Common beauty related term you should know:
Abbreviations:
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- AB – Asian beauty (relates to anything concerning beauty. Both skincare and cosmetics).
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- HG – holy grail (usually products you can’t live without and work best for you)
Referenced terms in skin care:
- Acne – skin condition causing spots that can be anything from mild whiteheads, blackheads, to pus filled pustules and cysts that are more severe, long lasting and can cause scarring.
- Antioxidant – these are substances that help fight the damaging effects of free radicals on your skin. E.g. Vitamin C and E are antioxidants that fight UV damage.
- Collagen – a structural protein found in skin that helps it maintain is firmness, elasticity and strength. Collagen naturally decreases with age which leads to the increase for wrinkles, dullness and less youthful, firm skin.
- Elastin – protein that helps skin remain taut, plump and bounce back into shape.
- Fatty Acids – keep skin supple, soft and youthful. Fights off dull, dry skin and wrinkles.
- Hanbang – term that encompasses skincare with ingredients rooted in Traditional Korean Medicine which draws its influences and origins from Traditional Chinese Medicine. Usually herbal based, are from high-end expensive skincare lines, and targeted at older women primarily for anti-aging. (E.g. ginseng and goji berry)
- Moisture barrier – skin has a natural moisture barrier to protect the outer layer of the skin from the harsh external environments and keep your skin hydrated from within and prevent moisture loss. Damaging/stripping your moisture barrier can result in dry, sensitive, dull skin that is more susceptible to breakouts and can over-produce oil to compensate.
- Rosacea – affects mainly face. Flushing, redness of the skin over short or long periods but is a long-term skin condition. Symptoms include small blood vessels becoming visible, burning and stinging feeling, spots and permanent redness.
- Sebum – oil that is secreted by your sebaceous glands to make skin waterproof and protect it from drying out. Excess of sebum makes the skin too oily. This is commonly found in the nose and forehead area.
- T-zone – refers to the forehead and nose. ‘T-shape’
- Thread veins – medical terminology telangiectasia varicose veins but more commonly known as thread or spider veins. These are visible dilated veins close to the surface of the skin that appear like lots of little branches or spider webs. Commonly red or blue and occur in face/legs. Harmless skin condition.
- Vitamin A (retinol) – antioxidant, normalises skin function and corrects skin conditions. Reduces rosacea, acne, eczema, sun damage. For anti-aging; reduces wrinkles and increases collagen.
- Vitamin B – improves moisture retention in the upper layer of the skin.
- Vitamin C – antioxidant. For anti-aging, brightening skin, lightening scars/dark spots, stimulating collagen production.
- Vitamin D – the body cannot produce Vitamin D on its own. The natural way to get it is through sun exposure. This is needed to prevent disease and keep bones healthy. Vitamin D can be applied topically but it is more commonly ingested as tablet supplements.
- Vitamin E – strong antioxidant, anti-inflammatory. Stimulates production of collagen and elastin to improve skin elasticity. Good at retaining moisture, protects and repairs skin from external factors.
