9 Skin Care Terms Everyone Should Know

Don’t know the difference between toner and micellar water or what the heck multi-masking actually is, even though it’s all over your social media feeds? We bet you could benefit from brushing up on your skin care knowledge! With so many new products and skin care trends popping up what feels like each and every day, we get that it can be hard to stay in the know. That’s why we’re here! Below, you’ll find our guide to nine skin care terms every woman should know about in 2018. Just don’t blame us if you come away with a long list of skin care products—and trends—you feel like you have to add to your skin care routine ASAP!

SKIN CARE TERM #1: BROAD-SPECTRUM SUNSCREEN

When it comes to sunscreen, you’re going to want to look for one that is labeled “broad-spectrum”—this means it can help to protect skin against both UVA and UVB rays, which can cause damage to the skin. The Food & Drug Administration recommends wearing a broad-spectrum sunscreen with an SPF value of 15 or higher every day—rain or shine, since you can get burned even when it’s cloudy outside. You should also reapply at least every two hours—more frequently if you’re swimming or sweating. Generally speaking, sunscreen should be the last step in your skin care routine before you move on to makeup. To save time, you can use a facial moisturizer formulated with broad-spectrum SPF, like the L'Oréal Paris RevitaLift Bright Reveal Brightening Day Lotion SPF 30.

SKIN CARE TERM #2:  DOUBLE CLEANSING

Does it sometimes feel like your complexion needs a deeper clean than your regular ol’ facial cleanser can provide? Well, double cleansing is super-popular for a reason. Double cleansing involves first using a makeup remover to help wipe away stubborn makeup, then washing with a cleanser to help rid your skin of dirt and excess oils. Any time you cleanse, make sure to follow up with a moisturizer (and apply it to damp skin to help lock in hydration!). To give double cleansing a whirl, try the L'Oréal Paris Ideal Clean All Skin Types Makeup Removing Towelettes followed by the L'Oréal Paris Ideal Clean Foaming Gel Cleanser.

SKIN CARE TERM #3: GLYCOLIC ACID

There’s a reason why so many people are obsessed with using glycolic acid in their skin care routines. According to the Mayo Clinic, glycolic acid is an alpha hydroxy acid (AHA). AHAs like glycolic acid can help to remove dead skin cells to improve skin’s texture and brighten the look of your complexion. Just one little fact to keep in mind when using products formulated with AHAs: They can make your skin more sensitive to sunlight, so be sure to follow up with a broad-spectrum sunscreen every day. The L'Oréal Paris RevitaLift Bright Reveal Brightening Daily Scrub Cleanser is formulated with glycolic acid and gentle micro-pearls. To use, gently massage it onto wet skin in a circular motion, then rinse (and follow up with broad-spectrum sunscreen in the AM!)

SKIN CARE TERM #4: MICELLAR WATER

If you’re bored with using the same foaming or gel cleanser day in and day out, it’s time to bring your attention to micellar water, a French-favorite, no-rinse cleanser. Micellar water is powered by tiny micelles (oil molecules) that act like a magnet to lift dirt, oil, and makeup up and away from the skin—oh, and did we mention that there’s no rinsing required? The L'Oréal Paris Micellar Cleansing Water Complete Cleanser for Normal to Oily Skin purifies and mattifies, the L'Oréal Paris Micellar Cleansing Water Complete Cleanser for Normal to Dry Skin hydrates and soothes, and the L'Oréal Paris Micellar Water Complete Cleanser Waterproof – All Skin Types intensely purifies. The best part about micellar water is that it’s so easy to use—just saturate a cotton pad with it and wipe the pad across your face.

Editor’s tip: Toss a bottle of micellar water along with a cotton pad in your gym bag so that you can cleanse your skin in the locker room quickly post-workout.

SKIN CARE TERM #5: MULTI-MASKING

You know those pictures you’ve seen when scrolling through your social media feeds, the ones of women with a bunch of different colored face masks all over their faces? They’re probably partaking in multi-masking. What is multi-masking, you ask? This trend involves applying different face masks to different areas of your face—at the same time—to target specific skin concerns. This could be especially useful if you have combination skin and find yourself oily in some areas but dry in others. As far as what kind of masks you should use, clay masks have been around forever—and it doesn’t seem like their popularity is going to die down any time soon. Want to get in on the multi-masking fun? Try the L'Oréal Paris Pure-Clay Exfoliate & Refining Face Mask, L'Oréal Paris Pure-Clay Detox & Brighten Face Mask, L’Oréal Paris Pure-Clay Clarify & Smooth Face Mask, L’Oréal Paris Pure-Clay Clean & Comfort Face Mask, and L'Oréal Paris Pure-Clay Purify & Mattify Face Mask, depending on your skin concerns. Each of these masks should be applied to cleansed skin and left on for 10 to 15 minutes before being rinsed off.

