Every skincare and beauty term explained in plain, simple language. No jargon — just clear, honest information about organic and natural skincare.
The beauty industry is full of complicated words — and brands use them to confuse you into buying products that may not actually be natural. At Dina Organics, we believe you deserve to understand every single ingredient and every claim on the label. This dictionary covers the most important organic skincare terms in plain English, so you can make informed choices about what you put on your face and body. All Dina Organics products are made from scratch in Port-Louis, Mauritius, using only ingredients you can recognise — many of which you will find defined right here.
A substance that protects your skin cells from damage caused by free radicals — unstable molecules produced by pollution, UV rays, and stress. Antioxidants slow down visible ageing, reduce redness, and help your skin stay healthy and bright. Vitamin C, vitamin E, and turmeric are all powerful natural antioxidants. Found in: Vitamin C Mask, Turmeric Collagen
The part of a skincare product that actually does the work — brightening, smoothing, hydrating. In organic skincare, actives come from plants, seeds, and clays rather than synthetic chemicals. Knowing which actives are in a product helps you choose what your skin truly needs.
Pressed from the seeds of Nigella sativa, black seed oil has been used in natural medicine for over 2,000 years. It is rich in thymoquinone, an anti-inflammatory compound, as well as fatty acids that deeply nourish and strengthen hair follicles. It soothes dry, irritated scalp and promotes thicker, healthier hair growth without any harsh chemicals. Found in: Blackseed Hair Serum
A term used to describe products that even out skin tone, reduce dark spots, and make skin look more radiant and luminous. Unlike bleaching (which uses harsh chemicals), natural brightening works by gently reducing excess melanin production using plant-based ingredients such as turmeric, vitamin C, and rice water.
A product described as chemical-free contains no synthetic or laboratory-made chemicals — no parabens, sulphates, silicones, artificial fragrances, or petrochemicals. Every Dina Organics product is formulated from natural plants, clays, and oils only. What you apply is exactly what nature provides — nothing added in a factory.
The protein that gives your skin its firmness and elasticity. From your mid-20s, your body produces less collagen each year, which leads to fine lines and sagging. Certain plant ingredients — particularly turmeric and vitamin C — stimulate your skin's natural collagen synthesis, helping to maintain a plump, youthful appearance over time. Found in: Turmeric Collagen, Vitamin C Mask
A cruelty-free product has not been tested on animals at any stage of its development. At Dina Organics, every formulation is tested by Dina herself and trusted customers. No animals are ever involved. This is non-negotiable.
Naturally occurring minerals from the earth that absorb excess oil and impurities from deep within pores. Different clays have different strengths: kaolin clay is gentle and suits sensitive skin, while fuller's earth is more powerful for oily skin. Clays are among the oldest skincare ingredients in the world and have no synthetic substitutes. Found in: Glass Skin Mask, Rice Face Mask
A deeper level of cleaning that goes beyond surface dirt — reaching inside pores to remove accumulated sebum, dead skin cells, and environmental pollutants. A deep cleanse is typically done once or twice a week using a clay mask or enzyme-based face wash, rather than your daily cleanser. It leaves skin visibly cleaner and pores less noticeable. Found in: Face Wash, Rice Face Mask
The gradual reduction of excess melanin (dark pigment) in the skin, resulting in a more even complexion. Natural depigmentation uses plant actives such as turmeric, niacinamide from rice, and vitamin C rather than hydroquinone or mercury-based compounds — both of which are harmful. Natural methods are slower but safe for long-term use.
An ingredient that softens and smooths the skin by filling in the tiny gaps between skin cells. Emollients do not add moisture but they lock in the moisture already present, preventing dryness and leaving skin feeling supple. Natural emollients include sweet almond oil, shea butter, and aloe vera. Found in: Almond Serum
An ingredient or product that removes dead skin cells from the surface of your skin, revealing the fresher, brighter layer beneath. There are two types: physical exfoliants (like ground lentils or rice) physically buff away dead cells, while chemical exfoliants (like fruit acids) dissolve the bonds holding dead cells together. Natural physical exfoliants are gentler and do not disrupt the skin's microbiome. Found in: Red Lentils Scrub
Naturally occurring biological molecules found in plants and fruits that break down dead skin cell proteins gently, without abrasion. Enzymes from papaya (papain) and pineapple (bromelain) are commonly used in organic face washes and masks. They exfoliate at a cellular level and are particularly suited to sensitive skin.
