OBF:Global properties taxonomy
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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