Your Guide to Beauty, Decoded
You shouldn't need a science degree to understand what's in your skincare. Here's where we break down the ingredients, buzzwords, and trends you keep seeing everywhere.
Your Guide to Beauty, Decoded
You shouldn't need a science degree to understand what's in your skincare. Here's where we break down the ingredients, buzzwords, and trends you keep seeing everywhere.
A-E
A-E
Actives
The hardworking ingredients in skincare products that actually do something for your skin. Think vitamin C, retinol, or acids. These are what make products... well, work.
Actives
The hardworking ingredients in skincare products that actually do something for your skin. Think vitamin C, retinol, or acids. These are what make products... well, work.
Alpha Hydroxy Acids (AHAs)
Water-soluble acids (like glycolic or lactic acid) that exfoliate the skin's surface. Great for dull skin and uneven texture, but start slow... they can be intense.
Alpha Hydroxy Acids (AHAs)
Water-soluble acids (like glycolic or lactic acid) that exfoliate the skin's surface. Great for dull skin and uneven texture, but start slow... they can be intense.
Barrier (Skin Barrier)
Your skin's protective outer layer that keeps moisture in and irritants out. When people say "compromised barrier," they mean your skin's defense system is struggling. This is when things get red, flaky, or sensitive.
Barrier (Skin Barrier)
Your skin's protective outer layer that keeps moisture in and irritants out. When people say "compromised barrier," they mean your skin's defense system is struggling. This is when things get red, flaky, or sensitive.
Beta Hydroxy Acid (BHA)
Oil-soluble acid (usually salicylic acid) that gets deep into pores. Perfect for oily or acne-prone skin. Unlike AHAs, these work inside your pores.
Beta Hydroxy Acid (BHA)
Oil-soluble acid (usually salicylic acid) that gets deep into pores. Perfect for oily or acne-prone skin. Unlike AHAs, these work inside your pores.
Ceramides
Lipids (fats) that naturally exist in your skin barrier. When you see them in products, they're helping repair and protect that barrier we just talked about.
Ceramides
Lipids (fats) that naturally exist in your skin barrier. When you see them in products, they're helping repair and protect that barrier we just talked about.
Clean Beauty
A pretty vague term, honestly. Generally means products without certain ingredients like parabens, sulfates, or synthetic fragrances. But there's no official definition, so brands use it differently. (This is exactly why Studio Mayden exists.)
Clean Beauty
A pretty vague term, honestly. Generally means products without certain ingredients like parabens, sulfates, or synthetic fragrances. But there's no official definition, so brands use it differently. (This is exactly why Studio Mayden exists.)
Comedogenic
Fancy word for "pore-clogging." If something's non-comedogenic, it shouldn't cause breakouts. But everyone's skin is different.
Comedogenic
Fancy word for "pore-clogging." If something's non-comedogenic, it shouldn't cause breakouts. But everyone's skin is different.
Double Cleansing
Washing your face twice... first with an oil-based cleanser (removes makeup and SPF), then with a water-based one (actually cleans your skin). Yes, it sounds extra. Sometimes it is.
Double Cleansing
Washing your face twice... first with an oil-based cleanser (removes makeup and SPF), then with a water-based one (actually cleans your skin). Yes, it sounds extra. Sometimes it is.
Emollient
An ingredient that softens and smooths skin. Think shea butter, oils, or silicones. These make your skin feel nice and plump.
Emollient
An ingredient that softens and smooths skin. Think shea butter, oils, or silicones. These make your skin feel nice and plump.
Exfoliation
Removing dead skin cells from the surface. Can be physical (scrubs) or chemical (acids). Chemical sounds scary but is usually gentler.
Exfoliation
Removing dead skin cells from the surface. Can be physical (scrubs) or chemical (acids). Chemical sounds scary but is usually gentler.
F-J
F-J
Fragrance-Free vs Unscented
Not the same thing. Fragrance-free means no added scent ingredients. Unscented means they added something to mask the natural smell. If you're sensitive, go for fragrance-free.
Fragrance-Free vs Unscented
Not the same thing. Fragrance-free means no added scent ingredients. Unscented means they added something to mask the natural smell. If you're sensitive, go for fragrance-free.
Glycerin
A humectant that pulls moisture into your skin. Super common, super effective, and usually well-tolerated. One of the good guys.
Glycerin
A humectant that pulls moisture into your skin. Super common, super effective, and usually well-tolerated. One of the good guys.
Humectant
Ingredients that attract and hold water. Glycerin, hyaluronic acid, and honey are all humectants. They're moisture magnets.
Humectant
Ingredients that attract and hold water. Glycerin, hyaluronic acid, and honey are all humectants. They're moisture magnets.
Hyaluronic Acid (HA)
A humectant that holds 1000x its weight in water. Sounds intense, but it's naturally in your skin already. Great for plumping and hydration. Note: Use it on damp skin, otherwise it can actually pull moisture out.
Hyaluronic Acid (HA)
A humectant that holds 1000x its weight in water. Sounds intense, but it's naturally in your skin already. Great for plumping and hydration. Note: Use it on damp skin, otherwise it can actually pull moisture out.
Hyperpigmentation
Darkened patches or spots on skin. Can be from acne, sun damage, or inflammation. Not harmful, but sometimes frustrating.
Hyperpigmentation
Darkened patches or spots on skin. Can be from acne, sun damage, or inflammation. Not harmful, but sometimes frustrating.
Inactive Ingredients
Everything in a product that's not an active. These aren't useless... they're the base that holds everything together, helps it spread, or preserves it.
