Skincare & Haircare Ingredients Glossary
Skincare and haircare labels are full of words like niacinamide, PA++++, humectant and protein overload. This glossary explains the ingredients and terms you will see in GlowVibe guides and on products sold in India, in plain English. Search for a word or jump to a letter, and tap “Read” to open the full guide where we cover it in detail.
70 terms
A
- Adapalene Skin
- A retinoid used in acne gels to keep pores from clogging. It can cause dryness at first, so it is usually started a few nights a week with moisturiser and daily sunscreen. Read: Oily Face Skincare Routine: Morning and Night Steps (2026)
- AHA (alpha hydroxy acid) Skin
- Water-soluble exfoliating acids such as glycolic, lactic and mandelic acid. They loosen dead cells on the surface for smoother, brighter-looking skin. Read: Skincare Ingredients You Should Not Mix (and What You Can) (2026)
- Alpha arbutin Skin
- A gentle brightening ingredient that helps fade the look of dark spots and uneven tone over several weeks. Often paired with niacinamide.
- Amla Hair
- Indian gooseberry, used in Ayurvedic hair oils, powders and packs. It is valued for conditioning hair and adding shine. Read: Best Hair Pack for Hair Growth: 7 DIY Recipes That Work (2026)
- Argan oil Hair
- A light oil from Moroccan argan kernels, used in serums and leave-ins to smooth frizz and add shine without much greasiness.
- Ascorbic acid (L-ascorbic acid) Skin
- The pure, most researched form of vitamin C. It works best in low-pH serums but oxidises (turns orange) with air and light, so store it closed and away from sunlight. Read: Retinol and Vitamin C Serum Benefits: How to Use Both (2026)
- Azelaic acid Skin
- A gentle acid that helps with redness, bumps and uneven tone. It is usually well tolerated by sensitive and acne-prone skin.
B
- Bakuchiol Skin
- A plant extract (from babchi seeds) often marketed as a gentler alternative to retinol for smoother-looking skin. It is generally less irritating.
- Benzoyl peroxide Skin
- An acne ingredient that targets acne-causing bacteria. It can dry the skin and bleach towels and pillowcases, so start with a low strength. Read: Oily Face Skincare Routine: Morning and Night Steps (2026)
- BHA (beta hydroxy acid) Skin
- An oil-soluble exfoliating acid that can get inside pores. Salicylic acid is the common BHA, popular for oily and acne-prone skin. Read: Skincare Ingredients You Should Not Mix (and What You Can) (2026)
- Bhringraj Hair
- A herb (false daisy) widely used in Ayurvedic hair oils. It is traditionally used for scalp massage and hair conditioning. Read: Best Hair Oil for Hair Growth in India (2026): Honest Guide
- Biotin Hair
- A B vitamin (B7) common in hair supplements. It tends to help mainly when someone is actually low in it; it can also affect some blood test results.
- Bond builder Hair
- A treatment that helps repair broken bonds inside the hair fibre, often used after colouring, bleaching or heat damage.
- Broad spectrum Skin
- A sunscreen label meaning it protects against both UVB rays (which cause burning) and UVA rays (which cause tanning and ageing). Read: Do You Need Sunscreen in Winter? An India Guide (2026)
C
- Castor oil Hair
- A thick, sticky oil used on hair, brows and lashes for conditioning. It is usually mixed with a lighter oil because it is hard to wash out. Read: Best Hair Oil for Hair Growth in India (2026): Honest Guide
- Centella asiatica (cica) Skin
- A soothing plant extract, also called gotu kola or cica, found in calming creams and serums for irritated or sensitive skin. Read: Sensitive Skin Products: A Complete Guide for Indian Skin (2026)
- Ceramides Skin
- Fats that naturally hold skin cells together like mortar between bricks. Moisturisers with ceramides help support a dry or damaged skin barrier. Read: Damaged Skin Barrier: Signs and How to Repair It (2026)
- Chemical sunscreen Skin
- Sunscreen with organic UV filters that absorb UV rays. These usually feel lighter and leave less white cast than mineral sunscreens. Read: Do You Need Sunscreen in Winter? An India Guide (2026)
- Co-washing Hair
- Washing hair with a cleansing conditioner instead of shampoo. Popular with curly and dry hair that loses moisture easily. Read: Best Curly Hair Products in India (2026): Shampoo to Gel
- Coconut oil Hair
- A common Indian hair oil that can soak into the hair shaft, which may reduce protein loss during washing. It can feel heavy on fine hair.
D
- Double cleansing Skin
- Cleansing twice at night: an oil or balm first to dissolve sunscreen and makeup, then a gentle face wash to clean the skin. Read: Best Korean Oil Cleanser for Sensitive Skin (2026): 5 Gentle Picks
E
- Emollient Skin
- An ingredient that softens and smooths skin or hair by filling gaps between cells, such as squalane, shea butter or plant oils.
