Acne
Acne is an inflammatory skin disease that’s made evident by pimples that can appear on almost any part of the body, but are usually on the face.

Acrylic
Something that’s acrylic has the property of being able to repel water or moisture.

Allergen
An allergen is something that produces an allergic reaction.

Allantoin
Allantoin, extracted from a plant, is used in creams and skin preparations to heal and soothe.

Almond oil
Almond oil is vegetable oil made with almonds. It’s used in cosmetic products that soften the skin.

Aloe Vera
Aloe Vera is a plant that has wonderful healing and softening properties. Many people have an Aloe Vera houseplant, because you can break off a piece and use the extract from inside to soothe and heal cuts, burns and abrasions. It’s a very common ingredient in cosmetics because of it’s softening properties.

Astringent
An astringent, as part of the facial cleansing system, is commonly known as toner, and it controls oily skin and lowers the pH of the face after cleansing. Basically, it draws tissues together.

Beeswax
Beeswax has been used in cosmetics for centuries, mostly for its emulsifying properties.

Benzoyl Peroxide
Benzoyl peroxide is a common ingredient found in acne treatments, used for its antibacterial properties.

Bergamot
The Bergamot tree is grown predominantly in southern Italy. The Italians make an oil from the rind of the bergamot tree’s citrus fruit, which is good as an antiseptic, a cleanser, and a deodorizer.

Blackhead
A blackhead is a type of pimple that forms when the pores of the skin get clogged with oils and impurities.

Botanical
Botanical products are those that are made from plants.

Botox
Botox is simply the trade name for botulinum toxin A. It’s a product that’s becoming increasingly popular for getting rid of wrinkles in the face, which is performed by injections.

Bronzers
Bronzers are products that darken the skin to make it look naturally tanned.

Buffer
A buffer is a pH-balanced cleanser that makes the skin shinier and softer.

Butcher’s Broom
Butcher’s Broom is a plant extract that’s used to “sweep away” redness in the face.

Callus
A build-up of tough layers of skin is referred to as calluses. They can be removed with a pumice stone, or you can get them professionally removed by an esthetician.

Candela wax
Candela wax is combined with oil to give more body to lipsticks.

Cellulite
Cellulite is the word used to refer to the fatty deposits that cause a dimpled or uneven appearance of the skin, usually around the thighs and buttocks.

Ceramides
Ceramides is a substance that protects the skin against moisture loss. It’s also synthetically-reproduced in skin care products.

Chamomile
We’ve probably all heard of chamomile tea; it’s made from a plant. Well, it’s not only good for health by drinking, it’s also a great anti-inflammatory when used in lotions.

Citric acid
Citric acid has many uses. It’s used in skincare products as an astringent and an antioxidant.

Clarifying
Clarifying lotion is the toner part of a cleansing system that balances the pH of the skin after cleansing.

Collagen
Collagen is a natural part of the skin, but it can be increased in volume with injections to plump up a certain area. Those women who want that full pouty look can have collagen injected into their lips.

Cucumber juice
Cucumber juice is used on the face to tighten the pores and stop the skin from drying out.

Depilation
Depilation is the process of removing hair from the skin.

Dihydroxyacetone (DHA)
DHA is a cosmetic product that bronzes the skin to resemble a tan.

Echinacea
Echinacea is a natural product that’s most commonly used to reduce flu or cold symptoms. But it’s also used in some skin care products to stop itching and soothe the skin.

Eczema
Eczema is an inflammatory condition that causes the skin to become red, scaly and itchy.

Elastin
Elastin is used in cosmetics to protect the skin from getting dry.

Electrolysis
Electrolysis is a process where an electric current is applied to hair roots to kill them.

Emollient
An emollient is something that soothes and softens the skin.

Emulsifier
An emulsifier is a substance added to a product to thicken it.

Epilation
Epilation is the process of removing hair from beneath the surface of the skin.

Esthetician
An esthetician is a professional trained to give beauty treatments like facials, manicures, and pedicures.

Evening primrose
Evening primrose is a natural substance used as a toner or moisturizer.

Exfoliate
When you exfoliate your skin you remove layers or scales.

Glycerin
Glycerin can be found in moisturizers; it holds water particles together.

Glycolic peel
A glycolic peel is a method used to exfoliate or remove dead layers of skin.

Humectant
A humectant is a substance that helps retain moisture.

Hydrate
When you hydrate skin, you add moisture to it.

Hydroquinone
Hydroquinone is a white crystalline compound used in skincare products as a bleaching agent.

Hyperpigmentation
Hyperpigmentation is a skin condition caused by ultraviolet light from the sun, which darkens the skin.

Jojoba
Jojoba is a multi-purpose substance, used as a moisturizer, as well as to reduce wrinkles and stretch marks.

Karite
Karite is a natural ingredient that keeps the skin healthy.

Keratin
Keratin is the natural substance that gives nails and hair their resiliency.

