S
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Salicylic Acid
A beta hydroxy acid with exfoliating and antiseptic properties, its natural sources include sweet birch, willow bark, and wintergreen. Check for client allergies to this acid and to aspirin.
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Silicone
Oil that is chemically combined with silicon and oxygen and leaves a non-comedogenic, protective film on the surface of the skin.
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Sodium Bicarbonate
Baking soda; an inorganic salt used as a buffering agent, neutralizer, and a pH adjuster.
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SPF
Sun Protection Factor. The number that follows is a measure of the time it will take for your skin to burn with the sunscreen applied, in comparison to unprotected skin. .
If Jane’s unprotected skin would burn in 10 minutes, an SPF 30 product (correctly applied) would give her 30 x 10 minutes in the sun before burning.
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Sulphates
Cleansing agents that create a lather used to remove dirt and oil. Can be synthetic or plant derived.
