If you’ve just entered the beautiful, yet complex realm of skincare, you probably encountered a ton of terminology that you’re unfamiliar with within the first 5 minutes. It can seem like you’ve got to learn a whole other language to understand the very basic needs of your skin. But you don’t. All you need to feel more at home is a starter A-Z skincare glossary that we happen to have right here. Isn’t it nice when things work out?
The skin has a slightly acidic natural pH level of approximately 4.5-5.5. Keeping it as close to this as possible with skincare products of a similar pH level will maintain its overall health. However, when the pH level is greater than 7, it becomes too alkaline and skin concerns such as dryness, irritation, and acne can occur.
There are two main types of UV rays admitted from the sun: UVA and UVB. When sunscreen is referred to as broad spectrum, it simply means it’s FDA-approved to protect the skin against both types.
We love the beautiful sheer matte finish of ZO Skin Health Daily Sheer SPF 50 that covers all bases. The broad-spectrum sunscreen is quick-drying, non-greasy, and bursting with hydration. It’ll also protect you against HEV light from electronic devices that can cause quite a stir too with hyperpigmentation, premature ageing, and free radicals.
We have millions (no exaggeration) of pores on our bodies, which are small holes in the skin’s surface. If we’re not regularly decongesting our pores, they can become clogged with excess sebum – a naturally produced oil to moisturise and protect the skin -, dirt, sweat, and makeup. This leads to breakouts, the appearance of larger pores, and a dull complexion.
To decongest your pores, we recommend our Bespoke to You Deep Cleansing facial. It thoroughly unblocks pores and reduces their appearance for less texture whilst encouraging a natural glow. This is achieved through personally chosen methods that won’t steal essential sebum from the skin such as enzymes, LED light therapy, and light chemical peels.
This involves cleansing the face twice. Start with an oil-based cleanser to break down oil-based impurities such as sebum, sunscreen, and makeup, then follow up with a water-based cleanser to get anything left behind. The idea is one removes the impurities for the other to properly cleanse the skin now they’re out of the way.
One of our most popular oil-based cleansers to kick off a double cleanse is Circadia Vitamin Veil Cleanser. The award-winning formula gently washes away impurities whilst leaving behind a layer of antioxidants for defence against environmental stressors.
Stretchy structural proteins that let the skin bounce back. You’ll want to hold onto as much elastin as you can to prevent the skin from sagging.
Our Bespoke Hydro Facial treatment does the absolute MOST to improve skin elasticity with water micro-dermabrasion, AHA exfoliation, peptide and vitamin infusion, microcurrent application, electro-manipulation, as well as heat and cooling therapy.
Unstable atoms looking to replace their missing electron and damaging cells in the process are known as free radicals. They’re often created when the body is under stress like prolonged UV exposure and pollution. Topping up on antioxidants will neutralise free radicals to prevent damage.
SkinCeuticals Phloretin CF Serum is a powerful antioxidant serum for ridiculously radiant skin that every dermatologist raves about. It combines 15% pure vitamin C with 2% phloretin and 0.5% ferulic acid to combat discolouration, fine lines, wrinkles – anything that makes your skin less than perfect.
Gua shas are popular facial tools from a traditional Chinese practice to promote blood circulation for better nutrient delivery to the skin, lymphatic drainage to get rid of toxins, and sculpt and tone the face.
The Rose Quartz Gua Sha Stone Set features two stones made from the highest quality rose quartz. Hand-carved, they’re designed to suit all face shapes to detoxify the skin, snatch jaws, and contour cheeks for both experts and beginners.
When the skin produces too much melanin – usually from extensive UV exposure – it clumps together and appears as dark patches, otherwise known as hyperpigmentation.
To reduce hyperpigmentation, we recommend our Specialised Chemical Peels, a safe and efficient way to lighten hyperpigmentation by encouraging skin cell turnover. The chemical peels range from light to advanced, depending on the severity of the hyperpigmentation.
Intense Pulsed Light is a photo-rejuvenation treatment available at Young LDN. It’s most commonly used to treat hyperpigmentation and thread/varicose veins whilst stimulating collagen production in the skin with different wavelengths. You can read more about it here.
Another skincare term that raises a few eyebrows is jowls, but all it really refers to is sagging, loose skin below the jawline.
While dermal fillers have traditionally been used to treat jowls, EMFACE offers a non-invasive, needle-free alternative. Using advanced RF and HIFES™ technologies, EMFACE targets the muscles and tissues around the jawline, lifting and tightening the skin for a more defined contour without the need for injectables. This treatment provides long-lasting results and can be a great option for those looking for a natural lift.
When the skin produces too much keratin – a protein that helps form nails, hair, and the outer layer of skin – it builds up in the hair follicles creating small, hard bumps. Keratosis pilaris is typically found on the backs of the arms but can also appear on the face, thighs, and bottom.
Chemical peels can be used to prevent the build-up of keratin in the hair follicles by loosening debris and exfoliating the skin. As keratosis pilaris is an ongoing skin condition, usually clearing up in your 30s, we recommend monthly chemical peels until then.
