Cosmetic Glossary

Abrasive: Substances used in skincare products to physically exfoliate dead skin cells from the skin's surface.

Active Ingredient: Components in a product responsible for its claimed benefits or therapeutic effects.

Anti-inflammatory: Ingredients that reduce inflammation and soothe irritated skin.

Antifoaming agent: Substances that reduce or prevent foaming in products.

Antimicrobial: Agents that inhibit the growth of bacteria, fungi, and other microorganisms.

Antioxidant: Ingredients that protect skin cells from damaging free radicals and environmental stressors like UV exposure.

Antiperspirant agent: Compounds that reduce perspiration by blocking sweat glands.

Antistatic agent: Ingredients that prevent the buildup of static electricity in products like hair conditioners.

Astringent: Substances that tighten the skin and pores, often used in toners.

Botanical extract: Plant-derived ingredients used for various benefits, including moisturizing, soothing, and antioxidant properties.

Buffering agent: Substances that maintain the stability of the product's pH level.

Chelating Agent: Ingredients that prevent ions in a product from binding to impurities, enhancing product effectiveness and stability.

Coloring Agent: Substances used to give color to cosmetic products.

Detergent: Cleaning agents that emulsify and remove dirt and oils from the skin.

Emollient: Ingredients that soften and smooth the skin by providing a protective, moisturizing layer.

Emulsifier: Substances that allow water and oil to mix, creating a smooth, unified texture.

Essential Oil: Volatile, aromatic oils obtained from plants, used for fragrance and potential therapeutic properties.

Exfoliant: Ingredients that remove dead skin cells from the skin's surface, either physically (scrubs) or chemically (AHAs, BHAs).

Film-forming Agent: Ingredients that create a continuous, cohesive film on the skin or hair, providing benefits like long-lasting effects or increased protection.

Fragrance: Components added to impart scent to a product, either synthetic or natural.

Hair Conditioning Agent: Ingredients that improve the manageability, appearance, and texture of hair by making it smooth, soft, and shiny.

Hair Styling Agent: Substances that aid in shaping and holding a hair style, and can provide benefits like shine, volume, and texture.

Humectant: Ingredients that draw water from the deeper skin layers or the environment into the top layers of the skin, providing hydration.

Keratolytic agent: Substances that help loosen the outer layer of skin, assisting in exfoliation and removal of dead skin cells.

Moisturizer: Ingredients or products that help hydrate the skin by reducing evaporation or increasing water content.

Nutrient-rich Oil: Oils derived from plants that have beneficial properties for skin or hair, such as vitamins, fatty acids, and antioxidants.

Opacifier: Ingredients used to make a product opaque or less clear.

pH adjuster: Substances used to control the pH level of a product, ensuring its effectiveness and preventing irritation.

Pigmentation: The natural color of skin determined by melanin, or artificial color added to cosmetic products.

Plasticizer: Ingredients used to improve the flexibility and durability of products.

Preservative: Substances used to prevent microbial growth and product spoilage.

Skin-Brightening Agent: Ingredients that work to lighten skin tone or improve complexion by reducing the appearance of discoloration or dark spots.

Skin-Conditioning Agent: Ingredients that enhance the appearance and feel of the skin, often by increasing hydration.

Solubilizer: Ingredients that help dissolve one substance into another where they normally wouldn't mix.

Solvent: Substances that dissolve other ingredients in a formulation.

Soothing agent: Ingredients that calm and reduce skin irritation or inflammation.

Stabilizer: Substances that help maintain the consistency and integrity of a formulation.

Sunscreen agent: Active ingredients that protect the skin from UV radiation.

Surfactant: Compounds that lower the surface tension between two substances, allowing them to mix or emulsify.

Therapeutic agent: Active ingredients that offer health benefits or treat certain skin conditions.

Thickener: Substances used to increase the viscosity of a product.