Beauty Glossary (A)

True Beauty Glossary A, terms and meanings from acne to azulene...

If you are unsure of the meaning of any word or term related to health, beauty or wellness simply flick through the True Beauty Tips Glossary to find the relevant word and its meaning.

Simply select the appropriate letter from the beauty terms and meanings glossary index below and we'll provide you with health and beauty terms and their meanings for that letter.

Glossary Terms and Meanings ...

Acetic Acid ... Liquid that's sometimes used as a caustic or astringent.

Acne ... An inflammatory skin disease that effects the tiny pores that cover the face, arms, back and chest as well as the oil glands attached to them.

• Whiteheads - When trapped sebum and bacteria stay below the skin surface, a whitehead is formed. Whiteheads may show up as tiny white spots, or they may be so small that they are invisible to the naked eye.
• Blackheads - A blackhead occurs when a pore opens to the surface, and the sebum, which contains the skin pigment melanin, oxidizes and turns a brown/black color. It isn't dirt and can not be washed away. Blackheads can last for a long time because the contents very slowly drain to the surface.
• Papule - A papule occurs when there is a break in the follicular wall. White blood cells rush in and the pore becomes inflamed.
• Pustule - A pustule forms several days after a papule when white blood cells make their way to the surface of the skin. This is what people usually refer to as a zit or a pimple.

Acrylic ... A substance that provides a moisture barrier as well as waterproofing and water repelling properties.

Age Spots ... A darkly pigmented, (colored), area on the skin that occurs with age. Sometimes called liver spots.

• Those brown spots come from being out in the sun unprotected too long. As we age our skin is subjected to more and more sun damage. Our skin has melanin pigment which absorbs sunlight and helps naturally protect our skin from UV rays. But, as we age, our skin's natural ability to fend off UV rays from the sun begins to deteriorate, and we see the development of age spots.

Alkaline ... Any non-acid substance with a pH greater than 7.

Allergen ... Allergen is a substance that causes an allergic reaction.

Allantoin ... A botanical extract said to heal and soothe. Used in creams and topical preparations for the skin.

Almond Oil ... Vegetable oil derived from almonds with softening properties. Used in cosmetics.

Aloe Vera ... An emollient resin with hydrating/softening properties. Extracted from the Aloe Vera plant.

• Traditionally, aloe was used topically to heal wounds and for various skin conditions, and orally as a laxative.
• Today, in addition to traditional uses, people take aloe orally to treat a variety of conditions, including diabetes, asthma, epilepsy, and osteoarthritis. People use aloe topically for osteoarthritis, burns, and sunburns.
• Aloe vera gel can be found in hundreds of skin products, including lotions and sunblocks.
• The USA Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved aloe vera as a natural food flavoring.

Alpha Hydroxy ... An active substance with exfoliating and emollient properties.

Althea ... Botanical root believed to have emollient and soothing capabilities for skin.

Astringent ... Toner helpful in controlling surface oils and in lowering pH after cleansing.

Azulene ... An anti-inflammatory and soothing agent, derived from German chamomile.

• In clinical studies Azulenes have been shown to exhibit dramatic anti-inflammatory effects and significant antioxidant protection.
• In practical terms this means that application of these natural substances will help to prevent skin blemishes from developing and will help stop deterioration of skin cells that leads to wrinkles, fine lines and pigmentation.