Page 210 - Cosmetology

disodium glyceryl phosphate. Used as an emollient and thickening agent in cosmetics. See glyceryl ester.

disodium lauraminopropionate. Mild surfactant. See surfactant.

Disodium rutinyl disulfate. No research shows this antioxidant as having any impact on cellulite.

Disteardimonium Hectorite. Used as a suspending agent, often with pigments.

DMAE. See dimethylaminoethanol.

DMDM hydantoin. Formaldehyde-releasing preservative. See formaldehyde-releasing preservative.

DMSO. Dimethyl sulfoxide; it's an intriguing substance because of its contradictory benefits and problems.
Topically, it is a potent skin irritant and sensitizer and it can cause burning, blistering, drying, and scaling
skin. Yet it easily penetrates the skin and facilitates topical penetration of other ingredients. DMSO also has
some evidence of having antioxidant properties and can prevent skin from freezing. Given these divergent
properties and the well-established risk of skin irritation, it is not recommended to have this as a primary
ingredient in skin-care products

DNA. Abbreviation for deoxyribonucleic acid. DNA is found in all cells. It is the primary component of
genes—and genes are the way cells transmit hereditary characteristics. DNA is the basis for all genetic
structure; its components include adenine (A), guanine (G), thymine (T), and cytosine (C). It is the mapping
of these substances that makes up the genetic code of all human traits and cellular functions. DNA is the
genetic material that is required for all cellular division and growth. DNA in a skin-care product is useless, as
it cannot in and of itself affect a cell's genetic elements. The production of DNA is a complex system within
the cell that requires a multitude of proteins and enzymes in order to have an effect on the body's genetic
material. It is also doubtful you would want to ever put anything on your skin that could impact genetic
material, particularly not via a cosmetic that has no safety or efficacy regulations.
E

Ecamsule. See Mexoryl SX.

echinacea. There are several types of echinacea plants but only Echinacea purpurea and Echinacea pallida
have been shown to have effectiveness. These may have antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties on
skin.

Echium lycopsis extract. Has a small amount of research showing it to have antibacterial properties.

Echium lycopsis oil. Emollient oil that also has potent antioxidant properties.

EDTA. Abbreviation for ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid. It is a stabilizer used in cosmetics to prevent
ingredients in a given formula from binding with trace elements (particularly minerals) that can exist in water
and other ingredients to cause unwanted product changes such as texture, odor, and consistency problems.
The technical term for this function is a chelating agent.

egg yolk. Egg yolk is mostly water and lipids (fats), especially cholesterol, which makes it a good emollient
and water-binding agent for skin.

eicosapentaenioc acid. A fatty acid derived from salmon oil; it is a good emollient for skin. See fatty acid.

Elaeis guineensis. See palm oil.

elastin. Major component of skin that gives it flexibility. Sun damage causes elastin in skin to deteriorate.
Elastin can be derived from both plant and animal sources and is used in cosmetics as a good water-binding
agent. Elastin in cosmetics has never been shown to affect the elastin in skin or have any other benefit,
though it most likely functions as a water-binding agent.

elderberry. Has potent antioxidant properties.

elecampane. Can be very irritating to the skin and can trigger allergic reactions.

Emblica officinalis. See Indian gooseberry.