A common humectant that draws moisture to the skin, helping to keep it hydrated and soft.
Usually helps with
Hydration
Watch for
Generally well-tolerated.
The base solvent for many skincare formulations.
Usually helps with
Formulation
Emollient
Ricinus Communis (Castor) Seed Oil
A plant-derived oil that can help to soften and smooth the skin.
Usually helps with
Emollience, softening
Watch for
Can be comedogenic for some acne-prone individuals.
Emollient
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
A derivative of coconut oil and glycerin, it's an excellent emollient that helps to replenish the skin's surface.
Usually helps with
Emollience, skin conditioning
Watch for
Generally well-tolerated.
Emulsifier
Sucrose Stearate
An emulsifier derived from sugar and stearic acid, helping to blend oil and water components.
Usually helps with
Formulation stability
Watch for
Can be a mild irritant for very sensitive skin.
Emollient
Ethylhexyl Stearate
An ester that provides a smooth, non-greasy feel on the skin.
Usually helps with
Emollience, skin feel
Watch for
Generally well-tolerated.
Emollient
Olus Oil/Vegetable Oil/Huile Végétale
A blend of vegetable oils that helps to moisturize and soften the skin.
Usually helps with
Moisturization, softening
Emollient
Dipentaerythrityl Hexacaprylate/Hexacaprate
A synthetic emollient that provides a smooth, silky feel and helps to reduce water loss.
Usually helps with
Emollience, skin conditioning
Watch for
Generally well-tolerated.
Emollient
Hydroxystearic/Linolenic/Oleic Polyglycerides
A blend of fatty acids that helps to condition and soften the skin.
Usually helps with
Skin conditioning, emollience
Watch for
Generally well-tolerated.
Emollient/Thickener
C20-40 Alcohols
A mixture of fatty alcohols that can act as emollients and help to thicken the product.
Usually helps with
Emollience, texture enhancement
Watch for
Generally well-tolerated.
Emollient
Isodecyl Neopentanoate
A synthetic ester that provides a light, non-greasy feel and helps to improve spreadability.
Usually helps with
Emollience, texture
Watch for
Generally well-tolerated.
Humectant/Solvent
Butylene Glycol
A common ingredient that helps to draw moisture to the skin and improve product texture.
Usually helps with
Hydration, formulation
Watch for
Can be a mild irritant for some sensitive individuals.
Preservative
Phenoxyethanol
A widely used preservative to prevent microbial growth in cosmetics.
Usually helps with
Product preservation
Watch for
Can cause allergic reactions or irritation in some individuals.
Thickener/Binder
Microcrystalline Cellulose
A plant-derived ingredient used to thicken formulations and improve texture.
Usually helps with
Texture, thickening
Emollient/Thickener
Cera Alba/Beeswax/Cire D'abeille
A natural wax that helps to soften and protect the skin, also acting as a thickener.
Usually helps with
Emollience, skin barrier support
Watch for
Can be comedogenic for acne-prone skin.
Emulsifier/Solubilizer
Polysorbate 20
An emulsifier that helps to disperse oils in water-based formulas. Can sometimes be contaminated with 1,4-dioxane.
Usually helps with
Formulation
Watch for
Potential for irritation and contamination concerns.
Preservative Booster/Emollient
Ethylhexylglycerin
A preservative booster and skin conditioner that can also enhance the efficacy of other preservatives.
Usually helps with
Preservation, skin conditioning
Watch for
Can cause skin irritation or allergic reactions in some individuals.
Preservative
Chlorphenesin
A preservative used to prevent the growth of bacteria and fungi.
Usually helps with
Product preservation
Watch for
Can cause skin irritation or allergic reactions.
Thickener/Stabilizer
Cellulose Gum
A plant-derived ingredient used to thicken and stabilize formulations.
Usually helps with
Texture, stability
Fragrance
Parfum (Fragrance)
Adds scent to the product. Can be a common source of irritation and allergic reactions.
Watch for
Potential for irritation, allergies, and sensitization.
Colorant/Opacifier
Titanium Dioxide (CI 77891)
A mineral pigment used for color and to make the product opaque.
Watch for
Generally safe, but concerns exist regarding nanoparticle safety in some applications.
Thickener/Stabilizer
Xanthan Gum
A polysaccharide used to thicken and stabilize cosmetic formulations.
Usually helps with
Texture, stability
Encapsulation Agent
Hydroxypropyl Cyclodextrin
Used to encapsulate active ingredients, potentially improving their stability and delivery.
Usually helps with
Ingredient delivery
Watch for
Generally considered safe.
Thickener/Emollient
Chondrus Crispus Extract
An extract from red algae, used as a thickener and emollient, providing hydration.
Usually helps with
Thickening, hydration
Watch for
Generally well-tolerated.
A stable, hydrogenated form of squalene, known for its excellent moisturizing and skin-conditioning properties. Mimics the skin's natural sebum.
Usually helps with
Moisturization, skin barrier support
Watch for
Generally well-tolerated.
Emollient
Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Seed Oil
A rich emollient oil known for its moisturizing and antioxidant properties.
Usually helps with
Moisturization, skin conditioning
Watch for
Generally well-tolerated.
Emulsifier/Solubilizer
PEG-8
A polyethylene glycol that can help to solubilize ingredients and act as an emulsifier. Concerns exist regarding potential contamination with 1,4-dioxane.