A concentrated treatment product applied to the skin for 10–20 minutes and then rinsed off. Face masks deliver a higher dose of active ingredients than a daily moisturiser, targeting specific concerns like dullness, congestion, uneven tone, or dehydration. At Dina Organics, every mask is made fresh from natural ingredients with no synthetic binders or fillers. Found in: Rice Face Mask, Glass Skin Mask, Vitamin C Mask
A product used to physically exfoliate the skin. Fine particles — like ground red lentils — are massaged gently onto damp skin to buff away dead cells, unclog pores, and stimulate circulation. A good natural scrub should feel gently grainy but never harsh or sharp. Use 2–3 times per week for best results. Found in: Red Lentils Scrub
An unstable molecule that steals electrons from healthy skin cells, causing a chain reaction of cellular damage known as oxidative stress. Free radicals are generated by UV radiation, pollution, cigarette smoke, and stress. Over time, free radical damage visibly ages the skin — which is why antioxidant-rich natural products are so important.
A Korean beauty term describing skin that appears so smooth, hydrated, and clear that it looks like glass — almost translucent with a healthy, luminous glow. Glass skin is achieved by consistent exfoliation, deep hydration, and strengthening the skin barrier over time. It is the opposite of congested, dull, or uneven skin. Found in: Glass Skin Mask
In Mauritius, a recette grand-mère (grandmother's recipe) refers to traditional skincare remedies passed down through generations. These recipes use locally available plants, spices, and oils — turmeric for brightness, rice water for softness, aloe vera for soothing — long before modern cosmetics existed. Dina Organics is rooted in this heritage, updating traditional formulas for modern skin needs.
An ingredient that attracts water molecules from the air (or from deeper layers of skin) and binds them to the surface, keeping the skin hydrated. Natural humectants include aloe vera, honey, and vegetable glycerin. They are essential in any moisturising formula and work best when used before an emollient to lock in the moisture they attract.
Hyaluronic acid is a molecule naturally produced by your skin to retain water — one molecule can hold up to 1,000 times its own weight in moisture. Synthetic hyaluronic acid in most commercial products is lab-manufactured. Natural alternatives that mimic this effect include marshmallow root, aloe vera, and certain plant mucilages, which Dina Organics uses in hydrating formulations.
Every substance in a skincare product is an ingredient. By law, ingredients must be listed on packaging (INCI list), but they are often written in Latin or chemical names that are hard to read. A core principle at Dina Organics is ingredient transparency — every product uses recognisable, natural ingredients you can look up, pronounce, and trust.
Your skin's immune response to irritation, bacteria, UV damage, or harsh products — showing up as redness, swelling, breakouts, or sensitivity. Chronic low-grade skin inflammation accelerates ageing and worsens conditions like acne and eczema. Anti-inflammatory natural ingredients such as turmeric, noni, and aloe vera help calm this response at the source.
A very fine, white clay mineral sourced from the earth, named after the Kao-ling hill in China where it was first mined. Kaolin is the gentlest of all cosmetic clays — it absorbs excess oil and draws out impurities without stripping the skin's natural moisture. It is ideal for sensitive, dry, or combination skin and is commonly found in natural face masks and powders. Found in: Glass Skin Mask
The structural protein that makes up your hair, nails, and the outermost layer of your skin. Healthy keratin means strong, shiny hair and a resilient skin surface. Chemical treatments, heat styling, and harsh shampoos degrade keratin. Natural hair serums and vitamin C-based shampoos help protect and rebuild keratin from the outside in. Found in: Vitamin C Shampoo
The community of trillions of beneficial bacteria, fungi, and microorganisms that live on your skin's surface. A healthy skin microbiome acts as your skin's first line of defence — fighting harmful pathogens, regulating inflammation, and keeping your skin barrier intact. Antibacterial chemicals, alcohol-based products, and over-cleansing can strip the microbiome. Natural products protect and support it.
The natural pigment produced by cells called melanocytes that gives your skin, hair, and eyes their colour. Overproduction of melanin — triggered by sun exposure, hormones, or inflammation — causes hyperpigmentation, dark spots, and uneven tone. Natural brightening ingredients gently regulate melanin production without harmful bleaching chemicals.
In skincare, "natural" means derived from plants, minerals, or other naturally occurring sources rather than synthesised in a laboratory. However, the word is not regulated — any brand can write "natural" on packaging without proof. When shopping for truly natural skincare, look for recognisable ingredient names, no synthetic preservatives, and honest brands who explain exactly where their ingredients come from. All Dina Organics products meet this standard.
