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