A-Z of Natural & Organic Skincare Terminology

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Acne is a skin condition characterised by whiteheads, blackheads or pimples. Acne-prone skin requires extra care such as our topical Propolis and Tea Tree ointment. Tea Tree is a well-known acne remedy because of its anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties. Our gentle Face Cleanser features green tea which is excellent at reducing sebum production as well as calming inflammation.

AHAs (Alpha Hydroxy Acids) are a group of acids extracted from various sources such as sugar cane, fruits, sour milk, apples, grapes etc. Some of the most common AHAs are glycolic acid, lactic acid, malic acid and citric acid. When applied to the skin, AHAs work by loosening the bonds between dead skin cells, making it easier for the skin to regenerate itself and leaving behind a brighter, smoother complexion. Chemically produced AHAs may involve the use of synthetic ingredients or harsh chemicals in the manufacturing process. There are some natural alternatives such as Hibiscus extract.

When your skin is exposed to environmental stressors like pollution and UV, free radicals are produced. These are unstable molecules which attempt to stabilise themselves by stealing electrons from the collagen and cells in your skin. This can result in fine lines, wrinkles, pigmentation, and other signs of ageing in the skin. Antioxidants cleverly offer their own electrons to help neutralise these free radicals and reduce their numbers. Antioxidants can slow down or prevent damage to some types of cells. This is beneficial in promoting healthy skin and body.

Inflammation can be part of the body’s natural defence and healing systems but if you have too much of it, it can show up as sensitivity, irritation, redness, puffiness or a warming sensation on the skin. Anti-inflammatories aid in calming an over-active immune system whilst calming any redness, soreness and swelling that may be a result of the inflammation. Our Floral Tonic is especially high in anti-inflammatories and the Turmeric and Calendula balm is excellent for calming red, itchy or irritated skin.

Astringents cause a tightening effect on the skin and can also reduce bacteria and excess oils. Many cosmetics contain alcohol to give this effect however this can be harsh and drying. All our oil and balm products are proudly alcohol and water free meaning a gentle and natural astringent effect can be obtained by specific botanical extracts.

Only nature can provide bio-active ingredients which work on a cellular level to synergise with your skin. We harness these properties in the most natural way by using only 100% certified organic ingredients.

Every Inlight product features our Bio Lipophilic Matrix® - a blend of organic, cold-pressed plant oils carefully nurtured for their high biochemical affinity to the skin. These super concentrated oils are energized using a patented technique where science meets alchemy to heighten the oils’ vital force.

To unlock the complex nutrients from nature’s gifts, we use an oil extraction method which transforms organic flowers, herbs, seeds, nuts, fruits and roots into cold pressed oils. After being bathed in sun and moon cycles for at least 28 days, we use various methods to extract and distil their unique qualities into Inlight Beauty products.

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On average our skin renews itself every 28-40 days and this can lengthen as we age. Increasing our cell renewal helps our bodies to shed dull or rough cells and reveal brighter, more radiant skin underneath. Vitamin A is nature's retinol and provides effective cell renewal in many of our products. See “Retinol” for more information.

Our skin has different protecting fats on its surface. Ceramides (from Latin ‘cera’, meaning wax) are lipids that help form the skin’s barrier and help skin retain moisture. Without the right ratio of ceramides, the skin’s barrier can become dry, itchy, and irritated.

You can find ceramides in most vegetable oils and wax, particularly jojoba oil, sunflower oil, and beeswax.

'Clean beauty' can have many meanings. For us it reflects products that avoid ingredients proven to be, or suspected to be, harmful to our bodies or our planet. Inlight Beauty products are free from water, SLS, Parabens, Phthalate, Alcohol, Synthetics and Palm oil. Only the purist organic botanicals and oils are selected to be transformed into our award-winning skincare products.