Morinda citrifolia — known locally in Mauritius as noni — is a tropical fruit with extraordinary skin-healing properties. Noni is rich in proxeronine (a collagen precursor), antioxidants, and fatty acids that deeply nourish and regenerate the skin. It has been used in Polynesian and Mauritian traditional medicine for centuries to heal wounds, even skin tone, and slow visible ageing. Found in: Noni Cream & Soap
An organic ingredient is grown without synthetic pesticides, herbicides, or fertilisers, and processed without chemical additives. Organic farming preserves soil health, biodiversity, and the full nutritional and therapeutic profile of the plant. Organic skincare ingredients carry more of the plant's active compounds because they are not degraded by chemicals during growing. This directly translates to more effective skincare.
An imbalance between free radicals and antioxidants in the skin, leading to accelerated cellular damage and visible ageing. UV exposure, pollution, poor diet, and stress all increase oxidative stress. A consistent routine of antioxidant-rich skincare — turmeric, vitamin C, vitamin E — helps neutralise free radicals and reduce oxidative damage over time.
Parabens are synthetic preservatives (methylparaben, propylparaben, butylparaben) used in conventional cosmetics to extend shelf life. Studies have linked them to hormone disruption as they mimic oestrogen in the body. A paraben-free product uses natural preservation methods — or, like Dina Organics products, contains no water-based formula requiring preservatives at all, because they are made in small fresh batches.
Short chains of amino acids — the building blocks of proteins like collagen and elastin — that signal your skin to produce more of these structural proteins. In organic skincare, peptide activity is stimulated naturally through plant extracts rich in amino acids, such as noni fruit, rice protein, and certain seed oils, rather than synthetic peptide sequences.
Refers to the colour of the skin, and more commonly to hyperpigmentation — areas of skin that have become darker than the surrounding skin due to excess melanin. Causes include sun damage (sunspots), hormonal changes (melasma), and post-inflammatory marks from acne. Natural treatment with turmeric, vitamin C, and rice water can gradually fade pigmentation safely over weeks and months. Found in: Turmeric Collagen, Vitamin C Mask
Products or ingredients that reduce the visible size of pores by removing the oil and debris that stretch pores open, and by tightening the skin around each pore. Clay-based masks and gentle exfoliants are the most effective natural pore-minimising approaches. Pores cannot physically shrink permanently, but consistent cleansing keeps them visibly smaller. Found in: Rice Face Mask, Glass Skin Mask
A product made without any chemical preservatives. This is only possible with anhydrous (water-free) formulations like powders and oil-based products, or with products made in very small fresh batches and used quickly. All Dina Organics dry mask and powder products are preservative-free because there is no water for bacteria to grow in.
See Grand-Mère Recipe above. This Mauritian Creole term for a grandmother's recipe represents the living tradition of natural beauty knowledge passed down through families across the island. Dina Organics was built on this tradition — Dina grew up watching her family use turmeric, aloe, and local plants on their skin long before the word "organic" became a marketing term.
A regenerating ingredient or product promotes the renewal of skin cells, encourages collagen production, and helps repair visible damage such as scars, fine lines, and uneven texture. True skin regeneration at a natural level takes weeks, not hours. Consistent use of regenerating botanicals like noni, turmeric, and vitamin E delivers cumulative, lasting improvement. Found in: Noni Cream & Soap, Turmeric Collagen
The starchy water left after soaking or boiling rice. Rich in inositol, ferulic acid, and vitamins B and E, rice water has been used by women across Asia and the Indian Ocean as a skin and hair treatment for centuries. It brightens the complexion, reduces inflammation, tightens pores, and strengthens hair. In Mauritius, this is a recette grand-mère in its purest form. Found in: Rice Face Mask, Vitamin C Shampoo
A physical exfoliation product that uses fine abrasive particles to remove dead skin cells from the surface. Natural scrub particles include ground lentils, sugar, salt, coffee, and oat flour — all of which exfoliate without the microplastic pollution caused by synthetic scrub beads found in conventional products. Found in: Red Lentils Scrub
The natural oil produced by sebaceous glands in your skin. Sebum has an important protective function — it keeps skin moisturised, flexible, and resistant to bacteria. Problems arise when sebum production is excessive (causing oily skin and breakouts) or insufficient (causing dryness and flaking). Natural skincare works with your sebum balance rather than stripping it away entirely as many chemical cleansers do.
