The skincare glossary
Every term worth knowing, defined in plain English. From actives and formulation to skin science, concerns, and safety — grouped so you can find the word behind the label.
Actives
27
- Acetyl hexapeptide-8
- Adapalene
- Adapalene gel
- Alpha arbutin
- Alpha Hydroxy Acids (AHAs)
- Anthocyanins
- Antioxidant
- Artemisia (mugwort)
- Ascorbyl palmitate
- Beta Hydroxy Acid (BHA)
- Brightening Agent
- Chemical Exfoliant
- Depigmenting Agent
- Enzyme Exfoliant
- Fermented Skincare (Ferments)
- Growth Factors (Skincare)
- Keratolytic
- Physical Exfoliant
- Poly Hydroxy Acids (PHAs)
- Postbiotic Skincare
- Prebiotic Skincare
- Probiotic Skincare
- Retinization
- Retinoids
- Tretinoin
- Tyrosinase Inhibitor
- Vitamin C Derivatives
Formulation
76
- 111Skin
- 3CE (3 Concept Eyes)
- Acetone-free remover
- Acne cream
- Acne gel
- Acne patch
- Activated charcoal
- Aesop
- Aestura
- After-sun gel
- Aftershave balm
- Alastin
- Aloe Barbadensis
- Amino acid complex
- Ampoule
- Anhydrous
- Animal-Derived Ingredients
- Anti-Aging Serum
- Anti-Frizz Serum
- Antioxidant complex
- Antioxidant serum
- Aquatic fragrance
- Avocado oil
- Baking powder (makeup)
- Cleansing Balm
- Bar soap
- Barrier cream
- Barrier repair complex
- Barrier repair cream
- K-beauty barrier repair cream
- Body Lotion
- Ceramide Ratio
- Chelating Agent
- Clay Mask
- Cleansing Oil
- Cream Cleanser
- Emollient
- Emulsifier
- Emulsion (Skincare)
- Essence
- Essential oil
- Exfoliating Toner
- Eye Cream
- Face Mist
- Facial Oil
- Foam Cleanser
- Fragrance (parfum)
- Gel Cleanser
- Gel Cream
- Hand Cream
- Humectant
- Hydrating Toner
- Hydrophilic-Lipophilic Balance (HLB)
- Lip Balm
- Micellar Water
- Moisturizer
- Occlusive
- Paraben
- Peeling Gel
- Penetration Enhancer
- Phase Separation
- Photostability
- Pimple Patch (Hydrocolloid Patch)
- Preservative
- Serum
- Sheet Mask
- Sleeping Mask (Overnight Mask)
- Solubilizer
- Spot Treatment
- Sunscreen
- Surfactant
- Tinted Sunscreen
- Toner
- Vitamin C Oxidation
- Wash-off Mask
- Water Cream
Skin science
35
- Acid Mantle
- Acid mantle protection
- Amino acids
- Apocrine glands
- Baby hairs
- Barrier impairment
- Blue light and skin
- Cell Turnover
- Collagen Synthesis
- Comedogenicity
- Dermis
- Desquamation (Skin Shedding)
- Elastin
- Epidermis
- Fibroblast
- Filaggrin
- Fitzpatrick Scale
- Free Radicals
- Glycation
- Hydration vs Moisture
- Intercellular Lipids
- Keratinization
- Keratinocyte
- Matrix Metalloproteinases (MMPs)
- Melanin
- Melanocyte
- Microbiome Disruption
- Natural Moisturizing Factor (NMF)
- Oxidative Stress
- Sebum (Skin Oil)
- Skin Barrier (Moisture Barrier)
- Skin Microbiome
- Skin pH
- Stratum Corneum
- Transepidermal Water Loss (TEWL)
Concerns
46
- Acne
- Acne scars
- Actinic keratosis
- Age spots
- Aging skin
- Alopecia
- Atopic dermatitis
- Bacne
- Barrier cream for eczema
- Blackhead
- Blackheads (Open Comedones)
- Combination Skin
- Comedone
- Contact Dermatitis
- Crepey Skin
- Cystic Acne
- Dark Under-Eye Circles
- Dehydrated Skin
- Freckles
- Fungal Acne (Malassezia Folliculitis)
- Hormonal Acne
- Hyperpigmentation
- Keratosis Pilaris
- Enlarged Pores
- Malar Bags
- Maskne (Mask Acne)
- Melasma
- Milia
- Oily Skin
- Perioral Dermatitis
- Photoaging
- Post-Inflammatory Erythema (PIE)
- Post-Inflammatory Hyperpigmentation (PIH)
- Rosacea
- Rough Skin Texture
- Sebaceous Filaments
- Seborrheic Dermatitis
- Sensitive Skin
- Skin Purging
- Strawberry legs
- Sun Damage
- Sunspots
- Tech Neck
- Under-eye Bags
- Whitehead
- Whiteheads (Closed Comedones)
Routine
53
- 7-skin method
- Acne skincare routine
- Actives Rotation
- After-sun care
- Aloe vera after sun
- Althea Korea
- Morning Skincare Routine
- Amika
- Amorepacific
- Amorepacific Mall
- Amuse
- Anastasia Beverly Hills
- Anti-Aging Routine
- Anti-Pollution Skincare
- Anua
- Aquaphor
- Armani Beauty
- As I Am
- At-home microdermabrasion
- At-home peel
- At-home RF device
- Augustinus Bader
- Aveda
- Aveeno
- Avène
- Baby skincare
- Baking
- Banila Co
- Bare-faced movement
- Barrier-first routine
- Barrier occlusive therapy
- Barrier Repair
- Barrier Repair Routine
- Buffering
- Collagen Banking
- Double Cleansing
- Dry-Down
- Exfoliation
- Glass skin
- Moisture Sandwich
- Pilling
- Night Skincare Routine
- Pore Strips
- Retinol Sandwich
- 7-Skin Method
- Skin Cycling
- Skin Fasting
- Skin Flooding
- Skincare Layering
- Slugging
- Sunscreen Reapplication
- Two-Finger Rule
- White Cast
Safety
25
- Allergen declaration
- Allergen-free
- B Corp Certified
- Broad-Spectrum (Sunscreen)
- Chemical (Organic) Sunscreen
- Clean beauty
- Cosmeceutical
- Cumulative Irritation
- Dermatologist Tested
- Fragrance Allergens
- Fragrance-Free
- Fragrance-free vs unscented
- Hypoallergenic
- Mineral (Physical) Sunscreen
- Mineral vs Chemical Sunscreen
- Nanomaterial
- Non-Comedogenic
- PA Rating (UVA Protection)
- Patch Test
- Period After Opening (PAO)
- Photosensitivity
- Pregnancy-Safe Skincare
- Preservative Efficacy Test
- SPF (Sun Protection Factor)
- SPF 50 vs SPF 30