Glossary of Terms
Acne
Acne is another term for a blemish or a pimple that occurs in the skin. It is usually more prevalent in oily skin. Severe acne causes cysts and infected abscesses. Individuals experiencing severe acne may be helped by a dermatologist.
Adolescence
"Adolescence" refers to the physiological transition from childhood to adulthood. Adolescence ranges roughly from 11-18 years of age. Hormonal changes that occur during adolescence can cause oil glands in the skin to become overactive, and become prone to breakouts.
Alpha-Hydroxy Acids
A group of organic acids that can be used to aid exfoliation. Alpha-hydroxy acids penetrate the top layers of the skin, to slough off old skin cells. Exfoliation stimulates the skin and healthy cells are regenerated. As a result, the skin is smoother and softer with an overall lessening of fine wrinkles and skin discoloration.
Allergy Tested
Testing conducted on ARTISTRY products to ensure that the products do not cause new allergic reactions in customers. The tests are conducted by independent third party clinical laboratories.
Antioxidant
Antioxidants help to neutralize the free radicals that cause skin aging.
Barrier
A paper-thin layer at the top of the epidermis that provides the skin's protective functions. It is referred as the stratum corneum.
Blemishes
Pimples that occur in the skin.
Blood Capillaries
The capillaries are the smallest blood vessels you can find in your body. Their job is to distribute nutrients and oxygenated blood to the tissues of your body, and remove deoxygenated blood and cellular waste from the tissues back into the veins.
Booster Products
Booster products provide special care for the skin by targeting specific concerns.
Broad-Spectrum Sunscreen
Broad-spectrum sunscreens contain ingredients that protect against 2 types of UV radiation: UVA rays and UVB rays. UVB rays are shorter rays that are known to burn the skin while UVA rays are longer rays that can penetrate deeper and lead to premature aging of the skin. It is imperative to protect your skin from both UVA and UVB rays.
Cell Renewal
The process by which skin cells are born at the base of the epidermis and slowly move upward until they form a paper-thin barrier at the top of the epidermis. This indispensable new barrier guards against moisture loss and environmental damage.
Collagen
Collagen is a natural protein found in the dermis, or middle layer of the skin. Along with elastin, collagen provides strength to the skin, giving it its form and shape and firmness.
Combination Skin
A person has combination skin if they have more than one type of skin on the face—that is, oily skin on their "T-zone" or forehead, nose and chin, and dry or normal skin type on their cheeks.
Dermatologically Tested
Clinical tests performed under the supervision of an independent third party dermatologist.
Dermis
The middle layer of the skin where collagen, elastin, hyluronic acid, protoglycans, blood capillaries, hair follicles, sweat and oil glands are found.
Dry Skin
Skin with very little moisture. People with dry skin typically have fine pores and few-to-no blemishes. Dry skin will feel parched and tight, especially after cleansing.
Eczema
A skin inflammation characterized by itching, scaling, and redness of the skin. Eczema should be treated by a dermatologist.
Elastin
Elastin is a natural protein found in the dermis, or middle layer of the skin. Along with collagen, elastin provides strength to the skin, giving it its form, shape and elasticity.
Emollient
Typically a mixture of oils that smoothes, softens, reduces roughness, cracking and irritation of the skin.
Epidermis
The uppermost layer of the skin where cell renewal takes place.
Exfoliation
A natural process that removes dulling dead cells from the skin's surface and keeps skin looking fresh and young.
Free Radicals
Free radicals are highly reactive, unstable molecules that cause damage to healthy cells and lead to premature aging.
Genes
Each human has an estimated 90,000 genes. Genes are found in DNA and determine the characteristics that a person inherits from his/her parents. For example, a person's genes determine the amount melanin in the skin and the amount of sebum naturally produced by the skin.
Hair Follicles
The sacs in the skin from which hair grows.
Hormones
Chemicals found naturally in the body that control processes like growth and metabolism. As we age, hormonal changes may cause the skin to become oilier during the teen years and drier in the late twenties and early thirties.
Hydration
The moisture in the skin, which is very important to the skin's health. Good hydration helps our skin combat the effects of the outside environment. Inadequately moisturised or dehydrated skin shows signs of tightness of skin, fine lines, and reduced skin glow (dullness).
"Hypoallergenic"
Hypoallergenic is a buzzword coined by some in the cosmetics industry. There is no industry–standard definition for the term.
Hypodermis
The bottom or deepest layer of the skin. It is composed of fatty tissue that cushions and supports the two layers of skin above it.
Hyperpigmentation
A darkening of the skin that can take the form of a suntan or brown age spots on the skin. Hyperpigmentation is usually the result of overexposure to ultraviolet radiation from the sun, or the result of hormonal imbalance, which causes an overproduction of melanin in the skin.
