Category
Glossary
148 entries
- BHA (Beta Hydroxy Acid)an oil-soluble exfoliating acid best known for its ability to penetrate into pores and dissolve excess oil and debris. Salicylic acid is the most...
- AHA (Alpha Hydroxy Acid)a group of water-soluble acids used in skincare to exfoliate the surface of the skin by loosening the bonds between dead skin cells. Common...
- Skin Cyclinga structured routine approach that rotates active ingredients across several nights, typically alternating treatment nights with recovery nights. The aim is to gain the...
- Patch Testa simple precautionary step in which a small amount of a product is applied to a limited area of skin to check for a...
- Layeringthe practice of applying multiple skincare products in a deliberate sequence so each one can absorb and perform as intended. Products are generally applied...
- Sluggingthe practice of applying a thin layer of an occlusive product, most often petrolatum, as the final step at night to seal in moisture....
- Sandwich Methoda layering technique in which a potent active is applied between two layers of a gentler product, usually moisturizer, to cushion its effect. It...
- Buffering (Skincare)the practice of diluting a potent active, or applying moisturizer before or mixed with it, to reduce its intensity and lower the chance of...
- Purginga temporary increase in breakouts that can occur when starting an ingredient that speeds up skin cell turnover, such as a retinoid or exfoliating...
- Retinizationthe adjustment period during which skin adapts to a newly introduced retinoid, often marked by temporary dryness, flaking, redness, or sensitivity. This phase typically...
- Retinoidany member of the vitamin A family of ingredients used in skincare, ranging from gentle over-the-counter esters to prescription-strength derivatives. They work by binding...
- Activesthe ingredients in a formula that are responsible for producing a specific, measurable effect on the skin, as opposed to the bases, solvents, and...
- AGEs (Advanced Glycation End Products)the stable compounds that form at the final stage of glycation, when sugars permanently cross-link with proteins or lipids. In skin they are associated...
- Glycationa chemical reaction in which sugar molecules bind to proteins or fats without the control of an enzyme, gradually altering their structure and function....
- Reactive Oxygen Specieshighly reactive, oxygen-containing molecules such as free radicals and peroxides that form as normal byproducts of cell metabolism and in response to triggers like...
- Free Radicalan unstable molecule with an unpaired electron that reacts readily with other molecules, potentially damaging skin cells, DNA, and structural proteins in a chain...
- Oxidative Stress (Term)an imbalance between reactive molecules called free radicals and the body's ability to neutralize them with antioxidants, leading to potential damage to skin cells,...
- Inflammation (Term)the body's natural protective response to injury, irritation, or infection, in which the immune system increases blood flow and releases signaling molecules to defend...
- Telangiectasiasmall, widened blood vessels near the skin's surface that appear as fine red, pink, or purple lines, sometimes called spider veins or broken capillaries....
- Erythemaredness of the skin caused by increased blood flow through small vessels near the surface, often in response to irritation, inflammation, heat, or sun...
- Tyrosinasethe key enzyme that controls the rate of melanin production by converting the amino acid tyrosine into the pigment precursors that eventually become melanin....
- Melanogenesisthe biological process by which the skin produces melanin inside melanocytes, converting the amino acid tyrosine through a series of enzyme-driven steps into pigment....
- Melanin (Term)the natural pigment produced by specialized skin cells called melanocytes that gives skin, hair, and eyes their color. It also helps shield deeper skin...
- Post-Inflammatory Erythema (PIE)a form of lingering pink, red, or purple discoloration that remains after inflammation, most often from acne, and reflects dilated or damaged small blood...
