Abrasive – rubs off dead skin cells, evens skin texture
Acid – reduces pH level of skin
Acne – an inflammation of the skin caused by oil glands blocking pores
AHA (Alpha Hydroxy Acids) – chemicals that simulate an abrasive by sloughing dead skin cells to reveal new, fresh cells underneath
Alanine – an amino acid found in many moisturizers
Alcohol – used to dissolve oil, but also as a moisturizer depending on type, e.g. cetearyl alcohol
Alkaline – increases pH level of skin
Allantoin – protects the skin from irritants
Allergy – reaction to an allergen; usually characterized by redness, itching, or swelling
Aloe Vera – an ingredient derived from the aloe plant, used to moisturize skin
Aluminum Stearate – used in lotions to promote a creamy texture
Amino Acid – naturally occurs in human protein, used to add moisturizing properties to creams, lotions, and conditioners
Anti-aging – products to help decrease the signs of aging
Anti-bacterial – offsets bacteria growth and reproduction
Anti-inflammatory – counteracts inflammation
Anti-irritant – offsets irritation
Anti-microbial – inhibits microbial growth
Antioxidant – ingredient helps eliminate free radical attack
Ascorbic Acid – vitamin C
Astringent – used to remove skin surface oils and to temporarily help appearance of pores
Benzoic Acid – used in products as a preservative to prevent fungi or bacteria growth
Benzophenone – filters both ultraviolet A and ultraviolet B radiation, used in sunscreens
Benzoyl Peroxide – used to help prevent acne by drying the blemish and reducing acne-causing bacteria
BHT (Butylated Hydroxytoluene) – an antioxidant
Bisabolol – derived from chamomile flowers, used as a calming ingredient
Blemish – an inflamed pore
Botanical – types of ingredients obtained from plants
Butyl Stearate – an ingredient used to condition skin
Butylene Glycol – mild ingredient used as a humectant in moisturizers
Calcium – an element naturally occurring in bones, teeth, and nails that contributes to hardness
Cetearyl Alcohol – an ingredient procured from palm oil and used to thicken formulas and moisturize the skin
Cetyl Alcohol – the main ingredient in cetearyl alcohol
Cetyl Palmitate – softens skin and used to thicken a product
Chamomile – a natural ingredient used to calm the skin
Citric Acid – acids from citrus fruits used to reduce pH levels in skin
Cleanser – product used to remove daily oil and debris
Clinically Tested – product was tested to guarantee it will perform as written
Coenzyme Q10 – naturally found in human tissue; also used as an antioxidant
Collagen – found in the connective tissue and provides shape to skin and cartilage
Comedogenic – potential to cause blemishes
Conditioner – a product used to restore hair or skin to a normal balance
Depilatory agent – a chemical hair remover
Dermabrasion – a procedure in which the outer layer of skin is buffed to improve its texture
Diazolidinyl Urea – used as a preservative
Dimethicone – a silicone oil that is used to help prevent water evaporation
Disinfectant – a product that kills pathogenic microorganisms
Echinacea – a derivative of the coneflower plant, used in moisturizers
Eczema – a skin condition that results in red, blotchy, scaly skin patches on virtually any area of the body
Elasticity – describes the ability of youthful skin to keep its shape
Elastin – a protein
Emollient – a combination of fats and oils used to keep moisture in the skin by providing a barrier
Emulsifier – necessary ingredients to keep two ingredients that usually do not mix, i.e., oil and water, from separating
Emulsion – a suspension of two ingredients that do not mix, i.e., oil and water, and remain mixed; held together by a third ingredient called an emulsifier
Enzyme – proteins produced to be catalysts in biochemical reactions
Epidermabrasion – a peel used to remove the outer layers of skin
Epidermis – surface layer of skin
Exfoliant – a product that buffs the outermost layers of skin to reveal fresh new cells
Exfoliate – to remove dead layers of skin to reveal new layers underneath
Exfoliation – the process of exfoliating
Firming – helping to create the appearance of younger-looking skin by addressing skin tone and resiliency
Free Radicals – environmental molecules that break down skin cell structure that helps cause skin to appear to age
Glycerin – has water binding properties and is popularly used in moisturizers
Glycolic Acid – used to exfoliate dead skin cells
Humectant – an ingredient that helps moisturize the skin
Hydrate – moisturize
Hydroquinone – an ingredient used in "skin-lightening" products
Hypoallergenic – any product geared to have minimal to no reaction on skin
Irritant – any type of ingredient that causes an undesirable short-term result
Kaolin – a type of clay
Keratin – the strong protein that forms the outer layer of skin, hair, and nails
Lanolin – extracted from wool, used in moisturizers
Lipids – a fatty compound
Liposome – a microscopic ball made of lipids to distribute moisture to the skin
Lubricant – smoothes skin, makes surface slick
Microdermabrasion – a treatment that involves a device that gently sloughs the dead skin cells while removing them
