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Increases the volume of a product.

A common name for phenol, the simplest of the phenol compounds.

A trade name for synthetic polymers commonly used in cosmetics products as thickeners, emulsion stabilisers and suspending agents.

A group of organic compounds having the carboxyl group (-COOH) as a common feature. A number of compounds of carboxylic acid are used as surfactants, emulsifiers and cleansers in cosmetics products.

Substance used to alter or speed-up a chemical modification in another material, without being consumed or incorporated into the end product.

In cationic surfactants the hydrophobic (water-hating) portion of the molecule contains a positive charge.

Chemicals used to prevent metal ions from bonding with other ingredients and affecting the products stability, odour or appearance.

Added to alcohol-containing products to make them bitter and therefore unpleasant to the taste.

Any of various surfactants used to aid cleaning (see surfactant.)

Agent that prevents infection by inhibiting the growth or activity of microorganisms.

Emollient ingredients increase the levels of moisture in the skin by forming an oil barrier to prevent moisture evaporation from the skin’s surface, causing the outer layers to swell as they absorb water from the deeper layers.

A substance used to suspend one liquid in another that normally cannot be mixed together (such as oil and water).

A mixture of two substances that don’t readily mix together, where one is dispersed in the other as tiny droplets. Emulsifiers form a film around the droplets, which enables the immiscible (unblendable) substances to mix together.

Enhances the stability of an emulsion and increases the shelf-life of a product.

Reaction product of an acid and an alcohol.

Any of a group of compounds characterised by a molecular structure where an oxygen atom is interjected between two carbon atoms that are part of hydrocarbon molecules. Common examples of ethers are the anaesthetic diethyl ether (ethoxyethane) and polyethers such as polyethylene glycol (PEG) used in cosmetics products.

A chemical process where ethylene oxide is added to fatty acids to increase their solubility in water.

Removes the skin’s outer surface layer (stratum corneum), such as the chemical agents – alpha hydroxy acids and physical agent – oatmeal or apricot kernel powder.

Organic compounds consisting of a hydrocarbon chain with a carboxyl group at one end. Normally a carboxylic acid with at least 4 carbon atoms is considered a fatty acid. Fatty acids can be natural or synthesised and are either saturated or unsaturated.

Alcohols primarily derived from natural fats and oils used in cosmetics products as emulsifiers, thickeners and emollients.