Aids the removal of a variety of soils​/​stains through mechanical action

Absorbs water or other substances

Ensures desirable product properties.

Substances that bind surfaces to each other.

Increases the alkalinity of the product to aid dissolution of dirt.

Prevents dirt in the wash solution being re-deposited on the clothes.

Prevents the formation of lumps in the product.

Controls dandruff.

Suppresses the formation of excess foam during production and​/​or consumer use.

Suppresses the formation of excess foam during production and​/​or consumer use.

Added to cosmetic products to help reduce the activities of micro-organisms on the skin or body.

Inhibits the product reacting with oxygen, which can cause product spoilage.

Inhibits the product reacting with oxygen, which can cause product spoilage.

The active component that reduces perspiration.

Prevents static charges on human surfaces e.g. skin​/​hair or on clothes.

Induces a tightening or a tingling sensation on the skin.

Substances which provide adhesive properties so that the solids stick together e.g tablets, eye shadow.

Boosts the performance of the bleach component, and making it effective at lower temperatures.

Reacts in the wash to form a bleaching substance.

Ingredients derived from plants e.g. Aloe Vera.

Adjusts or stabilises the acidity​/​alkalinity of a product.

Reduces the effect of water hardness by binding calcium and magnesium ions

Increases the volume of a product through dilution, so that it can be applied at the correct concentration.

Colours the skin​/​hair and/or the product.

Makes the skin feel cooler.

Prevents corrosion of the packaging

Makes an alcohol-containing product taste very bitter, rendering it unpalatable.

Reduces or masks unpleasant body odours.

Helps prevent "free dye" in the wash water being re-deposited on the clothes.

Used in small quantiities that help to form or stabilize immiscible liquids in an emulsion.

Improves stability of an emulsion and increases shelf life of product.

Specialist ingredients which remove specific types of stains at lower temperatures e.g. fats, egg, blood.

Prevents deactivation of enzymes in liquid detergents

Helps the product dry faster after application.

Helps remove dead skin cells from the surface.

Softens​/​conditions the fabric.

Lubricates the fibres of the fabrics and gives benefits such as making ironing easier.

Makes product form a uniform film when applied to a surface

Maintains the hold​/​shape of a hair style.

Improve the taste of oral hygiene and lipstick products.

Makes the product smell nice in the packaging and during use.

Modifies hair fibres to facilitate configurational changes.

Enhances the appearance and texture of the hair and facilitates styling. Conditioning agents will also improve gloss, sheen and texture of damaged hair.

Holds​/​retains water in the product, and/or increases the moisture content in the top layers of the skin.

Increases the solubilty of the detergent in the product.

Reduces the transparency​/​transluscency of a product, may give a pearly appearance.

Makes products or washed fabrics look brighter and whiter.

Provides e.g.cleansing, deodorising and protection to the oral cavity

In detergents stains are removed by oxidation (bleaching). In cosmetics they are used to remove hair colourants or stabilise the hair after perming.

Gives sheen to a liquid, which can be seen as flow lines when poured.

Reduces brittleness and modifies flow properties.

Protects products from microbial growth and spoilage from accidental contamination by the consumer during use.

Protects products from microbial growth and spoilage from accidental contamination by the consumer during use.

Produced as a technically unavoidable result of the manufacturing process.

Delivers the product from an aerosol.

Changes the chemical nature of another substance by adding hydrogen or removing oxygen.

Regenerates the water softener in a machine dishwasher.

Prevents free metal ions from causing any adverse effects on product performance,appearance, or stability by reacting with them.

Help to keep the skin soft, smooth, pliable and healthy looking.

Lightens the shade of the skin.

Protects the skin from the influences of the external environment.

Enhances the physical flow characteristics of the product.

Improves the effectiveness of a softening agent.

Improves the solubility of one or more product ingredients.

Dissolves other ingredients​/​materials.

Modifies the spray characteristics of a spray.

Maintains ingredient or formulation stability.

Gives form or shape to final products.

Filters out harmful UV rays.

Change the physical characteristics of the surface.

Changes the surface tension of water to assist cleansing, wetting surfaces, foaming and emulsifying (the suspension of one liquid evenly within another).

Changes the surface tension of water to assist cleansing, wetting surfaces, foaming and emulsifying (the suspension of one liquid evenly within another).

Changes the surface tension of water to assist cleansing, wetting surfaces, foaming and emulsifying (the suspension of one liquid evenly within another).

Aids the even dispersal of a solid within a liquid.

Makes dental products taste sweeter.

Makes the tablet disintegrate faster so that the active ingredients are working immediately

Filters UV rays to protect the product or skin​/​hair from UV damage.

Controls the thickness of the product.

Controls the thickness of the product.