Stabilising

Ingredients with the stabilizing function help the formula maintain its desired properties during the shelf life: they maintain uniformity, reduce the risk of delamination, precipitation, changes in viscosity, color or odor. In European reference books, this role is described as preventing physical or chemical changes in other components, that is, maintaining the overall stability of the mixture. This is especially important for creams, serums, sunscreens, shampoos and decorative cosmetics, where both the ease of application and the predictability of the result depend on the stability of the formula. (webgate.ec.europa.eu)

For skin and hair, such substances usually do not act directly, but through the quality of the product itself: the product remains uniform, distributes better, does not become too liquid or, conversely, lumpy. Due to this, the active, coloring and caring components are supplied more consistently from the first to the last use. The official materials of the FDA also note that some cosmetic ingredients may affect the consistency and texture of the product, and the safety and correctness of the composition remains the responsibility of the manufacturer. (fda.gov)

Typical examples of such components are xanthan gum and carbomer. They are often used as structure-forming and auxiliary substances that help to keep water, pigments or the oil phase in a more stable state. As a result, the formula retains its comfortable texture and appearance longer, and the product works as intended by the technologist, without noticeable changes during storage. (cosmeticseurope.eu)