Antifoaming

Such components are introduced into the formula to reduce the formation of excess foam or accelerate its settling during production and use of the product. This is important not only for processability: excess foam can interfere with accurate dosing, impair product distribution, and make the texture less uniform. In care cosmetics, this is especially useful for serums, creams, masks, oils, and some cleansers, where a smooth, "gliding" texture without airiness is expected. On skin and hair, such ingredients usually act not as care assets, but as auxiliary substances that improve the sensory properties of the product and the stability of its application. The antifoaming function is officially highlighted in the European CosIng database as a separate cosmetic ingredient role. (single-market-economy.ec.europa.eu)

Silicone substances, such as Dimethicone or similar silicone derivatives, often perform this task: they help the foam break down faster and at the same time make the formula feel softer. Some products may use other substances with defoaming properties if they are compatible with an emulsion or detergent base. For the consumer, this usually means a more comfortable distribution of the product, the absence of a "bubbly" texture where it is not needed, and a more predictable behavior of the product on the skin, hair or in packaging. At the same time, the safety of cosmetics as a whole is determined not by one function of the component, but by the entire formulation: according to the requirements of the FDA, cosmetic ingredients and the finished product must be safe during normal use, and the manufacturer is responsible for this. (fda.gov)