A
AGEs (Advanced Glycation End Products)Acid Mantle
Acne
Alcohol’s Effect on Skin
Androgens & Skin
Apocrine Glands
B
Barrier ImpairmentC
Cell TurnoverCollagen
Corneocytes
D
DermisDesmosomes
Desquamation
E
Eccrine GlandsEczema (Atopic Dermatitis)
Elastin
Epidermis
Estrogen’s Role in Skin
Extrinsic Aging
F
FibroblastsFilaggrin
Free Radicals
G
GlycationGlycosaminoglycans (GAGs)
H
Hyaluronic AcidHyperpigmentation
Hypodermis (Subcutaneous Tissue)
Hypopigmentation
I
InflammationIntrinsic Aging
K
KeratinKeratinocytes
L
Langerhans CellsLipid Barrier
M
MelaninMelanocytes
Microcirculation
N
Natural Moisturizing Factors (NMFs)O
Oxidative StressP
Perimenopause & SkinPollution & Skin
Post-Menopause & Skin
Proteoglycans
Psoriasis
Puberty & Skin
R
RosaceaS
Sebaceous GlandsSebum
Skin Barrier (Barrier Function)
Skin Sensitivity
Stratum Corneum
Sugar & Glycation
Sweat Glands
T
Transepidermal Water Loss (TEWL)U
UV RadiationW
Wound HealingAcid Mantle
A thin, slightly acidic film on the skin's surface that helps protect against bacteria, pollutants, and moisture loss.
Acne
A condition caused by excess oil production, bacteria, and inflammation leading to breakouts.
AGEs (Advanced Glycation End Products)
Harmful compounds that form when sugars bind to proteins or fats in the body, including collagen and elastin in the skin. This process, called glycation, leads to stiff, weakened skin structures, contributing to wrinkles, sagging, and dullness over time.
Excessive sugar intake, UV exposure, and oxidative stress can accelerate AGE formation. Supporting skin with antioxidants, SPF, and a balanced diet can help slow this process and protect collagen integrity.
Alcohol’s Effect on Skin
Excessive alcohol consumption can lead to dehydration, inflammation, and premature aging.
Androgens & Skin
Hormones like testosterone can increase sebum production and contribute to acne.
Apocrine Glands
Sweat glands in areas like the armpits and groin that become active during puberty.
Barrier Impairment
When the skin’s protective barrier is damaged, leading to increased sensitivity and dehydration.
Cell Turnover
The continuous process of shedding dead skin cells and replacing them with new ones.
Collagen
A protein that provides structure, strength, and elasticity to the skin.
Corneocytes
The final stage of keratinocytes, forming the tough outer layer of the stratum corneum.
Dermis
The middle layer of skin containing collagen, elastin, blood vessels, and hair follicles.
Desmosomes
Protein structures that hold skin cells together, providing strength and stability.
Desquamation
The natural exfoliation process where dead skin cells slough off.
Eccrine Glands
Sweat glands distributed across the body, mainly responsible for cooling the skin.
Eczema (Atopic Dermatitis)
A condition characterized by dry, itchy, inflamed skin.
Elastin
A protein that gives skin its flexibility and ability to snap back after stretching.
Epidermis
The outermost layer of skin, providing a barrier against environmental factors.
Estrogen’s Role in Skin
Estrogen helps maintain hydration, collagen levels, and skin thickness. Skin Tip: Support estrogen-decline with retinol to boost collagen, SPF to prevent damage, and hydrating ingredients like glycerin, sodium PCA, hyaluronic acid and ceramides. Incorporate exercise for circulation and estrogen-supportive foods like flaxseeds, lentils, and pomegranates for overall skin resilience.
Extrinsic Aging
Skin aging caused by lifestyle factors: sun exposure, diet, environmental and smoking
Fibroblasts
Cells in the dermis that produce collagen and elastin, helping with skin structure and wound healing.
Filaggrin
A protein necessary for healthy barrier function of the epidermis.
Free Radicals
Unstable molecules that damage skin cells and accelerate aging, often caused by UV exposure and pollution.
