LUMENÈSSE GLOSSARY OF INGREDIENTS
A
Active Ingredients
Ingredients that influence the function of cells and structure, and stimulate or inhibit function within the human body. Active ingredients work to improve healthy function of hair and skin.
Aloe Barbedensis Leaf Extract
A softening agent, containing healthy glucosamines, glyco proteins, organic acids, promotes enzyme activity as it conditions hair.
Amino Acids
The body's building blocks from which proteins are made. Amino acids consist of essential nitrogen, carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen. Amino acids are able to deeply penetrate skin and scalp and are helpful in improving water retention and moisturization.
Antioxidants
Help to impede oxidation, guarding the body from damaging effects of free radicals that make skin and hair collagen break down resulting in aged skin and dry, faded hair. Vitamins A, C, and E along with natural plant botanicals including Pomegranate, Green Tea and Grape Seed Oil are powerful antioxidants that invigorate youthful, healthy skin and hair.
Avocado Extract (Persea Gratissima)
Nourishes and conditions hair to prevent dryness and imparts added shine and resiliency.
B
Benhetrimonium Methosulfate
A patented hair cleansing conditioner that enables shampoo formulas to cleanse hair without removing essential oils and moisture. An extremely mild hair detangler that will not build up on the hair, it contains conditioners, pH balancers, vitamins and botanicals. It is not a 'sulfate.'
Benzophenone-4
An sunscreen that absorbs Ultra Violet (UV) light and protects skin and hair from oxidation.
Biotin
Biotin, also known as Vitamin B7, is a water-soluble, B-complex vitamin essential for normal skin and hair growth. It helps strengthen hair.
C
Ceramides
Natural oils that protect hair from water-loss and also provide a barrier to prevent harmful substances from penetrating the hair cuticle.
Certified Organic
This description refers to botanicals and agricultural products that are grown free of pesticides, herbicides, and insecticides. This certification is made by the USDA (United States Department of Agriculture). Certified organic botanicals are healthier because they do not contain known toxins.
Cletyl Alcohol / Cetearyl Alcohol
A solid fatty alcohol, used as an emollient and emulsion stabilizer, gives hair and skin a smooth, silky feel. These are not drying alcohols (ethanol).
Cetrimonium Methosulfate
Although this ingredient ends in 'sulfate,' it is used as a conditioning agent in hair products and is not a color-stripping ingredient as are most sulfates.
Cetrimonium Chloride
Helps prevent static electricity and inhibits the growth of microorganisms by helping water to mix with oil and dirt so that they can be rinsed away.
Citric Acid
Derived from natural citrus fruit, this acid is used in hair formulas to adjust the acid-alkali balance, or pH.
Collagen
A fibrous substance used to build a moisture shield. It also provides elasticity and a youthful appearance.
Cotton Plant Extract (Gossypium Herbaceum)
An extract of a botanical shrub, first cultivated in China, is used for conditioning hair.
D
Dimethicone
A silicone polymer that forms a protective barrier to add 'slip', to ease combing, and to close the hair cuticle for added shine.
E
Emollient
Any ingredient that makes hair feel softer and silkier with less dryness and rough texture. Dating back to ancient Greece, the first emollients used were beeswax, almond oil, and rose water. Glycerin, olive oil, and sunflower seed oil make excellent emollients.
F
Fatty Acids
Necessary for healthy hair growth: caprylic acid, lauric acid, myristic acid, oleic acid, palmitic acid and stearic acid are all fatty acids.
Free Radicals
Electrons no longer attached to atoms can cause damage to hair structure and cells. They are created by oxidation. Poor diet, stress, sun exposure and smoking all lead to the formation of free radicals. Antioxidants prevent free radical damage formation by balancing the electrons in oxygen molecules.
FD&C Colorant
Powder pigments, considered 'food-grade' or safe enough to ingest, are used to color cosmetics or hair care products
G
Glycerin
An oily fluid, considered an 'emollient,' absorbs moisture in the air and helps skin and hair retain moisture, silky texture, and softness. Helps products to spread evenly.
Grape Seed Extract/Oil
Extracted from the vegetable oil that is pressed from the seeds of the Vitis vinifera grape. It has high antioxidant properties.
Green Tea Extract (Camellia Oleifera, Camellia Sinensis Leaf)
A tropical, Asiatic, evergreen shrub whose extract offers excellent antioxidant, anti-aging benefits by preventing free radical formation.
N
Natural
Ingredients that are naturally derived from plants, minerals and vegetables and are free of parabens, sodium lauryl sulfate, synthetic dies, and petrochemicals.
O
Olive Oil Extract (Olea Europaea)
Olive Oil is composed of oleic acid and palmitic acid and other fatty acids along with squalene and other sterols. These fatty acids are beneficial in replenishing lost oils in hair and restoring hair's natural shine and elasticity.
