Skin Care Terms: All Cleared Up!

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Need- to- Know Skin Care Terms!

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AHA (alpha hydroxy acids)

What it does: Products with AHAs smooth fine lines and surface wrinkles, improve skin texture and tone, unblock and cleanse pores, improve oily skin or acne, and improve skin condition in general. AHA products cause shedding of the surface skin. The extent of exfoliation depends on the type and concentration of the AHA, its pH, and other ingredients in the product. Most consumer products contain AHAs at levels up to 10 %. Dermatologists and professionals may use products with AHAs in the 20% range.

To find out if a product contains an AHA, look on the list of ingredients. AHA ingredients may be listed as:

o glycolic acid

o lactic acid

o malic acid

o citric acid

o glycolic acid + ammonium glycolate

o alpha-hydroxyethanoic acid + ammonium alpha-hydroxyethanoate

o alpha-hydroxyoctanoic acid

o alpha-hydroxycaprylic acid

o hydroxycaprylic acid

o mixed fruit acid

o tri-alpha hydroxy fruit acids

o triple fruit acid

o sugar cane extract

o alpha hydroxy and botanical complex

o L-alpha hydroxy acid

o glycomer in crosslinked fatty acids alpha nutrium (three AHAs).

Of these, the most frequently used in cosmetics are glycolic acid and lactic acid.

Antioxidants- Antioxidants act as cell protectors. Oxygen, an essential element for life, can create damaging by-products during normal cellular metabolism. Antioxidants counteract these cellular by-products, called free radicals, and bind with them before they can cause damage.

Antioxidants work by: binding to the free radicals; transforming them into non-damaging compounds; or repairing cellular damage.

Botox- Botox is a toxin produced by the bacterium Clostridia. This is the same bacterium that produces the condition known as botulism. It can be used as a benign substance that causes paralysis of muscle and over time produces muscle atrophy. It has become a widely used treatment for wrinkles.

Ceramide- Ceramide is naturally found in the skin. Ceramide creates a moisture barrier and an environment within the skin to combat the visible signs of aging and protect against dryness. Skin manufactures ceramides, but less so as we grow older.

Collagen- Collagen is the fibrous protein constituent of skin, cartilage, bone, and other connective tissue. Collagen controls cell shape and differentiation. It is why broken bones regenerate and wounds heal and why blood vessels grow to feed healing areas. Collagen makes up 75% of our skin.

Eczema- The term ‘eczema’ covers a wide range of skin problems, which trouble people at different stages in their lives. Symptoms of eczema can include itching, redness, and dryness or wetness. In eczema, the main problems occur in the epidermis where the skin cells become less tightly held together. As a result, they become vulnerable to external factors.

Exfoliate- Exfoliation is the shedding of surface skin. Many commercial products speed up this process with natural polishing grains. Exfoliation may be used to refine skin texture, eliminate impurities and dead skin cells, and enhance the effectiveness of products applied afterward.

Hypoallergenic- “Hypoallergenic†usually refers to a product that has been tested for the most common allergens (labels and companies don’t say if they passed the test, though). It does NOT mean that every single person could use it without any allergic reaction.

Kinetin- Kinetin is a naturally occurring compound found throughout nature... in plants, in animals, and in fact, in your own body's DNA. It is highly effective in reducing the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles, and redness while improving skin roughness. Kinetin improves the skin barrier function and helps the skin to retain more moisture, making the skin softer and smoother.

Microdermabrasion- This a relatively new skin polishing technique, performed by aestheticians, dermatologists and plastic surgeons. The operator uses a handheld device that blasts fine particles of sand-like crystals against the client's skin and vacuums away the dirt and dead surface skin. Microdermabrasion is also called a "lunchtime peel," because it takes only 20 to 30 minutes for a full-face treatment.

Non-comedogenic- This refers to a product that is NOT likely to cause acne.

Organic- Products made without the use of synthetic chemicals that are harmonious with the environment rather than harmful to the environment.

Retinol- Vitamin A is a vitamin that occurs in two forms in nature. It is found in its true form (also called retinol) in animal foods such as fish oils and liver. The body readily uses this form. Retinol maintains the health of the skin (prevents acne and dermatitis) and surface tissues.

Rosacea- Rosacea is a chronic, common skin disease. The disorder is characterized by redness, pimples, and, in advanced stages, thickened skin. Rosacea usually affects the face.

Salicylic acid- Salicylic acid is an ingredient used in many over-the-counter acne medications. It can treat other skin disorders including dandruff, psoriasis, calluses, corns, warts, and more. Salicylic acid helps slow down shedding of the cells inside the follicles, preventing clogging and helps break down blackheads and whiteheads.

 
Cal, if you aren't in some serious print by this time next year or sooner, I may just have to become a promoter.

 
Originally Posted by GR8FISCH

Cal, if you aren't in some serious print by this time next year or sooner, I may just have to become a promoter.


What do you mean by "serious print"?
 
Ahh got it! Yes, she is wonderful isn't she?
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We are seriously trying to find more MODEL users like she is.

GR8FISCH, you are pretty good yourself. We love your involvement, now that you have your replies down pat
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Originally Posted by GR8FISCH

As in, having written a book, printed a newsletter...



 
Gr8,

You are so kind! THanks for the ego boost. I hope the skin care post clarifies some of the terms that are thrown around so much. After a while, they start to lose their meaning.

By the way, I think you should be a moderator!! You know a lot and are fun.

Thanks,

Cali-saurus

Originally Posted by GR8FISCH Cal, if you aren't in some serious print by this time next year or sooner, I may just have to become a promoter.
 

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