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Beauty Home » Beauty Glossary
Beauty Glossary
Beauty Glossary-A
Abrasive: Often a mineral that rubs off dead skin cells evens skin texture.
Acetic Acid: Sometimes used as a caustic or astringent.
Acid: Reduces the pH level of skin.
Acne: An inflammation of the skin disease caused by oil glands blocking pores, know as pimples, blackheads, and whiteheads on the surface of skin.
Acrylic: Acrylic has moisture barrier or wall with waterproofing, water repelling properties.
Age Spots: A darkly pigmented or colored area on the skin that arises with age.
AHA (Alpha Hydroxy Acids): chemicals that reproduce an abrasive by sloughing dead skin cells to reveal new, fresh cells underneath.
Alanine: An amino acid found in lots of moisturizers.
Alcohol: Used to dissolve oil, but as well as a moisturizer dependent on type, e.g. cetearyl alcohol.
Alkaline: Any non-acid substance with a pH greater than 7. It increases pH level of skin.
Allantoin: A botanical extract said to cure and soothe. Used in creams and topical preparations for the skin. It protects the skin from irritants.
Allergen: A substance that causes an allergic reaction.
Allergy: Reaction to an allergen; generally characterized by redness, itching, or swelling.
Almond Oil: Vegetable oil derived from almonds with softening properties. It usually used in cosmetics. It is the oil high in moisturizing fatty acids.
Aloe Vera: It is a succulent plant, the ingredient derived from the aloe plant, used to moisturize skin. Very beneficial to damaged, dry, chapped or sun-exposed skin and it is the most widely recognized skin care ingredients.
Alpha Hydroxy: Alpha Hydroxy is an active substance with exfoliating and emollient properties.
Althea: Botanical root trusted to have emollient and comforting capabilities for skin.
Aluminum Stearate: Normally used in lotions so as to promote a creamy texture.
Amino Acid: Naturally occurs in human protein, used to put in moisturizing properties to lotions, creams, and conditioners.
Anti-aging: It is the products to help lessen the signs of aging.
Anti-bacterial: It is the offsets bacteria growth and reproduction.
Anti-inflammatory: Treatment that reduces inflammation.
Anti-irritant: Any ingredient that reduces certain signs of inflammation, such as swelling, tenderness, pain, itching, or redness.
Anti-microbial: Inhibits microbial growth. It is the substance that kills or inhibits the growth of microbes such as bacteria, fungi, or viruses.
Antioxidant: It is a substance that may protect cells from the damage caused by unstable molecules known as free radicals and the ingredient helps eliminate free radical attack.
Ascorbic Acid: Also known as vitamin C.
Astringent: Used to take out skin surface oils and to temporarily help appearance of pores.
Azulene: An anti-inflammatory and soothing agent, derived from German chamomile. It is a superb analgesic, detoxifier, and calming to the skin.
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