Glossary of Cosmetic and Chemical Terms
| Fatty Acid 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. |
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| Fatty Alcohol Alcohols primarily derived from natural fats and oils used in cosmetics products as emulsifiers, thickeners and emollients. |
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| Film Former Added to a product to generate a continuous film when applied to a surface e.g. in face masks, nail varnish and hair styling products. |
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| Fixing Agent/ Fixative A chemical compound that sets something. Used in hair styling products to maintain the hold and shape of the style. |
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| Foam Booster Added to detergents to increase suds or lather. |
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| Foaming Agent Chemicals that produce suds or lather. |
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| Free Radicals Atoms with unpaired electrons that attempt to stabilise themselves by ‘stealing’ electrons from the closest stable atoms. The newly formed unstable atoms become free radicals, initiating a chain reaction that becomes a major problem when they harm vital cellular components such as DNA and cellular membranes. |
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| Fungicide A substance used to destroy or inhibit the growth of fungi. |