Oils, fats and waxes are important raw materials used throughout numerous industries. This essay offers an overview of the types and characteristics of oils, fats and waxes, outlining the difficulties in achieving a distinct classification.
Consideration is given to both natural and synthetic oils, fats and waxes, examining their origin, and the production and processing techniques applied to each.
Focusing on their role within the cosmetics industry, examples of their uses will be discussed, along with a review of the potential limitations and formulation problems that can arise as a result of their chemical nature.