SKIN CARE TERM #6: PEEL PADS

You know that exfoliation—the act of sloughing off dead skin cells from the surface of your skin—should be part of your beauty routine. But did you know that you don’t necessarily have to use a traditional scrub? Yep, it’s true! Enter peel pads. The L'Oréal Paris RevitaLift Bright Reveal Brightening Peel Pads are formulated with glycolic acid to help resurface dull, uneven tone and rough texture. What’s more, the multi-ply texture pads physically resurface dead skin cells. You’ll immediately notice brighter-looking skin, while the peel pads can reduce the appearance of wrinkles with continued use over time. Just smooth a peel pad over cleansed skin at night. Like we told you earlier, AHAs like glycolic acid can make your skin more sensitive to sunlight, so don’t forget to slather on a broad-spectrum sunscreen in the morning!

SKIN CARE TERM #7: SERUM

Beyond cleanser and moisturizer, a face serum could be a very useful addition to your skin care routine when applied between your cleansing and moisturizing steps. Never used one before? Typically, serums have highly concentrated formulas that target specific skin care concerns such as wrinkles or dark spots—but they can also help improve the overall appearance of your skin. The L'Oréal Paris Youth Code™ Dark Spot Correcting & Illuminating Serum Corrector can help make skin look more luminous immediately and minimize the appearance of dark spots with continued use over time. Apply it after cleansing but before moisturizing morning and night.

SKIN CARE TERM #8: TONER

Depending on what kind of toner you use, it can have a variety of benefits. Typically, toner should come right after cleansing. Using one can help to ensure that dirt, excess oil, leftover cleanser, and any other impurities are swept up and away from your skin’s surface. (If you have sensitive skin, keep in mind that the American Academy of Dermatology states that alcohol-based toners can potentially irritate your skin—so be sure to check the label before using one.) The L'Oréal Paris HydraFresh Toner has an alcohol-free, gentle, non-drying formula that can gently sweep away dull, tired skin and help protect against moisture loss. Apply it with a cotton ball as your first step post-cleansing.

SKIN CARE TERM #9: WATER-BASED MOISTURIZER

We admit it: There are many different kinds of moisturizer out there, ranging from lightweight gel-creams to thicker lotions—but our favorite type at the moment is water-based moisturizers. While every skin type has different needs, one thing holds true: Moisturizing should play a key role in your skin care routine. Yes, even if you have oily skin! That's where our moisturizer pick comes into play—water-based moisturizers are suitable for nearly any skin type, as long as your pick the right one for your skin. All three options below are formulated with hyaluronic acid and aloe vera water to help provide long-lasting hydration, simply pick the one that best suits your skin's needs.

If you have oily skin…try the L'Oréal Paris Hydra Genius Daily Liquid Care for Normal/Oily Skin, which has a matte finish. External factors like pollution, UV rays, and excessive cleansing can damage skin’s moisture barrier, causing an increase in oil production (meaning your skin could look extra shiny as a result). That’s why it’s essential to apply a moisturizer after cleansing.

If you have dry skin…try the L'Oréal Paris Hydra Genius Daily Liquid Care for Normal/Dry Skin. External factors like pollution and UV rays can damage skin’s moisture barrier, increasing loss of moisture and causing it to become even drier—and your complexion may even end up looking dull. Yikes. This water-based moisturizer can help skin appear more radiant.

If you have extra dry skin…try the L'Oréal Paris Hydra Genius Daily Liquid Care for Extra Dry Skin. Extra dry skin has a very fragile skin moisture barrier that can be easily damaged by external factors like pollution and UV rays. Consequently, your skin can lose its ability to retain moisture, becoming easily dehydrated and feeling tight and uncomfortable. This water-based moisturizer provides comfort in addition to long-lasting hydration.

Editor’s tip: Apply your water-based moisturizer to damp skin to help lock in hydration.

Feel like you’re a skin care term pro? Check out our article, Our Foolproof Skin Care Routine for All Skin Types for more skin care knowledge.