Skin that reacts more easily than average to products, weather, or environmental triggers — showing redness, itching, burning, or breakouts. Sensitive skin typically has a compromised skin barrier that allows irritants to penetrate more easily. Natural skincare without alcohol, synthetic fragrances, or harsh surfactants is generally much better tolerated by sensitive skin than conventional products. All Dina Organics products are formulated with sensitive skin in mind.
A lightweight, concentrated treatment product designed to deliver a high dose of active ingredients directly into the skin. Serums have smaller molecules than creams and penetrate deeper. Natural hair and face serums use plant oils and botanical extracts as their active carriers, targeting specific concerns from scalp health to under-eye darkness. Found in: Blackseed Hair Serum, Almond Serum
The outermost protective layer of skin — the stratum corneum — which acts as a wall keeping moisture in and irritants out. A healthy skin barrier is the foundation of all good skin: hydrated, calm, and resilient. Harsh chemical cleansers, over-exfoliation, and synthetic ingredients can damage the skin barrier, leading to sensitivity, dryness, and breakouts. Natural products help repair and maintain it. Found in: Noni Cream
Sulphates (sodium lauryl sulphate, sodium laureth sulphate) are the synthetic detergents that make conventional shampoos and face washes foam aggressively. They are highly effective cleansers but strip the scalp and skin of all natural oils, damaging the microbiome and skin barrier. Sulphate-free products clean effectively without this stripping effect, using gentle plant-derived surfactants instead. Found in: Vitamin C Shampoo, Face Wash
A liquid applied to the skin after cleansing to restore the skin's natural pH balance, remove any remaining traces of cleanser or makeup, and prepare the skin to absorb the next product in your routine. Natural toners use rose water, green tea, or diluted plant hydrosols rather than alcohol — which tightens pores temporarily but dries out and irritates the skin over time.
A golden spice from the root of Curcuma longa, used in Ayurvedic medicine and Indian Ocean cooking for thousands of years. In skincare, turmeric's active compound curcumin is a powerful anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and skin brightener. It inhibits melanin production to fade dark spots, stimulates collagen synthesis, and reduces redness from acne and sun damage. One of the most studied natural skincare ingredients in the world. Found in: Turmeric Collagen
A vegan skincare product contains no animal-derived ingredients — no beeswax, honey, lanolin, collagen sourced from animals, or carmine (a red dye made from insects). Vegan skincare can still be highly nourishing, using plant oils, clays, and botanical extracts instead. All Dina Organics products are vegan-friendly, relying entirely on plant-based ingredients grown in or near Mauritius.
One of the most potent and well-researched skincare ingredients in the world. Vitamin C (ascorbic acid) is a powerful antioxidant that brightens dull skin, fades hyperpigmentation, stimulates collagen production, and protects against UV-induced free radical damage. In natural skincare, it is sourced from camu camu, rosehip, and acerola cherry. It works synergistically with vitamin E for enhanced antioxidant protection. Found in: Vitamin C Mask, Vitamin C Shampoo
A fat-soluble antioxidant vitamin (tocopherol) that protects skin cell membranes from free radical damage, supports wound healing, and deeply conditions dry skin. Vitamin E works best in combination with vitamin C — together they provide significantly more antioxidant protection than either ingredient alone. It is found naturally in almonds, sunflower seeds, and wheat germ oil. Found in: Almond Serum
Natural skin whitening refers to the safe, gradual reduction of hyperpigmentation and uneven skin tone using plant-based actives — not the dangerous use of mercury, hydroquinone, or steroids found in illegal bleaching products. Natural whitening ingredients like turmeric, noni, kojic acid from fermented rice, and vitamin C regulate melanin production gently over time without damaging skin structure or health. Found in: Whitening Soap, Nila Soap
Products described as wrinkle-fighting target the biological causes of fine lines and wrinkles: collagen loss, free radical damage, dehydration, and repeated facial muscle movement. Natural wrinkle-fighting ingredients stimulate collagen synthesis (vitamin C, turmeric), neutralise free radicals (antioxidants), and deeply hydrate the skin (aloe vera, sweet almond oil). Results build gradually over months of consistent use. Found in: Turmeric Collagen, Coffee Eye Gel
Not sure which product is right for your skin? Dina personally answers every message. Share your skin concern and she will recommend the right Dina Organics product for you — no obligation, just honest advice from someone who truly understands natural skincare.
All Dina Organics products are Rs 300 or less. Delivery from Rs 150 anywhere in Mauritius.