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Personal Formula Resources

(PG0368354-V)

Glossary
Active Ingredient Ingredient used in cosmetics which exhibit
specific benefits to skin or hair
Alpha Hydroxyl Acids (AHA) AHA improve the look and condition of skin by accelerating the exfoliation of outer dead skin cells revealing younger fresher skin. Additionally, AHA’s stimulate collagen synthesis, boost skin elasticity and increase cell renewal.
Antioxidant A group of vitamins, minerals, and enzymes that help protect our body from the formation of destructive, reactive molecules known as free radicals. Antioxidants, such as Vitamins A, C, and E, the mineral selenium, and other nutrients also act as free radical scavengers, neutralizing the free radical particles.
Botanical Extracts Nature by relying on herbs and plant-derived ingredients, vegetable matter used in the form of the leaves, flowers or roots. Their use throughout history is well-documented as both effective and safe in the treatment of skin.
Carrier Oil Also known as base oil or vegetable oil is used to dilute essential oils and absolutes before they are applied to the skin in massage and aromatherapy.
Colorant FD&C grade colorants or food coloring is dye that imparts color when it is added. Due to its safety, FD&C colorants also used in cosmetics and pharmaceuticals.
Conditioner A group of compounds that creates distinctive effects on the skin or hair, enhancing their natural healthy appearance and improving their texture; repair dry or damage skin or hair and increase suppleness and elasticity.
Cream Cream consists of aqua phase, emulsifiers and oil phase but relatively heavier than lotions and are generally more effective in moisturizing and protecting the skin. Creams are stickier and feel greasier than lotions.
Emulsifier Emulsifier is an agent employed in cosmetics to prepare emulsions. The efficacy of emulsifier depends on their ability to reduce surface tension, to form complex films on the surface of emulsified droplet, and to create a repulsive barrier on emulsified droplets to prevent their coalescence.
Emulsion A stable system in which two liquids, which would not normally go into solution, are held in suspension by a small amount of an emulsifier.
Essential Oil Volatile, rapidly evaporating oil obtained from the leaves, stem, flower, seed or root of a plant, usually carrying the odor characteristic of the plant. Essential oils add fragrance to our skin care products, as well as contribute to their healthful and beautifying qualities through their various abilities to tone, balance, relax, cleanse and invigorate. Although all essential oils are ‘fragrant’, not all ‘fragrances’ are essential oils. True essential oils must be plant derived. Used in cosmetics, aromatherapy, medicine, perfumery and flavoring.
Emollient Emollient is an ingredient that helps to maintain the soft, smooth and pliable appearance of skin. Emollient remains on skin surface to act as lubricants, reduce flaking and improve the skin’s appearance.
Exfoliant A product or ingredient which is used to remove unwanted tissue or waste products from the skin and other body surfaces. Exfoliants gentle abrasive action removes dirt, leaving the skin soft and radiant.
Foam Booster An additive used in shampoo and cleansing products to increase suds production and stabilize the foam and lather.
Fragrance Fragrance imparts scent and aroma of the cosmetics products. Fragrance does more than give pleasant smell. They neutralize the inherent odor of the chemicals. They can also enhance mood of consumer when using the cosmetics products.
Humectants A substance that absorbs and promotes the retention of moisture from air.
Lotion Lotion consist of aqua phase, emulsifiers and oil phase but relatively display light moisturizers that absorb quickly into the skin and usually non greasy feel.
Moisturizer Moisturizer helps to keep the skin healthy by preventing the excess loss of water. Dryness is the main cause of premature aging, and a good moisturizer is the first step towards healthy skin.
O/W Emulsion Oil in Water (O/W) emulsion means has small droplets of oil dispersed in a medium of water.
Opacifier Opacifying agent is used to change the appearance of cosmetics products to white milky colors. This help to impart a rich, creamy or lotionized looks and feeling.
pH Adjuster Used for pH adjustment either towards acidic or alkaline condition by using different pH regulators.
Preservative Preservative is added to prevent contamination from bacteria, mold and other organism. Preserving personal care products is necessary in order to prevent contamination from wide spectrum of bacteria, yeasts and molds.
Thickener An ingredient or agent that can be added to cosmetics or skin care products in order to change the viscosity to create a more dense mixture.
W/O Emulsion Water in Oil (W/O) emulsion means has small droplets of water dispersed in a medium of oil.