Skin & Hair Glossary of ingredients & terms seen on Style Chicks. Which skin & hair ingredients give the best results. Frequently updated.
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Sa – Se Sh – So Sp-Sw
- Saccharomyces Ferment
- Saccharomyces Ferment is a probiotic yeast obtained by fermentation. It is considered a postbiotic. [1]
A moisturizing, skin- soothing, nutrient rich yeast ferment that stimulates cell renewal with amino acids and peptides. It is well tolerated even by sensitive skin types.
Fermentation increases nutrient density like a skincare ingredient “power level up”. In Saccharomyces Ferment, it adds nutrients to a formulation as it produces amino acids and peptides. Amino acids and peptides can be easily absorbed by the skin to promote collagen synthesis and nourish our skin cells.
Saccharomyces lysate extract neutralizes toxins such as trace heavy metals and pesticides. [2]
It increases oxygen flow to skin cells. The better the oxygen flow and consumption, the better vital skin components such as collagen and elastin are maintained.
Fermented ingredients such as Saccharomyces Ferment also enable better ingredient absorption as they break down ingredient molecules into smaller molecules easier for the skin to absorb.
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Sacha Inchi nuts
Sacha Inchi Oil
- Sacha Inchi Oil improves moisture retention and rebuilds skin’s natural lipid barriers. It keeps skin elastic with astounding levels of omega-3s and omega-6s and some omega-9s.
- Sacha Inchi Oil contains high levels of behenic acid, an anti-aging superstar. It also contains Vitamin A and E.
- Sacha Inchi oil is lightweight and doesn’t clog pores.
Safflower
- Safflower Oil
- Safflower Oil is high in Omegas 3, 6 and 9. It hydrates dry skin, soothes irritation and enhances skin texture and appearance. It delays premature aging, tightens and brightens the skin. It benefits brittle hair as well, softening and strengthening hair without being too heavy to wash out.
- Saffron, Saffron Extract
- Saffron is the red pistols in a certain crocus plant.
Saffron flower extract diminishes hyperpigmentation. Saffron also protects against UV radiation.
It is time consuming to extract and costly, so while beneficial it is rare in skincare.
- Sage
- Sage is an herb with medicinal and beauty value. It reduces blemishes and swelling.
Sage also moisturizes and conditions the skin, soothing dryness and irritation.
- Salicylic Acid
- Salicylic Acid is a bHA (beta hydroxy acid). Salicylic acid purges clogged pores without excess drying. It clears from the bottom of the pore up. It helps build collagen. Salicylic acid works best when paired with another peeling agent. A combination of salicylic and mandelic acids was shown to be especially effective on moderate acne. [3]
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Chia seeds
Salvia Hispanica
- Salvia Hispanica is Chia Seed Oil, which feeds the skin. It makes skin smooth. It contains alpha-linolenic acid, an important essential fatty acid, vitamins, and minerals.
- Saw Palmetto
- Saw Palmetto comes from the berries of the Serenoa palm. Saw Palmetto is available as an oral supplement and topical preparations. It is sometimes included in hair growth supplements.
Saw Palmetto comes from Serenoa Palm
It stops hair loss caused by DHT, a hormone that accumulates on the scalp and causes hair follicles to shrink, eventually choking out new hair growth until the follicle doesn’t grow new hair at all. Saw Palmetto blocks DHT so follicles can grow hair again. Saw Palmetto is also a 5 alpha-reductase inhibitor. 5 alpha-reductase converts testosterone to DHT resulting in male pattern baldness. [4] Saw Palmetto also inhibits the DHT receptors in the follicles. This limits the damage that any remaining DHT can do.
- Scalp Treatment
- Scalp treatments address the health of scalp skin and hair follicles. Like facial skin treatments, they exfoliate, cleanse, nourish, moisturize and protect. Even on healthy scalps, this improves the hair root health and hair growth environment. Scalp treatments improve conditions of the scalp like dandruff, eczema, tight scalp, oily scalp, and psoriasis.
- Scutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract
- Also known as Baikal skullcap.
The root of Baikal Skullcap contains baicalin, wogonoside, baicalein, wogonin, and oroxylin A, all of which are flavones, a type of antioxidant that lend color to various plants and are known to be soothing.
It can help skin better withstand environmental aggressors that can worsen the look of many common skin concerns.
- Sea Buckthorn Oil
- Sea Buckthorn Oil contains over 200 skin-friendly nutrients. [5] It restores skin and builds collagen.
- This non-irritating oil is an anti-inflammatory that treats acne, eczema, and psoriasis.
- See fine lines become smoother and softer.
- Read more about Sea Buckthorn Oil.
- Seaweed Extract
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Seaweed
Seaweed Extract is not only an anti-oxidant, but it is oxygenating.
It is often used in valuable creams such as Creme de la Mer because it is so fortifying with skin-nourishing minerals and nutrients. It moisturizes and hydrates.
It treats normal skin and deeply dehydrated skin as well as soothes burns and revitalizes while making it soft.
- Sebaceous glands
- The skin glands that secrete oil into the hair follicles.
- Selenium
- Selenium supplements help support hair-related issues including thyroid and blood flow.
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Sesame Seeds
Sesame Seed Oil
- Sesame Seed Oil eliminates acne and softens the skin. Rich in linoleic acid, vitamins A and E, it rids the skin of bacteria-trapping, acne-causing dead skin cells. Sesame Oil is ideal for sensitive, thin hair and irritated scalps and skin.
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British Journal of Dermatology, May 2019, ePublication
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Lukic J, Chen V, Strahinic I, et al. Probiotics or pro-healers: the role of beneficial bacteria in tissue repair. Wound Repair Regen. 2017;25(6):912-922. doi:10.1111/wrr.12607
- 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”. J 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
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