Health & Beauty Glossary terms and meanings beginning with N, from Narcotic and Nettle to Nylon and Nutrient …
Covering Beauty Glossary Terms like Neroli Oil, Non-Ionic & Niacin …
Nanospheres … A unique delivery system that encapsulates moisturizing agents to help promote a spectacular looking tan.
Narcotic … A drug that causes the depression of the central nervous system.
Nasolabial Crease … Creases on the sides of the lower part of the nose.
Natural … Ingredients from natural sources not synthetics, extracts from plants, earth minerals, or animal products.
Naturopathy … A drugless system of therapy, making use of physical forces such as air, light, water, heat, massage, etc rather than surgery or medicine to treat disease.
Navel … Belly button, umbilicus.
Necrosis … An area of dead tissue caused by the death of a group of cells as a result of injury.
Neonatal Acne … Affects one in five newborns with acne (closed comedones and sometimes papules and pustules). Usually disappears in 4 to 6 weeks after birth.
Neonate … An infant in the first 28 days of life.
Neoplasia … The presence of abnormal cells forming a growth or tumor, unable to perform their normal functions, and replacing healthy cells.
Neoplasm … An abnormal growth characterized by uncontrolled cellular proliferation. It may or may not be cancerous.
Neroli Oil … An extract from orange flowers that may help improve circulation. It is used in colognes and sometimes as an additive for flavoring. It is a warming and relaxing oil that has a gently stimulating effect.
Nervine … Nervines help the nervous system and can be subdivided into three groups.
- Nervine tonics strengthen and restore the nervous system.
- Nervine relaxants ease anxiety and tension by soothing both body and mind.
- Nervine stimulants directly stimulate nerve activity.
Nettle or Nettle Extract … Obtained from the flowers of lamium album and containing tannins, amino acids and flavonoids. Known for its tonic, astringent and revitalizing properties.
- Nettles are used as a spring tonic and general detoxifying remedy in Europe. They have helped in many cases of rheumatism and arthritis. They are a specific in cases of childhood eczema, especially in nervous eczema.
- As an astringent nettles may be used for nosebleeds or to relieve hemorrhaging symptoms.
- A botanical additive used in hair and skin products, particularly eye creams and treatments for the scalp. The nettles flesh is rich in minerals.
Neurogenic … Sensations or conditions derived solely from the nervous system.
Neuropathy … Disease of the nervous system.
Niacin (Vitamin B3) … Niacin improves circulation and reduces the cholesterol level in the blood; maintains the nervous system; helps metabolize protein, sugar & fat; reduces high blood pressure; increases energy through proper utilization of food; prevents pellagra; and helps maintain a healthy skin, tongue & digestive system.
Niacinamide … Niacin – Vitamin B3 Member of the water-soluble B vitamin group, used in the production of fatty acids, steroids and cholesterol.
- Deficiency is known as pellagra.
- Also has a cholesterol-lowering and vasodilating property.
Nodule … A small lump, swelling or collection of tissue located in the dermis or subcutaneous tissue.
Non-Acneogenic … Will neither cause nor aggravate acne.
Nonionic … When discussing shampoos, a nonionic surfactant is a mild cleanser with good conditioning properties in which the active molecule has no electric charge.
Nonionic Surfactants … Those in which the active molecule has no electric charge. Their properties vary widely, from very harsh cleansers (often found in commercial shampoos and rug cleaners) to coating and fiber softening agents found in balsams and rinses.
Nonoxynol … Nonionic surfactant used as detergents, emulsifiers, wetting agents, defoaming agents, spermicidal, and as a primary component of vaginal foams and creams.
Nummular Dermatitis … A chronic condition characterized by coin shaped eczematous plaques and pruritus (itching skin). Lesions occur on the hands, forearms, lower legs, and buttocks.
Nutrient … A substance, such as a vitamin, which provides elements for the ongoing functioning of the body’s metabolic processes.
Nylon-12 … Microscopic spheroids that have tremendous absorbent powers.
- Nylon- 12 remains on the skin’s surface to absorb skin oil as it’s secreted, making the skin’s surface imperfections (including wrinkles) less apparent.