P
Palmitoyl Pentapeptide-4 (Matrixyl®)
This pentapeptide (5 amino acid peptides in a chain) is a breakthrough anti-aging ingredient that works in skin and hair to deeply repair structural damage. Pentapeptides, smaller than protein molecules, penetrate deeply to stimulate collagen and elastin as well as fibronectin and glycosaminoglycans. These work to restore youthful resilience and remarkable repair at the scalp and follicle level of the hair.
Parabens
The most commonly used synthetic preservatives for preventing bacteria, yeast and mold in beauty care products. In 2004, British researchers found traces of parabens in women with breast cancer. Parabens are believed to act like the female hormone estrogen, which has been linked with breast cancer formation. Natural paraben-free preservatives are offered in new, healthier formulas and offer the same benefits.
Peptides
Short polymers formed from the ordered linking of amino acids. The link between one amino acid and the next is known as a peptide bond.
pH Factor
The literal meaning is 'potential of hydrogen.' This is a chemical term used as a measure of the acidity or alkalinity of a solution. 7 is a neutral value; 1 is the most acidic; 14 is the most alkaline.
Phenoxyethanol
This is a new, paraben-free, non-carcinogenic preservative that protects formulas from bacteria, mold, and yeast in order to increase a formula's lasting power.
Polymer
A family of substances, that when added to a product, provides elasticity, hardness, and strength.
Polyquaternium
An ingredient that prevents static in hair and helps in conditioning.
Pomegranate Extract (Punica Granatum)
An extract of a botanical shrub, first cultivated in China, is used for conditioning hair.
Proteins
Formed from amino acids, proteins are the body's building blocks. Protein is found in all living cells. Vegetable proteins help strengthen the hair and help the hair to retain its essential moisture balance.
Propylene Glycol
An organic compound that is used for conditioning hair.
PVP
An ingredient that helps hold hair for styling without dulling hair's natural shine.
Q
Quaternium
An ingredient that prevents static and helps condition the hair.
R
Resin
Organic resins are brittle substance formed from the hardened secretions of plants. In color products, it improves adhesion, gloss, hardness, and initial flow. Naturally occurring resins are the extracts of balsams, roots, and gums that have a thin, sticky consistency.
Rose Hips Extract (Rosa Canina)
Organic resins are brittle substance formed from the hardened secretions of plants. In color products, it improves adhesion, gloss, hardness, and initial flow. Naturally occurring resins are the extracts of balsams, roots, and gums that have a thin, sticky consistency.
S
Silicone
A substance derived from silica (e.g., sand) that has water repellant properties that can adhere to the skin. Silicone imparts emolliency bringing a silk-like feel to skin and hair. It can be found in aftershave preparations, hair serums, hair straighteners, and protective creams. Silicone adds 'slip' to cosmetic preparations, extends a product's shelf life, and improves a product's protection against water evaporation.
Sodium Lauroyl Sarcosinate
This surfactant (cleanser) is a derivative of coconut oil and the amino acid, sarcosine. It is hair friendly and has the unusual ability of producing a very rich lather in the presence of oil - the more the oil, the richer the lather! It is not a sulfate and will not strip hair color.
Sodium Lauryl Sulfate
A detergent, or foaming ingredient that helps shampoos lather. It is also harsh on hair and results in dry texture and colour fading. Some salt ingredients are also harsh and stripping.
Sorbitol
A moisturizing alcohol found in berries, grapes, plums, and pears; helps condition and restore hair's natural moisture balance.
Sunflower Seed Oil (Helianthus Annuus)
Non-volatile oil, expressed from sunflower (Helianthus Annuus) seeds, contains predominantly linoleic acid and is an excellent moisturizer and hair conditioner.
Superoxide Dismutase
An enzyme that reduces the damage done to cells and hair structure by superoxide, the most common free radical in the body. It protects hair from harmful UV radiation and is an excellent anti-aging ingredient.
T
Tetrasodium EDTA
An antioxidant and chelating agent that neutralizes trace minerals on hair and reduces build up that can lead to dull, lifeless hair that won't hold a style.
Tocopheryl Acetate
A form of Vitamin E, this is an antioxidant and helps provide protection against the sun's UV rays.
V
Pro Vitamin B5 (Panthenol)
Conditions, strengthens, and helps thicken the hair, leaving it soft and smooth.
Vitamin C
The most popular antioxidant, vitamin C is a required component in the production of collagen, the tissue responsible for skin's suppleness. It has been shown to help slow the production of hyper pigmentation, or age spots.
Vitamin E (Tocopheryl Acetate)
A deeply moisturizing vitamin and an antioxidant, it prevents free radical damage and increases the lasting power of formulas.
W
Wheat Germ Oil
Derived from natural wheat, this oil contains Vitamin E and is a beneficial moisturizer and protective antioxidant.
Wheat Amino Acids
Natural, non-animal derived amino acids, the building blocks of protein, give strength and resilience to hair.
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