LED stands for Light-Emitting Diode. It’s used in aesthetic treatments to give off a specific wavelength of light that targets different skin issues. For example, red light stimulates collagen, elastin, and hyaluronic acid, whereas blue light is antibacterial and reduces acne, both of which we offer at Young LDN.
The skin’s microbiome is an ecosystem of microscopic organisms, good and bad, that live on the surface. For optimal health, support the balance of the skin microbiome by feeding the good bacteria and suppressing the growth of bad bacteria.
Helping to keep the skin’s microbiome in check is Dermaceutic Oxybiome Micellar Water to gently remove makeup and impurities from the skin. It also features niacinamide to increase ceramides in the skin’s barrier and overall brightness.
If a skincare ingredient or formula is identified as non-comedogenic, it means it won’t contribute to clogging your pores. This is particularly beneficial in sunscreen if you have acne-prone, oily, or combination skin.
Heliocare 360˚ Gel Oil-Free is a non-comedogenic sunscreen without oil created by expert dermatologists, so you know it’s good. Melting quickly into the skin it provides defence against four types of radiation – UVA, UVB, visible, and IR – and pollution with a unique antioxidant you won’t find anywhere else, Fernblock FC®.
When certain formulas are exposed to oxygen, particularly foundation, a reaction, otherwise known as oxidisation, can occur that causes it to darken in colour.
With Oxygenetix Oxygenating Foundation, what you see is what you get. The aloe vera-based formula allows the skin to breathe without oxidising. It’s extremely lightweight, but you can build up the coverage for an evening look if you wish. There’s no doubt it’ll one-up your current foundation as it helps to create more collagen and elastin in the skin for a plump, perky complexion.
Preventative ageing is the best method for maintaining youthful skin as it works to prevent the signs of ageing before they begin. Not to be confused with anti-ageing, which focuses on stopping the skin from ageing further after it has begun.
Keeping your facial muscles fit whilst producing collagen and elastin is EMFACE, an FDA- and CE-cleared facial treatment emitting synchronised RF and HIFES™. Over 4 sessions, clients generally see 23% more lift, 30% more muscle tone, and 37% fewer wrinkles, but the earlier you start, the better.
Rosacea is an inflammatory skin condition that causes almost constant flushing of the face, primarily in the cheeks. Its cause is unknown, and it can’t be cured, however, there are facial treatments available that can soften the appearance of rosacea.
We offer a Bespoke to You Rosacea facial featuring a bespoke combination of modalities, such as LED light therapy, cryo therapy, and light chemical peels, to calm and reduce redness for short- and long-term results.
The stratum corneum is the outer layer of the skin more commonly known as the skin’s barrier. It’s made up of lipids, proteins, and fats that protect against environmental stressors and moisture loss.
You can prevent moisture from escaping with IMAGE Skincare Vital C Hydrating Repair Crème. Rich in ceramides it forms a protective layer on the skin whilst delivering vitamins, antioxidants, and hyaluronic acid for additional moisture.
Most skincare products are applied topically, which means you apply them to the skin’s surface, but you can combine them with oral skincare supplements. Not all topical skincare products can reach the deeper layers of skin, which is where skincare supplements can help by nourishing the skin from the inside out.
This type of UV ray is the main cause of premature ageing and skin cancer. UVA rays can do more damage to the skin as they can sneak well beyond its surface into the deeper layers and up to 50% of them will penetrate through glass too. So, whether you’re inside or outside, never ever (ever!) skip sunscreen.
Varicose veins are enlarged veins close to the skin’s surface. For most people, varicose veins are nothing more than a cosmetic concern that can be treated by us with IPL. It’s attracted to varicose veins by haemoglobin, which is found in blood, to collapse the wall of the vein. This allows its contents to be reabsorbed by the body, causing the vein to disappear.
This is how efficiently your skin can hold onto water. The better the water retention, the more hydrated your skin is. You can improve your skin’s water retention by strengthening its barrier.
But if it’s compromised, try iS Clinical Sheald Recovery Balm. Whether you exfoliated too hard or healing from an intense facial treatment, this uber-sensitive formula helps to speed up the recovery process by creating a solid barrier of its own until your skin’s barrier can take over again.
Notting Hill’s hottest destination for everything and anything skincare. Young LDN takes a personalised approach to every treatment we have on our extensive menu to ensure we’re doing the very best for you and your skin, all whilst celebrating individuality. To book a consultation to discuss how we can help achieve your goals, please get in touch.
Most mineral/physical sunscreens feature active ingredients zinc oxide and titanium dioxide to protect the skin from UV damage. Together they physically create a barrier on the skin to reflect and redirect UV rays.
iS Clinical Extreme Protect SPF features ~transparent~ zinc oxide and titanium dioxide (we’re buzzing about no white cast), alongside vitamin E and aloe barbadensis leaf juice to protect against UVA and UVB rays, reduce sunburn, hydrate the skin, and stabilise free radicals. It’s available in translucent, beige, or bronze if you want to add some colour.
15 September 2023
