DEFINING BEAUTY: HAIR & SKIN GLOSSARY TERMS & DEFINITION “E” * Style Chicks

Skin & Hair care A-Z beauty glossary definitions. Defining active ingredients with meaningful results. Updated regularly.

E

E (Vitamin): Vitamin E softens the skin, making scar tissue more pliable and soft. It gives the skin a cushion to deter wrinkles and fine lines. It also supports skeletal and smooth muscles, including facial and throat muscle.

Eczema: A skin condition characterized by itchy, irritated skin. The raised, inflamed skin can be painful and red and requires care in washing and maintaining adequate barrier function with moisturization.

EGCG: EGCG is Epigallocatechin gallate, the potent antioxidant from green tea. It protects against environmental damage and neutralizes free radicals that prematurely age skin. It is beneficial to drink and for topical application. Research shows EGCG reactivates dying skin cells. This shows promise for repairing sun damage and for scar healing. [1]

Elastin, Hydrolyzed Elastin: Elastin is a protein found in skin and hair. Elastin is paired collagen in the dermis skin layer and gives structural support to skin. It is the stretchy structural proteins that allow the skin to snap back into place. Elastin is vulnerable to sun damage. Elastin is as important as collagen for the appearance of younger skin, but fewer products address the loss of skin elastin. Unlike collagen, topically applied elastin is readily absorbed by the skin and can promote new elastin synthesis. [2] In hair, elastin is easier to replace. Elastin gives hair the ability to stretch and resist breakage. Hydrolyzed Elastin adds strength, body, and elasticity to hair. It improves hair’s tensile strength and moisture retention. This reduces hair breakage.

Edelweiss is a natural anti-aging ingredient

Edelweiss: Edelweiss is a mountain flower high in antioxidants. It tightens and appears to lift sagging skin; smooths the look of wrinkles

Elder Flower: Elder Flower is rich in bioflavonoids that help prevent wrinkles

Eleven lines: Eleven lines is a term used to describe the pair of expression lines that appear between the eyebrows, above the nose. They are most noticeable in movement, due to “crunching” the brow while working or even while asleep. Eleven lines are common but respond well to retinol treatments.

Elfe Flower

Elfe Flower: Elfe Flower is used to thicken thin skin, especially useful around the eyes and mouth.

Emollient: Ingredients that lubricate the skin surface, smoothing or softening its’ appearance. They tend to be heavier than creams and moisturizers.

Epidermis: Epidermis is the thin, outer protective layer of the skin. The epidermis is made up of five sub-layers: stratum germinativum, stratum spinosum, stratum lucidum, stratum granulosum, and stratum corneum.

Eucalyptus

Essential Oil: Essential Oil is concentrated liquid compounds or extracts of plants. It is generally aromatic. A few drops are diluted into a carrier oil. There are various health and beauty benefits to Essential Oils. Lavender is used for hair conditioning, Rosemary Oil promotes scalp health. Tea Tree is used for acne.

Eucalyptus Essential Oil: From the Eucalyptus plant. Eucalyptus Oil is an invigorating scent. It is a common addition to a facial steam treatment as Eucalyptus Oil moistures the skin and locks in moisture. In skincare it is an anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, antiviral antioxidant that can be used in bath and face washes. It also has clarifying and antiseptic properties to heal wounds from acne, psoriasis, or eczema. The macrocarpal A in Eucalyptus increases ceramides. [3] It helps congestion due to allergies, colds, or respiratory issues. Best used on oilier skins and in moderation on dry or sensitive skins. Highly potent, always dilute.

Evening Primrose Oil: Evening Primrose

Evening Primrose Oil is a vitamin supplement and topical ingredient that restores a glow to the skin. It is excellent as a topical ingredient to provide moisture without clogging the skin and is helpful for eczema and acne. Supports elastin, moisture, and skin firmness. [4] Full of Omega-6 fatty acids, it keeps hair and skin healthy. As an oral supplement, it supports skin health and acne reduction, but some experience a period of acne breakouts before skin stability is achieved.

Exfoliate, Exfoliation: To remove the dead skin cells from the top layer of the skin. Exfoliation smooths the appearance of the skin and is helpful in reducing acne formation as it removes dead skin cells that can harbor bacteria in clogged pores. Chemical peels, grain scrubs, and dermabrasion devices are all means of exfoliation.

Journal of Pharmacol Exp Ther 2003 306: 29-34
Ganceviciene, Ruta et al. “Skin anti-aging strategies.” Dermato-endocrinologyvol. 4,3 (2012): 308-19. doi:10.4161/derm.22804
Ishikawa J, Shimotoyodome Y, Chen S, Ohkubo K, Takagi Y, Fujimura T, Kitahara T, Takema Y. “Eucalyptus increases ceramide levels in keratinocytes and improves stratum corneum function.” nt J Cosmet Sci. 2012 Feb;34(1):17-22. doi: 10.1111/j.1468-2494.2011.00675.x. Epub 2011 Jun 23.
Muggli, R. (2005), Systemic evening primrose oil improves the biophysical skin parameters of healthy adults. International Journal of Cosmetic Science, 27: 243-249. doi:10.1111/j.1467-2494.2005.00274.x