Click on the italicised writing to take you to the page of the word or product!
Beeswax
Beeswax is a natural substance which is produced by honeybees. The process of making the beeswax is started when the bees’ collect oils from the pollen found in flowers. The bees mix the oil that has been collected from the pollen in with the comb to build up a hexagonal sculpture. We use beeswax in our lip balms as it helps reduce chapping and dryness and acts as a natural preservative.
Bentonite Clay
Bentonite Clay is one of those old ingredients that has been around for centuries. It is a very old clay that has been used to treat various physical ailments. At Sweet Cecily’s, we use it in our ‘Make Your Own Face Mask Kit’ as it has some pretty powerful abilities for the skin such as, removing dirt and grime, absorbing sebum which reduces acne, and finally it is known to heal, brighten, cleanse, soften and exfoliate the skin. Do you need any more reasons?!
Cleanse
To cleanse is to simply just clean, and in this case if you see us telling you to cleanse, it will mean to cleanse your face. So basically, just wash your face!
Cocoa Butter
Cocoa butter is added to every lip balm in our range at Sweet Cecily’s. Cocoa Butter is a rich moisturiser, able to penetrate beneath the skins surface. It also can act as a barrier which locks in moisture, which is pretty important when formulating lip balms!
Combination Skin
This is a skin type which is actually the most common. It is characterised by an oily T-Zone and either dry and/or full areas, or just ‘normal’ looking skin on the rest of your face. You may also find you can see more blackheads and spots in this area.
Complexion
A complexion is the natural colour, texture, and appearance of a person’s skin, especially on the face.
Dry Skin
This is a skin type in which you may find your skin flakes or cracks more than someone who doesn’t have dry skin. If you have dry skin, your skin will typically look more dull and can often feel tight. This is a more obvious skin type to differentiate as you can see the dryness.
Shop our Soothing Skin Cream here!
Eczema
Eczema is an inflammatory skin condition that causes itchiness, dry skin, rashes, scaly patches, blisters and skin infections.
Shop our Soothing Skin Cream here!
Exfoliate
Exfoliating is the process of removing dead skin cells and is recommended to be done twice a week as part of your weekly skincare routine, this is usually done using a body scrub.
Click here to check out out Citrus & Walnut Body Scrub
Free Radicals
Free radicals are responsible for breaking down our skin’s collagen, resulting in wrinkles, dark spots, fine lines, and loose, saggy skin.
Microbeads
Plastic microbeads are tiny balls of plastic that were once used in products such as face and body scrubs, until 2018 when retailers across England and Scotland were banned from selling products with microbeads in.
Sweet Cecily’s are proud to say that we do not and have not ever used microbeads in any of our exfoliating products, instead using a more natural alternative, walnut shells. By using a natural alternative, our body scrub will not harm marine life when it is rinsed down the drain.
Natural
When we say natural at Sweet Cecily’s, we really do mean what you think. All our ingredients are naturally sourced, meaning they are produced in nature.
‘Normal’ Skin
This skin type isn’t necessarily what it may sound like. ‘Normal’ skin doesn’t mean perfect skin, it just simple means you may occasionally get both minor oiliness and dryness, but it passes quickly, rather than it being a long-term issue for you. So basically, you can experience a little bit of everything without having to give it too much of a thought.
Occlusive
Occlusives are moisturising agents that work by forming a protective layer on the surface of your skin and creates a barrier to prevent moisture loss. They also help keep irritants, allergens, and other harmful particles from being able to enter your skin.
At Sweet Cecily’s we use beeswax and jojoba oil in a range of our products which are natural occlusives.
Oily Skin
This is a skin type which is generally differentiated by the appearance of shininess, and the feeling of grease, usually throughout the T-Zone. You may also develop more acne blemishes, as well as just being prone to breakouts and the look of large pores.
Parabens
A paraben is a chemical used as an artificial preservative in cosmetics, skincare, and personal care products. Parabens have been suggested to harm fertility and reproductive organs and increase the risk of cancer.
