Beauty glossary

Beauty labels and tutorials are full of jargon. Each term below gets a short, plain-English definition, with a link to the full guide where we have one.

69 terms

A

Actives

Ingredients with a proven effect on the skin, such as retinoids, acids and vitamin C.

AHA

Alpha hydroxy acids such as glycolic and lactic acid that exfoliate the skin surface. See AHA and BHA.

Antioxidant

An ingredient that helps neutralize damaging free radicals, such as vitamin C. See vitamin C.

B

Baking

Leaving loose powder on areas of the face for a few minutes before dusting it off.

Balm

A thick, waxy product, often for lips or cleansing.

Bantu knots

A protective style of small coiled knots. See protective styles.

BHA

Beta hydroxy acid, usually salicylic acid, which is oil-soluble and can clear pores.

Blending

Softening edges of makeup so there are no harsh lines.

Broad spectrum

Sunscreen that protects against both UVA and UVB rays. See sunscreen.

Bronzer

A warm powder or cream that adds a sun-kissed look. See contour and highlight.

C

Capsule wardrobe

A small collection of clothes that all work together. See capsule wardrobe.

Ceramides

Lipids that are part of the skin barrier and are common in moisturizers.

Chemical sunscreen

Sunscreen using organic UV filters that absorb UV; also called organic sunscreen.

Clarifying shampoo

A deep-cleaning shampoo that removes product buildup.

Color corrector

A tinted concealer that cancels discoloration, such as peach for dark circles.

Comedogenic

Likely to clog pores.

Concealer

A thicker product that covers spots and dark circles.

Contour

A cool-toned shade used to create shadow. See contour and highlight.

Co-wash

Washing hair with a cleansing conditioner instead of shampoo.

Cut crease

An eyeshadow technique that sharply defines the eyelid crease.

Cuticle (hair)

The outer protective layer of a hair strand.

D

Dewy

A glowing, slightly moist-looking finish.

Double cleansing

Using an oil-based cleanser followed by a water-based one. See cleansers.

E

Emollient

An ingredient that smooths and softens skin by filling gaps between cells.

Exfoliation

Removing dead skin cells, chemically or physically.

F

Fragrance-free

Formulated without added fragrance, often better for sensitive skin.

G

Gua sha

A scraping technique and the flat stone tool used for it. See gua sha how-to.

H

Heat protectant

A product that reduces damage from heat styling. See heat styling.

Highlighter

A shimmery product that catches light on high points of the face.

Humectant

An ingredient that draws water into the skin, such as glycerin or hyaluronic acid.

Hyaluronic acid

A humectant that helps skin hold water. See niacinamide and hyaluronic acid.

Hyperpigmentation

Patches of skin darker than the surrounding skin.

L

Leave-in conditioner

A light conditioner left in the hair after washing.

Lip liner

A pencil that defines and fills the lips. See lips.

M

Matte

A flat finish with no shine.

Micellar water

A gentle cleanser made of tiny oil molecules suspended in water.

Mineral sunscreen

Sunscreen using zinc oxide or titanium dioxide filters.

Moisturizer

A product that hydrates and protects the skin barrier. See moisturizers.

Momme

The weight measurement for silk fabric. See silk pillowcases.

N

Niacinamide

Vitamin B3, used for oil control, redness and skin tone.

Non-comedogenic

Formulated to be less likely to clog pores.

O

Occlusive

An ingredient that forms a seal to stop water loss, such as petrolatum.

P

PAO

Period after opening, the open-jar symbol showing how long a product lasts once opened.

Patch test

Trying a product on a small area for a few days to check for reactions.

pH

A measure of acidity; skin's surface is slightly acidic.

Porosity

How easily hair absorbs and holds water. See hair types and porosity.

Primer

A base that helps makeup apply smoothly and last longer.

Protective style

A hairstyle that tucks away the ends to reduce handling.

Purging

A temporary breakout when starting an active that speeds up cell turnover.

R

Retinoid

A vitamin A derivative such as retinol or tretinoin. See retinoids.

Retinol

An over-the-counter retinoid that converts to retinoic acid in the skin.

Rosehip oil

A plant oil often used in facial oils.

S

Serum

A lightweight product with a high concentration of active ingredients.

Setting spray

A mist that helps makeup last.

Shade range

The number of foundation colors a product offers.

Skin barrier

The outer layer of skin that keeps water in and irritants out.

SPF

Sun protection factor, a measure of protection against UVB.

Spoolie

A mascara-wand style brush for brows and lashes. See brows and lashes.

T

Tightline

Lining the upper waterline between the lashes. See eyeliner.

Toner

A liquid applied after cleansing to hydrate or exfoliate.

Traction alopecia

Hair loss caused by long-term pulling on the hair.

Tretinoin

A prescription retinoid.

U

Undertone

The subtle cool, warm or neutral tone beneath the skin's surface. See foundation shade matching.

UVA

Longer ultraviolet rays mainly linked to skin aging.

UVB

Shorter ultraviolet rays mainly responsible for sunburn.

V

Vitamin C

An antioxidant that brightens and protects skin, often as L-ascorbic acid.

W

Waterline

The inner rim of the eyelid.

Wing

An eyeliner flick extending from the outer corner of the eye.

Z

Zinc oxide

A mineral sunscreen filter that protects against UVA and UVB.