Chemistry Flashcards
Fragrances
Give products their scent.
Fatty Esters
Emollients produced from fatty acids and alcohols.
Fatty Alcohols
Emollients; fatty acids that have been exposed to hydrogen.
Fatty Acids
Emollients; lubricant ingredients derived from plant oils or animal fats.
Exfoliation
Peeling or sloughing of outer layer of skin.
Exfoliants
Mechanical and chemical product or processes used to exfoliate skin.
Essential Oils
Oils derived from herbs and have different healing properties.
Enzyme Peels
Dissolve keratin proteins (dead skin cells) and exfoliate.
Emulsifiers
Surfactants that cause oil and water to mix.
Emollients
Oil or fatty ingredients that lubricate, moisturize, and prevent water loss.
Echinacea
Derives from purple cornflower; prevents infection and heals.
DMAE
Dimethylaminoethanol. Antioxidant that stabilizes cell membranes and boosts effects of other antioxidants.
Detergents
Surfactant used as cleanser in skin care products.
Delivery Systems
Systems that deliver ingredients to specific tissues of epidermis.
Cosmetics
Articles that are intended to be rubbed, poured, or sprinkled to body for cleansing, beautifying, or altering appearance.
Cosmeceuticals
Products intended to improve skin’s health and appearance.
Comedogenicity
Tendency of any topical substance to cause or worsen a build up in follicle, leading to development of a camedo (blackhead).
Colorants
Vegetables, pigment, or mineral dyes that give products color.
Coenzyme Q10
Powerful antioxidant that protects and revitalizes skin cells.
Cleansers
Soaps and detergents that clean the skin.
Clay Masks
Oil-absorbing cleansing masks that draw impurities to the surface of skin as they dry and tighten.
Chemical Exfoliation
Chemical agent that dissolves dead skin cells and the intercellular matrix.
Chelating Agent
Chemical added to cosmetics to improve the efficiency of the preservative.
Chamomille
Plant extract with calming and soothing properties.
Certified Colors
Inorganic color agents also known as metal salts; D&C (Drug & Cosmetics)
Carrot
Rich in vitamin A, derived from seeds and as an oil; product colorant.
Carbomers
Ingredients used to thicken creams; frequently used in gel products.
Calendula
Anti-inflammatory plant extract.
Botanicals
Ingredients derived from plants.
Binders
Substances such as glycerin that bind or hold products together.
Beta Hydroxy Acids
BHAs; Exfoliating organic acid.
Beta-glucans
Used in antiaging cosmetics to help reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles by stimulating collagen.
Benzyl Peroxide
Drying ingredient with antibacterial properties.
Azulene
Derived from chamomile plant and characterized by its deep blue color.
Astringents
Liquids that help remove excess oil on skin.
Aromatherapy
Theurapeutic use of plant aromas and essential oils.
Anhydrous
Products that contain no water.
Ampoules
Small, sealed vials with simple application of highly concentrated extracts.
Alum
Compound made of aluminum, potassium, or ammonium sulfate.
Alpha Lipoic Acid
Natural molecule found in every cell in the body. An antioxidant.
Aloe Vera
Most popular botanical used in cosmetic formulations.
Allantoin
Anti-inflammatory compound isolated from herb comfrey.
Algae
Derived from minerals and phytohormones. Remineralizes and revitalizes the skin.
Alcohol
Antiseptic and solvent used in perfumes, lotions, and astringents.
Alpha Hydroxy Acids
AHAs; Acids derived from plants to exfoliate skin by loosening bonds between dead corneum cells and dissolving intercellular matrix. Stimulates cell renewal.
Anion
An ion with a negative electrical charge.
Alkalis
Also known as bases; compounds that react with acids to form salts. pH above 7.0 (neutral), tastes bitter, turns litmus paper from red to blue.
Air
The gaseous mixture that makes up the Earth’s atmosphere. It is odorless, colorless, and generally consists of about 1 part oxygen and 4 parts nitrogen by volume.
Acids
Substances that have a pH below 7.0, taste sour, and turn litmus paper from blue to red.
Acid-Alkali Neutralization Reactions
When an acid is mixed with an alkali in equal proportions to neutralize each other and form water (H20) and a salt.
Acid Mantle
Protect barrier of lipids and secretions on the surface of the skin.
Chemical Properties
Characteristics determined by a chemical reaction and a chemical change in the identity of the substance.
Chemical Compounds
Combinations of two or more atoms of different elements united chemically with a fixed chemical composition, definite proportions, and distinct properties.
Chemical Change
Change in the chemical properties of a substance that is the result of a chemical reaction in which a new substance or substances are formed that have properties different from the original.
Cation
Ion with a positive electrical charge.
Atoms
Smallest chemical components (particles) of an element that still retains the properties of that element.
Antioxidants
Stabilize skin care products by preventing oxidation that would otherwise cause a product to turn rancid and decompose. Vitamins such as A, C, E can be applied topically in products or taken internally to increase healthy body functions.
Chemical Properties
Characteristics only determined by chemical reaction and chemical change in identity of substance.
Chemistry
Science that deals with composition, structures, and properties of matter and how matter changes.
Combustion
Rapid oxidation of any substance. Produces light and heat.
Compound Molecules
Also known as compounds. A chemical combination of 2 or more atoms of different elements in definite proportions.
Element
Simplest form of matter; can’t be broken down into a simpler substance without loss of identity.
Elemental Molecules
Molecule containing 2 or more atoms of the same element in fixed proportions.
Emulsions
Unstable physical mixture of 2 or more immiscible substances and or emulsifier.
Free Radicals
Unstable molecules that cause inflammation, disease, and biochemical aging in body. Super oxidizers that cause an oxidation reaction and produce a new free radical in process that are created by highly reactive atoms or molecules.
Gases
Matter without a definite shape or size. No fixed volume.
Hydrogen
Colorless, odorless, tasteless gas; the lightest element.
Hydrogen Peroxide
Chemical compound of hydrogen and oxygen; colorless liquid with a characteristic odor and slightly acidic taste.
Hydrophilic
Easily absorbs moisture; capable of combining with or attracting water (water loving).