The Basic Skin Care Glossary

There are endless skin care trends on social media and numerous beauty products in the market. So, with so many ongoing trends and beauty buzzwords, it is difficult to stay up-to-date with all of them.

Skin care companies are taking a lot of effort into sharing the benefits of ingredients used in their skincare products as a strategy to astonish you with the elements that these products contain. But you may find it difficult to decode the comprehensive glossary that these labels enclose.

Do you often wonder what is really in those skincare products that your vanity contains? Well, here we are listing some of the essential skin care terminologies that you need to know.

Activated Charcoal:

It has been long used in emergency rooms to treat alcohol poisoning and drug overdoses. It is a form of carbon that is lately being found in many skincare products such as cleansers, masks, toothpaste, and health drinks. In the beauty industry, it has been specifically treated to increase its absorbency, allowing it to sponge up dirt and oil from pores.

Let us take an example of a product enriched with activated charcoal. Oriental Botanics’ Activated Charcoal 3 IN 1 Clay Mask is packed with the goodness of vitamins, natural oils, and botanical extracts. It offers the triple benefits of detoxifying the pores, whitening the complexion and refreshing the skin. It utilizes the adsorbing power of activated charcoal to deeply clean and detoxify the skin. It helps to clear the enlarged pores and assists in softening and loosening the gunk trapped in the pores. The clarifying effect of the mask assists in removing blackheads and whiteheads and improves the health of the skin.

AHA’s (Alpha Hydroxy Acids):

It is the most trending buzzword and found in almost every over the counter beauty product. AHA’s are derived out of the combination of salicylic (beta acid), lactic acid (moisturizer), and glycolic acid (exfoliant). It is the optimum balancing combination to enhance your skin’s natural beauty and improve its overall health. Salicylic acid is useful in the unclogging of pores and reduces oil production, lactic acid is a great moisturize, and glycolic acid aids has exfoliation properties.

Antioxidants:

These are popularly known as free radical scavengers. Antioxidants safeguard the skin from the harmful effects of free radicals by neutralizing then releasing them. Natural occurring enzymes in the body such as A, B, C, and E vitamins, beta-carotene, and selenium, intercept free radicals and prevent them from damaging molecular structures.

Aloe Vera:

Aloe vera is one of the oldest recognized botanical ingredient with skincare benefits such as soothing and cooling the skin and providing lightweight hydration. It is also used to calm the skin after sun exposure. Applying aloe vera infused products is a popular practice because of the belief that it provides minerals, amino acids, and vitamins. It is also mentioned as Aloe, Aloe Vera, and Aloe barbadensis in skin care products.

An example of a product enriched with aloe vera is the 99% Aloe Vera Fresh Soothing Gel For Skin & Hair from Oriental Botanics. With 99% pure aloe vera gel, your skin and hair receive the maximum benefits of natural skincare. The nutrient-rich gel forms a transparent film of moisture on the skin that protects against pollutants and environmental stressors. It can easily penetrate your skin and nourishes the skin tissues, thereby leaving your skin thoroughly nourished. It supplies external hydration and nourishment.

Botanical:

The word botanical means that it is related to plants. It is like a cure created from any part of a plant, typically the bark, the root or leaves. These substances are obtained from plants and are used in numerous cosmetic products. They are well-known for their gentle yet effective results on skin and hair.

BHA (Beta Hydroxy Acid):

These chemical exfoliants can smooth fine lines, even out pigmentation, and penetrate deeply into pores, dissolving sticky plugs of sebum and dead skin. One of the most common BHAs, salicylic acid, is found in many face washes, creams, and peels specifically made for acne-prone skin. Salicylic acid works to control excess oil production that contributes to breakouts. It is popularly known as a true acne-fighting multi-tasker.

Blackhead:

It is a form of comedonal acne. It is a skin blemish that forms when the sebum (oil) draining from pores become blocked by clumps of dead skin cells. The color of the blackhead results from the sebum’s pigment, which darkens when exposed to air.

Broad Spectrum:

A term that is used in the formulation of many sunscreens. A broad-spectrum sunscreen is proven to defend against both UVA (aging) and UVB (burning) radiation. According to skin care experts, the products that have broad-spectrum SPF have been shown to reduce the risk of skin cancer and early skin ageing when used with other sun protection measures. Additionally, they also help prevent sunburn.