- Exfoliation Skin
- Removing dead skin cells from the surface, either with acids and enzymes (chemical) or scrubs and tools (physical). Two to three times a week is plenty for most people.
F
- Fragrance-free Skin
- A product with no added perfume or essential oils for scent. Often the safer pick for sensitive or reactive skin. "Unscented" can still contain masking fragrance.
G
- Glycerin Skin
- One of the most common and effective humectants. It draws water into the skin and is found in most moisturisers and cleansers.
- Glycolic acid Skin
- The smallest AHA, so it works quickly but can sting. Used in toners and peels for dullness and rough texture; always follow with sunscreen. Read: Skincare Ingredients You Should Not Mix (and What You Can) (2026)
H
- Hair porosity Hair
- How easily your hair absorbs and holds moisture. Low-porosity hair resists water; high-porosity hair absorbs it fast but loses it quickly. Read: Best Curly Hair Products in India (2026): Shampoo to Gel
- Heat protectant Hair
- A spray, cream or serum applied before blow-drying, straightening or curling to reduce heat damage to the hair.
- Henna (mehendi) Hair
- A plant dye that stains hair reddish-brown and coats strands for a glossy feel. Pure henna is different from "black henna", which can contain harsh dyes. Read: 7 Natural Hair Dyes You Can Use at Home: Honest Guide (2026)
- Hibiscus Hair
- Flowers and leaves used in traditional Indian hair packs and oils to condition hair and add softness.
- Humectant Skin
- An ingredient that attracts water, such as glycerin or hyaluronic acid. Humectants hydrate best when sealed in with a moisturiser. Read: Skin Flooding: The Layered Hydration Routine for Dry Skin (2026)
- Hyaluronic acid Skin
- A humectant that holds water in the skin for a plump, hydrated look. Despite the name, it is not an exfoliating acid. Apply on damp skin. Read: Skin Flooding: The Layered Hydration Routine for Dry Skin (2026)
- Hyperpigmentation Skin
- Patches of skin that are darker than the surrounding skin, such as acne marks, sun spots or tanning. Very common on Indian skin tones.
K
- Keratin Hair
- The protein that hair is made of. "Keratin treatments" are salon smoothing services, and some contain formaldehyde-releasing chemicals.
- Kojic acid Skin
- A brightening ingredient made from fungi (used in sake making) that helps fade the look of dark spots. It can irritate some skin.
L
- Lactic acid Skin
- A gentle AHA (first found in milk) that exfoliates and also hydrates. A good starter acid for dry or sensitive skin.
- Leave-in conditioner Hair
- A light conditioner you do not rinse out. It helps with detangling, frizz and moisture, especially for curly or dry hair. Read: Best Curly Hair Products in India (2026): Shampoo to Gel
M
- Mandelic acid Skin
- A larger, slower AHA from bitter almonds. It is gentler than glycolic acid and often suggested for darker or sensitive skin.
- Mineral sunscreen Skin
- Sunscreen that uses zinc oxide and/or titanium dioxide. Usually gentle on sensitive skin, but it can leave a white cast on deeper skin tones. Read: Do You Need Sunscreen in Winter? An India Guide (2026)
- Minoxidil Hair
- A topical drug used for pattern hair loss. It needs ongoing use to keep results, so check with a dermatologist before starting.
N
- Niacinamide Skin
- A form of vitamin B3 that helps with oiliness, the look of large pores, uneven tone and barrier support. Gentle and easy to pair with most ingredients. Read: Skincare Ingredients You Should Not Mix (and What You Can) (2026)
- Non-comedogenic Skin
- A label meaning a product is formulated not to clog pores. Useful for acne-prone skin, though it is not a regulated or guaranteed claim. Read: Oily Face Skincare Routine: Morning and Night Steps (2026)
O
- Occlusive Skin
- An ingredient that forms a protective layer to stop water escaping from the skin, such as petrolatum, shea butter or dimethicone. Read: Slugging Skincare: Does It Work for Indian Skin? (2026)
- Onion oil Hair
- Hair oil infused with onion extract, popular in India for hair fall routines. It has a strong smell; patch test before using it on the scalp. Read: Best Hair Oil for Hair Growth in India (2026): Honest Guide
P
- PA++++ Skin
- An Asian sunscreen rating for UVA protection. More plus signs mean more protection, with PA++++ the highest. Read: Do You Need Sunscreen in Winter? An India Guide (2026)
- Panthenol Skin
- Pro-vitamin B5, a soothing and hydrating ingredient used in skin and hair products to calm and soften.
- Patch test Skin
- Trying a small amount of a new product behind the ear or on the inner arm for a few days to check for a reaction before using it widely.
