Definition guide of skin and hair terms. We define skin & hair terms for effective ingredients that get results. Updated regularly.
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C
Ca-Ce – Ch-Cl Cm-Cz
- CO2 Extraction
- A means of harvesting natural ingredients. CO2 Extraction is a green technology that retains all the natural properties while eliminating any heavy metals and pesticides. CO2 Extraction doesn’t pollute the environment.
- Cocoa Seed Butter
- Cocoa Butter (AKA Theobroma Cacoa Seed Butter) is popular for pre-empting stretch marks. It helps the skin remain resilient and elastic. It is also moisturizing. If you’re using Retinol for stretch mark repair, Cocoa Butter is an excellent pairing as it serves as a buffer against irritation and dryness. Retinol and Cocoa Butter together are effective even on older “white” stretch marks. Cocoa Seed Butter contains a significant amount of polyphenol and flavonoid antioxidants. It prevents peeling skin and keeps skin elastic.
- Coconut Oil
- Coconut Oil’s moisturizing properties are well-known. It is also anti-inflammatory with mild UV protective properties. Coconut Oil penetrates deeper than other oils. It exfoliates dry flaky skin and reveals smooth skin. It is antibacterial. Cold-Pressed Coconut Oil maintains more of the beneficial aspects of the oil. Coconut oil helps hair retain protein and moisture.
- Coenzyme Q-10 (COQ10)
- An antioxidant naturally present in the skin but decreased with sun exposure. COQ10 is common as a topical and supplemental vitamin in skincare to improve skin texture and Elastin production.
- Coffea Arabica Seed Oil
- Coffea Arabica Seed Oil is organic unrefined green coffee seed oil. The cold-press extraction yields higher levels of caffeine, Vitamins E and F. Together they smooth skin, combat dark spots, sun damage, and hyperpigmentation. They even address darkness under the eye.
Vitamin E is a powerful antioxidant that helps to defend the skin against free radicals. Free radicals accelerate skin aging and sagging, and moisture loss.
Vitamin F is linoleic acid. Linoleic acid is an omega 6 essential fatty acid essential for healthy cell function. Linoleic acid heals, moisturizes, tightens, and smooths the skin while reducing inflammation.
Caffeic acid (caffeine) reduces eye area puffiness by drawing out excess water. Caffeine and essential fatty acids build collagen and elastin around the eye area.
- Collagen
- Collagen is the protein building blocks of skin, a supporting scaffold structure. Collagen is about 80% of our skin, it gives skin firmness and strength. Over time collagen breaks down, but select ingredients promote new collagen production. Collagen staves off wrinkles, discoloration, dull skin, and facial sagging. More collagen means fewer wrinkles, less sagging, and fewer dark spots or acne scars.
- Colloidal Oatmeal
- Colloidal Oatmeal is finely ground oat grain. It is an emollient and FDA classified as a skin protectant. It blocks an inflammatory response on the skin, which stops redness and itching.
Colloidal oatmeal contains a polyphenolic antioxidant highly effective on eczema and other forms of atopic dermatitis to halt inflammation and itching. [1]
- Comedones
- Comedones include blackheads, whiteheads, and non-inflamed blemishes. Comedones generally don’t respond well to topical medications alone but AHAs and sonic cleaning devices are often effective.
- Comedogenic
- An ingredient or product that increases the accumulation of dead cells within the follicles when applied to the skin, causing clogged pores, blackheads, whiteheads and acne.
- Comedogenicity
- Comedogenicity is how likely it is that an ingredient will cause clogged pores, blackheads or whiteheads.
Comfrey
Comfrey is used for the topical treatment of inflammation and swelling [2]
- Copper
- Copper is available in a supplement and in skin creams and serums. Copper promotes collagen, Elastin and Hyaluronic Acid production. Few skin products build Elastin like copper. Elastin is a necessary part of younger, resilient skin with less sagging. Copper is also used in hair supplements. It increases the size of shrunken hair follicles, stops thinning and premature graying. For best skincare results, Copper should be paired with supporting ingredients. These include Peptides, Vitamin C, hyaluronic acid, and retinoids. [3] Read more about copper in skin and hair care here.
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Cranberry Seed Oil
- Cranberry oil is an antioxidant that protects the lipid barrier. It contains a high fatty acid profile with Omegas 3, 6, and 9. High in Vitamins and E, it tackles age spots and promotes skin elasticity.
Cranberry Seed Oil is also known as Vacinnium macrocarpon.
- Crosspolymer Hyaluronic Acid
- Crosspolymer Hyaluronic Acid is a modified form of hyaluronic acid attached to a polymer structure that keeps it within the skin’s uppermost layers longer. [4] This creates an enhanced hydration effect. Not animal-derived.
- Cream Tartar
- Cream Tartar is a natural remedy for adult acne.
- Crow’s Feet
- An early sign of aging. The fine lines found around the outer corners of the eyes, caused by muscles attached to eye area skin.
- Cucumber
- Cucumber is soothing and reduces swelling. And it feels wonderful on tired peepers. Cucumber has a high water content that hydrates the skin. It also contains skin-friendly vitamin K, vitamin C, magnesium, potassium, manganese and vitamin A. Vitamin K reduces dark circles by reducing tiny blood vessels that may leak and cause a blue, brown or purple tone to the undereye.
- Curcuminoids
- The active agent in Turmeric. Topically and as a supplement, Curcuminoids make skin glow.
- Curly Girl Method
- Curly Girl Method is a hair care plan for the special needs of curly hair. It avoids harsh, drying chemicals and products that cause damage to curls, and seeks moisture-balancing products to reduce frizz and nourish curls.
REFERENCES
- Fowler, Joseph F Jr. “Colloidal oatmeal formulations and the treatment of atopic dermatitis.” Journal of drugs in dermatology : JDD vol. 13,10 (2014): 1180-3; quiz 1184-5.
- Staiger, Christiane. “Comfrey: a clinical overview.” Phytotherapy research : PTR vol. 26,10 (2012): 1441-8. doi:10.1002/ptr.4612
- Merfort I, Heilmann J, Hagedorn-Leweke U, Lippold BC. In vivo skin penetration studies of camomile flavones. Pharmazie. 1994;49(7):509-511.
- Journal of Clinical and Aesthetic Dermatology, October 2012, pages 20-23