Skincare is such a vast subject. It is inexhaustible and ever-expanding. But today we have collected the most important terms of skincare in this glossary. Read on and tick the terms you have heard or used in your daily life. Here’s the A to Z of skincare:

A for Antioxidants

Antioxidants form one of the greatest pillars of skincare. These are naturally occurring ingredients that neutralise any oxidation damage to the skin cells. In a nutshell, antioxidants keep the skin looking young for longer. Examples are niacinamide, retinoids, Vitamin A, ferric acid etc. If you are not using them now, you must start, especially if you are in your 30s or beyond.

B for Bakuchiol

Bakuchiol is a plant derivate which is recently found to be effective for anti-aging. It is so effective and good for reducing the appearance of wrinkles, fine lines and pores that many use it to replace retinol. It is recommended for people with sensitive skin too.

C for Caffeine

Caffeine is not just for coffee and morning pick-me-ups. It is a great brightening agent for the skin. It is also a vasoconstrictor, hence helping in reducing puffy under eyes. Other properties of caffeine include anti-inflammation and antioxidant benefits.

D for Dermatologist

Skincare is incomplete with the word dermatologist. Who is a dermatologist? He/she is a certified doctor who has specialised in skin medicine. From analysing your skin problems to prescribing medicines and even providing certain treatments — a dermatologist’s job is quite vivid and varied.

E for Esthetician

Another skin care provider is an esthetician. They may not be certified in skin medicine, but they are certified in providing certain non-medical skincare treatments and procedures like facials, clean-ups, dermabrasion etc. The skincare experts at your spa or salon are called estheticians, and they also take care of your beauty needs like threading, waxing, permanent makeup etc

F for Facial

Facial is a vast category of skincare treatments. Under this huge umbrella, you have a lot of types and subtypes of facials that include cleansing, steam, exfoliation, clean-ups, masks and massage to nourish your facial skin. Facials are generally availed at spas, and done so for beauty purposes, relaxation, as well as to improve your skin’s health.

G for Green Tea

Green tea is a favoured beverage for those on diet and health aficionados. It recently found its way into matcha coffees and KitKats too. But green tea has always been known for skincare. It is a very potent natural ingredient to help fight any signs of aging like fine lines, wrinkles, and sagging skin. It is also antibacterial in nature.

H for Hyaluronic Acid

Hyaluronic Acid is a naturally occurring acid found in human joints and eye fluids. This acid is very hydrating and hence helps in lubrication. But for skincare, the use of hyaluronic acid is mainly for moisturising purposes. It is one of the best moisturisers currently known to us and is widely utilised in moisturisers, serums and creams.

I for Ice

Ice is an essential for skincare — be it to reduce a sudden blast of redness or to calm irritated skin. Ice is also very coveted to reduce the appearance of dark circles and puffy under eyes.

J for Jojoba

Jojoba oil is very popular in skincare circles. It is mainly used by women with sensitive skin types as it is very lightweight and is absorbed quickly. Jojoba oil doesn’t clog your pores either, hence is coveted by acne-prone skin types too

K for Kojic Acid

Kojic acid is a natural acid that is found as a fungus by-product. It is used to treat skin hyperpigmentation and dark spots due to its ability to block melanin production in the skin. It is also widely used in melasma treatment.

L for Lactic Acid

Lactic acid is found largely in milk, but it is a form of Alpha Hydroxy acid that is useful in skincare. It is a gentle exfoliating agent that draws water into the skin. Hence it is used in exfoliation as well as hydration.

M for Microblading

Microblading may not exactly be a part of skincare, but it helps keep your skin makeup free for a few years. It is a type of permanent makeup technique where a medically safe pigment is deposited in the upper layers of your skin, to give an illusion of hairs in the sparse parts of your eyebrows. This keeps you away from brow gels, pencils, powders and such.

N for Niacinamide

Niacinamide is a form of Vitamin, specifically B3. It is very essential in building the skin’s keratin defence that keeps it looking firm and healthy. This is also beneficial in retaining moisture and hence helping people with very dry or mature skin.

O for Orange

Not the color, the fruit. Orange is not just tangy and refreshing for your tongue but is a great boon for your skin. It is citrusy and rich in Vitamin C, which keeps your skin healthy, glowing and even-toned.

P for Peptides

Peptides are essential for the stimulation of skin cell growth. They mainly work on cell turnover as you sleep, and stimulate collagen production too. All of this put together contributes to the skin’s overall suppleness and firm feel

Q for Quercetin

Quercetin is an ingredient that is found in plants and is known to reduce UV rays effects.

R for Retinol

Retinol is Vitamin A derivative that is used in anti-aging.

S for Seaweed

A marine plant, seaweed is loaded with minerals, proteins, vitamins and amino acids. It is used in skincare quite often.

T for Tea Tree Oil

Tea tree is an essential oil that has anti-bacterial, anti-fungal and anti-inflammatory qualities.

U for UV Rays

Ultraviolet radiation of the sun in skincare is something you need to steer clear off.

V for Vitamins

They are organic compounds that help in skincare too. Eg. Vitamin A, B, C, E, K etc.

W for Water

Without water, our skin would dry and flake off. It not only contributes to healthy cell functioning of the skin but also promotes the firm and supple feel of its texture.

X for Xanthan Gum

This is an emulsifier and is used mainly in cosmetic and skincare product making. It has some skin-conditioning benefits too.

Z for Zinc

Zinc is an element that is used sparingly in skincare but has its importance. It is often taken as a supplement.

FYI, most of these words are found at Savarnas Beauty Spa! Be it antioxidants in our sister brand’s anti-aging serums or hyaluronic acid in the hydrating facials we perform. To know more about our bouquet of skincare and beauty services, do check out our website.