Cosmetic Chemist Jargon - Acronyms of the Industry
Every industry has acronyms which are supposed to make communication easier. Unfortunately, for an industry newcomer, it seems like a foreign language. The following of cosmetic industry acronyms should help you decipher the cosmetic jargon. All the acronyms we could imagine are listed with their meanings. If you can think of any we missed, please leave a comment and we’ll add it to the list.
| ACD | Allergic contact dermatitis |
| ACGIH | American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists |
| ACS | American Chemical Society |
| AHA | Alpha hydroxy acid |
| ALES | Ammonium Laureth Sulfate |
| ALS | Ammonium Lauryl Sulfate |
| AMP | Aminomethyl propanol |
| APD | Antiperspirant Deordorant |
| ASTM | American Standards of Testing Materials |
| BHA | Butylhydroxyanisole |
| BHT | Butylhydroxytoluene |
| BOGO | Buy One Get One |
| CAS | Chemical Abstract Service |
| CD | Cyclodextrin |
| CERCLA | Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act |
| CFC | Chloroflurocarbon |
| CFR | Code of Federal Regulation |
| CI | Color Index |
| CIR | Cosmetic Ingredient Review |
| CMC | Critical micelle concentration |
| COLIPA | European Cosmetic, Toiletry and Perfumery Association |
| CTFA | Cosmetics Toiletries & Fragrance Association |
| CTPA | Cosmetic Toiletries and Perfume Association |
| DBMSA | Dibenzaldehyde monosorbitol acetate |
| DEA | Diethanolamine |
| DHA | Dihydoxy acetone |
| DME | Dimethyl ether |
| DMSO | Dimethyl sulfoxide |
| DOT | Department of Transportation |
| DOT | Department of Transportation |
| EDTA | Ethylene Diamine Tetraacetic Acid |
| EU | European Union |
| EWG | Environmental Working Group |
| FCAT | Forearm controlled application technique |
| FCC | Food Chemicals Codex |
| FD&C | Food, Drug & Cosmetic |
| FDA | Food & Drug Administration |
| FPLA | Fair Packaging and Labeling Act |
| FTC | Federal Trade Commision |
| FTIR | Fourrier Transfer Infra Red |
| GC | Gas chromatograph |
| GMP | Good Manufacturing Procedures |
| HDPE | High Density poly ethylene |
| HEC | Hydroxyethyl Cellulose |
| HLB | Hydrophobe/Lipophobe Balance |
| HMS | Homosalate |
| HPLC | High Performance Liquid Chromatography |
| HPMC | Hydroxypropyl Methylcellulouse |
| HUT | Home Use Test |
| ICD | Irritant contact dermatitis |
| ICMAD | Independent Cosmetic Manufacturers and Distributors |
| IFSCC | International Federation of Societies of Cosmetic Chemists |
| INCI | International Nomenclature of Cosmetic Ingredients |
| IR | Infrared |
| IUPAC | International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry |
| JCIA | Japanese Cosmetic Industry Association |
| LD-50 | Lethal Dose 50% |
| LDH | Lactate Dehydrogenase |
| LDPE | Low density poly ethylene |
| MA | Maleic anhydride. |
| MEA | Methylethylamine |
| MED | Minimal erythemal dose |
| MHW | Ministry of Health and Welfare |
| MSDS | Material Safety Data Sheet |
| NAD | National Advertising Division |
| NDA | New Drug Application |
| NF | National Formulary |
| NFPA | National Fire Protection Association |
| NIH | National Institute of Health |
| NMF | Natural Moisturizing Factor |
| NMR | Nuclear Magnetic Resonance |
| OH | Hydroxyl Group |
| OSHA | Occupational Safety and Health Administration |
| OTC | Over The Counter (drug) |
| OW | Oil in water (emulsion) |
| PABA | Para amino benzoic acid |
| PCA | Pyrollidone carboxylic acid |
| PCD | Product category designation |
| PCPC | Personal Care Products Councle |
| PEG | Polyethylene Glycol |
| PEL | Permissible Exposure Limit |
| PET | Polyethylene Teraphthalate |
| PG | Propylene Glycol |
| PIT | Phase inversion temperature |
| PPG | Polypropylene Glycol |
| PVC | Polyvinyl Chloride |
| PVM | Polyvinyl Methylether |
| PVP | Polyvinyl Pyrollidone |
| QA | Quality Assurance |
| QC | Quality Control |
| REACH | Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation and Restriction of Chemical Substances |
| RIPT | Repeat Insult Patch Test |
| RTECS | Registry of Toxic Effects of Chemical Substances |
| SARA | Search and Rescue Aid |
| SCC | Society of Cosmetic Chemists |
| SCS | Society of Cosmetic Scientists |
| SLES | Sodium Laureth Sulfate |
| SLS | Sodium Lauryl Sulfate |
| SPF | Sun Protection Factor |
| TEA | Triethanolamine |
| TLV | Threshold Limit Value |
| TSCA | Toxic Substances Control Act |
| USP | United States Pharmacopeia |
| UV | Ultraviolet |
| UVA | Ultra violet A |
| UVB | Ultra violet B |
| UVC | Ultra violet C |
| VA | Vinyl Acetate |
| VOC | Volitile Organic Compound |
| VP | Vinyl Pyrollidone |
| WO | Water in Oil (emulsion) |
| WOW | Water in oil in water (emulsion) |
