GLOSSARY OF SKIN CARE TERMS

APPLE CIDER VINEGAR Restore skin’s natural PH levels (watered down)

ALMOND OIL Emollient for massages and in creams and ointments.
ALOE VERA Soothing, protective , naturally oxygenates skin, good for cell renewal.
APRICOT KERNAL OIL Similar to sweet almond oil, but lighter on skin. High Vit. E content.
Helps retain skins elasticity.
BENZION RESINOID Healing, soothing, has some preservative qualities. May help heal
broken and cracked skin. Diluted to become a pourable liquid.
BEESWAX (COSMETIC) Emulsifier. May have healing and antiseptic properties. Stiffens wax/oil
blended products.
CALENDULA MACERTAED OIL Anti-inflammatory, amazing healing powers on skin and scar
tissue. Flower are soaked (macerated), usually in a sunflower or olive
oil base and then strained for use.
CARNAUBA OIL A “wax” which is solid at room temps. Also know as Brazilian Palm
Wax. A barrier, lubricating and texturising.
CARROT OIL Packed with Vit. A. Good for skin regeneration.
CASTOR OIL A barrier oil with emollient and lubricating properties.
CEDARWOOD ESSENTIAL OIL Helps clear oil-rich skin of the build up of sebum and has
healing properties.
CETYL ALCOLHOL Comes in the form of white flakes. Used for it’s emollient and
emulsifying properties. Close resemblance to certain constituents of
sebum.
CLARY SAGE OIL Healing and balancing, particularly for combination skin. Work well
with anti-inflammatory preparations.
COCOA BUTTER Hard fat with emollient and mild sunscreen properties.
CONSTARCH White powdered corn, mild on the skin and widely used in skin care
products and make-up.
EMULSIFYING WAX Prevents oil and watre separating in creams and lotions. May be of
alcohol and/or vegetable origin.
EVENING PRIMROSE OIL High in linoleic acid (G.L.A) content. Re-hydrates and revitalises skin.
Soothes and calms inflammation and increases skins elasticity.
FRANKINCENSE Particularly beneficial for mature and devitalised skin.
GERANIUM ESSENTAIL OIL Good for balancing combination skin, keeps harmony when the
skin and mind feel of balance.
GERMABEN II Presrvative
GKYCERINE Water-attracting , binding ingredient produced during the soap
manufacturing process. Can be of animal or vegetable origin..
GUAR GUM Thickener and emulsifier, from the Cyamposis teragonolaba plant.
HONEY A natural emollient. Healing, hydrating and antiseptic properties.
HYDROLATS/HYDROSOLS/FLORAL WATERS
Water solution containing energising properties or constituents, made
by distilling plant material or petals. In the distillation of essential oils,
the pure essential oil naturally separates and the remaining
condensed water has strong therapeutic and fragrant properties.
JOJOBA OIL A “wax” which is molten at room temps. Very light texture on the skin
and is said to be similar to human sebum. Moisturising and good for
cell renewal.
KAOLIN (CHINA CLAY) Good for absorbing oil form the skin. Gives slip to powder make-up.
LAVENDER ESSENTAIL OIL Best know and most widely used healing, soothing, relaxing
and balancing oil. Helps reduce scarring and stimulates growth of
healthy skin cells.
LEMON JUICE Mild preservative, anti-oxidant and PH balancer.
LECITHIN Natural anti-oxidant and emollient. Makes a product easier to spread.
MAGNESIUM STEARATE Natural “soap” produced form palm oil. Means make-up will adhere to
the skin rather than being absorbed.
MICA General term for a range of naturally occurring silicates. Gives sparkle
or pearlescence to a product. Used to be created from fish scales,
mother of pearl or glass powder!
PARABENS Broad spectrum preservatives. Generally of vegetable or petroleum
origin. Usage – approx 4-6 drops/ 100grams.
PEACH KERNAL OIL Similar properties to apricot and almond oils.
POTATO STARCH Prepared potato flour which has emollient and gel-forming properties.
Often a ingredient in baby powders. Used as a bulking and gel-
forming agents in foundations.
PRESERVATIVES Parabens, geraben II, citrus seed extract.
SANDALWOOD OIL Strong antiseptic and soothing for skin. Ability to preserve water within
the skin without blocking the pores.
SHEA BUTTER (KARITE NUT BUTTER)
Emollient, anti-irritant, slight sunscreen properties. Natural cell
regenerator.
STERIC ACID FLAKES A safe, universally used palm oil emulsifier which is supplied in small,
white flakes with a melting point similar to bees wax. Buy cosmetic
grade.
TALCUM (MAGNESIUM SILICATE)
A natural mineral used in make-up. Adheres well in the skin, produces
density and slip. Care should be taken not to inhale the dust.
VITAMEN E OIL Healing ingredient and anti oxidant. Good for healthy cell re-
generation and moisturising.
WATER Purified only.
WITCH HAZEL Natural extract used as an astringent in skin care cosmetics. Soothing
and non drying. Natural addition for toners for oil-rich skin.
XANTHAN GUM Thickener and stabliser in emulsions.
PIGMENTS AND DYES Purchased in fine powdered form, but may need to ground in mortar
and pestle more.
TITANIUM DIOXIDE Used in sunscreens, toothpaste, powdered make-up and soap. Acts
as a whitener and created light reflective microscopic spheres. Gives
appearance of smoothing and flattening wrinkles and dark rings under
eyes. Single most important colou in make-up, as it creates opacity,
almost obliterating underlying skin colours and blemishes, hiding
scars, and pigment disorders.