Aromatherapy Terminology Review
UPDATED ACTUAL Questions and
CORRECT Answers
Active Ingredient - CORRECT ANSWER - Provide a therapeutic action or beneficial
function on the skin.
Alcohol - CORRECT ANSWER - Commonly found in formulations as an astringent,
bactericidal, antiseptic, etc and also found in many essential oils. Often ingredients will end in an
"ol".
Antioxidant - CORRECT ANSWER - Prevent free radical cellular damage.
Aromatherapy - CORRECT ANSWER - The practice of using essential oils for therapeutic
purposes.
Astringent - CORRECT ANSWER - Constrict and tighten tissues and pores.
Bioavailability - CORRECT ANSWER - How likely or the amount that can be absorbed
into the skin.
Botanical - CORRECT ANSWER - Part of a plant that can create active biological
responses when applied to the skin.
Carrier - CORRECT ANSWER - Support active ingredients with stability of general
release, and topical tolerance.
Comedogenic - CORRECT ANSWER - Promote follicular blockages leading to
comedones.
, Emollient - CORRECT ANSWER - Soften and soothe skin and tissues.
Emulsifier - CORRECT ANSWER - Hold oil and water based ingredients together and
prevent separation.
Encapsulation - CORRECT ANSWER - Encapsulate to control delivery release and
reduce irritation.
Enzyme - CORRECT ANSWER - Complex protein that acts as an exfoliant or a catalyst.
EFA (Essential Fatty Acid) - CORRECT ANSWER - Key component of bodily fats and
cell membranes (Omega 3, 6, 9).
Essential Oil - CORRECT ANSWER - A volatile substance that is extracted from many
different parts of plants.
Flavonoid - CORRECT ANSWER - Colour extract/component of plants that provide
antioxidant protection, nutrients and vitamins.
Fragrance - CORRECT ANSWER - A natural or synthetic additive to a formulation to
cover chemicals smells.
Humectant - CORRECT ANSWER - Used for formulations or for skin to help hold
moisture.
Lipid - CORRECT ANSWER - Fatty substance (oil, wax).
Occlusive - CORRECT ANSWER - Decrease TEWL and general moisture loss, form a
film on the skin and have larger molecules that sit more on the surface.
UPDATED ACTUAL Questions and
CORRECT Answers
Active Ingredient - CORRECT ANSWER - Provide a therapeutic action or beneficial
function on the skin.
Alcohol - CORRECT ANSWER - Commonly found in formulations as an astringent,
bactericidal, antiseptic, etc and also found in many essential oils. Often ingredients will end in an
"ol".
Antioxidant - CORRECT ANSWER - Prevent free radical cellular damage.
Aromatherapy - CORRECT ANSWER - The practice of using essential oils for therapeutic
purposes.
Astringent - CORRECT ANSWER - Constrict and tighten tissues and pores.
Bioavailability - CORRECT ANSWER - How likely or the amount that can be absorbed
into the skin.
Botanical - CORRECT ANSWER - Part of a plant that can create active biological
responses when applied to the skin.
Carrier - CORRECT ANSWER - Support active ingredients with stability of general
release, and topical tolerance.
Comedogenic - CORRECT ANSWER - Promote follicular blockages leading to
comedones.
, Emollient - CORRECT ANSWER - Soften and soothe skin and tissues.
Emulsifier - CORRECT ANSWER - Hold oil and water based ingredients together and
prevent separation.
Encapsulation - CORRECT ANSWER - Encapsulate to control delivery release and
reduce irritation.
Enzyme - CORRECT ANSWER - Complex protein that acts as an exfoliant or a catalyst.
EFA (Essential Fatty Acid) - CORRECT ANSWER - Key component of bodily fats and
cell membranes (Omega 3, 6, 9).
Essential Oil - CORRECT ANSWER - A volatile substance that is extracted from many
different parts of plants.
Flavonoid - CORRECT ANSWER - Colour extract/component of plants that provide
antioxidant protection, nutrients and vitamins.
Fragrance - CORRECT ANSWER - A natural or synthetic additive to a formulation to
cover chemicals smells.
Humectant - CORRECT ANSWER - Used for formulations or for skin to help hold
moisture.
Lipid - CORRECT ANSWER - Fatty substance (oil, wax).
Occlusive - CORRECT ANSWER - Decrease TEWL and general moisture loss, form a
film on the skin and have larger molecules that sit more on the surface.
