Page 241 - Cosmetology

oryzanol. Component of plants and their products, such as rice bran, that has potent antioxidant properties.

osmanthus. Fragrant plant; used in perfumes, it can also be a skin irritant.

Oxidoreductases. A large group of enzymes that reduces or blocks oxygen in different forms from
generating free-radical damage.

oxybenzone. Sunscreen agent that protects primarily from the sun's UVB rays, and some, but not all, UVA
rays. See UVA.

oxygen. Many cosmetic products contain antioxidants, ingredients that reduce the negative effect of oxygen
or oxidative substances on skin. At the same time, the cosmetics industry also sells products that contain
hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) or other oxygen-releasing ingredients, which supposedly deliver an oxygen
molecule when coming into contact with skin, although that generates free-radical damage. Why the concern
about supplying oxygen to the skin? Oxygen depletion is one of the things that happens to older skin,
regardless of whether it's been affected by sun damage or any other health-related factor. Why or how that
happens is completely unknown, though it is thought to have something to do with blood flow and a
reduction in lung capacity as we age. It is also believed that, with age, the issue isn't so much the amount of
oxygen but rather a change in the blood's ability to use the oxygen it has.

However, when wound healing is a problem, regenerating the tissue often demands, in addition to other
factors, increased topical oxygen, because wound repair can be facilitated by oxygen therapy. Yet this
method of wound care lacks research showing it to be effective or to be the best option for skin.

Oxidative stress is an unavoidable consequence of life in an oxygen-rich atmosphere. The "Oxygen
Paradox" is that oxygen is dangerous to the very life forms for which it has become an essential component
of energy production. The first defense against oxygen toxicity is the sharp reduction in the amount of
oxygen present in cells, from the level present in air of 20% to a tissue concentration of only 3% to 4%
oxygen. These relatively low tissue levels of oxygen prevent most oxidative damage from ever occurring.
Cells, tissues, organs, and organisms have multiple layers of antioxidant defenses, plus damage
replacement and repair systems to cope with the stress and damage that oxygen engenders. See free-
radical damage.

oxygenated water. Claims regarding the benefit of enhanced oxygenated water are unsubstantiated, and
have been debunked by medical, sports, and physiology experts. All water that has been exposed to the air
is "oxygenated" to a small extent. This can be increased a small amount by pressurizing the water with
oxygen gas, but it adds less oxygen than what is contained in a single breath. Further, once the oxygenated
water is exposed to air the oxygen goes back into the atmosphere.

ozokerite. Mineral that is used as a thickening agent in cosmetics, especially for lipsticks and stick
foundations.
P

P. elisabethae. The "P." is short for Pseudopterogorgia. See sea whip extract.

PABA. See para-aminobenzoic acid (PABA).

padimate O. Sunscreen agent that protects skin primarily from the sun's UVB rays.
Padina pavonica extract. See algae.

Paeonia albiflora extract. See peony flower.

Paeonia suffruticosa extract. See peony root extract.

palm glyceride. Used as an emollient and thickening agent in cosmetics. See glyceryl ester and palm oil.

palm oil. Has emollient and antioxidant properties for skin. See antioxidant and natural moisturizing factors.

Palmaria palmata extract. Extract from a sea plant whose common name is dulse. See algae.

palmarosa oil. See geranium oil.

palmitates. Generally these are forms of fatty acids used in cosmetics as thickening agents and emollients.