Cosmetics have been used by humans to accentuate their features for thousands of years. Women in ancient Egypt used kohl, a powdered substance containing galena (lead sulfate) to line their eyelids. Cleopatra the Egyptian pharaoh has also been said to bathe in milk to soften her skin.

In China men and women alike stained their fingernails with colors to identify with a certain social class while Greek women incorporated the poisonous lead carbonate to lighten their complexion.  

Much like the past, cosmetics have become part of a daily routine for an increasing number of individuals. Considering the use of cosmetics in the contemporary age, the basic idea is to cleanse, beautify, and promote hygiene in the form of makeup, skincare, and hair care. In this blog, we will cover the basic components of cosmetics and what type of chemistry is used in cosmetics. 

Types of ingredients in cosmetics

Functional ingredients

These are the ingredients in makeup that are essential for the intended functioning. They are common in products like thickeners, emulsifiers, and preservatives. 

Performance ingredients

These ingredients offer particular benefits for your skin and hair like antiaging, moisturizing, and UV protection. Performance ingredients like moisturizers comprise occlusive, humectants, and emollients. These are therefore responsible for the specific properties of the given cosmetics. Humectants and occlusive are combined in moisturizers to enhance the ability of your skin to retain moisture. 

Natural ingredients

Derived from natural sources like plants, animals, and minerals, these are perceived as safe and environment-friendly as compared to synthetic ones. Nevertheless, depending on your skin type, they may be less stable causing allergic reactions. 

Synthetic ingredients

These chemically synthesized ingredients in laboratories are more stable and cost-effective than natural ingredients. They can however also be perceived as less environment friendly and less safe for your skin than natural ones. 

Common ingredients used in cosmetics

For keeping cosmetics clean 

Preservatives are used in cosmetics to protect them from contamination and the growth of harmful bacteria. Common preservatives include:

Parabens: 

These are a group of preservative ingredients in makeup, pharmaceuticals, personal hygiene, and food products. They extend the shelf life of different types of makeup because of their ability to be effective against the growth of bacteria, fungi, and yeast that spoil the products. These parabens are similar to those found in nature and have been used in food preservatives, personal care products, cosmetics, and drugs for years. 

Formaldehyde: 

These are known for their anti-bacterial and preservative properties. Formaldehyde is produced by plants, animals, fish, humans, and bacteria as part of their cell metabolism. It is vital in the making of cosmetics and consumer and personal care items. 

Though not added directly to products, some products comprise formaldehyde-releasing ingredients that serve as a preservative to kill microorganisms and avert the growth of bacteria and pathogens extending their shelf life. 

For scent enhancing 

Fragrances: 

These happen to be complex blends of synthetic and natural substances added to many consumer products to give them an exclusive scent. fragrances combine scented ingredients with a person's natural properties to increase their body's scent. Shampoos, shaving creams, body lotions, and shower gels are induced with fragrance to enhance the experience of the users. 

Aldehydes: 

These fragrant chemical compounds are derived from organic materials like citronella, rose, vanilla, and orange rind. Such compounds are also synthetically created to be used as ingredients in makeup and for sweet-smelling colognes and perfumes. 

For adding color pigment

Titanium dioxide: 

This is a metal that is commonly found in plants and animals. It has been used for ages in the making of cosmetics, soaps, toothpaste, and sunscreen. 

For smooth skin

Emollients: 

Often used for treating dryness and itchiness associated with psoriasis and eczema, emollients make cosmetics smooth. Owing to their ability to fill gaps between skin cells, emollients are also known as barrier creams. They do this by forming a thin film on the outer layer of your skin to retain moisture and thus protect your skin from drying out. So, if you ever wonder which substance is used in lotions and cosmetics, it is emollient. These occur in different types, some of which include:

Mineral oil: 

This is a clear odorless liquid found in many cosmetics and products. The lightweight texture and its ability to reduce water loss from your skin make it an ideal ingredient in baby lotions, ointments, and cold creams. 

Petroleum jelly: 

This thick colorless semisolid ingredient is found in cosmetic and personal care products. cleansing products, makeup, conditioners, shampoos, shaving products, and bath products contain petroleum jelly. 

For cleansing and lathering

Surfactants:

Surfactants allow for soaps to mix well water as they lower the water surface tension. They are used as an ingredient in lubricants like shaving creams for smooth removal of stubble without irritation. 

Acetone:

Because of the ease with which it mixes with water to evaporate quickly in the air, it is a primary ingredient in nail polish removers. It helps in the effective breakdown of nail paint rendering it easy to remove with a cotton ball. 

The final verdict

When discussing the ingredients in makeup and cosmetics, it makes sense to focus on the main purpose each formulation serves for your skin and hair. Any ingredient used in a cosmetic product must not only be effective but safe, non-toxic, and non-irritant.