Glossary of Cosmetic and Chemical Terms
| Carbolic Acid A common name for phenol, the simplest of the phenol compounds. |
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| Carbomers A trade name for synthetic polymers commonly used in cosmetics products as thickeners, emulsion stabilisers and suspending agents. |
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| Carboxylic Acid 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. |
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| Catalyst Substance used to alter or speed-up a chemical modification in another material, without being consumed or incorporated into the end product. |
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| Cationic Surfactant In cationic surfactants the hydrophobic (water-hating) portion of the molecule contains a positive charge. |
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| Chelating Agent Chemicals used to prevent metal ions from bonding with other ingredients and affecting the products stability, odour or appearance. |