Beauty Glossary

Welcome to the KLOTZ LABS® Beauty Glossary. Here you will find compact, professionally founded definitions of the most important active ingredients, concepts, and terms in modern skincare. Our goal: orientation in the jungle of active ingredients — clear, precise, understandable.

A · C · F · G · H · I · L · N · P · R · U · V

A

Acetyl Glucosamine

Acetyl Glucosamine is a nature-identical amino sugar and an essential building block for the skin's own synthesis of hyaluronic acid. In cosmetic care, this innovative active ingredient is distinguished by its diverse skin-improving properties. It supports the natural exfoliation of the skin without irritating it, thus promoting an even, radiant complexion. Furthermore, Acetyl Glucosamine helps you to visually soften hyperpigmentation and sustainably increase the skin's moisture content. In combination with other active ingredients such as niacinamide, it unfolds synergistic effects that visibly refine your skin texture and ensure a smooth, vital appearance.

Adenosine

Adenosine is a natural building block of the cellular energy source ATP and plays a key role in the skin's energy metabolism. In anti-ageing cosmetics, this highly effective ingredient is valued for its intensely smoothing and regenerating properties. Adenosine stimulates the skin's own collagen and elastin production, helping you to firm the skin structure and visually reduce wrinkle depth. It also possesses soothing properties that can strengthen the skin barrier and alleviate redness. By promoting cellular vitality, Adenosine lends your skin a rested, youthfully fresh, and noticeably tightened appearance.

Anti-Ageing

Anti-ageing encompasses advanced cosmetic concepts aimed at preventatively and correctively counteracting the visible signs of skin ageing. With increasing age, the skin loses moisture, elasticity, and collagen. Modern anti-ageing care relies on scientifically founded active ingredients such as hyaluronic acid, retinol, or peptides to slow down these processes. The goal is to stimulate cell renewal, strengthen the skin barrier, and protect against oxidative stress. These care concepts help you to soften fine lines, firm contours, and maintain an even complexion. In this way, you support your skin in appearing vital and radiant at any age.

C

Caffeine

Caffeine is an invigorating active ingredient valued in cosmetics for its microcirculation-promoting and antioxidant properties. By stimulating superficial blood circulation, caffeine helps to revitalise the appearance of tired skin. It is frequently used in eye care in particular, as it can have a decongestant effect and helps you to visually soften signs of fatigue such as dark circles or slight puffiness. Furthermore, as an antioxidant, it protects skin cells from free radicals. Formulations enriched with caffeine give your skin a fresh, rested, and radiant appearance for a dynamic start to the day.

F

Moisturising Care

Effective moisturising care is the foundation for healthy, resilient, and radiant skin. It combines intelligent active ingredient complexes to optimise the hydration level of the epidermis. Humectant substances such as glycerin or hyaluronic acid attract moisture and bind it within the skin. At the same time, occlusive ingredients and the skin's own lipids ensure that this moisture does not evaporate by sealing the skin barrier. The Natural Moisturizing Factor (NMF) is thus sustainably supported. High-quality moisturising care helps you to smooth out dryness lines, alleviate feelings of tightness, and lend the skin a plump, supple appearance.

G

Glycerin

Glycerin is a proven and highly tolerable moisturising factor that naturally occurs in the skin's acid mantle. As a so-called humectant, it possesses the outstanding ability to attract moisture from the environment as well as from deeper skin layers and bind it in the epidermis. As a result, glycerin effectively protects your skin from drying out and supports an intact skin barrier. It noticeably smooths the skin surface and gives it a supple, soft feel. In our formulations, this essential ingredient ensures that your skin remains hydrated for a long time and retains its natural elasticity.

H

Skin Barrier

The skin barrier is the outermost protective layer of the epidermis and acts as your body's essential shield. It consists of corneocytes held together by a complex lipid structure comprising ceramides, cholesterol, and free fatty acids. An intact barrier reliably protects you from the penetration of harmful environmental factors, bacteria, and irritants. At the same time, it prevents transepidermal water loss (TEWL), ensuring the skin remains hydrated. If this lipid barrier is disrupted, the skin can become dry, sensitive, and prone to redness. Targeted care supports you in strengthening this vital protective function and keeping it in balance.

Hyaluronic Acid

Hyaluronic acid is an endogenous biopolymer that functions as an essential moisture reservoir in the skin. In cosmetics, it is frequently used as Sodium Hyaluronate, as this salt is particularly stable and well-tolerated. It possesses the remarkable ability to bind many times its own weight in water. This supports the hydration of the epidermis and gives the skin a plumper, smoother appearance. With regular use, it helps you to visually soften dryness lines and preserve the skin's natural elasticity. An indispensable active ingredient for deeply effective and hydrating care.

I

INCI

INCI stands for "International Nomenclature of Cosmetic Ingredients" and designates the international system for the uniform declaration of cosmetic ingredients. This standardised nomenclature ensures worldwide transparency and safety for cosmetic products. The listing of ingredients is always in descending order of their concentration, although ingredients below one percent may be listed at the end in any order. For you as a consumer, the INCI list provides reliable orientation to identify specific active ingredients or avoid potential allergens. At KLOTZ LABS®, we attach the utmost importance to clear, understandable, and scientifically founded formulations in accordance with these guidelines.