Glycation
A process where sugar molecules attach to proteins like collagen and elastin, weakening them and leading to premature aging, wrinkles, and loss of skin elasticity.
Glycosaminoglycans (GAGs)
Naturally occurring molecules in the skin that help maintain hydration, structure, and elasticity. They work by binding and holding water, keeping skin plump, firm, and resilient. (ie. HA)
Hyaluronic Acid
A molecule that attracts and retains water, keeping the skin plump and hydrated.
Hyperpigmentation
Dark spots caused by excess melanin production due to sun exposure, inflammation, or hormonal changes.
Hypodermis (Subcutaneous Tissue)
The deepest layer, consisting mainly of fat and connective tissue, providing insulation and cushioning.
Hypopigmentation
A loss of pigment in the skin, leading to lighter patches.
Inflammation
The body’s natural response to injury, irritation, or infection, often resulting in redness and swelling.
Intrinsic Aging
Natural skin aging from 20 onwards.
Keratin
A protein that makes up the outer layer of the skin, hair, and nails.
Keratinocytes
The primary cells of the epidermis responsible for producing keratin, which strengthens the skin. Primary cell of the epidermis.
Langerhans Cells
Immune cells in the epidermis that help protect against pathogens.
Lipid Barrier
The layer of fats (ceramides, cholesterol, fatty acids) that helps maintain hydration and protect against environmental stressors.
Melanin
The pigment that gives skin, hair and eyes their colour.
Melanocytes
Cells responsible for producing melanin, which gives skin its pigment and protects against UV damage.
Microcirculation
The movement of blood through tiny capillaries in the skin, delivering oxygen and nutrients.
Natural Moisturizing Factors (NMFs)
Compounds in the skin that help retain moisture, including amino acids and lipids.
Oxidative Stress
The imbalance between free radicals and antioxidants, leading to skin damage.
Perimenopause & Skin
The transitional phase before menopause where skin may experience dryness, loss of elasticity, and increased sensitivity.
Pollution & Skin
Environmental pollutants that contribute to skin aging and barrier damage.
Post-Menopause & Skin
After menopause, collagen production declines, leading to thinner, drier skin.
Proteoglycans
Molecules in the extracellular matrix that help retain moisture and support skin firmness.
Psoriasis
An autoimmune skin disorder that triggers rapid cell turnover, leading to red, scaly patches, dryness, and inflammation. Skin Tip: keep skin moisturized with barrier rich creams and avoid hot showers, as they can strip natural oils and trigger flare-ups.
Puberty & Skin
A phase where hormonal changes can trigger increased oil production, breakouts, and sensitivity. Skin Tip: Wash your face with a gentle, fragrance-free cleanser morning and night to remove excess oil, sweat, and bacteria, keeping breakouts and irritation in check. Keep it simple: Cleanse, moisturize, SPF.
Rosacea
A chronic condition causing redness, visible blood vessels, and sensitivity. Skin Tip: use gentle, fragrance-free skincare with soothing ingredients like niacinamide, azelaic acid, mineral SPF 30, and green tea extract to help calm redness and inflammation.
Sebaceous Glands
Glands that produce sebum to lubricate the skin.
Sebum
The natural oil produced by sebaceous glands, helping to maintain hydration and protect the skin.
Skin Barrier (Barrier Function)
The skin’s protective shield that prevents dehydration and protects against harmful substances.
Skin Sensitivity
A condition where the skin reacts more easily to environmental factors and products.
Stratum Corneum
The outermost part of the epidermis, composed of dead skin cells that protect against moisture loss and environmental damage. Area most affected by OTC products.
Sugar & Glycation
High sugar intake contributes to glycation, leading to collagen breakdown, loss of elasticity, and increased wrinkles.
Sweat Glands
Glands responsible for sweat production, helping to regulate body temperature.
Transepidermal Water Loss (TEWL)
The process of water evaporating from the skin's surface, which can lead to dehydration if the barrier is compromised.
UV Radiation
Harmful rays from the sun that cause photoaging, DNA damage, and increase skin cancer risk.
Wound Healing
The process by which the skin repairs itself after injury, involving fibroblast activity and collagen production.