Farnesol
One of the most important new ingredients in skin care products is Farnesol (also known as dodecatrienol). It occurs in various essential oils, most notably rose and orange blossom and wild cyclamen. A fatty alcohol, it is one of the components of Vitamin K. Farnesol has been found to have the following effects: smoothes wrinkles, normalizes sebum secretion, increases skin elasticity, increases the tension of tissue and increases the moisture binding capacity of the skin. When applied to the skin, Farnesol actually promotes regeneration of cells and thereby reduces the skin's aging. It also activates collagen, elastin and mucopolysaccharides synthesis in the dermis. As a result, the skin looks younger and lovelier. In addition, Farnesol has a bacteriostatic effect.
FCC
Food Chemical Code. FCC is a publication listing standards for foods, supplements and additives employed by the food industry.
F,D & C
Food, Drug and Cosmetic.
F,D & C Dyes
Dyes and colors approved by FDA for food, drug, and cosmetic use.
Fennel Seed Extract (Foeniculum Vulgare)
Fennel has been used for years as a digestive stimulant, especially to treat excess gas and bloating. It has been found to stimulate the digestion and appetite. It has a calming effect on bronchitis and coughs and may be used as a flavor enhancer in cough remedies. The extract is useful for its following actions: carminative, aromatic, anti-spasmodic, anti-inflammatory, galactogogue, and hepatic.
Fenugreek
Fenugreek is an herb with healing and anti-inflammatory properties on wounds, boils, sores, fistulas and tumors. It can be taken to help bronchitis and gargled to ease sore throats. It may be used to stimulate milk production in nursing mothers and may also help soothe digestive discomfort. Fenugreek’s actions include: expectorant, demulcent, vulnerary, anti-inflammatory, anti-spasmodic, tonic, emmenagogue, galactogogue, and hypotensive.
Ferric Ferrocyanide
This ingredient is comprised of 2 components. Ferric being iron and ferrocyanide being a salt derived from ferrocyanic acid, a solid white compound. Used to make a wide spectrum of blue colors.
Finishing Spray
A hairspray with medium hold used to maintain the hair’s shape and hold.
Fir Needle Oil
An oil that acts as a natural cleanser.
Flavonoids
See Bioflavonoids.
Folic Acid (Folate, Vitamin B9)
Necessary for DNA & RNA synthesis. It is essential for the growth and reproduction of all body cells.
Folate (Vitamin B9)
See Folic Acid.
Flushing
Flushing is redness in the face, neck or chest caused by a substance, physical stimulus or environment. It is a dilatation of the small blood vessels in the skin.
Follicle
A small anatomical sac, cavity, or deep narrow-mouthed depression. In hair a follicle is a stratum corneum lined sac that extends into the dermis and contains the hair bulb. It is also a fluid-filled sac in the ovary that releases an egg at ovulation.
Fragrance
Any natural or synthetic substance or substances use solely to impart a sweet or pleasant smell (odor) to a cosmetic product.
Fragrance-Free
Most products will still contain small traces of fragrance to mask unpleasant odors.
Free Radicals
Highly reactive or unstable molecules and atoms that cause aging and degenerative diseases. These free radicals often result from ozone, cigarette smoke, herbicides and pesticides, solvents, petrochemicals, drugs, sunshine, X-rays and other foreign body substances.
Free Radical Scavengers
Naturally derived anti-oxidants that counteract/influence the affect of free radicals.
Freezing Spray
A hairspray with the firmest hold used to maintain the style, shape and hold of hair.
Fringetree Bark
An herb used a wide range of liver problems. It is a specific for the treatment of gall-bladder inflammation and a valuable part of treating gallstones. Because of its benefits on liver problems it is useful in many other wider body treatments. Further, its action of releasing bile makes it a gentle and effective laxative. Actions include: hepatic, cholagogue, alternative, diuretic, tonic, antemetic, and laxative.
Fruit Acid
Fruit acid (citric acid; glycolic acid) has astringent, antioxidant and preservative properties.
Fungicidal
An agent that kills fungal organisms. The most common skin fungi are athlete’s foot and thrush.
Fungus
A general term used to denote a class of microbes (as bacteria and virus) responsible for skin infections and spoiling of cosmetic products.
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