OBF:Global properties taxonomy

Back to OBF:Global taxonomies

en:ABRASIVE
en:definition:Removes materials from various body surfaces or aids mechanical tooth cleaning or improves gloss

en:ABSORBENT
en:definition:Takes up water- and/or oil-soluble dissolved or finely dispersed substances

en:ANTICAKING
en:definition:Allows free flow of solid particles and thus avoids agglomeration of powdered cosmetics into lumps or hard masses

en:ANTICORROSIVE
en:definition:Prevents corrosion of the packaging

en:ANTIDANDRUFF
en:definition:Helps control dandruff

en:ANTIFOAMING
en:definition:Suppresses foam during manufacturing or reduces the tendency of finished products to generate foam

en:ANTIMICROBIAL
en:definition:Helps control the growth of micro-organisms on the skin

en:ANTIOXIDANT
en:definition:Inhibits reactions promoted by oxygen, thus avoiding oxidation and rancidity

en:ANTIPERSPIRANT
en:definition:Reduces perspiration

en:ANTIPLAQUE
en:definition:Helps protect against plaque

en:ANTISEBORRHOEIC
en:definition:Helps control sebum production

en:ANTISTATIC
en:definition:Reduces static electricity by neutralising electrical charge on a surface

en:ASTRINGENT
en:definition:Contracts the skin

en:BINDING
en:definition:Provides cohesion in cosmetics

en:BLEACHING
en:definition:Lightens the shade of hair or skin

en:BUFFERING
en:definition:Stabilises the pH of cosmetics

en:BULKING
en:definition:Reduces bulk density of cosmetics

en:CHELATING
en:definition:Reacts and forms complexes with metal ions which could affect the stability and/or appearance of cosmetics

en:CLEANSING
en:definition:Helps to keep the body surface clean

en:COSMETIC COLORANT
en:definition:Colours cosmetics and/or imparts colour to the skin and/or its appendages. All colours listed are substances on the positive list of colorants (Annex IV of the Cosmetics Directive)

en:DENATURANT
en:definition:Renders cosmetics unpalatable. Mostly added to cosmetics containing ethyl alcohol

en:DEODORANT
en:definition:Reduces or masks unpleasant body odours

en:DEPILATORY
en:definition:Removes unwanted body hair

en:DETANGLING
en:definition:Reduces or eliminates hair intertwining due to hair surface alteration or damage and, thus, helps combing

en:EMOLLIENT
en:definition:Softens and smooths the skin

en:EMULSIFYING
en:definition:Promotes the formation of intimate mixtures of non-miscible liquids by altering the interfacial tension

en: EMULSION STABILISING
en:definition:Helps the process of emulsification and improves emulsion stability and shelf-life

en: FILM FORMING
en:definition:Produces, upon application, a continuous film on skin, hair or nails

en: FLAVOURING
en:definition:Gives flavour to the cosmetic product

en: FOAM BOOSTING
en:definition:Improves the quality of the foam produced by a system by increasing one or 
more of the following properties: volume, texture and/or stability

en: FOAMING
en:definition:Traps numerous small bubbles of air or other gas within a small volume of liquid by modifying the surface tension of the liquid

en: GEL FORMING
en:definition:Gives the consistency of a gel (a semi-solid preparation with some elasticity) to a liquid preparation

en: HAIR CONDITIONING
en:definition:Leaves the hair easy to comb, supple, soft and shiny and/or imparts volume, lightness, gloss, etc.

en: HAIR DYEING
en:definition:Colours hair

en: HAIR FIXING
en:definition:Permits physical control of hair style

en: HAIR WAVING OR STRAIGHTENING
en:definition:Modifies the chemical structure of the hair, allowing it to be set in the style required

en: HUMECTANT
en:definition:Holds and retains moisture

en: HYDROTROPE
en:definition:Enhances the solubility of substance which is only slightly soluble in water

en: KERATOLYTIC
en:definition:Helps eliminate the dead cells of the stratum corneum

en: MASKING
en:definition:Reduces or inhibits the basic odour or taste of the product

en: MOISTURISING
en:definition:Increases the water content of the skin and helps keep it soft and smooth

en: NAIL CONDITIONING
en:definition:Improves the cosmetic characteristics of the nail

en: NOT REPORTED
en:definition:NOT REPORTED

en: OPACIFYING
en:definition:Reduces transparency or translucency of cosmetics

en: ORAL CARE
en:definition:Provides cosmetic effects to the oral cavity, e.g. cleansing, deodorising, protecting

en: OXIDISING
en:definition:Changes the chemical nature of another substance by adding oxygen or removing hydrogen

en: PEARLESCENT
en:definition:Imparts a nacreous appearance to cosmetics

en: PERFUMING
en:definition:Used for perfume and aromatic raw materials (Section II)

en: PLASTICISER
en:definition:Softens and makes supple another substance that otherwise could not be easily deformed, spread or worked out

en: PRESERVATIVE
en:definition:Inhibits primarily the development of micro-organisms in cosmetics. All preservatives listed are substances on the positive list of preservatives (Annex VI of the Cosmetics Directive)

en: PROPELLANT
en:definition:Generates pressure in an aerosol pack, expelling contents when the valve is opened. Some liquefied propellants can act as solvents

en: REDUCING
en:definition:Changes the chemical nature of another substance by adding hydrogen or removing oxygen

en: REFATTING
en:definition:Replenishes the lipids of the hair or of the top layers of the skin

en: REFRESHING
en:definition:Imparts a pleasant freshness to the skin

en: SKIN CONDITIONING
en:definition:Maintains the skin in good condition

en: SKIN PROTECTING
en:definition:Helps to avoid harmful effects to the skin from external factors

en: SMOOTHING
en:definition:Seeks to achieve an even skin surface by decreasing roughness or irregularities

en: SOLVENT
en:definition:Dissolves other substances

en: SOOTHING
en:definition:Helps lightening discomfort of the skin or of the scalp

en: STABILISING
en:definition:Improves ingredients or formulation stability and shelf-life

en: SURFACTANT
en:definition:Lowers the surface tension of cosmetics as well as aids the even distribution of the product when used

en: TANNING
en:definition:Darkens the skin with or without exposure to UV

en: TONIC
en:definition:Produces a feeling of well-being on skin and hair

en: UV ABSORBER
en:definition:Protects the cosmetic product from the effects of UV-light

en: UV FILTER
en:definition:Filters certain UV rays in order to protect the skin or the hair from harmful effects of these rays. All UV filters listed are substances on the positive list of UV filters (Annex VII of the Cosmetics Directive)

en: VISCOSITY CONTROLLING
en:definition:Increases or decreases the viscosity of cosmetics