Inactive Ingredients
Everything in a product that's not an active. These aren't useless... they're the base that holds everything together, helps it spread, or preserves it.
K-O
K-O
K-Beauty
Korean beauty products and routines. Known for innovation, multiple steps, and that "glass skin" goal. Often gentler than Western products.
K-Beauty
Korean beauty products and routines. Known for innovation, multiple steps, and that "glass skin" goal. Often gentler than Western products.
Microbiome (Skin Microbiome)
The community of bacteria living on your skin. They're supposed to be there, and they help keep your skin healthy. Harsh products can mess with this balance.
Microbiome (Skin Microbiome)
The community of bacteria living on your skin. They're supposed to be there, and they help keep your skin healthy. Harsh products can mess with this balance.
Mineral Sunscreen
Physical sunscreen that sits on top of your skin and reflects UV rays. Active ingredients are zinc oxide or titanium dioxide. Can leave a white cast but gentler on sensitive skin.
Mineral Sunscreen
Physical sunscreen that sits on top of your skin and reflects UV rays. Active ingredients are zinc oxide or titanium dioxide. Can leave a white cast but gentler on sensitive skin.
Niacinamide
Vitamin B3. Does basically everything... reduces redness, minimizes pores, brightens, helps with acne. Well-tolerated by most people.
Niacinamide
Vitamin B3. Does basically everything... reduces redness, minimizes pores, brightens, helps with acne. Well-tolerated by most people.
Non-toxic
Another vague marketing term. Everything is "toxic" at the wrong dose, and everything is safe at the right dose. What matters is how it's used.
Non-toxic
Another vague marketing term. Everything is "toxic" at the wrong dose, and everything is safe at the right dose. What matters is how it's used.
Occlusives
Ingredients that create a barrier on your skin to lock moisture in. Think petroleum jelly, dimethicone, or beeswax. These go on last.
Occlusives
Ingredients that create a barrier on your skin to lock moisture in. Think petroleum jelly, dimethicone, or beeswax. These go on last.
P-T
P-T
Patch Test
Testing a new product on a small area first (like behind your ear or inner arm) before using it on your face. Boring but smart.
Patch Test
Testing a new product on a small area first (like behind your ear or inner arm) before using it on your face. Boring but smart.
pH
Measure of how acidic or alkaline something is. Your skin's natural pH is around 4.5-5.5 (slightly acidic). Products way outside this range can irritate.
pH
Measure of how acidic or alkaline something is. Your skin's natural pH is around 4.5-5.5 (slightly acidic). Products way outside this range can irritate.
Purging
When your skin initially breaks out from products that increase cell turnover (like retinoids or certain acids). It's bringing existing congestion to the surface faster. Should improve in 4-6 weeks... if not, it's probably just breaking you out.
Purging
When your skin initially breaks out from products that increase cell turnover (like retinoids or certain acids). It's bringing existing congestion to the surface faster. Should improve in 4-6 weeks... if not, it's probably just breaking you out.
Retinoid / Retinol
Vitamin A derivatives that increase cell turnover. Great for acne, aging, and texture. Start slow because they can be irritating. Prescription retinoids are stronger than over-the-counter retinol.
Retinoid / Retinol
Vitamin A derivatives that increase cell turnover. Great for acne, aging, and texture. Start slow because they can be irritating. Prescription retinoids are stronger than over-the-counter retinol.
SPF (Sun Protection Factor)
Measures protection against UVB rays (the ones that burn). SPF 30 blocks about 97% of UVB rays. Going higher adds minimal extra protection but can feel heavier.
SPF (Sun Protection Factor)
Measures protection against UVB rays (the ones that burn). SPF 30 blocks about 97% of UVB rays. Going higher adds minimal extra protection but can feel heavier.
Sulfates
Cleansing agents (like SLS) that create lather. Can be harsh and stripping for some people, but not inherently evil. Depends on your skin.
Sulfates
Cleansing agents (like SLS) that create lather. Can be harsh and stripping for some people, but not inherently evil. Depends on your skin.
Toner
The step after cleansing. Used to be about removing leftover dirt, now it's more about prepping skin and adding hydration or actives. Way more gentle than they used to be.
Toner
The step after cleansing. Used to be about removing leftover dirt, now it's more about prepping skin and adding hydration or actives. Way more gentle than they used to be.
U-Z
U-Z
UVA / UVB
Two types of UV radiation. UVA = aging (think 'A' for aging), penetrates deeper, causes long-term damage. UVB = burning (think 'B' for burning). You need protection from both.
UVA / UVB
Two types of UV radiation. UVA = aging (think 'A' for aging), penetrates deeper, causes long-term damage. UVB = burning (think 'B' for burning). You need protection from both.
Vitamin C
An antioxidant that brightens skin and protects against environmental damage. Notoriously unstable... good formulas matter.
Vitamin C
An antioxidant that brightens skin and protects against environmental damage. Notoriously unstable... good formulas matter.
Water-Based vs Oil-Based
Different product types for different purposes. Water-based absorbs quickly, oil-based creates more of a barrier. Neither is better... just different.
Water-Based vs Oil-Based
Different product types for different purposes. Water-based absorbs quickly, oil-based creates more of a barrier. Neither is better... just different.
Wet Skin Application
Applying products to damp skin (not dripping wet, not fully dry). Helps them spread better and can boost absorption, especially for humectants.
Wet Skin Application
Applying products to damp skin (not dripping wet, not fully dry). Helps them spread better and can boost absorption, especially for humectants.
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