A formal research study that evaluates the effectiveness of a product. Our unique process for alchemically transforming precious ingredients to create products that are more than the sum of their parts has been tested in a hyperspectral study – you can read more here. In addition to this, the Line Softener Intensive has been proven to give a “statistically significant increase in skin elasticity” and” statistically significant decrease in the surface, the length, the depth and the number of wrinkles." Summary of Clinical Trials Evic Laboratories - Rome, Italy

Collagen is a structural protein, naturally occurring in our bodies, which is known for giving the skin its plumpness and elasticity. Many things can cause a loss of collagen in our bodies, including too much sun exposure, hormonal changes, lifestyle choices like diet and smoking, and ageing in general. By choosing skincare that helps support the natural production of collagen, we can revitalise our skin to maintain fullness and slow down signs of ageing.

COSMOS stands for "COSmetic Mark Organic Standard", which sets certification requirements for organic and natural cosmetics products in the Europe. The standard is recognised globally by the cosmetic industry. Inlight was the first beauty brand to receive 100% Cosmos Organic certification for all its ranges. The criteria is very strict and looks at all aspects of business practices: from sourcing ethical and sustainable ingredients, to the type of soap used in the lab!

Congestion can show up as small bumps on the skin, dullness, or small whiteheads. It is caused by a build-up of dead skin cells and impurities on the skin’s surface. Decongesting ingredients such as lavender extract help to clear built up grime which can lead to clearer, brighter skin.

To detox is a body function to release toxins. As your skin is the largest organ in the body, it’s important for your skin to release toxins that we produce inside the body or pick up from the environment to improve skin health and for better absorption of your other skincare products. The Super-food mask is an excellent weekly detox to help you reset and rebalance your skin.

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Eczema is a skin condition that can result in irritated, rough, and inflamed patches which sometimes blister. For many it is a long-term condition that needs special care. There are various causes for this condition, from diet to genetics and also skincare. We have many products to sooth and ease the symptoms eczema prone skin. The Turmeric and Calendula balm's anti-inflammatory ingredients are chosen to relieve red and itchy skin.

Emollients seal in moisture to envelope the skin in softness and prevent irritation. argan oil and jojoba oil are immensely moisturising oils which are readily absorbed and recognised by the skin to help maintain a healthy skin barrier.

There are many types of fatty acid which our bodies cannot produce, therefore it is essential to find these nutrients in our diets and skincare. They act as an emollient to help seal in moisture, which can help sooth your skin and support overall skin health. jojoba oil and rosehip oil are famous for their high essential fatty acid content, you can find them both in our bestselling Face Oil. EFAs are in all our oil-based products.

Follicles are small holes in the skin that house glands. They are responsible for sebum production, hairs, and many other functions. By looking after our skin, we look after our follicles, resulting in healthy, happy, skin and hair!

When your skin is exposed to environmental stressors like pollution and UV, free radicals are produced. Free radicals are unstable molecules which try to stabilise themselves by stealing electrons from the collagen and cells in your skin. This can result in fine lines, wrinkles, pigmentation and other signs of ageing in the skin. See “Antioxidant” for ways to reduce free radical damage.

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Herbalism (AKA phytotherapy) is one of the oldest known systems of medicine and is a basis of traditional medicine. It is the ancient practice of using herbs and natural materials for their medicinal properties. The holistic approach looks at natural prevention as well as treatment. Homeopathy is a type of alternative medicine dating 200 years, based on the idea that "like cures like". It is said to stimulate the body's healing response by administering natural substances that mimic the symptoms of a disease/issue. Inlight's roots were founded in herbalist knowledge amongst other influences.

To extract the beneficial properties of our organic ingredients, we steep plants, herbs, roots and flowers in organic cold pressed oils for an entire lunar cycle under the rays of the sun and moon in a warm room, allowing a very slow extraction. This creates herbal oils which are the bases to all of our oils and balms.

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When the skin detects a threat - whether UV radiation, a broken barrier, or stress - the immune system releases inflammatory chemical messengers called cytokines. While short-term inflammation helps repair tissue, persistent or chronic inflammation damages healthy collagen, disrupts the microbiome, and manifests as visible cutaneous conditions including psoriasis and eczema. At Inlight Beauty, we use plants know for their anti-inflammatory effect across our entire range, especially in our Wellbeing Balms.

A liquid wax ester derived from the seeds of Simmondsia chinensis. Because its molecular composition closely resembles human sebum, it absorbs effortlessly, balances oil production, and repairs the lipid barrier without clogging pores.

