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Special Edition by LUXE PACK - 2026!
Basics
All articles
Dossiers
Cosmetics glossary
Advising consumers
The language of labels

Basics:Cosmetics glossary

Green DotSubscribers only

Logo indicating that the manufacturer of the product on which it is affixed contributes financially to the collection, sorting and recycling of its packaging.

IFRA

Founded in Geneva in 1973, IFRA is the International Fragrance Association, the official international body representing the fragrance industry. Its main goal is to ensure the safety of fragrance raw materials for health and the environment through a dedicated scientific program.

CMRSubscribers only

An acronym for substances that are Carcinogenic, Mutagenic (inducing permanent changes in the number and/or structure of the body’s genetic material) or toxic to Reproduction (e.g. by causing malformations of the sexual organs or impairing sperm quality).

Cosmetic Product

What is a cosmetic product? We all have the feeling that we know this… but we can also make mistakes sometimes! And the question is not insignificant, since the status of a product determines the regulations, and the obligations, that apply to it. In Europe, a cosmetic product is governed by Regulation 1223/2009, and it is in this text that its definition must be sought.

EthicAdvisor

This logo, awarded by the private company EthicAdvisor, aims to distinguish ethical products in three dimensions: the health, the social and the planet.
Monday, October 27, 2008
Chelating Agent
Chelating agents react to form complexes with metal ions susceptible to affecting stability and/or the aspect of cosmetic products. Widely used in soa...
Monday, October 27, 2008
Bulking Agent
Bulking agents reduces the apparent density of cosmetic products.
Monday, October 27, 2008
Film Forming Agent
Film forming agents produce a continuous film on skin, hair, or nails.
Monday, October 27, 2008
Keratolytic agent
Keratolytic agents help to eliminate dead cells from the cornea or outer layer of the skin. It works by simple contact withe the skin, interacting wit...
Monday, October 27, 2008
Masking Agent
Masking agents reduce or mask the base odor or aroma of a product.
Monday, October 27, 2008
Hair Conditioning Agent
Hair conditioning agents leave the hair easy to comb, smooth, soft and shiny and/or gives volume, highlights, brilliance, etc.
Monday, October 27, 2008
Emollient
Emollients smoothe and soften the skin.
Monday, October 27, 2008
Humectant
Humectants help to keep constant the water content of a cosmetic while in its package and on the skin.
Monday, October 27, 2008
Hydrotope
Hydrotopes increase the solubility of a substance which is otherwise difficult to dissolve in water.
Monday, October 27, 2008
INCI
INCI is the acronym for International Nomenclature of Cosmetic Ingredients.
Monday, October 27, 2008
Emulsifier
A emulsifier favours the formation of closed mixtures between the immiscible liquids (as for example water and oil). Clearly it allows the realization...
Saturday, October 18, 2008
Ethoxylation
Chemical reaction by which an oxide of ethylene is bonded to non-polar molecules (like fatty-acids) to make these last more water soluble. This proces...
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