Impurities
Dirt and pollutants that can collect on the surface of the skin. If impurities are not removed, pores can get clogged, the skin will be more prone to breakouts, and can look dull.
Incidental Sun Exposure
Exposure to the sun that occurs unintentionally during every day activities. For example, exposure to the sun that occurs when a person is walking to a building from a car is incidental sun exposure.
Independent Third-party Clinical Testing
Testing done by independent third party clinical firms not affiliated with ARTISTRY. This testing is done to validate the performance, safety, and clinical claims of ARTISTRY products.
Lipids
A group of naturally occurring compounds that do not dissolve in water. The lipids in moisturisers protect the skin's natural barrier, holding moisture in the skin to keep it soft and supple.
Melanin
Melanin is a pigment that gives skin its color. It is produced at the base of the epidermis. The more melanin you have, the darker your skin. The amount of melanin you naturally have depends on your genetic makeup, sun exposure, and other physiological conditions, such as hormone levels.
Moisture Barrier
A function of the paper-thin layer at the top of the epidermis that protects against excessive moisture loss.
Non-acnegenic
The term "non-acnegenic" refers to products that do not cause acne. Non-comedogenic The term "non-comedogenic" refers to products that do not cause clogged pores of the skin.
Normal Skin
Normal skin has the right balance of moisture and oil, so it doesn't feel too dry or oily.
Oily Skin
Oily skin is typically caused by production of sebum in the dermis. This can be the result of natural hormonal changes. People with oily skin tend to have large pores and are prone to breakouts.
PA (Protection UVA)
A quantified system used in some countries to help consumers understand the level of UVA protection in their sunscreen. The PA system ranges from PA + (low UVA protection) to PA +++ (high UVA protection).
Patent
A patent is awarded to a company in legal recognition for an invention, formula, technology or title for a fixed period of time. Patents give companies exclusive rights to use the invention or formula. ARTISTRY has over 200 patents and patents pending in the skin care field.
Pores
Tiny openings on the skin through which oil or sweat, may pass.
Psoriasis
A chronic disease of the skin characterized by red patches, scaling, and inflammation. Psoriasis should be treated by a dermatologist.
Quality Assurance Testing
All ARTISTRY products are subjected to meticulous testing before, during, and after manufacturing to guarantee that nothing but the finest product reaches the marketplace. A battery of tests are performed to ensure the same exacting standards and high quality are maintained as the product developed, formulated and tested in the laboratory.
Rosacea
A skin condition that commonly occurs in fair-skinned women. Rosacea is characterized by flushing and redness on the nose and cheeks. Rosacea should be treated by a dermatologist.
Sebum
Oil produced by glands in the dermis, or middle layer of the skin.
Sensitive Skin
Sensitive skin may react to soap, alcohol, fragrance or sunscreen by causing the skin to sting, itch, or turn red.
SkinCare System
A skin care system provides a complete regimen including: a cleanser, toner, and moisturizer, that are optimal to maintaining healthy looking skin.
Skin Types
"Skin type" describes the typical condition of a person's skin. Life stage, genetics, environment and lifestyle influence the skin at a cellular level. This results in a particular type of skin. There are four common skin types:
- Normal skin
- Dry skin
- Oily skin
- Combination skin
See also: Dry Skin, Normal Skin, Oily Skin, Combination Skin
SPF
"SPF" is an abbreviation for "Sun Protection Factor." Sunscreens are labeled with Sun Protection Factor (SPF) numbers. The higher the SPF, the greater the protection from UVB rays.
Synthesized Compound
A man made material.
Toner
A skincare product used after cleanser and before moisturiser. Toners also remove any traces of dirt, makeup, or cleanser from the skin.
Toxins
Irritating or poisonous substances that may cause skin to break out. Cleansers are used to remove pollutants and toxins from the skin.
T-Zone
The skin on the forehead, nose and chin—the area of the face that forms a shape that looks like the letter "T." The T-Zone has the greatest number of sebaceous glands on the face.
Ultraviolet Radiation
Invisible radiation produced by the sun. UV radiation damages the skin. Over time UV exposure leads to skin concerns such as photodermatitis (rashes from the sun), premature aging (fine lines, age spots, wrinkles), and skin cancer.
UV Radiation
See Ultraviolet Radiation.
UVA Rays
A type of ultraviolet radiation. UVA rays are longer wavelength UV rays that can penetrate the skin deeply and cause aging. UVA rays can penetrate through clear glass. (UV Aging)
UVB Rays
A type of ultraviolet radiation. UVB rays are shorter wavelength UV rays that can burn the skin. UVB rays are partially blocked by window glass. (UV Burning)