Skincare Terms

Accutane– a vitamin A cream used to help clear up acne

Alpha hydroxy acid (AHA)– this is commonly found in skincare products, and is often use during chemical peels

Antioxidants– these work by fighting the free radicals that cause damage to our skin. They help neutralize the damage, they are often found in anti aging skincare products

Beta hydroxy acid (BHA)- this is another form of acid that are used to help exfoliate the skin. Salicylic acid is a BHA

Blackhead– an open pimple

Chemical peel- peels are done to exfoliate the skin by applying enzymes or AHA’s or BHA’s to the skin for a short period of time

Collagen– collagen is found in your skin, and helps with your skin’s firmness and elasticity. Collagen continues to produce, but as we get older, this process slows down. Collagen is too large of a molecule to “absorb” into your skin

Comedone– a blemish, also known as a blackhead or a whitehead

Comedogenic– may be clogging to the skin and help induce blemishes

Congestion– clogged skin is called congested skin

Couperose– redness of the skin, possible broken capillaries

Cyst– usually used describing fluid filled acne that is larger in size and goes deeper

Emollient– moisture rich, helps alleviate dryness

Enzymes– gentle exfoliants found in products such as pineapple or papaya. The break down the intercellular cement and help dissolved dead skin cells

Exfoliants– products that help remove the top dead layer of skin, can be enzymes which cause a chemical reaction or physical scrubs

Follicular Debris- usually found in tiny dark spots on your nose. These are not acne, but rather debris that is gather on the top surface

Hydroquinone– has a skin lightening effect

Hyperpigmentation– darker spots on your skin, age spots are an example of a hyperpigmentation

Microdermabrasion– an exfoliating technique that uses tiny crystals to help slough off your dead skin cells. The skin care specialist will pass it over your face, then “vacuum” up the crystals with another tube directly after doing it…think of a very mild “sandblasting”

Milia– Tiny “sesame seed” looking white blemishes under the skin, they are usually harded sebum, also known as whiteheads.

Non-comedogenic– a product that is not prone to clog your skin, if you’re prone to acne, you want to find non-comedogenic products

Photo aging skin damage from the sun

Retinal- a vitamin A cream to help with acne, and some times used for anti-aging

Rosacea– a vascular skin condition that causes redness, and sometimes papules and pustules

Salicylic acid- (See BHA)

Sebum– the oil/fluid that comes from the secretion of the sebaceous glands

Surfactant- a cleansing ingredient that helps break up surface tension on the skin and breaks down debris

Whitehead– a closed comedone, or closed pimple

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