We are happy to say that at Sweet Cecily’s, we are paraben free.
Petrochemicals
A petrochemical is any chemical manufactured from crude oil and natural gas.
At Sweet Cecily’s we don’t use any petrochemicals.
Pores
A pore is a tiny hole around the hair follicles which release oils and sweat, which can be found all over your body.
Propolis
Propolis is a resin like substance which is made from Honey Bees, when they collect residue, such as pollen, from plants. It is then digested and mixed with saliva to create the complex structure which is Propolis – which is sometimes called “Bee Glue”. Propolis is known to help heal wounds, acne, and other problematic skin conditions when it is added to a cream.
Shop our Soothing Skin Cream here!
Sebum
Sebum is an oily, waxy substance produced by your body’s sebaceous glands. What we would call ‘oily’ or ‘greasy’ skin, is just a mix of sebum, sweat, dead skin cells and tiny particles of dust around you.
Sensitive Skin
This is a skin type which is usually defined by skin that is easily irritated and more reactive. Using products that contain harsh ingredients may trigger your skin to come out in almost rash like patches, as well as being itchy, red or bumpy.
Shea Butter
Shea Butter is an ingredient we use in almost all of our products at Sweet Cecily’s. It is great for softening the skin, while also having anti-inflammatory and healing properties.
SLS
Sodium Lauryl Sulfate is a chemical that you’ll find in lots of different personal care products, as well as household cleaning agents. It is mainly used as a foaming agent in shampoos. SLS strips the skin of its natural oils which causes dry skin, irritation, and allergic reactions.
At Sweet Cecily’s, we are SLS free.
SPF
You will find SPF on every sunscreen bottle and it stands for ‘Sun Protection Factor’. This indicates how long and how well the sunscreen will be able to protect your skin from the sun’s UV rays.
T-Zone
The part of the face which is the forehead, nose, and chin (making it look like a T).
Toner
A toner is a liquid product which gently refreshes your skin without stripping it of its natural moisture, meaning that it shouldn’t irritate sensitive skin or cause dryness. A toner also tightens your pores, restores pH level of your skin and lastly, removes traces of dirt, grime, and impurities stuck in your pores.
Shop our Rose Water Toner & Witch Hazel Toner
Vitamin A
Vitamin A is considered to be one of the most important vitamins to help the skin heal itself. Using a product which contains this vitamin will provide a protective layer to the skin which will prevent it from sun damage.
Products with Vitamin A in:
Vitamin C
You will find Vitamin C in citrus foods such as oranges, lemons, and limes. This Vitamin is handy when it comes to slowing down the skin’s ageing process as it can fight off free radicals which are the cause behind premature skin ageing. It’s also been found to help lighten up the skin and reduce the appearance of dark spots.
Products with Vitamin C in:
Vitamin D
This is one that you may know due to it being commonly associated with the big yellow flame in the sky - Vitamin D’s biggest source is the sun. Lack of Vitamin D will result in your skin not being able to function properly, however it’s always important to note that too much exposure to the sun, without the appropriate protection, will result in skin problems. Remember that sunscreen!
Products with Vitamin D in:
Vitamin E
Vitamin E acts as an antioxidant and therefore, it plays an important role in protecting the skin from damage caused by free radicals. Naturally occurring within the oil in your skin, Vitamin E helps increase the face’s natural barrier to hold in moisture. Vitamin E can also be used to prolong the shelf life of a product.
Products with Vitamin E in:
- Almond & Avocado Face Cream
- Body Butters
- Citrus & Walnut Body Scrub
- Hand Creams
- Sea Buckthorn & Frankincense Night Cream
- Soothing Skin Cream
Vegetarian Society
The Vegetarian Society is a British registered charity which promotes vegetarianism. You will see the symbols for either Vegetarian or Vegan s on all our products. This means that they have checked our ingredients and production methods to ensure our products receive the correct trademark symbol.