Hair & Skin Glossary of Ae
Glossary of Agar, Age Spots, Alchemilla Vulgaris Extract, Alcohol, Aleurites Moluccana, Algae Extract, Alginic Acid, Algin, Almond Seedcake, Alpha Arbutin, Alpha Hydroxy Acids, aHAs, Alpha Lipoic Acid, ALA, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Alopecia, and Alterno.
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What is Agar Algae Extract Alchemilla Vulgaris Extract Aleurites Moluccana Alginic acid Algin Almond Seedcake Alpha Arbutin Alpha Hydroxy Acids (aHAs) Alpha Lipoic Acid (ALA) Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice Alopecia Altreno
Aesculus hippocastanum
Aesculus hippocastanum is horse chestnut.
It has both antioxidant and skin-soothing properties.
Aesculus hippocastanum contain saponins known as aescin. Aescin are potent anti-inflammatories. Saponins help prevent leakage of fluids into surrounding tissues, which can cause swelling. [1]
- On a skincare formulation ingredient list, Aesculus hippocastanum it often is referred to as “horse chestnut extract”.
Agar
- A sugar molecule made from algae which is used in makeup, cleansers, and shampoo as a thickener. It has some antioxidant benefits. Replaces chemical fillers in clean formulations.
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Age Spots
- Age spots are small and flat pigment spots due to sun exposure. Age spots usually occur after the age of 40. Regular sunscreen use can prevent age spots due to photodamage. Vitamin C serums can fade age spot discoloration.
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Alchemilla Vulgaris Extract
- Alchemilla Vulgaris Extract comes from the Lady’s mantle flower/herb. It is rich in tannins, flavonoids, and salicylic acid. Salicylic build collagen and treats acne.
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Alcohol
- Alcohol used as a stabilizer in products. Not all alcohols in skin and hair care are drying or irritating. There are “good” moisture-binding alcohols, preservative alcohols that are considered neutral to helpful, and “bad” alcohols that can be drying to hair and skin.
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Aleurites Moluccana
Aleurites moluccana is kukui seed oil. It is used to intensely hydrate and moisture skin.
This oil can do something unusual: it can penetrate into the deep layers of the skin. This is exciting since it also helps promote collagen production. The deeper the skin can make collagen, the firmer it looks.
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Algae Extract
- Algae Extract is packed with skin essential vitamins and minerals.
It not only detoxifies the skin. but algae conditions, hydrates, and softens skin while refining skin texture. The amino acids in algae neutralize free-radicals. Algae can improve skin barrier function. The Polyphenols in algae offer anti-aging benefits. [1]
Red and brown algae each have unique properties within skincare.
Algae used in tandem with light therapy offers increased benefits.
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Alginic acid, Algin
A biopolymer found in algae, such as Caulpera Lentilifera (sea grapes).
- Alginic acid strengthens the lipid barrier, retains hydration and promotes skin elasticity. It holds more than 100x its’ weight in water to retain moisture in the skin
Almond Oil
Almond Oil can refer to bitter almond oil or sweet almond oil. It is more commonly refers to bitter almond oil, which is used as an essential oil for scent purposes, not skin application.
For skin and hair care purposes, use Sweet Almond Oil.
Almond Seedcake
- Almond Seedcake (Extract) is a natural organic coating agent useful in hair conditioners and leave-in treatments. It is derived from sweet almond. It has amino acids and proteins to strengthen the hair strand and smooth the appearance of the cuticle. Very helpful in restoring the appearance of health on damaged hair and to reduce hair breakage.
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Alpha Arbutin
- A natural skin-lightening agent extracted from bearberry.
It inhibits melanocytes from producing melanin. Over time this slowly reduces hyperpigmentation. Effective on acne scars, photoaging, age spots, and certain types of dark undereye circles. Pairs well with Niacinamide.
Alpha Hydroxy Acids (AHAs)
Alpha Hydroxy Acids are often referred to as AHAs.
AHAs are a group of acids from sugar cane, milk, grapes and citrus. AHAs are highly effective at making skin and wrinkles appear smoother. AHAs remove and loosen cells from the skin surface and helps the skin retain moisture.
Some types of AHAs include lactic acid, malic acid, citric acid, and glycolic acid. AHAs are preferred for mature skin as there is no excess scrubbing or rubbing to achieve results.
Alpha Lipoic Acid (ALA)
TOPICAL
Alpha Lipoic Acid (ALA) improves cellular energy production and reduces inflammation, a major cause of aging. It gives skin a natural glow. It also helps the skin optimize the use of Vitamin C and CoQ10.
ALA improves cellular energy production, making skin look brighter. ALA is a powerful antioxidant.
SUPPLEMENT
Alpha Lipoic Acid as a oral supplement is an excellent antioxidant.
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Aloe Vera, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice comes from the Aloe Vera plant. It feeds the hair with essential nutrients and makes hair smooth, hydrated, soft, and shiny. Aloe Vera has an enzyme that repairs dead skin cells on the scalp for optimal hair growth.
Aloe Vera soothes minor burns, scrapes, and heals the skin. It provides nourishment to the skin as it contains Vitamins A, C, Bs, and E as well as minerals and enzymes. This skin food heals, hydrates, and accelerates skin cell growth. It provides anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial properties.
Note: Choose Aloe Vera that is made only of the inner leaf gel, not the leaf itself, if you have a latex allergy.
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Alopecia
- Alopecia is the complete or partial loss of hair in either gender.
Altreno
- Altreno is the first tretinoin lotion made specifically for adult acne. It also treats aging with fish collagen, glycerin and hyaluronic acid. Skin looks exceptionally smooth without as much irritation as many tretinoin formulations can produce.
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Beauty Glossary References
- Wilkinson JA, Brown AM. Horse Chestnut – Aesculus Hippocastanum: Potential Applications in Cosmetic Skin-care Products. Int J Cosmet Sci. 1999;21(6):437-447. doi:10.1046/j.1467-2494.1999.234192.x