Glossary

Skin words in plain English

Thirty terms you'll meet in lessons, on labels, and at the doctor's office. Search by word or by meaning.

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30 terms

UV radiationSun & UV: Invisible energy from the sun (and tanning devices). Two types reach your skin in meaningful amounts: UVA and UVB. Both contribute to skin cancer.
UVASun & UV: The longer-wave UV rays. Strength stays fairly steady all day and all year, they pass through window glass, and they reach deeper into skin, driving aging, dark spots, and skin cancer risk.
UVBSun & UV: The shorter-wave UV rays and the main cause of sunburn. Strongest around midday and in summer, but present year-round.
UVCSun & UV: The shortest UV waves. They're filtered out by the atmosphere, so they don't reach your skin from sunlight (though some devices emit them).
UV IndexSun & UV: A scale from 0 upward describing how strong sunburn-causing UV is at a place and time. Low 0–2, Moderate 3–5, High 6–7, Very High 8–10, Extreme 11+.
SPFSunscreen: Sun Protection Factor. It compares how much UVB it takes to redden skin with sunscreen versus without. It's mainly a UVB measure and never a timer.
Broad-spectrumSunscreen: A label meaning the sunscreen protects against UVA as well as UVB. Without it, you may be protected from burning but not from deeper damage.
Water resistantSunscreen: Sunscreens can claim water resistance for 40 or 80 minutes of swimming or sweating. No sunscreen is waterproof, and reapplication is still needed.
Mineral sunscreenSunscreen: Sunscreens using zinc oxide or titanium dioxide, often called physical blockers. They can be gentler for sensitive skin.
PhotoprotectionSunscreen: Everything you do to limit UV exposure: sunscreen, shade, clothing, hats, sunglasses, and avoiding peak-hours sun.
MelaninSkin biology: The pigment that gives skin, hair, and eyes their color. It absorbs some UV, but it isn't a full shield. All skin tones need sun protection.
MelanocyteSkin biology: The cell that makes melanin. Melanocytes can cluster into moles, and melanoma is a cancer of melanocytes.
Skin barrierSkin biology: The outermost seal of the epidermis, with lipids between cells. It keeps water in and irritants and microbes out. Harsh products and over-washing damage it.
EpidermisSkin biology: The outer layer of skin. It constantly renews: new cells form at the base and move upward, flattening as they go.
DermisSkin biology: The layer beneath the epidermis. It holds collagen, elastin, blood vessels, nerves, and hair follicles, and it's where UV damage to collagen shows up as aging.
SebumSkin biology: Oil your skin produces to help stay moisturised. Too much sebum, combined with dead skin cells, can block pores and contribute to acne.
ComedogenicSkin biology: Describes a product likely to block pores. "Non-comedogenic" products are formulated to be less likely to do that.
AcneSkin conditions: Blocked pores that become inflamed, often with the bacteria that normally live on skin. Not caused by poor hygiene, and treatable.
HyperpigmentationSkin conditions: Patches of skin darker than the surrounding area, often after inflammation (like acne) or sun exposure. Sun protection helps prevent and fade it.
Actinic keratosisSkin conditions: Rough, scaly patches caused by long-term sun exposure. They're considered precancerous and are usually treated by a professional.
Basal cell carcinomaSkin cancer: The most common skin cancer. Slow-growing and rarely spreading, it often looks like a pearly bump, a pink patch, or a sore that won't heal.
Squamous cell carcinomaSkin cancer: The second most common skin cancer. It can look like a rough or crusty patch, a wart-like growth, or an open sore, and can spread if untreated.
MelanomaSkin cancer: A cancer of melanocytes. Much rarer than BCC or SCC but the most dangerous because it can spread. Often starts as a new or changing spot.
Acral lentiginous melanomaSkin cancer: A type of melanoma on the palms, soles, or under nails. It's the most common melanoma in people with darker skin and is often found late.
Nevus (mole)Skin cancer: A benign cluster of melanocytes. Most moles are harmless, but new or changing ones should be checked.
ABCDE ruleSkin cancer: A memory aid for suspicious moles: Asymmetry, Border irregularity, Color variation, Diameter over ~6 mm, Evolving. Not every skin cancer fits it.
Early detectionSkin cancer: Noticing change early, usually through monthly self-checks and prompt professional evaluation. Early skin cancers are generally easier to treat.
DermatologistCare: A doctor who specialises in skin, hair, and nails. They can examine a spot and say whether it needs testing or treatment.
Patch testCare: Applying a small amount of a new product to one spot for a day or two to see how your skin reacts before using it widely.
Vitamin DCare: A nutrient your skin can make when UV hits it. Protect your skin with sun safety, and get vitamin D from food or supplements if needed.