Usually helps with
Formulation
Watch for
Potential for irritation and contamination concerns.
A natural colorant derived from burnt sugar.
A form of Vitamin E, it acts as an antioxidant to protect the skin from free radical damage.
Usually helps with
Antioxidant protection
Watch for
Generally well-tolerated.
A form of Vitamin A that promotes cell turnover, reduces the appearance of wrinkles, and improves skin texture. Time-released for potentially reduced irritation.
Usually helps with
Anti-aging, texture improvement, firmness
Watch for
Can cause dryness, redness, peeling, and increased sun sensitivity. Start slowly and use SPF.
Botanical Extract
Daphne Odora Callus Extract
A plant extract believed to have skin-conditioning and potentially firming properties.
Usually helps with
Skin conditioning, potential firming
Watch for
Generally well-tolerated.
Antioxidant
Ascorbyl Palmitate
A fat-soluble form of Vitamin C, acting as an antioxidant. Less potent than L-Ascorbic Acid.
Usually helps with
Antioxidant protection
Watch for
Can be unstable and less effective than other Vitamin C forms.
Botanical Extract
Nicotiana Sylvestris Leaf Cell Culture
A plant cell culture extract that may offer antioxidant and skin-conditioning benefits.
Usually helps with
Antioxidant, skin conditioning
Watch for
Generally well-tolerated.
Botanical Extract
Plumeria Rubra Flower Extract
An extract from the Plumeria flower, potentially offering soothing and skin-conditioning benefits.
Usually helps with
Soothing, skin conditioning
Watch for
Generally well-tolerated.
Colorant
Yellow 6 (CI 15985)
A synthetic yellow colorant. Some artificial colors can be irritating or allergenic.
Watch for
Potential for irritation and allergic reactions.
Coenzyme Q10, a potent antioxidant that helps protect skin from environmental damage.
Usually helps with
Antioxidant protection
Watch for
Can be unstable in formulations.
Emulsifier/Skin Conditioner
Lecithin
A phospholipid that acts as an emulsifier and skin conditioner, helping to improve texture and hydration.
Usually helps with
Emulsification, skin conditioning
Watch for
Generally well-tolerated.
Colorant
Yellow 5 (CI 19140)
A synthetic yellow colorant. Some artificial colors can be irritating or allergenic.
Watch for
Potential for irritation and allergic reactions.
Antioxidant/Active
Ascorbic Acid
Pure Vitamin C. A potent antioxidant that brightens skin, boosts collagen production, and protects against free radicals.
Usually helps with
Brightening, collagen support, antioxidant
Watch for
Can be unstable, irritating, and increase sun sensitivity. Best used in the morning with SPF.
Exfoliant/pH Adjuster
Citric Acid
An alpha hydroxy acid (AHA) used to adjust pH and provide mild exfoliation. Can be irritating at higher concentrations.
Usually helps with
Exfoliation, pH balancing
Watch for
Can cause irritation, redness, and sun sensitivity.
Colorant
Red 33 (CI 17200)
A synthetic red colorant. Some artificial colors can be irritating or allergenic.
Watch for
Potential for irritation and allergic reactions.
Antioxidant
Ascorbyl Tetraisopalmitate
A stable, oil-soluble derivative of Vitamin C that offers antioxidant benefits and can help with brightening.
Usually helps with
Antioxidant protection, brightening
Watch for
Generally well-tolerated, but less potent than L-Ascorbic Acid.
A preservative used to prevent microbial growth. Can be a mild irritant.
Usually helps with
Product preservation
Watch for
Potential for irritation.
Fragrance Ingredient
Hexyl Cinnamal
A synthetic fragrance ingredient. Can be a common allergen.
Watch for
Potential for skin irritation and allergic reactions.
Fragrance Ingredient/Solvent
Benzyl Benzoate
A fragrance ingredient and solvent. Can be a skin irritant and allergen.
Usually helps with
Scent, solvent
Watch for
Potential for skin irritation and allergic reactions.
Fragrance Ingredient
Linalool
A naturally occurring fragrance compound found in many plants. Can be a common allergen.
Watch for
Potential for skin irritation and allergic reactions.
Fragrance Ingredient
Hydroxycitronellal
A synthetic fragrance ingredient. Can be a skin irritant and allergen.
Watch for
Potential for skin irritation and allergic reactions.
Fragrance Ingredient
Cinnamyl Alcohol
A fragrance ingredient derived from cinnamon. Can be a skin irritant and allergen.
Watch for
Potential for skin irritation and allergic reactions.
Fragrance Ingredient
Eugenol
A fragrance ingredient found in clove oil. Can be a skin irritant and allergen.
Watch for
Potential for skin irritation and allergic reactions.
Formula support
Olus Oil/Vegetable Oil/Huile Vé
Included in the source ingredient list. Glass treats this as part of the supporting formula unless it overlaps with a known active, preservative, or fragrance flag.
Usually helps with
Formula completeness and routine context
Watch for
Personal sensitivity, especially if your skin is reactive or the ingredient overlaps with other products in your routine
Included in the source ingredient list. Glass treats this as part of the supporting formula unless it overlaps with a known active, preservative, or fragrance flag.
Usually helps with
Formula completeness and routine context
Watch for
Personal sensitivity, especially if your skin is reactive or the ingredient overlaps with other products in your routine