DEFINING BEAUTY: Glossary Terms & Definitions ‘S’

Skin & Hair Glossary of ingredients & terms seen on Style Chicks. Which skin & hair ingredients give the best results.

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S

Sa – Se Sh – So Sp-Sw

Sun Protection Factor (SPF): The sun protection factor is the amount of the protection a sun product provides. The higher the SPF, the greater the protection. Some ingredients such as Coconut Oil has a small natural amount of SPF. The minimum SPF for basic sun protection is 30 SPF. This number increases with various needs including Retinol and Vitamin C use, exceptionally fair skin, or previous incidences of skin cancer.

Spirulina

Spirulina: Spirulina is a plant-based protein full of amino acids, minerals, and vitamins. Spirulina contains anti-aging tyrosine, vitamin E or tocopherol, and selenium. Spirulina applied topically removes darkness around the eyes and works as a natural toner. It can also be applied topically to the skin within a product or in a facial mask for skin nourishment and softness. As an oral supplement, it nourishes skin with its high vitamin and mineral content and serves as an anti-oxidant. Spirulina is used in shampoos and conditioners to accelerate hair growth and topically treats dandruff.

Squalane: Squalane comes from sugar cane or olives. Squalene mimics the skin’s natural sebum (Squalene) and makes the skin barrier extra smooth and soft. It is suitable for even highly sensitive or irritated skin. Vegan squalane is derived from olives. rice, or sugar cane. Helpful for acne. It has all the benefits of Olive Oil but without the greasiness.

Vegan squalene comes from olives

Squalene: Squalene is the skin’s natural sebum, a lipid made by our oil glands to maintain the skin barrier. It is an antioxidant that fights free radicals. It decreases within the body after age 30. Squalene was formerly harvested from shark liver oil for cosmetic purposes, but now plant based Squalane is almost universally used in skincare.

St. John’s Wort: Flowers of St. John’s wort (Hypericum perforatum)

St. John’s Wort is traditionally used in tinctures and preparations for topical wound care, sunburns, abrasions, bruises, contusions. [5] It is rich in antioxidants but contains hypericin which causes excess sensitivity to sunlight and potential skin irritation. It has antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antimicrobial activities.

Steam Distilled Citrus Aurantium Dulcis

Better known as Sweet Orange Peel Oil.

Sweet Orange Peel Oil

Orange Peel has more Vitamin C than the fleshly orange fruit, almost double.

The bacteria-fighting and inflammation reduction properties reduce acne without excess skin drying.

It fights free radicals, removes blackheads, and reduces wrinkles. It is an ideal ingredient for face masks and scrubs.

Sulphates: Cleansing agents that create a lather used to remove dirt and oil.

Sunflower Seed Oil

Sunflower Seed Oil reduces hair breakage

Sunflower Seed Oil is hydrating, nourishing, and an excellent supporting oil base. It retains moisture in the skin and is also rich in vitamin E. Sunflower oil retains moisture in brittle hair, thereby reducing hair breakage. Read How to use Sunflower Oil for Hair and Skin.

Sunscreen: A scientifically proven part of skincare. Ingredients applied to the skin to absorb, to reflect, or to scatter UV rays. Mandatory for Vitamin C and retinol users. Sunscreen typically contains chemical or natural ingredients such as Zinc Oxide. Sunscreen level is measured in SPF. Broad Spectrum is considered the most beneficial.

Sweet Almond

Sweet Almond Oil: Sweet Almond Oil is a light oil, ideal for very stressed or very fine texture hair. Sweet almond oil contains proteins and vitamins A, B, D, and E. It can be used as a leave-in for protection and to add shine to fine, lackluster, and dull hair.

Sweet Basil

Sweet Basil repairs and refreshes lackluster skin.

It reduces acne breakouts while counteracting skin dryness. It enhances skin resilience.

Sweet Basil also has toning properties.

Swiss Apple Stem Cells

Swiss Apple Stem Cells

A natural alternative to Bimatoprost in Peptide-based growth lash serums.

Stem cells from a specific variety of apple cultivated for the purpose of vegan, organic or natural stem cell ingredient options. It is also called Malus Domestica Fruit Cell Culture Extract. Malus Domestica is a Swiss Apple particularly suited for creating vegan-based stem cells. It holds both skin and hair applications. The stem cells build new tissue, delay aging, and fight wrinkles. Swiss Apple Stem Cells also encourage hair, lashes, and eyebrows to renew hair at the follicle. It decreases the hair shedding phase of the growth cycle, so lashes stay in longer.

References

Garg VK, Sinha S, Sarkar R. Glycolic acid peels versus salicylic-mandelic acid peels in active acne vulgaris and post-acne scarring and hyperpigmentation: A comparative study. Dermatol Surg 2009;35:59-65.
Ellis JA, Stebbing M, Harrap SB. “Genetic analysis of male pattern baldness and the 5alpha-reductase genes” Invest Dermatol. 1998 Jun;110(6):849-53. PubMed PMID: 9620288.
Zieli„ska, A., & Nowak, I. (2017). Abundance of active ingredients in sea-buckthorn oil. Lipids in health and disease, 16(1), 95. doi:10.1186/s12944-017-0469-7).
Klock, J. *; Ikeno, H. +; Ohmori, K. ++; Nishikawa, T. [S]; Vollhardt, J. *; Schehlmann, V. *, Sodium ascorbyl phosphate shows in vitro and in vivo efficacy in the prevention and treatment of acne vulgaris. [Article] International Journal of Cosmetic Science. 27(3):171-176, June 2005.
Wlfle U., Seelinger G, Schempp CM., “Topical application of St. John’s wort (Hypericum perforatum) Plant” Med. 2014 Feb;80(2-3):109-20. doi: 10.1055/s-0033-13510