Skin conditioning - miscellaneous

Ingredients with the "skin care — miscellaneous" function combine substances that help the skin look and feel more comfortable, soft and well-groomed, but they do not always belong to the same narrow category like moisturizers or emollients. In the CosIng database of the European Commission, such functions are used to designate components that improve the condition of the skin in a broad sense: they can soften it, reduce the feeling of dryness and tightness, maintain a smoother surface and increase overall comfort when applying cosmetics. This is especially important for creams, serums, balms, aftershaves, and products for sensitive skin. (single-market-economy.ec.europa.eu)

In practice, such substances work mainly on the skin, rather than on the texture of the product, although they can indirectly make the formula feel more "caring". They often help to reduce discomfort after cleansing, contact with wind, dry air, or active ingredients. A typical example is allantoin: it is widely used in creams, lotions, shampoos and lip products; according to PubChem, it is used to moisturize the skin, increase its smoothness and soothing effect, and the FDA classifies allantoin as an approved active ingredient in over-the–counter skin protectant products in concentrations of 0.5-2%. Another common example is bisabolol, known as a component with soothing and softening properties, which is often added to formulas for sensitive and reactive skin. (pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov)

For the consumer, this function usually means that the ingredient is not just "present in the composition", but helps to make care more comfortable: the skin after application may feel less dry, softer and smoother to the touch. It is important to remember that the safety of cosmetic ingredients and the finished product must be ensured by the manufacturer, and the assessment of the effect itself depends on the entire formula, the concentration of the substance and the method of application. (fda.gov)