Cosmetic Chemistry Vovabulary
Define and provide examples that relate to your specific product when possible. Please make sure your definitions are in a Cosmetic Chemistry context (don’t just look for the general definition of the word, but rather google the word and cosmetic chemistry).
Phthalates
Man made chemicals structurally related to organic acid; plasticizers.
Hypoallergenic
Unlikely to cause allergic reactions.
Comedogenic
Tending to produce or aggravate acne.
Occlusives
When something (cream, ointment, etc..) is trapped on the skin and is absorbed by the skin.
Active ingredients
The ingredient in a pharmaceutical drug or a pesticide that is biologically active.
Inactive ingredients
Components which do not help directly in achieving a product's performance objectives.
Preservatives
A substance that preserves a product from decay.
Transepidermal
Useful for identifying damage due to chemical exposure.
Hygroscopic
Tending to absorb moisture from the air.
Solvated
A chemical compound formed by the interaction of a solvent and a solute.
Humectant
Retaining or preserving moisture.
Esters
An organic compound made by replacing the hydrogen of an acid by an alkyl or other organic group.
Solvents
The liquid in which a solute is dissolved to form a solution.
Emulsions
A fine dispersion of minute droplets of one liquid in another in which it is not soluble or miscible.
Surfactants
A substance that tends to reduce the surface tension of a liquid in which it is dissolved.
Emollients
A preparation that softens the skin.
Moisturizers
A lotion or cream used to prevent dryness in the skin.
Waxes
Cover or treat (something) with wax or a similar substance, typically to polish or protect it.
Thickeners
A substance added to a liquid to make it firmer.
Stabilizers
A thing used to keep something steady or stable, in particular.
Phthalates
Man made chemicals structurally related to organic acid; plasticizers.
Hypoallergenic
Unlikely to cause allergic reactions.
Comedogenic
Tending to produce or aggravate acne.
Occlusives
When something (cream, ointment, etc..) is trapped on the skin and is absorbed by the skin.
Active ingredients
The ingredient in a pharmaceutical drug or a pesticide that is biologically active.
Inactive ingredients
Components which do not help directly in achieving a product's performance objectives.
Preservatives
A substance that preserves a product from decay.
Transepidermal
Useful for identifying damage due to chemical exposure.
Hygroscopic
Tending to absorb moisture from the air.
Solvated
A chemical compound formed by the interaction of a solvent and a solute.
Humectant
Retaining or preserving moisture.
Esters
An organic compound made by replacing the hydrogen of an acid by an alkyl or other organic group.
Solvents
The liquid in which a solute is dissolved to form a solution.
Emulsions
A fine dispersion of minute droplets of one liquid in another in which it is not soluble or miscible.
Surfactants
A substance that tends to reduce the surface tension of a liquid in which it is dissolved.
Emollients
A preparation that softens the skin.
Moisturizers
A lotion or cream used to prevent dryness in the skin.
Waxes
Cover or treat (something) with wax or a similar substance, typically to polish or protect it.
Thickeners
A substance added to a liquid to make it firmer.
Stabilizers
A thing used to keep something steady or stable, in particular.