Glossary: Science Terminology

A

Alkaline

ˈæl kəˌlaɪn
PH higher than 7

Antioxidant

æn tiˈɒk sɪ dənt
Antioxidants neutralise free radical cells, to prevent their damaging effects to the proteins, skin cells and DNA of the skin. This helps the skin to maintain its natural barrier and defence system.

Antiproliferative

ˌæn ti proʊˈlɪf əˌreɪ tɪv
Inhibit cell growth

B

Broad Spectrum

ˈbrɔdˈspɛk trəm 
Defend against both UVA and UVB rays.

C

Cell

sɛl
The basic structural unit of all organisms. A microscopic structure that holds nuclear and cytoplasmic substance held together by a semipermeable membrane.

Cell communication

sɛl kəˌmyu nɪˈkeɪ ʃən
The way cells send and receive information via proteins and other signalling molecules

Comedone

kəʊmiːdʌn
Broad term for pore / follicle blocked with dead skin cells and sebum

D

DNA Repair Enzymes

diː-ɛn-eɪ rɪˈpeər ˈɛnzaɪmz
Proven to correct the UV-induced DNA damage underlying wrinkles, brown spots, and skin cancer, these liposomally encapsulated marine extracts break the abnormal bonds forged by UV light, causing atoms in our DNA to resume their normal positions.

E

EGF (Epidermal Growth Factor)

ˌɛpɪˈdɜːməl grəʊθ ˈfæktə
Large proteins that communicate between cells messages for growth healing and survival.

Elastin

ɪˈlæs tɪn
Stretchy Structural proteins that let skin return to its correct shape. Particularly vulnerable to sun damage

Emollient

ɪˈmɒl yənt
An ingredient that adds water levels in the epidermis - also known as Moisturiser

Emulsifier

ɪˈmʌlsɪˌfaɪə
Ingredients that bind together other ingredients - specifically oil and water based

F

Fibroblasts

ˈfaɪ brəˌblæst
Cells within the connective tissue, that produce the collagen and elastin to keep skin pliable and springy.

Flavonoids

ˈfleɪ vəˌnɔɪd
A class of antioxidant phytochemicals.

Free Radicals

friː ˈrædɪkəlz
Unstable molecules created via Sunlight, cigarette smoke, pollution etc that damage cells and cause aging.

G

Glycation

ɡlaɪˈkeɪʃən
Age accelerating process when sugar molecules in the bloodstream bind to protein tissues throughout the body, creating advanced glycation end products (AGEs), free-radical damage, and inflammation. This causes aging as it affects collagen and elastin fibers.

Growth Factors

grəʊθ ˈfæktəz
Large proteins produced from stem cells, relay messages to crucial cellular growth and division, can be used to stimulate collagen and elastin synthesis, moisturisation and pigmentation

H

Humectants

hyuˈmɛk tənt 
Moisturising ingredient pulls water from the atmosphere into the top layer of skin

I

Ingestible

ɪnˈʤɛstɪbl
Anything that can be safely orally consumed and ingested

Injectable

ɪnˈdʒɛk tə bəl 
Something that can be safely injected into the body. In skincare e.g.: neuromodulators, fillers, fat dissolvers etc.

L

LED (Light Emitting Diode)

laɪt ɪˈmɪtɪŋ ˈdaɪəʊd
LED's are a light source that within the skincare definition emits light at specific wavelengths to target different issues e.g.: Aging, etc. Safe enough for home and handheld use.

Liposome

ˈlɪp əˌsoʊm
A spherical vesicle with at least one lipid bilayer. Used as a vehicle to enhance delivery and penetration of specific ingredients.

M

Melanin

ˈmɛl ə nɪn
Pigment within the hair, skin and eyes, what gives us our skin tone and tan.

Melanocytes

məˈlæn əˌsaɪt
Melanin producing cells present in the brain, inner ear, eyes and heart. UV, hormones, medications, illness, light/lasers etc can affect melanocyte activity.

Microbiome

ˌmaɪ kroʊˈbaɪ oʊm 
A group of essential microorganisms that live in and on our bodies.

N

Neuromodulators

ˌnʊər oʊˈmɒdʒ əˌleɪ tər 
Injectable purified toxins that relax the muscles responsible for the development of expression lines, like those on the forehead, between the brows, and around the eyes.

P

pH

piː eɪʧ
Measure of how acid or alkaline something is.

U

UVA Rays

juː-viː-eɪ reɪz
Ultraviolet A rays. A wavelength of UV light that sits between 315 nm and 400 nm. Known to cause damage to the skin and induce aging, pigmentation, and cancers. They are constant year round and their damaging effects can be prevented by wearing sunscreen year round.

UVB Rays

juː-viː-biː reɪz
Ultraviolet B rays. A wavelength of UV light that sits between 280 nm and 315 nm. Known to cause damage to the skin and induce aging, pigmentation, and Sunburns. They are strongest in summer and their damaging effects can be prevented by wearing sunscreen year round.

UVC Rays

juː-viː-siː reɪz
Ultraviolet B rays. A wavelength of UV light that sits between 200 nm and 280 nm. Known to have germicidal effects on microorganisms. Most potent germicidal effects at 254nm.