Cream texture type

Characteristics

Cream

The thickest, most concentrated texture with high viscosity.
Contains nearly equal amounts of water and oil. It has the heaviest texture and high viscosity, making it suitable for normal to dry skin.
BB, CC, DD, or silk-fiber foundation formulas fall into the thick cream category.

Lotion

A light, fluid texture that absorbs faster than cream and is usually white.
Contains more water than oil. It nourishes and moisturizes the skin’s outer layer and is suitable for normal to oily skin.

Emulsion

Lighter than cream but heavier than lotion, with fast absorption.
Contains more water than oil. It nourishes and moisturizes the skin’s outer layer and is suitable for normal to oily skin.

Moisturizer

Lotions, creams, and emulsions that hydrate the skin when applied are collectively called “moisturizers.”

Gel

A clear, gel-like texture that is usually translucent, absorbs easily into the skin, and leaves no sticky residue.
Primarily water-based with little oil, making it suitable for oily, delicate, or sensitive skin.

Serum

A clear or milky-white liquid with a water-like flow and slight viscosity that absorbs easily into the skin.
Can accommodate high levels of active ingredients without changing the cream's texture.  Results-focused, with an oil base suitable for normal to dry skin.

Essence

A milky-white or clear liquid with a watery consistency that absorbs easily into the skin.
Can accommodate high levels of active ingredients without changing the cream's texture.  Results-focused, with a water base suitable for oily to sensitive skin.

Fluid/Fluide

A milky-white liquid with a water-like flow that absorbs easily into the skin.
The texture and properties are similar to those of an essence, but the emphasis is on a non-viscous texture that spreads easily and flows like water.

Other Formats

Characteristics

Oil

A viscous, oily, slippery liquid with no aqueous phase, such as boxing liniment oil or skink oil.

Balm

A product used for topical application, rubbing, massage, and fragrance, with no clearly defined viscosity, such as lip balms and exfoliating balms.

Bar Soap

Made by reacting fats or oils with an alkali to form soap that is solid at room temperature.

Liquid Soap

Formed when fat or water reacts with an alkali, producing soap that is liquid at room temperature.

Foam

Consists of air pockets in a liquid and produces lather when rubbed, as in facial cleansing foam.

Mousse

Consists of gas dispersed in a liquid. It is more stable than foam and has smaller bubbles, with a soft, smooth texture that does not need to be rubbed to produce lather. Examples include facial cleansing mousse and hair styling mousse.

Aerosol

A liquid or solid pressurized with an inert gas in a container and released as fine particles, as in powder hair styling sprays.

Wax/Ointment

Made primarily of solid fats. Like an emulsion, it contains water and oil, but oil accounts for 80% or more. Examples include lip ointment and hair styling wax.

Tonic

A liquid consisting mainly of alcohol, as in facial toners and nail polish removers.

Paste

A formulation consisting primarily of a powder mixture compressed into a solid mass.  Examples include pressed face powder and hair styling paste.

Powder/Flakes

A solid ground into very fine particles, as in face powder and body powder.