Kojic acid
Kojic acid is used to lighten the color of the skin.

Lactic acid
Lactic acid is a natural ingredient in the body that moisturizes the skin.

Lanolin
Lanolin is a fatty substance made from wool, that moisturizes and emulsifies, as well as absorbs water.

Licorice
Licorice, in its natural form (not the kind we eat), is good for treating acne and soothing skin irritated by allergies.

Malic acid
Malic acid comes from raw fruit, like apples, cherries and tomatoes, and is used as a glycolic agent.

Mallow
Mallow is a softening agent made from plants, that helps reduce inflammation, age lines, and eye swelling.

Melanin
Melanin is the dark pigment in hair and skin.

Moisturizer
In cosmetics, a moisturizer; moisturizer is a cream that hydrates the skin.

Non-comedogenic
Cosmetic products that are non-comedogenic (or they may be referred to as non-occlusive) don’t plug the pores, so don’t cause skin irritation or pimples.

PABA
PABA stands for para-aminobenzoic acid. It’s a part of the vitamin B complex and is used in some sunscreen lotions.

Panthenol
Panthenol, or vitamin B5, is used as a moisturizer.

Petrolatum
Petrolatum is another word for petroleum jelly. It’s used in creams as a lubricant, to soften and soothe the skin. It also seals in moisture.

pH
pH is an abbreviation for percentage of hydrogen. In cosmetics, it measures the level of acidity.

Photoaging
Photoaging is damage to the skin caused by too much exposure to the sun.

Photosensitivity
Photosensitivity is a skin condition, manifested in rashes or swelling, that results from applying or eating certain chemicals or foods, then exposing the skin to sunlight.

Phytocosmetics
Phytocosmetics are cosmetics that are made with natural ingredients from plants.

Pore
A pore is a tiny opening in the skin that serves as an outlet for sweat.

Psoriasis
Psoriasis is a skin disease that produces dry, itchy red patches.

Retinol
Deficiency in retinol, another name for vitamin A, results in a hardening and roughening of the skin. Retinol is the main ingredient in products like Retin-A and Renova, that help to reduce wrinkles and heal acne.

Rosacea
Rosacea is a skin condition that produces red oily skin and acne.

Royal Jelly
Royal jelly is a natural product that’s taken from bees. It has many medicinal purposes and creates generally good health, including healthy skin.

Sage
Sage, a member of the “parsley, sage, rosemary and thyme” group, is not just a herb for cooking. It also helps to disinfect and heal wounds.

Salicylic acid
Salicylic acid dissolves layers of the skin and is used in the treatment of eczema.

Shea butter
Shea butter is a fat made from the seeds of the shea tree. It’s used in creams and lotions to soothe, soften and moisturize the skin.

SPF
SPF is an acronym for sun protection factor. Sunscreen products have an SPF; the higher the SPF, the more protection you get from sunburn.

Sunscreen
Sunscreen is a product, usually a cream, that’s applied to the skin to protect it from getting sunburned. The amount of protection is governed by its SPF.

Sunblock
Sunblock, as opposed to sunscreen, is a lotion that actually blocks the ultraviolet rays of the sun. It’s more effective than sunscreen.

Surfactant
A surfactant is an ingredient that promotes an efficient mixture of oil and water.

Tartaric acid
Tartaric acid comes from apples and is used to promote the texture and tone of the skin.

Tea tree oil
Tea tree oil is a natural preservative that’s used in soap, shampoo and skin care products to clean and disinfect.

Thyme
Thyme, another herb primarily used for cooking, is also useful as an antiseptic and antibacterial agent. You’ll find it in some soaps.

Tocopherol
Tocopherol is another name for the fat-soluble vitamin E, which aids in the skin reproduction process.

Toner
The toner is a part of the facial cleansing system. It’s used after the cleanser, and cleans any last traces of dirt that may be left, as well as returning the skin to its natural pH.

Undertone
Undertone is a term used to refer to the tone of the skin, like warm or cool.

Vitamin A
Vitamin A is a fat-soluble vitamin. A deficiency in vitamin A can cause toughening and hardening of the skin.

Vitamin C
Vitamin C is a water-soluble vitamin. It’s used in anti-aging creams because of it’s preservative and antioxidant properties.

Vitamin D
Vitamin D is a fat-soluble vitamin. It promotes strong bones and teeth, but can be detrimental if collected in the skin as a result of too much exposure to the sun.

Vitamin E
Vitamin E is a fat-soluble vitamin. Its antioxidant properties make it useful for promoting healthy skin and hair.

Wheat germ oil
Wheat germ oil, an ingredient found in natural cosmetics, aids in renewing skin cells. It also has a large quantity of vitamin E in it.

Zinc oxide
Zinc oxide is a chemical compound that was originally used as a whitening face powder around the beginning of the 20th century. It’s quite often found in sun protection products because of its ability to protect. It also soothes and heals the skin.