L

Layering

Layering refers to the systematic, step-by-step application of various skincare products to maximise their individual effectiveness. In this method, textures are ordered according to their viscosity: you always begin with the lightest, watery formulation, such as a toner or serum, and conclude with richer creams or oils. This principle ensures that deeply effective ingredients like hyaluronic acid can optimally penetrate the skin before occlusive layers seal in the moisture. Through targeted layering, you can perfectly tailor your skincare routine to your skin's current needs and achieve a radiant, well-groomed complexion.

N

Low-molecular Hyaluronic Acid

Low-molecular hyaluronic acid is characterised by a particularly small molecule size, which allows it to penetrate deeply into the skin. In contrast to the high-molecular variant, which primarily forms a moisture-binding film on the skin surface, the low-molecular form penetrates into deeper layers of the epidermis. There, moisture is sustainably stored, plumping the skin from within. It helps you to support cell renewal and visibly soften fine lines and wrinkles. For an optimal care result, we at KLOTZ LABS® often combine different molecular weights to intensively hydrate your skin on all levels.

P

Panthenol

Panthenol, also known as provitamin B5, is a deeply effective care classic with outstanding soothing and regenerating properties. As soon as it penetrates the skin, it is converted into pantothenic acid, an essential component for cellular metabolism. Panthenol supports the natural renewal of skin cells and strengthens the protective barrier. It helps you to bind moisture in the skin long-term and effectively alleviate feelings of tightness or redness. It unfolds its balancing effect particularly on irritated, dry, or stressed skin. An indispensable ingredient that lends your skin suppleness, elasticity, and a healthy, well-groomed appearance.

PAO

PAO stands for "Period After Opening" and indicates the shelf life of a cosmetic product after it has been opened for the first time. You can recognise this information on the packaging by the symbol of an open cream jar containing a number followed by an "M" (for months). This labelling guarantees you that the product will retain its full effectiveness, stability, and microbiological safety within this period. To preserve the quality of your care products in the best possible way, we recommend that you always store them tightly closed, protected from direct sunlight, and at room temperature.

Peptides

Peptides are short amino acid chains that function as essential building blocks for the skin's proteins, such as collagen and elastin. In cosmetic applications, they serve as intelligent messengers that send specific signals to the skin cells for regeneration and repair. They support the skin's own structure and help you to noticeably improve the firmness and elasticity of the skin. By specifically stimulating collagen synthesis, peptides can visibly soften the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. They are an indispensable component of advanced care aimed at maintaining youthfully smooth and resilient skin.

PZN

The Pharmazentralnummer (PZN) is a uniform identification key for medicines, medical devices, and pharmacy-standard cosmetics in Germany. This eight-digit code ensures clear and error-free allocation of products in the pharmaceutical trade. For you, this means the highest level of safety and transparency when purchasing in a pharmacy. Products bearing a PZN meet high quality standards and are seamlessly integrated into the logistical processes of the healthcare system. The high-quality dermocosmetic care products from KLOTZ LABS® are also provided with a PZN, underlining their pharmacy exclusivity and our commitment to the highest pharmaceutical quality.

R

Retinal

Retinal, also known as retinaldehyde, is a direct precursor of active vitamin A acid and is characterised by particularly rapid effectiveness. In contrast to classic retinol, retinal requires only a single conversion step in the skin to unfold its cell-renewing properties. It promotes the skin's own collagen production and supports you in visibly firming and refining the skin structure. At the same time, it possesses balancing properties that are also beneficial for skin prone to blemishes. Retinal thus offers you a highly effective yet well-tolerated way to specifically and efficiently counteract the visible signs of skin ageing.

Retinol

Retinol is a highly effective form of vitamin A and is considered one of the best-researched ingredients in modern cosmetics. This powerful active ingredient supports the natural regeneration of the skin and promotes collagen synthesis. By accelerating cell renewal, retinol helps you to visibly refine the complexion and balance uneven pigmentation. Fine lines and wrinkles can be visually reduced with continuous use. As retinol can make the skin more sensitive to light, we always recommend combining it with adequate UV protection during the day. It is an essential building block for a sophisticated, structure-improving skincare routine.

U

Urea

Urea is a central component of the skin's Natural Moisturizing Factor (NMF). In cosmetics, synthetically produced urea is used to intensively regulate the moisture balance. It possesses the ability to bind water in the upper skin layers while gently promoting the desquamation of dead skin cells. This helps you to restore rough, dry, or tight skin areas to a supple and smooth condition. By strengthening the skin barrier, urea sustainably protects against moisture loss, making it an indispensable active ingredient for the care of demanding and moisture-deficient skin.

V

Vitamin C

Vitamin C is a potent antioxidant that protects your skin from the harmful influences of free radicals and oxidative stress. In cosmetics, both pure ascorbic acid and stabilised derivatives are used. The active ingredient is significantly involved in the skin's own collagen formation, thus supporting the firmness and elasticity of the skin. In addition, vitamin C inhibits excessive melanin production, helping you to visually brighten pigmentation spots and let the complexion shine more evenly. For a vital, fresh glow, this ingredient is an essential addition to your daily skincare routine, ideally in combination with sun protection.

Vitamin D

Vitamin D is an essential vitamin whose precursors naturally occur in the skin and which plays an important role in cell division. In modern cosmetics, vitamin D analogues or precursors are used to support the natural protective function of the skin barrier. It contributes to strengthening the resilience of the epidermis against external stress factors and keeping the moisture balance in equilibrium. Care with vitamin D analogues helps you to soothe dry and stressed skin and restore its supple, vital appearance. Particularly in the months with little sun, this is a valuable addition to your skin's well-being.