Found in Face Oil

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Lauric acid is a natural component in the skins sebum. It is found in coconut oil and has been shown to be particularly effective against P. acnes, the bacterium associated with acne. Lauric acid is also found in breast milk, making it easily recognised and welcomed by the human body.

The lymph system is a network of organs, vessels, and tissues which balances fluids throughout the body and supports the immune system. Specific massages and ingredients can encourage lymphatic drainage which helps remove toxins from the body, reduces swelling, ease tension and release puffiness. It can increase blood circulation leading to luminous, glowing skin.

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Miron is a unique bio-photonic glass which filters out UV rays. These rays can break down these sensitive natural ingredients and reduce their efficacy. Precious ingredients need exceptional care, Miron is also recycled and recyclable.

Niacinamide, also known as vitamin B3, is a versatile and widely used ingredient in skincare products due to its numerous benefits for the skin. Some of these benefits include improving skin texture, reducing inflammation, minimising pore appearance and brightening the complexion. Experts have warned that using lab made Niacinamide in high concentrations can lead to skin irritation and redness, particularly in sensitive areas like the delicate skin around the eyes. Opt for a natural alternative such as green tea (found in our Face Cleanser) Bursting with antioxidants, green tea extract shields the skin from environmental villains like pollution and UV rays.

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Occlusive ingredients help reduce water-loss from the skin surface. They tend to be heavy materials like organic beeswax (found in all our balms) but can also be synthetics like petroleum jelly.

We are all part of a complex organic structure, so it makes sense that natural, sustainable beauty should come from natural, sustainable ingredients. Inlight was first and so far the only UK beauty brand to receive the 100% Cosmos Organic Certification throughout the entire range. By choosing organic products, you are supporting the environment as well as honouring the natural processes in our bodies.

Parabens are used as preservatives in skincare and cosmetics. There have been some concerns linking parabens to their ability to mimic oestrogen, which could affect the body’s hormone system. All Inlight Beauty products are paraben free.

“Phyto” derives from the Greek word for “plant”. Phytonutrients are natural chemical compounds from fruits and vegetables. Our bodies need these essential building blocks to function healthily.

Ageing is a natural process - an honour and a privilege. To age slowly and gracefully, we must support and care for our skin. Why fight the signs of ageing when we can instead choose to nurture, fortify and make peace with our ever-changing skin? It is never too late to look after yourself and love your skin. You’ll find something for all ages in our curated collection including the Line Softener Intensive which is proven to reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.

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Retinol has become a sought-after ingredient in synthetic anti-ageing skincare products for its ability to promote skin cell turnover, build collagen, fight free radicals and erase fine lines and wrinkles. Mis-use of retinol can leave the skin sensitive to sunlight, over dry and imbalanced, causing redness, peeling and irritation.

Retinol is a derivative of Vitamin A which we include naturally through ingredients such as rosehip and carrot seed oil, carrot infused oil, sea buckthorn oil, jojoba oil. By including this natural form of retinol in your skincare regime, you can often avoid the negative effects of synthetic retinol by supporting your skin with added hydrating, plumping and firming ingredients. Our most vitamin A rich products are Face Oil, Face Serum, Night Balm, Body Oil with Arnica, Line Softener Intensive, Deep Moisture Balm, Eye Serum and Face Masks.

Rosacea is an inflammatory facial skin condition that often shows up as redness, irritation, small visible blood vessels and sometimes white heads. An effective and deep acting cleanser, combined with a calming and soothing moisturiser can together prevent and help by effectively removing toxins and impurities, keeping pores open and supporting optimum skin health. The high antioxidant levels in green tea make it effective in calming inflamed skin, you can find it in our Face Cleanser. Soothing chamomile and anti-inflammatory damask rose water make the Floral Tonic an excellent choice for rosacea prone skin.

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Our skin’s natural moisturiser. Sebum glands in the skin create a subtle layer which aids hydration by blocking water evaporation and protect our skin. Sometimes due to environmental factors, hormonal changes or improper skincare, our skin can produce too much or too little sebum. Inlight Beauty products are all about bringing your skin into balance. We choose organic olive oil and jojoba oil because they most closely mimic the skin’s natural sebum and so are easily recognised and accepted. Whether you have oily, dry or combination skin, our oils and balms are formulated to re-calibrate your skin’s sebum production and bring harmony to your complexion.

