Substances that hold products together and are used in cosmetics are called what?

The term that describes substances used in cosmetics to hold products together is known as binders. Binders serve the critical function of providing stability to various cosmetic formulations, ensuring that the ingredients remain mixed and do not separate. This makes them essential for achieving the desired texture and consistency in products like creams, lotions, and foundations.

Binders help maintain the integrity of the formulation over time, which is especially important in commercial products that need to remain effective and aesthetically pleasing until they are used by the consumer. In the absence of binders, the cosmetic products would not have the required consistency or stability, leading to issues like separation or separation of active ingredients, which could affect performance and quality.

While emulsifiers are also important in cosmetic formulations, particularly in stabilizing mixtures of oil and water, they serve a slightly different purpose than binders. Thickeners are used to increase the viscosity of formulations, and preservatives are utilized to extend shelf life by preventing microbial growth. These roles, although crucial in their own right, differentiate these substances from the primary function of binders.