Page 195 - Cosmetology

behenyl alcohol. A thickening agent used in cosmetics. It is not related to irritating forms of alcohol.

Bellis perennis. See daisy flower extract.

bentonite. Claylike material used as an absorbent in cosmetics. It can be drying for skin.

benzalkonium chloride. Antimicrobial agent used as a preservative in skin-care products. There is no
research showing it to have any effect against the acne bacterium Propionibacterium acnes.

benzephenone-3. Also called oxybenzone. A sunscreen agent that protects primarily from the sun's UVB
rays and some, but not all, UVA rays
benzocaine. A topical anesthetic.

benzoic acid. Preservative used in skin-care products; it is considered less irritating than other forms of
preservatives.

benzoin extract. Balsam resin that has some disinfecting and fragrant properties; it may also be a skin
irritant .

benzoin siam. See benzoin extract.

benzophenones. Used in cosmetics as sunscreen agents to protect mostly from UVB radiation and from
some, but not all, UVA radiation

benzothonium chloride. Used as a preservative in cosmetics. It is generally considered less irritating than
other forms of preservatives.

benzoyl peroxide. Considered the most effective over-the-counter choice for a topical antibacterial agent in
the treatment of blemishes. The amount of research demonstrating the effectiveness of benzoyl peroxide is
exhaustive and conclusive. Among benzoyl peroxide's attributes is its ability to penetrate into the hair follicle
to reach the bacteria that are causing the problem, and then killing them—with a low risk of irritation. It also
doesn't pose the problem of bacterial resistance that some prescription topical antibacterials (antibiotics) do.
Benzoyl peroxide solutions range in strength from 2.5% to 10%. It is best to start with less-potent
concentrations, because a 2.5% benzoyl peroxide product is much less irritating than a 5% or 10%
concentration, and it can be just as effective. The necessary concentration completely depends on how
stubborn the strain of bacteria in your pores happens to be.

benzyl alcohol. See alcohol.

Berberis aristata. See barberry.

bergamot oil. When used topically, it is a photosensitizer and has photomutagenic properties, meaning it
can induce malignant changes to cells

Bertholletia excelsa extract. See Brazil nut extract.

beta hydroxy acid. See salicylic acid.

beta sitosterol. A plant extract, similar to cholesterol that can have antimicrobial properties and, therefore,
may be a problem for healthy skin cells. There is a small amount of research showing it to have anti-
inflammatory properties.

beta-carotene. A member of the carotenoid family. There are hundreds of carotenoids including lycopene
and lutein. Beta-carotene is a precursor that helps form retinol (vitamin A). It is converted to vitamin A in the
liver as needed. Topically, beta-carotene is a potentially good antioxidant and can reduce the effects of sun
damage, though this benefit is dose dependent. There is research showing that too much beta-carotene can
generate oxidative damage

beta-glucan. A polysaccharide, meaning it is a sugar (such as starch and cellulose) that can be derived
from yeast. It has some antioxidant properties and is a strong anti-inflammatory agent.

Betula alba. See birch bark.