Skin Glossary

The way your skin naturally behaves, usually described as dry, oily, combination or balanced. Your skin type can shift with age, hormones, climate and the seasons.

Dry skin makes less oil and can feel rough or tight all the time. Dehydrated skin lacks water, and any skin type, even oily skin, can become dehydrated. Dry skin needs nourishing oils and creams, while dehydrated skin needs hydration.

Skin that reacts easily with stinging, burning, tightness or redness. Read our Sensitive Skin Facial guide.

The outermost layer of your skin, which keeps moisture in and irritants out. When it is healthy, skin feels comfortable. When it is weakened, skin can feel tight, sting or look red.

The natural oil your skin produces to keep it soft and protected. Too much can feel greasy, and too little can feel dry.

A measure of how acidic or alkaline your skin is. Healthy skin is slightly acidic, which helps protect the skin barrier, so very harsh, alkaline cleansers can leave skin feeling tight.

A scale from type I to type VI that describes how skin responds to sun, from always burning to rarely burning. Skin therapists use it to choose safe treatment settings, especially for lasers and peels.

The subtle warm, cool or neutral tone beneath the surface of your skin. It helps when choosing foundation shades and hair colour.

Tiny openings where hair grows and oil reaches the surface. Pores do not open and close with hot or cold water, but keeping skin clean and balanced can help them look smaller.

Ingredients that are included to make a specific change to the skin, such as exfoliating acids, retinoids or vitamin C. They are best introduced slowly, one at a time.

Removing dead skin cells from the surface. Physical exfoliation uses a scrub, cloth or tool, while chemical exfoliation uses acids or enzymes to loosen dead cells.

Cleansing twice in the evening: first with an oil or balm to lift makeup and sunscreen, then with a gentle cleanser to clean the skin itself.

A short spell of extra breakouts when you start a product that speeds up skin renewal, such as a retinoid. It usually appears in your usual breakout areas and settles within a few weeks. Breakouts in new areas, or that do not settle, may be a reaction instead.

A label meaning a product is formulated to be less likely to block pores.

Products made without added fragrance, often preferred for sensitive or reactive skin.

Sun protection factor, a measure of how well a sunscreen protects against UVB rays, the main cause of sunburn. Dermatologists commonly recommend SPF 30 or higher for daily use.

A sunscreen that protects against both UVB and UVA rays. UVA rays contribute to pigmentation and skin ageing.

A rating used on many Asian sunscreens to show UVA protection, shown with plus signs. More plus signs mean more UVA protection.

Mineral sunscreens use zinc oxide or titanium dioxide. Chemical sunscreens use filters that absorb UV. Both protect well, and the best sunscreen is the one you enjoy wearing every day.

A smooth, luminous, deeply hydrated complexion that looks almost translucent, inspired by Korean skincare.

Applying a thin layer of an occlusive balm, such as petroleum jelly, as the last step at night to lock in moisture. It suits dry skin, but can feel heavy on oily or breakout prone skin.

Rotating your evening routine over several nights, for example an exfoliant night, a retinoid night and recovery nights, to get results with less irritation.

Layering several hydrating products on damp skin, then sealing them in with a moisturiser.

A simpler routine with fewer, well chosen products, letting healthy skin show through.

A facial designed for the back, a common spot for breakouts. Read our Back Facial guide.