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GlossaryUnderneath are a few terms that you may have encountered on our site and wish to have explained. This is by no means a complete list of terms in the cosmetic and skincare industry, nor all the terms as related to the therapeutic uses of essential oils, but since most words are used in context, we did not feel the need to explain every term used. Should you be looking for information on cosmetic ingredients, please click here.
Is a negatively charged ion. Alleviates inflammation. An agent helping to control infection. Is used to close the pores of the skin thereby improving the tone and texture and making the skin firmer. An agent that destroys bacteria. A soothing substance having the qualities of a balsam. Helps with formation of scar tissue. Encouraging the growth of skin cells. An agent that relieves or reduces congestion. Is a compound that has a soothing effect on irritated and inflamed skin. Is the inflammation of the skin due to an allergic reaction or other causes. An agent that prevents and combats the spread of germs. An agent that reduces water retention. An emollient is a compound that increases the moisture content of the skin by forming a barrier to prevent water-loss from the skin. An emulsion is the result when a water based product is mixed with an oil or lipid based product and an emulsifier is what keeps these two ingredients from splitting again - also referred to as stabilizing emulsifiers. Is an agent that helps to remove dead cells from the outermost layer of the skin. The medium could either be a chemical or a physical agent - alpha hydroxy acids are chemical in nature while apricot kernel powder is a physical agent that removes the cells by the friction caused when applied. Is the therapeutic effect of cooling or reducing high body temperature. It can also refer to "cooling" of irritated skin. An agent destroying fungal infections. An agent destroying germs or micro-organisms. Humectants keep products from drying out and glycerin is often used for this purpose. The use of glycerin has decreased in favor of its cheaper counterpart sorbitol. An opacifier is added to clear or translucent products to change the look to a more creamy or pearlier one - depending on the opacifier used. This refers to the measurement of acid or alkali. Strong acids start at either 0 or 1 and the number becomes higher as the acid becomes weaker and normally stops at 6 - with 7 being neutral, and anything from 8 being more alkaline - with 14 being the most alkaline. Any pH between 0 - 3 or 11 - 14 can cause severe skin burns - since an alkali is just as corrosive as an acid. Your skin's pH varies between 5 and 5.6 while body fluids are at 7.4. The male skin is slightly more acid than that of women. A polymer is a big molecule made from smaller molecules and would include natural protein or synthetic carbomers and the like. Preservatives are added to cosmetic products to keep them free of microbial growth but the downside is that some preservatives are also not good for you. For more on this, please click here to read more about preservatives. This refers to any cosmetic or skincare product that is applied and then washed off again - such as facial washes, facial scrubs, shower gels, shampoos etc. These products are not in constant contact with the skin as in the case of a moisturizer, and the skin is exposed to the ingredients of a rinse-off product for a limited time only. Warming and increasing blood flow. Is the skin's natural oil, produced by the sebaceous glands. A solvent is used in cosmetic and skincare products into which other ingredients can be dissolved - water is a commonly used solvent as well as oils and alcohols - depending on what has to be dissolved. An agent which increases the physiological function of the body or skin. An agent that strengthens and improves bodily performance. In order to make a product thinner or thicker, a viscosity adjuster will be used such as a thickening agent in gels and a fat or oil in lipstick and eyeliner. Contraction of blood vessel walls. Dilation of blood vessels. An agent that prevents tissue degeneration and arrests bleeding in wounds. Some other articles of interest
Dermaxime product range
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