Category
Glossary
148 entries
- Acid Mantlea thin, slightly acidic film of sebum, sweat, and other secretions on the skin's surface that helps defend against microbes and environmental stress. Its...
- Microbiomethe community of bacteria, fungi, and other microorganisms that naturally live on the skin's surface and interact with its barrier and immune defenses. A...
- Sebumthe oily, waxy substance produced by the skin's sebaceous glands that coats the surface to help limit water loss and keep skin supple. Its...
- Cholesterol (Skin)a naturally occurring lipid that is one of the three essential fats making up the skin barrier, working with ceramides and fatty acids to...
- Fatty Acida type of lipid built from a chain of carbon atoms that serves as one of the core building blocks of the skin barrier...
- Ceramidea family of waxy lipid molecules that make up a large share of the skin barrier and help hold skin cells together while limiting...
- Lipida broad class of oil-soluble molecules including ceramides, fatty acids, cholesterol, and triglycerides that form the water-resistant matrix between skin cells. In skincare, lipids...
- UV Indexa standardized scale that forecasts the strength of ultraviolet radiation from the sun at a given place and time, typically running from 0 upward....
- UVBa type of ultraviolet radiation with shorter wavelengths that mainly affects the surface layers of the skin and is the primary cause of sunburn....
- UVAa type of ultraviolet radiation with longer wavelengths that penetrates deeper into the skin and is present consistently throughout daylight hours and across seasons....
- PA Ratinga labeling system, common in Asian sunscreens, that indicates the level of UVA protection using plus signs from PA+ to PA++++. It is based...
- SPF (Sun Protection Factor)a measure of how well a sunscreen protects skin from UVB radiation, the wavelengths chiefly responsible for sunburn. The number indicates relative protection under...
- Broad-Spectruma label indicating that a sunscreen protects against both UVA and UVB radiation rather than one type alone. This distinction matters because UVA contributes...
- Photostabilitythe ability of an ingredient or formula to remain chemically intact and effective when exposed to light, particularly ultraviolet radiation. In sunscreens it is...
- Photoagingthe premature aging of skin caused by repeated exposure to ultraviolet radiation and other environmental light, distinct from the natural aging that occurs over...
- Photosensitivityan increased sensitivity of the skin to ultraviolet and visible light, which can make it react more readily with redness, burning, or rash after...
- Antioxidanta molecule that neutralizes free radicals and reactive oxygen species, helping to limit oxidative stress in the skin. In skincare, antioxidants such as vitamin...
- Comedogenica term describing ingredients or products that have a tendency to clog pores, which can contribute to comedones such as blackheads and whiteheads. How...
- Non-Comedogenica term describing products or ingredients formulated to be less likely to clog pores and contribute to comedones such as blackheads and whiteheads. It...
- Hypoallergenica term used to suggest that a product is formulated to be less likely to cause an allergic reaction. It is a marketing claim...
- INCI (International Nomenclature of Cosmetic Ingredients)a standardized global system of names used to identify the ingredients listed on cosmetic and skincare product labels. It provides a consistent, internationally recognized...
- Barrier Repairthe process of restoring the skin's outermost protective layer so it can better retain moisture and defend against irritants. It typically involves replenishing key...
- Humectantan ingredient that attracts and binds water into the upper layers of the skin, drawing moisture from deeper layers or the surrounding air. This...
- Emollientan ingredient that softens and smooths the skin by filling in gaps between skin cells on the surface. Emollients improve texture and flexibility, leaving...