Nature doesn’t rush to reach perfection, so why should we? For us, slow beauty means following the natural rhythms of nature and ourselves. We don’t chase skincare trends or over-hyped ingredients. From the formulations to the craftsmanship involved in our slow artisanal production, Inlight Beauty has been advocating slow, organic beauty since its founding in 2006. Each product base or herbal infusion takes a full lunar cycle to thoroughly infuse before it’s hand pressed and filtered.

Sodium lauryl sulphate (SLS) is a surfactant known for creating a foaming effect in many toiletries. The 'clean beauty' movement should avoid sulphates because they can cause imbalance in the skin’s sebum production and sometimes cause irritation and sensitivities, especially for people with eczema, psoriasis, rosacea or sensitive skin. Inlight Beauty’s Face Cleanser offers a gentle approach to removing the day’s grime and grease without stripping our skin of its precious oils. It’s free from Ammonium Lauryl Sulphate, Sodium Laureth Sulphate (SLES), and Sodium Lauryl Sulphate (SLS).

What is superfood skincare? Ingredients that are nutrient rich and beneficial to your health are regarded as superfoods. We pack our products with as many organic nutrients and vitamins as possible, the Super-food Mask is a prime example of highly nourishing, nutrient dense, superfood skincare focused on improving the health of your skin.

Squalene is a natural lipid (fat) and powerful antioxidant that is deeply hydrating, anti-inflammatory, and essential for healthy skin. Squalene is naturally produced by human skin cells - making up about 13% of our natural surface oils (sebum). It works by forming a breathable protective barrier over the skin, locking in hydration while shielding against daily environmental stressors like pollution and UV exposure.

While squalene can be derived from shark liver (animal origin), high-grade natural skincare uses plant-derived squalene. Extra virgin, cold-pressed olive oil is one of the richest botanical sources on Earth. Because cold-pressed oils are raw and unrefined, the squalene remains completely intact alongside natural Vitamin E and polyphenols - helping to soothe irritation, repair damaged skin barriers, and boost elasticity.

You can find it in Body Oil with Arnica and Deep Moisture Balm.

Squalene vs Squalane: What Is the Difference?

Squalene is the pure, natural compound found inside whole, cold-pressed plant oils and human sebum.

Squalane is a chemically processed, hydrogenated version of squalene created to give a lighter, non-greasy texture and a longer shelf life in refined products.

U-Z

Your skin cells undergo a process called oxidative stress when exposed to everyday elements like sunlight, pollution, and stress. This process generates unstable molecules called free radicals that damage skin cells, breakdown collagen, and lead to premature ageing, dryness, and inflammation.

Vitamin E is a lipid-soluble (fat-soluble) antioxidant that neutralises these free radicals before they can cause damage. You can find Vitamin E in sunflower oil, argan Oil, avocado oil and hazelnut oil and evening primrose oil - know as the fountain of youth.

Organic skincare product which feature these ingredients are Deep Moisture Balm, Neck Firming Serum, Face Oil and Line Softener Intensive

Also known as anhydrous skincare, waterless skincare is made with oils, butters and waxes without any water-soluble fillers. It is more potent and concentrated than creams and lotions, has a longer shelf life and is better for the planet.

Traditional creams and lotions are formulated with 60-80% water. While water provides temporary surface hydration, it primarily acts as a filler that dilutes the product's potency and requires heavy preservation to remain stable. In the realm of waterless beauty, botanical oils serve as the ultimate source of cellular nutrition - actively locking in moisture and preventing trans-epidermal water loss (TEWL).

We only include nutrient-dense botanical oils and organic beeswax in our skincare products. Historically revered and scientifically proven, these oils mirror the skin's natural sebum and hydrolipidic barrier. This cellular compatibility allows our omega-rich formulations to effectively deliver each ingredient's benefits deep into the skin, working in perfect harmony with your body.

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Ultimate A-Z of Natural Skincare

Essential Guide to Understanding Skincare

Here to help

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I-J

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