The base of the formula, dissolving other ingredients.
Usually helps with
All skin types
Draws moisture to the skin, helping to keep it hydrated.
Usually helps with
All skin types, especially dry or dehydrated
Surfactant
Sodium Laureth Sulfate
A cleansing agent that creates lather. Can be drying for some.
Usually helps with
Oily or combination skin
Watch for
Potential for dryness or irritation in sensitive skin
Provides physical exfoliation, helping to slough off dead skin cells.
Usually helps with
Normal to oily skin
Watch for
Can be too abrasive for very sensitive skin
Thickener
Acrylates Copolymer
Helps to give the product its jelly texture.
Usually helps with
All skin types
Surfactant
Lauramidopropyl Betaine
A mild cleansing agent that helps create foam.
Usually helps with
Most skin types
Watch for
Rarely, can cause irritation
Helps to hydrate the skin and improve product texture.
Usually helps with
All skin types
A sugar that can help attract and retain moisture.
Usually helps with
All skin types
Surfactant
Cocamidopropyl Hydroxysultaine
A mild cleansing agent that is less likely to cause irritation.
Usually helps with
Most skin types
Humectant
Sodium Hyaluronate
A form of hyaluronic acid that hydrates and plumps the skin.
Usually helps with
All skin types, especially dehydrated
Antioxidant
Bambusa Arundinacea (Bamboo) Stem Extract
Contains antioxidants and can have soothing properties.
Usually helps with
All skin types
Skin Conditioning
Laminaria Saccharina Extract
A type of seaweed extract that can help condition the skin.
Usually helps with
All skin types
Exfoliant
Carica Papaya (Papaya) Fruit Extract
Contains enzymes that can help to gently exfoliate the skin.
Usually helps with
Most skin types, especially dull skin
Watch for
Can be irritating for very sensitive skin
Can help to reduce redness and puffiness.
Usually helps with
All skin types
Peptide
Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7
A signaling peptide that may help to reduce inflammation and improve skin elasticity.
Usually helps with
Mature or aging skin
Peptide
Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1
A signaling peptide that may help to stimulate collagen production.
Usually helps with
Mature or aging skin
Skin Conditioning
Acetyl Glucosamine
A skin-identical ingredient that can help with exfoliation and hydration.
Usually helps with
All skin types
Surfactant
Sodium Coco PG-Dimonium Chloride Phosphate
A mild surfactant that helps with cleansing.
Usually helps with
Most skin types
A BHA that exfoliates inside pores, helping to clear congestion and improve texture. Can be drying.
Usually helps with
Oily, acne-prone, textured skin
Watch for
Dryness, peeling, irritation, especially when starting or if skin is sensitive
Helps to mix oil and water components in the formula.
Usually helps with
All skin types
Surfactant
Disodium Cocoyl Glutamate
A mild amino acid-based surfactant for gentle cleansing.
Usually helps with
Most skin types
Surfactant
Sodium Cocoyl Glutamate
A mild amino acid-based surfactant for gentle cleansing.
Usually helps with
Most skin types
Helps to solubilize oils and fragrances in water-based formulas. Can be a penetration enhancer.
Usually helps with
Most skin types
Watch for
Can be irritating for very sensitive skin
Viscosity Adjuster
Sodium Chloride
Used to thicken the product.
Usually helps with
All skin types
A thickening agent that gives the product its gel consistency.
Usually helps with
All skin types
Used to adjust the pH of the formula.
Usually helps with
All skin types
Watch for
Can cause irritation at high concentrations
A salt that can be used in various functions.
Usually helps with
All skin types
pH Adjuster
Monosodium Citrate
Used to adjust the pH of the formula.
Usually helps with
All skin types
pH Adjuster
Sodium Hydroxide
Used to adjust the pH of the formula.
Usually helps with
All skin types
Watch for
Can cause irritation at high concentrations
A synthetic antioxidant that can be a skin irritant for some.
Usually helps with
Most skin types
Watch for
Potential for irritation or allergic reactions in sensitive individuals
Helps to improve the stability of the product.
Usually helps with
All skin types
Chelating Agent
Disodium EDTA
Helps to improve the stability of the product.
Usually helps with
All skin types
Preservative
Phenoxyethanol
A common preservative to prevent microbial growth. Can be irritating for some.
Usually helps with
Most skin types
Watch for
Potential for irritation or allergic reactions in sensitive individuals