Mineral – a natural, inorganic substance
Mineral Oil – highly refined petroleum
Moisturizer – a product that will keep moisture in the skin, or bring moisture to the skin
Panthenol – also referred to as Vitamin B5, used in moisturizers
Parabens – preservatives
Paraffin – a hard wax produced from petroleum
Peptide – a chemical structure with two or more amino acids
Petrolatum – used in moisturizers to create a barrier to prevent moisture from evaporating
PH – a scale used to determine the skin's balance of acidity and alkalinity
Pore – a small opening in skin that allows perspiration to exit the body
Preservative – keeps product freshness
Protein – a natural complex created by an arrangement of amino acids
Retinol – an acid from Vitamin A
Retinyl Palmitate – a type of Vitamin A
Salicylic Acid – a strong ingredient that helps dissolve layers of dead skin, used in acne treatment products
Scrub – a cleanser with an added ingredient that exfoliates the dead layer of skin
Sebaceous Glands – glands in the skin that make oil to keep skin smooth and soft
Sebum – oil produced by sebaceous glands
Serum – a concentrated treatment usually used after cleansing
Shea Butter – the fat derived from the nut of the shea tree
Silicone – ingredients used in moisturizers that create a barrier to help inhibit moisture from evaporating
Soy – liquid originating from the soybean
SPF – the acronym for "sun protection factor"; the numbers following the SPF are a subjective guide for increased sun protection. For example, SPF 15 will allow someone to be in the sun approximately 15 times longer than without any sunscreen
Sunscreen – used to protect skin from sun radiation damage
Surfactant – a cleansing ingredient that allows water to rinse the skin clean
Titanium Dioxide – helps block all types of sun rays
Tocopherol – another name for Vitamin E
Tocopherol Acetate – a variety of Vitamin E
Toner – used after a facial cleanser, reestablishes normal pH levels of the skin, less drying than astringents
Triethanolamine – an alkaline ingredient used to balance pH level of a product
Ultraviolet Radiation – sun rays that lead to sun damage
Urea – used as a humectant and skin conditioner
UVA – damaging rays from the sun, believed to create wrinkles and premature aging
UVB – damaging rays from the sun can cause skin conditions that lead to sunburn and skin cancer
Vitamin – an organic substance needed to continue biological processes
Vitamin C – a vitamin that helps eliminate free radicals
Vitamin E – a vitamin that helps eliminate free radicals
Volume – a term to describe hair at its largest shape
Acid – reduces pH level of skin
Acne – an inflammation of the skin caused by oil glands blocking pores
AHA (Alpha Hydroxy Acids) – chemicals that simulate an abrasive by sloughing dead skin cells to reveal new, fresh cells underneath
Alanine – an amino acid found in many moisturizers
Alcohol – used to dissolve oil, but also as a moisturizer depending on type, e.g. cetearyl alcohol
Alkaline – increases pH level of skin
Allantoin – protects the skin from irritants
Allergy – reaction to an allergen; usually characterized by redness, itching, or swelling
Aloe Vera – an ingredient derived from the aloe plant, used to moisturize skin
Aluminum Stearate – used in lotions to promote a creamy texture
Amino Acid – naturally occurs in human protein, used to add moisturizing properties to creams, lotions, and conditioners
Anti-aging – products to help decrease the signs of aging
Anti-bacterial – offsets bacteria growth and reproduction
Anti-inflammatory – counteracts inflammation
Anti-irritant – offsets irritation
Anti-microbial – inhibits microbial growth
Antioxidant – ingredient helps eliminate free radical attack
Ascorbic Acid – vitamin C
Astringent – used to remove skin surface oils and to temporarily help appearance of pores
Benzoic Acid – used in products as a preservative to prevent fungi or bacteria growth
Benzophenone – filters both ultraviolet A and ultraviolet B radiation, used in sunscreens
Benzoyl Peroxide – used to help prevent acne by drying the blemish and reducing acne-causing bacteria
BHT (Butylated Hydroxytoluene) – an antioxidant
Bisabolol – derived from chamomile flowers, used as a calming ingredient
Blemish – an inflamed pore
Botanical – types of ingredients obtained from plants
Butyl Stearate – an ingredient used to condition skin
Butylene Glycol – mild ingredient used as a humectant in moisturizers
Calcium – an element naturally occurring in bones, teeth, and nails that contributes to hardness
Cetearyl Alcohol – an ingredient procured from palm oil and used to thicken formulas and moisturize the skin
Cetyl Alcohol – the main ingredient in cetearyl alcohol
Cetyl Palmitate – softens skin and used to thicken a product
Chamomile – a natural ingredient used to calm the skin
Citric Acid – acids from citrus fruits used to reduce pH levels in skin
Cleanser – product used to remove daily oil and debris
Clinically Tested – product was tested to guarantee it will perform as written
Coenzyme Q10 – naturally found in human tissue; also used as an antioxidant
Collagen – found in the connective tissue and provides shape to skin and cartilage