Oriental Botanics’ Aloe Vera, Green Tea & Cucumber Sunscreen SPF 50 is a broad-spectrum product enriched with botanical ingredients. It provides superior protection from UV rays and offers advanced skin care. It also protects against sunburn, tanning, and photoaging, and keeps the skin hydrated, soft and bright.

Collagen:

It is a protein that partners with elastin in your skin to create a smooth texture, structural integrity, and a healthy youthful appearance. Environmental and genetic ageing may contribute to reducing collagen and elastin over time. That is why collagen is used in skin care to help in creating a veil of moisture on the skin’s surface, which visibly reduces the appearance of wrinkles and maintains the suppleness.

Essential Oils:

Essential oils are plant derivatives that are lightweight in nature and get easily absorbed. A wide range of essential oils is used to achieve unique beauty benefits to upsurge radiance, balance oil, and support natural circulation in the skin. These potent oils are combined with suitable companion carrier oils in many skincare products for topical use.

Free Radicals:

Free radicals are some of the biggest perpetrators of environmental ageing, reducing the integrity of collagen and elastin in the skin, as well as decreasing the skin’s natural rejuvenating abilities. Antioxidants protect against free-radical activity to promote skin’s defenses. That is why many of the beauty products are antioxidant-rich. Free radical damage stems from pollution, UV rays, radiation, and other environmental aggressors.

Hyaluronic Acid:

Hyaluronic Acid is a key component in many skincare products. It is suitable for all skin types and is known both for its moisture-retaining benefits as well as its ability to deliver other active ingredients like Vitamin C to the skin. It is an active ingredient that is used in anti-ageing skincare products to plump the skin with moisture, reducing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.

Hyperpigmentation:

Hyperpigmentation is mainly characterized by dark spots and/or larger dark patches on the skin. Heredity and sun exposure play an important role in pigmentation. Since darker skin produces more melanin, it is also more prone to hyperpigmentation. Sun damage, inflammation, skin injuries (including post-acne inflammation), as well as hormonal changes, can contribute to hyperpigmentation. Products that treat hyperpigmentation address excess melanin, and exfoliating products like Alpha Hydroxy Acids (AHAs) help to break up the surface pigment to promote an even skin tone. You should also include a broad-spectrum sunscreen in your skin care routine and limit your sun exposure to maintain brightening results of the products.

Micellar Water:

It is a mixture of purified water, hydrators (like glycerin), and low doses of mild surfactants. These no-rinse liquid cleansers attract makeup, oil, and dirt when swiped over skin with a cotton pad. They are gentle and mild enough for sensitive and acne-prone skins.

Parabens:

Parabens are synthetic preservatives used to inhibit bacteria and microbes from growing in products. They are very stable and highly efficacious. They have a long history of use and are commonly found in many skincare products. Since they are synthetic in nature, you should look for products that are parabens free.

pH Factor:

pH is a scientific term that refers to the level of acidity or alkalinity of an ingredient, product, or the skin. Our skin is naturally acidic and the level can range from 4.4 to 5.6. The pH factor of most skincare products is scientifically adjusted to work with specific ingredients to achieve desired benefits and balance the skin’s pH levels.

Retinoids:

Retinoids are derived from Vitamin A. Retinoids are very useful to fight a number of skin concerns. Finding the right retinoid for your skin can help in improving cell turnover, reducing visible lines, minimizing enlarged pores, and promoting an even skin tone. For beginners, it can be helpful to start by using the retinoid every third night and gradually increase the frequency of use as your skin adjusts. Retinoids also have the ability to make the skin more photosensitive, so use a UVA/UVB broad-spectrum sunscreen daily.

Vitamin C:

Vitamin C is used in skincare to help protect collagen from sun damage, and can also support natural collagen production. It promotes firmness, boosts luminosity, and helps with uneven texture. In skin care, Vitamin C is a well-regarded ingredient for anti-ageing concerns and anti-oxidant protection.

We know how vast and complex the beauty landscape can be and so do the terms relevant to it. To help you navigate through a product, we have listed some common terminology.

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