in sunscreen products to absorb UVB rays from the sun, protecting the skin from damage. It is also used to reduce the appearance of scars.
Oil of Castile
A natural moisturizing ingredient in facial cleansers.
Oil of Kumquat
Essential oil used for its natural fragrance.
Oily skin
Body’s production of excess sebum or oil on the face, giving the appearance of a muted shine on the surface of the facial skin. Special care needs to be in place to balance the oil production and other factors so that other more serious conditions, like pustules, don’t make their introduction.
Oxidoreductases
Natural enzymes that acts as a powerful antioxidant agent. They’re essentially free radical scavengers, helping skin care products do their intended jobs.
Oxidation
A change in a compound characterized by the loss of electrons. Rust is a common visual form of oxidation, caused by the breakdown of elements. In skin, oxidation can result in premature aging, and can be slowed down considerably with the right skin care regimen.
Papule
A raised lesion characterized by red bumps.
Phenoxyethanol
An organic compound that is derived as a natural preservative from grain. It’s useful in sunscreen products.
Photoaging
Damage to the skin caused by the sun or ultraviolet rays.
Phytochemicals
Natural compounds that act as free radical scavengers to help eliminate the highly charged oxygen molecules that are byproducts of metabolized oxygen. Phytochemicals are known for their anti-oxidant properties. They are very often found in plants and vegetables. Quality skin care products incorporate them as a means of warding off the effects of aging.
Pigmentation
An unnatural discoloration of the skin, often seen as patches on the skin’s surface.
Pseudoalteromonas Ferment Extract
A plant extract that provides a healing and smoothing effect by stimulating human epidermal keratinocytes (basal cells) growth.
Purging Process
A reaction in skin when you begin to use a new skin care line. The reaction often occurs because the product is actively cleansing itself and bringing all the trapped oil and impurities to the surface of your skin, which can initially cause more breakouts.
Pustule
An infected papule often appearing with a white or yellow center of pus.
Rosacea
A skin condition characterized by redness, pimples, and broken blood vessels in the central region of the face.
Seaweed Extract – see Algae
Sebum
Naturally occurring oil in the skin secreted by the sebaceous glands, intended to protect the skin and hair against dehydration. These oils are designed as natural lubricants primarily on the face and scalp. The quantity of sebum secreted determines the type of skin condition a man must treat – normal, dry, oil, combination, or sensitive.
Soy Peptide
A natural protein that refines the texture of the skin.
SqualaneA natural extract found in olive oil. It has regenerative and moisturizing properties.
Telangiectasia
More commonly known as “spider veins.” They are dilated blood vessels appearing as small purple, blue, or red veins through the surface of the skin. The veins often occur in clusters or branch-like formations, most frequently on the nose and across the cheeks. It’s often associated with acne rosacea.
Titanium Dioxide
A broad-spectrum physical sun UV blocker, helping to reduce both UVA and UVB wavelengths of light. Sunscreen is an application of its use.
Trans-Epidermal Water Loss (TEWL)
The loss of moisture from within the skin into the atmosphere. Some of a cell’s internal water source will inevitably evaporate into the air, but if a good moisturizer and appropriate skin care are used consistently and adjusted according to the demands of your internal and external environment, the TEWL is kept to a minimum.
Vegetable Glycerin
A humectant and natural emollient that retains moisture.
White Head
Skin condition characterized by bumps caused by trapped dead skin cells, oil buildup, bacteria and impurities. Whiteheads appear as small white bumps, often around the nose area. Also known as a “closed comedones.”
Zinc
A trace mineral used to protect the skin from the effects of UV light, infection, bacteria and fungi. It also promotes the natural building of collagen in the body, especially helping the appearance of the skin.
Zinc Oxide
A mild, soothing antiseptic and anti-inflammatory. When added to sunscreens, it physically reflects UV light from the skin, protecting it from damage.
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4monthsago
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4monthsago
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