SKIN TERMINOLOGY

Acid Mantle

This is the skin's own natural moisture covering and is slightly acid rather than alkaline. The technical term used to measure the degree of acid or alkalinity is the pH factor. The average, normal skin has a pH between 4.5 and 5.6.

Sebum

A naturally oily substance which is produced and secreted by the sebaceous glands. Its purpose is to lubricate the skin's surface.

Absorption

This is limited, but it does occur. Skin softening creams are absorbed largely through the hair follicle and the sebaceous gland openings.

Penetration

The disappearance of a substance after it has been applied to the outer layer of the skin. Good creams do have a degree of penetration.

Hair Follicle

Contains the hair shaft and the hair root. Sebum flows to the surface of the skin through the hair follicle. Both hair follicles and pores are commonly referred to as pores.

Pore

A tiny opening in the surface of the skin through which perspiration escapes.

Blackhead

In normal conditions, sebum flows through the oil ducts leading to the mouth of the hair follicles. However, when the sebum becomes hardened and the duct becomes blocked, the plug becomes a blackhead - which gets its name because the head of the plug becomes discoloured due to exposure to the air.

Pimple

A common name for various types of skin lesions, which always begin with a clogged plug of sebum that has become inflamed.

Whitehead

A small, hard bump, caused by a collection of sebum under the skin's surface, which has clogged a pore opening.