From Open Food Facts wiki
ABRASIVE
en:definition:Removes materials from various body surfaces or aids mechanical tooth cleaning or improves gloss
ABSORBENT
en:definition:Takes up water- and/or oil-soluble dissolved or finely dispersed substances
ANTICAKING
en:definition:Allows free flow of solid particles and thus avoids agglomeration of powdered cosmetics into lumps or hard masses
ANTICORROSIVE
en:definition:Prevents corrosion of the packaging
ANTIDANDRUFF
en:definition:Helps control dandruff
ANTIFOAMING
en:definition:Suppresses foam during manufacturing or reduces the tendency of finished products to generate foam
ANTIMICROBIAL
en:definition:Helps control the growth of micro-organisms on the skin
ANTIOXIDANT
en:definition:Inhibits reactions promoted by oxygen, thus avoiding oxidation and rancidity
ANTIPERSPIRANT
en:definition:Reduces perspiration
ANTIPLAQUE
en:definition:Helps protect against plaque
ANTISEBORRHOEIC
en:definition:Helps control sebum production
ANTISTATIC
en:definition:Reduces static electricity by neutralising electrical charge on a surface
ASTRINGENT
en:definition:Contracts the skin
BINDING
en:definition:Provides cohesion in cosmetics
BLEACHING
en:definition:Lightens the shade of hair or skin
BUFFERING
en:definition:Stabilises the pH of cosmetics
BULKING
en:definition:Reduces bulk density of cosmetics
CHELATING
en:definition:Reacts and forms complexes with metal ions which could affect the stability and/or appearance of cosmetics
CLEANSING
en:definition:Helps to keep the body surface clean
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)
DENATURANT
en:definition:Renders cosmetics unpalatable. Mostly added to cosmetics containing ethyl alcohol
DEODORANT
en:definition:Reduces or masks unpleasant body odours
DEPILATORY
en:definition:Removes unwanted body hair
DETANGLING
en:definition:Reduces or eliminates hair intertwining due to hair surface alteration or damage and, thus, helps combing
EMOLLIENT
en:definition:Softens and smooths the skin
EMULSIFYING
en:definition:Promotes the formation of intimate mixtures of non-miscible liquids by altering the interfacial tension
EMULSION STABILISING
en:definition:Helps the process of emulsification and improves emulsion stability and shelf-life
FILM FORMING
en:definition:Produces, upon application, a continuous film on skin, hair or nails
FLAVOURING
en:definition:Gives flavour to the cosmetic product
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
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
GEL FORMING
en:definition:Gives the consistency of a gel (a semi-solid preparation with some elasticity) to a liquid preparation
HAIR CONDITIONING
en:definition:Leaves the hair easy to comb, supple, soft and shiny and/or imparts volume, lightness, gloss, etc.
HAIR DYEING
en:definition:Colours hair
HAIR FIXING
en:definition:Permits physical control of hair style
HAIR WAVING OR STRAIGHTENING
en:definition:Modifies the chemical structure of the hair, allowing it to be set in the style required
HUMECTANT
en:definition:Holds and retains moisture
HYDROTROPE
en:definition:Enhances the solubility of substance which is only slightly soluble in water
KERATOLYTIC
en:definition:Helps eliminate the dead cells of the stratum corneum
MASKING
en:definition:Reduces or inhibits the basic odour or taste of the product
MOISTURISING
en:definition:Increases the water content of the skin and helps keep it soft and smooth
NAIL CONDITIONING
en:definition:Improves the cosmetic characteristics of the nail
NOT REPORTED
en:definition:NOT REPORTED
OPACIFYING
en:definition:Reduces transparency or translucency of cosmetics
ORAL CARE
en:definition:Provides cosmetic effects to the oral cavity, e.g. cleansing, deodorising, protecting
OXIDISING
en:definition:Changes the chemical nature of another substance by adding oxygen or removing hydrogen
PEARLESCENT
en:definition:Imparts a nacreous appearance to cosmetics
PERFUMING
en:definition:Used for perfume and aromatic raw materials (Section II)
PLASTICISER
en:definition:Softens and makes supple another substance that otherwise could not be easily deformed, spread or worked out
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)
PROPELLANT
en:definition:Generates pressure in an aerosol pack, expelling contents when the valve is opened. Some liquefied propellants can act as solvents
REDUCING
en:definition:Changes the chemical nature of another substance by adding hydrogen or removing oxygen
REFATTING
en:definition:Replenishes the lipids of the hair or of the top layers of the skin
REFRESHING
en:definition:Imparts a pleasant freshness to the skin
SKIN CONDITIONING
en:definition:Maintains the skin in good condition
SKIN PROTECTING
en:definition:Helps to avoid harmful effects to the skin from external factors
SMOOTHING
en:definition:Seeks to achieve an even skin surface by decreasing roughness or irregularities
SOLVENT
en:definition:Dissolves other substances
SOOTHING
en:definition:Helps lightening discomfort of the skin or of the scalp
STABILISING
en:definition:Improves ingredients or formulation stability and shelf-life
SURFACTANT
en:definition:Lowers the surface tension of cosmetics as well as aids the even distribution of the product when used
TANNING
en:definition:Darkens the skin with or without exposure to UV
TONIC
en:definition:Produces a feeling of well-being on skin and hair
UV ABSORBER
en:definition:Protects the cosmetic product from the effects of UV-light
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)
VISCOSITY CONTROLLING
en:definition:Increases or decreases the viscosity of cosmetics