The Beginner’s Guide To Essential Skincare Terms

Let’s face it; we all know what it’s like to walk into a salon or a spa and hear the employees speak the jargon of their field. Unless you’ve been educated on it, or have been around it long enough, you may not know what any of those words mean.

Below is a small list of terms that are great for beginners to learn, especially if you want to amp up your skincare routine or want to understand what your skincare professional is trying to tell you.

The Beginner’s Guide To Essential Skincare Terms

Antioxidant – Antioxidants are properties of skincare ingredients that aid in reducing damage to the skin from exposure to the sun and other harmful factors. This is a highly sought-after benefit.

Cleanser – A cleanser is often called a face wash; they are used initially to make sure the skin is clean and free of dirt, makeup, and oil that have built up on your face.

Collagen – Collagen is what gives your skin its elasticity, or its firmness. Clients who have mature skin usually tend to go for skincare products that boost collagen.

Exfoliation – Commonly known as a face wash, people generally use exfoliation in their routine to get rid of dead skin cells; depending on the kind you get, you can reap many other benefits from the product ranging from brightening to anti-aging.

There are also other methods of exfoliation discussed by the International Dermal Institute.

Free Radicals – These are external influences that can cause damage to your skin; examples include unprotected exposure to the sun, air pollution, and even stress.

Microcurrent – Many spas offer a machine treatment called a microcurrent. In layman’s terms, it is a facelift machine. It assists in toning and firming the muscles in the face, leaving the client’s overall appearance looking much more lifted.

Microdermabrasion – Another machine treatment that many clients flock to are microdermabrasions. It is a form of exfoliation using a handheld device that is connected to the machine, and it acts as a vacuum for the dead skin cells while the device sprays tiny crystals to help in the exfoliation process.

Skin Type – When the skincare professional asks about your skin type, they want to know the state of your skin. Is it oily? Dry? Or maybe you have combination skin. This helps the professional understand what products to use to give you maximum results.

SPF – According to Badger Healthy Body Care, it measures “…how well a sunscreen will protect skin from UVB rays…”

Not having SPF will increase your chances of serious problems including skin cancer and sunburn.

Toner – A toner or astringent will maintain a clean and fresh feeling, and will also balance the skin’s pH level; in a spa setting, toners are used based on your skin type.

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