The base for most skincare formulations.
Usually helps with
Hydration
Draws moisture into the skin, keeping it hydrated and soft.
Usually helps with
Dryness, hydration
Provides a smooth, non-greasy feel and helps to condition the skin.
Usually helps with
Softening skin
Solvent/Preservative Booster
1,2-Hexanediol
A humectant that also helps to preserve the formula.
Usually helps with
Hydration, preservation
Watch for
Can be a mild irritant for some
Helps improve skin barrier function, reduce redness, and minimize pores.
Usually helps with
Redness, pores, barrier support
Watch for
Can cause flushing or irritation in high concentrations for sensitive individuals
Emollient
Simmondsia Chinensis (Jojoba) Seed Oil
Mimics skin's natural sebum, providing moisture and conditioning.
Usually helps with
Dryness, balancing
Emulsifier
Polyglyceryl-3 Methylglucose Distearate
Helps to blend oil and water components in the formula.
Usually helps with
Texture
Humectant/Solvent
Butylene Glycol
A common ingredient that helps with hydration and product texture.
Usually helps with
Hydration
Humectant/Soothing Agent
Panthenol
Also known as Vitamin B5, it hydrates and soothes the skin.
Usually helps with
Hydration, soothing
Humectant
Sodium Hyaluronate
A salt form of hyaluronic acid that effectively attracts and holds moisture.
Usually helps with
Hydration, plumping
Humectant
Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid
A smaller molecule form of hyaluronic acid that can penetrate deeper into the skin for hydration.
Usually helps with
Deep hydration
Humectant
Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate
A derivative of hyaluronic acid that provides long-lasting hydration and improves skin elasticity.
Usually helps with
Long-lasting hydration, elasticity
Skin-Replenishing
Ceramide NP
A type of ceramide that helps restore the skin's natural barrier function.
Usually helps with
Barrier repair, dryness
Skin-Conditioning
Sodium DNA
Derived from DNA, it can have antioxidant and skin-conditioning properties.
Usually helps with
Skin conditioning
Watch for
Limited research on topical benefits
A signaling peptide that may help stimulate collagen production.
Usually helps with
Firmness
Watch for
Effectiveness can vary
Peptide
Acetyl Hexapeptide-8
A peptide known for its potential to reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.
Usually helps with
Fine lines
Watch for
Effectiveness can vary
Peptide
Copper Tripeptide-1
A peptide that may promote collagen production and wound healing.
Usually helps with
Wound healing, collagen support
Watch for
Can be irritating for some
Peptide
Palmitoyl Pentapeptide-4
A peptide that signals the skin to repair itself, potentially boosting collagen and elastin.
Usually helps with
Anti-aging, firmness
Watch for
Effectiveness can vary
A peptide that may help reduce the appearance of wrinkles.
Usually helps with
Wrinkle reduction
Watch for
Effectiveness can vary
Soothing Agent
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract
Known for its soothing, anti-inflammatory, and hydrating properties.
Usually helps with
Soothing, hydration
Antioxidant
Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
Green tea extract, rich in antioxidants that protect the skin from free radical damage.
Usually helps with
Antioxidant protection
Skin-Conditioning
Oryza Sativa (Rice) Lees Extract
Extract from rice fermentation, can offer antioxidant and skin-conditioning benefits.
Usually helps with
Skin conditioning
Watch for
Limited research
Soothing Agent
Anthemis Nobilis Flower Extract
Chamomile extract, known for its calming and anti-inflammatory properties.
Usually helps with
Soothing, calming
Used to thicken the product's texture.
Usually helps with
Texture
Antioxidant/Preservative Booster
Hydroxyacetophenone
A synthetic antioxidant that also helps to boost the effectiveness of preservatives.
Usually helps with
Antioxidant, preservation
Preservative Booster/Emollient
Ethylhexylglycerin
A skin-conditioning agent that also helps to preserve the product.
Usually helps with
Preservation, skin conditioning
Watch for
Can be a mild irritant for some
Skin-Conditioning
Adenosine
A naturally occurring compound that can have anti-aging and soothing benefits.
Usually helps with
Anti-aging, soothing
Chelating Agent
Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate
Helps to stabilize the formula by binding to metal ions.
Usually helps with
Formula stability
Emulsifier/Skin-Conditioning
Hydrogenated Lecithin
A modified form of lecithin that helps to stabilize emulsions and condition the skin.
Usually helps with
Emulsion stability, skin conditioning
Antioxidant
Malachite Extract
A mineral extract believed to have antioxidant properties.
Usually helps with
Antioxidant protection
Watch for
Limited scientific backing for topical use
An amino acid that helps to maintain skin hydration and can support wound healing.
Usually helps with
Hydration, wound healing
Emulsifier
PEG-10 Rapeseed Sterol
An emulsifier that helps to create a stable product texture.
Usually helps with
Texture
Solvent
Dipropylene Glycol
Used to improve product texture and as a solvent.
Usually helps with
Texture
Watch for
Can be a mild irritant for some
Skin-Conditioning
Oryza Sativa (Rice) Extract
Rice extract can offer antioxidant and skin-soothing benefits.
Usually helps with
Soothing, antioxidant
Emulsifier/Emollient
Glyceryl Stearate
Helps to emulsify ingredients and provides emollient properties.
Usually helps with
Texture, softening skin
An emulsifier used to create stable product formulations.
Usually helps with
Texture
Vitamin E, a well-known antioxidant that protects the skin from free radical damage.
Usually helps with
Antioxidant protection
Skin-Conditioning
Lactobacillus/Rice Ferment
Fermented rice water can provide hydration and skin-brightening benefits.
Usually helps with
Hydration, brightening
Humectant/Preservative Booster
Caprylyl Glycol
A humectant that also helps to preserve the product.
Usually helps with
Hydration, preservation
Watch for
Can be a mild irritant for some
Soothing Agent
Centella Asiatica Extract
Also known as Cica, it's renowned for its calming and healing properties.
Usually helps with
Soothing, healing
Chelating Agent
Disodium EDTA
Helps to stabilize the formula by binding to metal ions.
Usually helps with
Formula stability
An enzyme derived from pineapple, known for its exfoliating properties.
Usually helps with
Exfoliation
Watch for
Can be irritating, especially for sensitive skin
A compound found in rice bran oil, with antioxidant and UV-protective properties.
Usually helps with
Antioxidant protection
An enzyme derived from papaya, known for its exfoliating properties.
Usually helps with
Exfoliation
Watch for
Can be irritating, especially for sensitive skin
Enzymes that help break down proteins, often used for exfoliation.
Usually helps with
Exfoliation
Watch for
Can be irritating, especially for sensitive skin
An enzyme that breaks down fats, sometimes used in skincare for its potential to improve skin texture.
Usually helps with
Skin texture
Watch for
Can be irritating
Skin-Lightening
Kojic Dipalmitate
A derivative of kojic acid used to lighten skin tone and reduce hyperpigmentation.
Usually helps with
Hyperpigmentation
Watch for
Can cause irritation or photosensitivity