- Peptides Skin
- Short chains of amino acids used in serums and creams to support firmer, smoother-looking skin. Generally gentle and easy to layer.
- PHA (polyhydroxy acid) Skin
- The gentlest family of exfoliating acids, such as gluconolactone. Larger molecules work slowly, so they suit sensitive skin. Read: Sensitive Skin Products: A Complete Guide for Indian Skin (2026)
- Protein overload Hair
- When hair gets too many protein treatments and feels stiff, straw-like and snaps easily. Balancing with moisturising products usually helps. Read: Best Curly Hair Products in India (2026): Shampoo to Gel
- Purging Skin
- A temporary rise in breakouts when starting an ingredient that speeds up skin turnover, like retinoids or acids. It usually settles within 4 to 6 weeks. Read: Retinol and Vitamin C Serum Benefits: How to Use Both (2026)
R
- Reetha (soapnut) Hair
- Soapnut berries that lather naturally. Used with shikakai and amla as a traditional, gentle hair wash.
- Retinal (retinaldehyde) Skin
- A retinoid one step closer to the active form than retinol, so it tends to work faster. It can still cause dryness, so introduce it slowly. Read: Retinol and Vitamin C Serum Benefits: How to Use Both (2026)
- Retinol Skin
- A vitamin A derivative that speeds up skin renewal for smoother texture, fewer clogged pores and fewer visible fine lines. Use at night and wear sunscreen by day. Read: Retinol and Vitamin C Serum Benefits: How to Use Both (2026)
- Rosemary oil Hair
- An essential oil popular in scalp routines. Always dilute it in a carrier oil like coconut or jojoba before applying. Read: Best Hair Oil for Hair Growth in India (2026): Honest Guide
S
- Salicylic acid Skin
- The most common BHA. It dissolves oil inside pores, which helps with blackheads, whiteheads and oily skin. Usually used at 0.5 to 2%. Read: Oily Face Skincare Routine: Morning and Night Steps (2026)
- Sebum Skin
- The natural oil your skin and scalp make. Some is essential for a healthy barrier; too much can feel greasy and clog pores.
- Shikakai Hair
- A pod used in traditional Indian hair washes. It cleans gently with a mild lather and is often combined with reetha and amla.
- Silicones Hair
- Ingredients like dimethicone that coat hair (and skin) for slip, shine and frizz control. Heavier ones can build up and need a clarifying wash. Read: Hair Shine Serum for Men (2026): Best Picks and How to Use
- Skin barrier Skin
- The outermost layer of skin that keeps water in and irritants out. A damaged barrier feels tight, stings and reacts more easily. Read: Damaged Skin Barrier: Signs and How to Repair It (2026)
- Skin cycling Skin
- A night routine that rotates exfoliation, retinoid and recovery nights so you get the benefit of actives with less irritation. Read: Skin Cycling for Beginners: A 4-Night Routine for Indian Skin (2026)
- Slugging Skin
- Applying a thin layer of an occlusive like petroleum jelly as the last night-time step to lock in moisture. Best for dry skin. Read: Slugging Skincare: Does It Work for Indian Skin? (2026)
- Snail mucin Skin
- Snail secretion filtrate, a popular K-beauty ingredient used in essences for hydration and a dewy, soothed look. Read: Best Glass Skin Serum for Indian Skin: 6 Korean Picks (2026)
- SPF (sun protection factor) Skin
- A measure of protection against UVB rays, which cause sunburn. SPF 30 blocks about 97% of UVB and SPF 50 about 98%, if you apply enough and reapply. Read: Do You Need Sunscreen in Winter? An India Guide (2026)
- Squalane Skin
- A light, stable oil similar to the oils your skin makes. It moisturises without feeling heavy and suits most skin types.
- Sulfate-free Hair
- Shampoo made without strong sulfate cleansers like SLS. Gentler on dry, curly or colour-treated hair, though it may lather less. Read: Best Curly Hair Products in India (2026): Shampoo to Gel
T
- Tranexamic acid Skin
- A brightening ingredient in serums that helps fade the look of stubborn dark patches and uneven tone. It is usually gentle on skin.
V
- Vitamin C Skin
- An antioxidant that brightens dull skin, helps fade the look of dark spots and supports sunscreen against daily damage. Best used in the morning. Read: Retinol and Vitamin C Serum Benefits: How to Use Both (2026)
- Vitamin E (tocopherol) Skin
- An antioxidant and moisturising ingredient. It is often paired with vitamin C to make it more stable.
Z
- Zinc oxide Skin
- A mineral UV filter that protects against both UVA and UVB. It is gentle, but it can leave a white cast. Read: Do You Need Sunscreen in Winter? An India Guide (2026)
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These definitions are general information about cosmetic ingredients, not medical advice. For skin or scalp conditions, see a dermatologist.