Types of Cosmetics and Their Uses

10 Basic Types of Cosmetic Formulas and Products 

Today, beauty products and decorative makeup goods are available in the following forms:

1.Solutions

2.Lotions

3.Suspensions

4.Ointments

5.Creams or emulsions

6.Gels

7.Sticks

8.Powders

9.Tablets

10.Aerosols

Below, you will find a detailed explanation of the specific features and use of each mentioned form.

Beauty Care and Makeup Products Names and Uses

 

Now, let’s go into details on each of the types of cosmetics and their uses.

Solutions have been known since the most ancient times. They are the base of the majority of cosmetics nowadays. All the liquid means like shampoos, shower gels, liquid soap, lotions, and so on are solution types of cosmetics. They all are made out of soluble ingredients, which are evenly mixed with each other in some basic diluent. In most cases, this diluent is water.

If you want, you can always create a necessary beauty care product this way. In ancient times, diluting aromatic oils and essences in water for washing hands, face or hair was a regular procedure. You can do the same, dissolving ingredients in water or in already created products. This is a process of enriching a shampoo or a lotion with oils, soluble vitamins, and other useful ingredients 

Lotions are a form of a cream (this cosmetic formula will be described below) that has a lighter texture. Sometimes, due to some reasons, creams cannot be applied because they are often too heavy or too greasy. Lotions feel more watery when applied to the skin. Examples of lotions are hair conditioners that require no final rinsing, diverse moisturisers for the body and face, or makeup removers. 

The main advantage of lotions compared to creams is that they cause no acne breakouts or pore blockage as certain thick creams do. So, they can be used on oily skin without fear and this is why it’s the most favourite formula for both cosmetic and medical means for such skin types.

In suspensions, some incompatible elements are mixed. The most vivid examples of suspensions are scrubs, in which particles of insoluble components can be seen. Besides that, suspensions are often used as a form of diverse beauty care products, which supposedly carry some super active ingredients.These are different anti-aging serums, shampoos with active granules, and so on. You just can see the tiny gelatin or polymer clay balls floating in the transparent basic liquid keeping inside the active agents that cannot be diluted at once.

Ointments (sometimes, pastes) are more popular as hair styling and medical care products. They are very thick, based on lanolin, dimethicone or petrolatum. This thick and sticky texture is great for hair styling because it can keep hair in place, especially if it’s necessary to create a smooth style.

Unlike gels, hair pastes are usually not able to provide strong fixation of hair that is done upwards. Yet, they can hold soft forms or waves and are also great if it’s necessary to tame stubborn locks. Medical ointments usually contain no water, just the base, and highly concentrated medical components. This feature makes them effective as they are, much more powerful than cosmetic creams and lotions. 

Creams or emulsions are the most popular form of beauty care products. These are moisturisers and nourishing agents, sunscreens, makeup foundations and primers, and a lot more. No matter what the effect of a cream or an emulsion must be, they consist of three components or phases: oil, water, and emulsifier. 

These components are heated up separately from each other, then combined while hot, stirred thoroughly, enriched with all the necessary active ingredients, and left to cool down. The oil and water phases help the atomic particles of active ingredients get dispersed evenly and the emulsifier helps the mass to gain the creamy texture. The thicker the emulsifier, the heavier the cream. Thick ones are normally used in very thick creams that are meant for rough skin on heels, hands, elbows, or knees.

Gels are a special form of cosmetic products that are based on water and special gelling agents. The trick is that gels stay thick until you apply force and make them thinner. This is why gels are popular for hair styling and for toothpastes. 

Sticks are used for the goods that should not be touched by hands, for example, a lipstick. These are also solid deodorants, eye and brow pencils, concealers, etc. Their main feature is being solid within their containers but giving off their active ingredients after they are rubbed against a surface.

Powders are the most common form of makeup materials that are meant to give off colors or create a thin hygroscopic layer on a surface. Hygienic powders include baby products and agents that are used on feet in order to absorb moisture and unpleasant smells. Facial powders are meant to absorb skin oils and give the face a matte look. Colored powders include blushes, eyes shadows, sparkling goods for hair and body, and so on. Sometimes, body and face bronzes and highlighters are also sold as powders.

Tablets are usually the same powders mixed with other ingredients that are pressed into a tablet shape. These are compact pressed facial powders, blushes, eyeshadows. Today, with the modern technologies, such pressed tablets can be additionally baked in order to give the product special characteristics. For example, popular eyeshadows are baked to give the colors extra brightness and prevent the tablet from breaking in case the container is dropped on a solid surface. 

Aerosols are considered to be a form of cosmetic type but they are rather a packaging type. Aerosols are liquid agents that are packed in cans under the pressure. These are deodorants, mostly, and some medical means used for nose or throat conditions. Aerosols contain elements, which damage the ozone layer of the atmosphere, their usage and production have been reduced significantly within recent years. 

Now, when you know the difference between the most popular 10 types of beauty care and makeup products, you can easily choose exactly what you need for a certain beauty care purpose.