Glossary of terms

The Alliance

The Olay Professional Alliance for Skin Care Innovation is an inspired partnership that combines the medical experience of renowned dermatologists from around the world with the fundamental skin aging insights, advanced investigative techniques, and formulation knowledge of the best P&G Beauty Scientists. The mission of the 14-member panel is: To develop a new generation of skin care products to address aging and common skin concerns based on deep dermatologic understanding and advanced skin science. Click here to learn more.

Antioxidant

Antioxidants are molecules capable of slowing or preventing the oxidation of other molecules. Oxidation is a chemical reaction that transfers electrons from a substance to an oxidizing agent. Oxidation reactions can produce free radicals, which start chain reactions and damage cells. Antioxidants help terminate these chain reactions by quenching free radicals and thus inhibiting additional oxidation reactions.

Caffeine

Hydrates the skin's surface to reduce dryness. Caffeine is an ingredient in Pro-X Eye Restoration Complex.

Collagen

Is the main strengthening protein of connective tissue and the most abundant protein in mammals, making up about 25% of the whole-body protein. Degradation of collagen results in dull appearance and wrinkles.

Elastin

A protein that's responsible for skin elasticity.

Exfoliation

Exfoliation involves the removal of the dead skin cells on the skin's outermost surface, and has been used for many years to help maintain healthy, younger-looking skin.

Fast Optical In Vivo Topometry of Human Skin (FOITS)

A 28-day study to assess the impact of product application on the appearance of wrinkles and skin smoothness. The Rz value measures depth of wrinkles (peak to trough) and Ra measures roughness/smoothness (smaller Ra=smoother). Pro-X Wrinkle Smoothing Cream, Deep Wrinkle Treatment, Age Repair Lotion SPF 30, Hydra Firming Cream, and Eye Restoration Complex have all been clinically proven to significantly improve the appearance of wrinkles and skin smoothness vs. control.

Fluorescence Light Examiner (FLX)

A study used to assess the rate of skin cell turnover (i.e., exfoliation). Every Olay Professional Pro-X product has been clinically proven to significantly increase skin cell turnover as evidenced by increased exfoliation rate vs. control.

Genomics

The study of an organism's entire genome. In contrast to genetics, which only looks at single genes one at a time, as a snapshot, genomics looks at all the genes as a dynamic system, over time, to determine how they interact and influence biological pathways, networks, and physiology, in a much more global sense. As it relates to skin care, genomics gives us a global picture of what is happening with skin aging and allows us to understand the complexity of differences between young skin and aged skin at the most fundamental levels.

Glycerin/Glycerol

Glycerin is found in many medical, pharmaceutical, and personal skin care products due to its exceptional water-binding capabilities. It is primarily used as a means of improving smoothness and providing lubrication. Glycerin is an ingredient in all Pro-X products. (Wrinkle Smoothing Cream, Deep Wrinkle Treatment, Age Repair Lotion SPF 30, Hydra Firming Cream, Eye Restoration Complex, and Discoloration Fighting Concentrate.)

Guaranteed

Our goal is that you are satisfied with your product choices. Rigorously tested through independent clinical studies, Olay stands behind these products and will guarantee your complete satisfaction or we will reimburse you fully. If you are not completely satisfied, please call 1-866-511-OLAY (6529) for more information.

Hexamidine

Hexamidine locks in moisture, thereby plumping and firming the skin. Hexamidine is an ingredient in Pro-X Hydra Firming Cream.

N-acetyl Glucosamine (NAG)

N-acetyl Glucosamine (NAG), along with Undecylenoyl (UPA), works to condition and hydrate the skin to reduce the appearance of age spots and improve color evenness. NAG and UPA are ingredients in Pro-X Discoloration Fighting Concentrate.

Niacinamide

Niacinamide is Vitamin B3, and it strengthens the stratum corneum by increasing surface skin renewal and improving the moisture barrier to help reverse the appearance of past skin damage. Niacinamide is a key ingredient in every Pro-X product (Wrinkle Smoothing Cream, Deep Wrinkle Treatment, Age Repair Lotion SPF 30, Hydra Firming Cream, Eye Restoration Complex, and Discoloration Fighting Concentrate.)

Olay Professional Promise

A professional skin care product line should:

Start with an advanced scientific understanding of skin
Be designed by a scientific team with broad expertise across clinical dermatology, skin science, treatment intervention, formulation, and target consumer understanding
Consider that no single product, nor ingredient, can provide the multiple efficacy benefits needed by most. Professional regimens and protocols are needed
Be clinically proven to produce the intended skin benefits. Clinical trial design and execution must be conducted with the highest scientific rigor
Have results from both in vitro studies and controlled clinical trials that conclude the line delivers noticeable skin benefits as claimed

Peptides

A molecule formed by joining two or more amino acids. A string of amino acids creates a protein.

Primary Solution

The first phase of the Pro-X regimen is designed for full-face application. It includes Pro-X Age Repair Lotion SPF 30, Hydra Firming Cream, and Wrinkle Smoothing Cream.

Resignal

When the unique combination of multiple anti-aging ingredients in Olay Professional formulas is applied to the stratum corneum, it signals aged skin to perform more like it did when it was younger. This is done by:

Repairing the moisture barrier
Increasing surface skin turnover

To learn about how Pro-X resignals, click here.

Retinyl Propionate

A patented, chemically stable and less irritating form of Vitamin A that conditions. The formula with retinyl propionate works to renew cells at the skin's surface to reduce the appearance of even the deepest wrinkles. It is an ingredient in Pro-X Deep Wrinkle Treatment.

Specialized Treatment

The second phase of the Pro-X regimen is designed for targeted application. It includes Pro-X Deep Wrinkle Treatment, Eye Restoration Complex, and Discoloration Fighting Concentrate.

Stratum Corneum

The outermost layer of the epidermis (skin). It is composed mainly of dead cells that lack nuclei. As dead cells slough off, they are continuously replaced by new cells. Cells of the stratum corneum contain keratin, a protein that helps keep the skin hydrated by preventing water evaporation. These cells can also absorb water, further aiding in hydration.

Suborbital Eye Area

Crow's feet area and under the eye.

Transepidermal Water Loss (TEWL)

TEWL is a clinical test that measures skin's water loss. Every Olay Professional Pro-X product has been clinically proven to significantly improve skin's moisture barrier as evidenced by a decrease in skin's water loss (TEWL) vs. no treat control.

Undecylenoyl Phenylalanine (Sepiwhite)

Undecylenoyl (UPA), along with N-acetyl Glucosamine (NAG), work to condition and hydrate the skin to reduce the appearance of age spots and improve color evenness. NAG and UPA are ingredients in Pro-X Discoloration Fighting Concentrate.