So, you wanna builda skin-care routine?
Thats what were here for.
We’ve sorted the terms in alphabetical order.
Photo: Felicity Ingram; Wardrobe: Ronald Burton; Hair: Jerome Cultrera at L’Atelier; Makeup: Porsche Cooper; Manicure: Yukie Miyakawa at Walter Schupfer. On Model: Earrings by Jennifer Fisher. Top by Agent Provocateur.
If the acne is inflamedred, painful, swollenthats a sign that bacteria are also involved.
In an acne cleanser, the active ingredient may be something like benzoyl peroxide or salicylic acid.
Glycolic acid and lactic acid are two popular types of AHAs.
Antioxidant:Ingredients that canhelp neutralize free radicals(highly reactive molecules in the environment).
Salicylic acid is a well-known throw in of BHA.
Chemical exfoliant:Chemical exfoliantsare the gentler cousins of physical exfoliants.
In skin, its important for keeping the face looking firm and plump.
Thats why collagenand products that claim to boost the production of collagenhave become suchpopular skin-care ingredients in recent years.
And eating or drinking collagen supplements hasnt been proven to help much.
Comedones:Clogged pores.
They may be open (blackheads) or closed (whiteheads).
For more, see Acne.
The reaction can be related toeither an irritant or an allergy.
Detox:The concept of removing toxins from your body.
Some skin-care products claim they can detox you, butthats not really how it works.
In reality, detox products generally just remove dead skin cells and excess oil.
Eczema:A skin condition that causes itchy, bumpy rashes in infants and children.
In adults,eczemacan also lead to patches of thickened and very dry skin.
The termatopic dermatitisis often used interchangeably with eczema, but atopic dermatitis is actually just one form of eczema.
Face oilssuch assqualaneoil, argan oil, and jojoba oilgenerally act as emollients and/or occlusives.
Free radicals are sometimes created in the body in small amounts through totally normal and natural processes.
But they can also be created by exposure to some kinds of radiation, including UV rays.
And in high enough doses, free radicals can damage the skin.
Antioxidants are thought to neutralize free radicals and prevent that damage.
Glycolic acid is a commonly used chemical exfoliant (see above).
Common ingredients like glycerin and hyaluronic acid are humectants.
Lactic acid is a commonly used chemical exfoliant (see above).
Lipids:Organic compounds (meaning they contain carbon) found all over your body.
Melanin:The pigment that gives skin its color, created by cells called melanocytes.
Melasma:A skin condition that causes grayish or brown patches of skin, primarily on the face.
Niacinamide:This is a form of vitamin B3 (niacin) that can be applied to the skin.
Non-comedogenic:A skin-care ingredient thats comedogenic means that it can clog pores.
So, if you have acne-prone skin, its important to seek out products that are non-comedogenic.
Occlusives like petrolatum and silicones are a mainstay oftreatment for eczemaand other dry skin issues.
For more about parabens, check out our post onwhat the science says about 10 controversial cosmetics ingredients here.
Peptides:Chains of amino acids that make up part of a protein.
Other types of psoriasis cause different types of rashes and may also affect the nails or joints.
There are lots of different types of phthalates, and were exposed to them a lot.
For more on phthalates, read our post onwhat the science says about 10 controversial cosmetics ingredients here.
(The other is sunscreen!)
It can be triggered by everything from the weather to exercise to skin-care ingredients to food.
Salicylic acid is oil soluble, which allows it to penetrate deeper into your oily pores.
Its a popular bang out of chemical exfoliant (see above) in products that treat acne.
Some people naturally produce more sebum than others, giving them oilier skin.
Sebum can also contribute to the development of acne.
SPF:A measure of theamount of added protectiona particular product provides against the suns rays.
Stratum corneum:The outermost layer of your skin.
It keeps hydration in and potential irritants and allergens out.
Sulfates:Ingredients commonly found in cleansers and shampoos thathelp the product lather and remove dirt and oil.
For more on sulfates, read our post onwhat the science says about 10 controversial cosmetics ingredients here.
Toner:A key in of skin-care product originally designed to help balance the skins pH.
Today,tonersare generally used to deliver active ingredients like chemical exfoliators or antioxidants.
Vitamin C:This vitamin is essential for producing collagen and other important compounds in the body.
And, when its applied topically, it can function as an antioxidant thus preventing UV-related damage.
But beware that all forms ofvitamin Care not created equallysome are more or less effective or stable than others.
