Skin Care Products: Chemistry, Ingredients & Selection Flashcards
Carbomers
Gellant / Thickener- used to thicken creams and are frequently used in gel products
Chelating Agent (preservative)
Chemical that is added to cosmetics to improve the efficiency of the preservative.
Cheating agents work by breaking down the cell walls of bacteria and other micro organisms
These ingredients are used in small quantities
Antioxidants.
Substances that inhibit oxidation reactions. They are used to help the condition of the skin by combating free radicals as well as stopping the oxidation that causes products to turn rancid and spoil.
Common antioxidants used as preservatives are Ascorbic acid, BHA, BHT and tocopherol (vitaminE)
FDA
FDA views cosmetics according to the Cosmetic Act of 1938, which distinguishes between frustrated and cosmetics
Functional Ingredients
Make up the majority of a product ; allows products to spread, give them body and texture, and a specific form such as a lotion, cream or gel
Performance Ingredients
Performance ingredients cause the actual changes in the appearance of the skin
Performance ingredients are sometimes referred to as active agents
Water
Water makes up a large part of the skin. It is the most frequently used cosmetic ingredient – it’s a vehicle and a performance ingredient
Helps keep cosmetic ingredients in products and helps spread products across skin
Anhydrous
Products that do not contain any water
Oil based serums, petrolatum based products ( lip balm, and silicone serums)
Anhydrous products are designed for DRY skin
Plant Oil
Plant oils contain fatty acids which are beneficial for skin that does not produce enough sebum
Plant oils vary in fatty acid content and heaviness.
Coconut oil and palm Oil are two of the fattiest and heaviest oils
Fatty alcohols
Fatty alcohols have a wax like consistency and are used as emollients or spreading agents
Fatty esters
Fatty Esters are produced from combining fatty acids and fatty alcohols
Fatty esters are easily recognized on labels because they almost always end in -ate-
Surfactants
Surfactants reduce the tension between the skin and the product and increase the spreadability of the cosmetic product
Certified Colors
Certified colors are Synthetic, inorganic and known as metal salts.
These are colorants that have been batch certified and approved by the FDA
Exempt Colors
Exempt colors are those colors that do not require certification, include zinc oxide, iron oxides, carmine, mica and the ultramarine colors
Exfoliants
Exfoliants are mechanical and chemical ingredients that exfoliate the skin
Mechanical exfoliating ingredients are add to products to physically scrape dead cells from the skins surface.
The ingredients include: jojoba beads, ground nuts- almonds, and various seeds