Page 240 - Cosmetology

o-cymen-5-ol. Preservative used in cosmetics. See preservatives.

Oenothera Biennis Oil. See evening primrose oil.

oleic acid. A fatty acid used as a surfactant and thickening agent. See fatty acid, surfactant, and thickening
agent.

oleic/linoleic triglyceride. Used as an emollient and thickening agent in cosmetics. See glyceryl ester.

oleths. Mild surfactants. See surfactant.

olibanum extract. See frankincense extract.

olive oil. Emollient plant oil similar to all nonfragrant plant oils. The concept of olive oil having antiaging
properties stems from some evidence that diets high in olive oil may help prevent heart disease. There are
also a small number of animal tests showing that topically applied olive oil can protect against UVB damage.
It does seem that olive oil is a good antioxidant and assuredly it's a good moisturizing ingredient, but
research shows similar results for other oils as well. See natural moisturizing factors.

olive oil PEG-6 esters. Used as an emollient and thickening agent in cosmetics. See glyceryl ester and
olive oil.

opium poppy seed. Potent analgesic, though there is no research showing this to be effective when applied
topically to skin.

Opuntia ficus-indica extract. Extract from the Indian fig or prickly pear cactus that has a small amount of
research showing it to have wound-healing properties and anti-inflammatory properties.

orange blossom. Fragrant extract that can also be a skin irritant.

Orbignya martiana. See babassu oil.

Orbignya oleifera. See babassu oil.

orchid. Fragrant extract that can be a skin irritant.

oregano. Has potent antibacterial and antifungal properties, but can also be a skin irritant.

Origanum majorana. See marjoram.

Origanum vulgare flower extract. See oregano.

ornithine. Primary component of arginine (an amino acid) that shares many of the biopharmacologic effects
of arginine, which include enhanced wound healing, particularly with regard to collagen synthesis, when
taken orally.Whether ornithine has that effect when applied topically is not known.

Orobanche cernua extract. May have antibacterial properties.

Orobanche rapum extract. May have antioxidant properties.

orris root. Used primarily as a fragrant component due to its violet-like scent. It can cause allergic or
sensitizing skin reactions and there is no research showing it to be beneficial for skin.

Ortho Tri-Cyclen. Low-dosage type of birth-control pills (generic norgestimate/ethinyl estradiol) approved
for use in the United States for the treatment of acne. In Canada, Diane-35, a combination of cyproterone
acetate and ethinyl estradiol, is approved for the treatment of acne, other "low-dose birth-control pills can be
an effective and safe treatment for moderate acne." The double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomized
clinical trial found that the birth-control pill containing levonorgestrel (Alesse) reduced the appearance of
acne.

Oryza sativa oil. See rice oil.