Comedogenic – potential to cause blemishes
Conditioner – a product used to restore hair or skin to a normal balance
Depilatory agent – a chemical hair remover
Dermabrasion – a procedure in which the outer layer of skin is buffed to improve its texture
Diazolidinyl Urea – used as a preservative
Dimethicone – a silicone oil that is used to help prevent water evaporation
Disinfectant – a product that kills pathogenic microorganisms
Echinacea – a derivative of the coneflower plant, used in moisturizers
Eczema – a skin condition that results in red, blotchy, scaly skin patches on virtually any area of the body
Elasticity – describes the ability of youthful skin to keep its shape
Elastin – a protein
Emollient – a combination of fats and oils used to keep moisture in the skin by providing a barrier
Emulsifier – necessary ingredients to keep two ingredients that usually do not mix, i.e., oil and water, from separating
Emulsion – a suspension of two ingredients that do not mix, i.e., oil and water, and remain mixed; held together by a third ingredient called an emulsifier
Enzyme – proteins produced to be catalysts in biochemical reactions
Epidermabrasion – a peel used to remove the outer layers of skin
Epidermis – surface layer of skin
Exfoliant – a product that buffs the outermost layers of skin to reveal fresh new cells
Exfoliate – to remove dead layers of skin to reveal new layers underneath
Exfoliation – the process of exfoliating
Firming – helping to create the appearance of younger-looking skin by addressing skin tone and resiliency
Free Radicals – environmental molecules that break down skin cell structure that helps cause skin to appear to age
Glycerin – has water binding properties and is popularly used in moisturizers
Glycolic Acid – used to exfoliate dead skin cells
Humectant – an ingredient that helps moisturize the skin
Hydrate – moisturize
Hydroquinone – an ingredient used in "skin-lightening" products
Hypoallergenic – any product geared to have minimal to no reaction on skin
Irritant – any type of ingredient that causes an undesirable short-term result
Kaolin – a type of clay
Keratin – the strong protein that forms the outer layer of skin, hair, and nails
Lanolin – extracted from wool, used in moisturizers
Lipids – a fatty compound
Liposome – a microscopic ball made of lipids to distribute moisture to the skin
Lubricant – smoothes skin, makes surface slick
Microdermabrasion – a treatment that involves a device that gently sloughs the dead skin cells while removing them
Mineral – a natural, inorganic substance
Mineral Oil – highly refined petroleum
Moisturizer – a product that will keep moisture in the skin, or bring moisture to the skin
Panthenol – also referred to as Vitamin B5, used in moisturizers
Parabens – preservatives
Paraffin – a hard wax produced from petroleum
Peptide – a chemical structure with two or more amino acids
Petrolatum – used in moisturizers to create a barrier to prevent moisture from evaporating
PH – a scale used to determine the skin's balance of acidity and alkalinity
Pore – a small opening in skin that allows perspiration to exit the body
Preservative – keeps product freshness
Protein – a natural complex created by an arrangement of amino acids
Retinol – an acid from Vitamin A
Retinyl Palmitate – a type of Vitamin A
Salicylic Acid – a strong ingredient that helps dissolve layers of dead skin, used in acne treatment products
Scrub – a cleanser with an added ingredient that exfoliates the dead layer of skin
Sebaceous Glands – glands in the skin that make oil to keep skin smooth and soft
Sebum – oil produced by sebaceous glands
Serum – a concentrated treatment usually used after cleansing
Shea Butter – the fat derived from the nut of the shea tree
Silicone – ingredients used in moisturizers that create a barrier to help inhibit moisture from evaporating
Soy – liquid originating from the soybean
SPF – the acronym for "sun protection factor"; the numbers following the SPF are a subjective guide for increased sun protection. For example, SPF 15 will allow someone to be in the sun approximately 15 times longer than without any sunscreen
Sunscreen – used to protect skin from sun radiation damage
Surfactant – a cleansing ingredient that allows water to rinse the skin clean
Titanium Dioxide – helps block all types of sun rays
Tocopherol – another name for Vitamin E
Tocopherol Acetate – a variety of Vitamin E
Toner – used after a facial cleanser, reestablishes normal pH levels of the skin, less drying than astringents
Triethanolamine – an alkaline ingredient used to balance pH level of a product
Ultraviolet Radiation – sun rays that lead to sun damage
Urea – used as a humectant and skin conditioner
UVA – damaging rays from the sun, believed to create wrinkles and premature aging
UVB – damaging rays from the sun can cause skin conditions that lead to sunburn and skin cancer
Vitamin – an organic substance needed to continue biological processes
Vitamin C – a vitamin that helps eliminate free radicals
Vitamin E – a vitamin that helps eliminate free radicals
Volume – a term to describe hair at its largest shape