The primary ingredient in most skincare formulations, acting as a base for other ingredients.
Usually helps with
Hydration
A silicone that creates a smooth, protective barrier on the skin, helping to reduce water loss and give a silky feel.
Usually helps with
Smoothing, barrier support
Watch for
Can feel heavy for some, though this is a water cream formulation.
A plant-derived humectant that draws moisture to the skin, improving hydration and product texture.
Usually helps with
Hydration, texture enhancement
Emollient
Simmondsia Chinensis (Jojoba) Seed Oil
A plant-derived oil that closely mimics the skin's natural sebum, providing excellent moisturization without feeling greasy.
Usually helps with
Moisturizing, balancing
A classic humectant that draws water into the skin, keeping it hydrated and soft.
Usually helps with
Hydration
A sugar beet-derived ingredient that helps retain moisture and protect skin cells.
Usually helps with
Hydration, skin protection
A sugar that helps skin retain moisture and protects it from dehydration.
Usually helps with
Hydration, protection
A sugar that can help hydrate the skin.
Usually helps with
Hydration
Emollient
Caprylic/Capric/Lauric Triglyceride
A mixture of fatty acids derived from coconut oil and glycerin, used to soften and smooth the skin.
Usually helps with
Emollience, skin softening
Emollient
Diisopropyl Adipate
An ester that provides a light, non-greasy feel and helps to spread the product evenly.
Usually helps with
Emollience, spreadability
A plant-derived ester that provides a smooth, lightweight feel on the skin.
Usually helps with
Emollience, lightweight feel
Preservative
Leuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate
A natural preservative derived from fermented radish root, offering antimicrobial and skin-conditioning benefits.
Usually helps with
Preservation, skin conditioning
A form of zinc that can help regulate oil production and has soothing properties. It's also involved in skin repair processes.
Usually helps with
Oil control, soothing, skin repair
Watch for
Generally well-tolerated, but high concentrations can be drying for some.
Active
Collagen Amino Acids
The building blocks of collagen, these help support skin's structure and firmness, contributing to a plumper appearance.
Usually helps with
Firmness, elasticity, plumping
Watch for
Topical collagen itself doesn't penetrate well, but amino acids can be utilized by the skin.
Active
Acetyl Hexapeptide-37
A peptide that works to improve skin hydration and smoothness by enhancing the skin's natural moisturizing factors.
Usually helps with
Hydration, smoothness, anti-aging
Watch for
Peptides are generally well-tolerated.
Active
Palmitoyl Pentapeptide-4
A peptide known for its ability to stimulate collagen production, improve skin texture, and reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.
Usually helps with
Anti-aging, firmness, texture improvement
Watch for
Peptides are generally well-tolerated.
Antioxidant
Hydroxyacetophenone
A synthetic antioxidant that helps protect the skin from environmental damage and also acts as a preservative booster.
Usually helps with
Antioxidant protection, preservative support
Soothing
Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate
A derivative of licorice root, known for its potent anti-inflammatory and soothing properties.
Usually helps with
Soothing, calming redness, anti-inflammatory
An alpha hydroxy acid (AHA) that exfoliates the skin, promoting cell turnover and improving hydration and texture. Can be mildly irritating at higher concentrations.
Usually helps with
Exfoliation, hydration, texture improvement
Watch for
Can increase sun sensitivity; start slowly if new to AHAs.
Antioxidant
Haematococcus Pluvialis Extract
A potent source of astaxanthin, a powerful antioxidant that helps protect skin from free radical damage.
Usually helps with
Antioxidant protection, anti-aging
Soothing
Trifolium Repens Extract
Extract from red clover, which contains isoflavones that may offer antioxidant and soothing benefits.
Usually helps with
Soothing, antioxidant
Humectant
Sodium Hyaluronate
A salt form of hyaluronic acid, it attracts and holds moisture in the skin, providing hydration and plumping effects.
Usually helps with
Hydration, plumping
Emollient
Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Seed Oil
A rich emollient oil that is high in linoleic acid, helping to strengthen the skin barrier and moisturize.
Usually helps with
Moisturizing, barrier support
Fragrance
Citrus Aurantium Bergamia (Bergamot) Fruit Oil
Provides a citrusy scent. Can be phototoxic and irritating for some skin types.
Usually helps with
Fragrance
Watch for
Potential for photosensitivity and irritation.
Fragrance
Citrus Paradisi (Grapefruit) Peel Oil
Adds a fresh, citrus scent. Like other citrus oils, it can be phototoxic and potentially irritating.
Usually helps with
Fragrance
Watch for
Potential for photosensitivity and irritation.
Fragrance
Cupressus Sempervirens Leaf/Nut/Stem Oil
An essential oil derived from cypress, used for its aromatic properties.
Usually helps with
Fragrance
Watch for
Can be irritating for sensitive skin.
Fragrance
Jasminum Sambac (Jasmine) Flower Extract
Provides a rich, floral fragrance. Can be a potential allergen for some.
Usually helps with
Fragrance
Watch for
Potential allergen for sensitive skin.
Fragrance
Rose Flower Oil/Extract (Rosa Damascena Flower Oil)
A luxurious ingredient known for its potent floral scent and potential skin-soothing properties. Can be a potential allergen.
Usually helps with
Fragrance, potential soothing
Watch for
Potential allergen for sensitive skin.
Soothing
Hydrolyzed Rhodophyceae Extract
An extract derived from red algae, known for its moisturizing and soothing properties.
Usually helps with
Hydration, soothing
Emollient
Hydrolyzed Jojoba Esters
Modified jojoba oil that offers improved spreadability and a lighter feel on the skin, providing moisturization.
Usually helps with
Emollience, moisturizing
Humectant
Chondrus Crispus Extract
Irish moss extract, a type of seaweed that acts as a natural thickener and humectant, helping to hydrate the skin.
Usually helps with
Hydration, thickening
Fragrance
Juniperus Virginiana Oil
An essential oil derived from cedarwood, used for its woody aroma.
Usually helps with
Fragrance
Watch for
Can be irritating for sensitive skin.
Fragrance
Cistus Ladaniferus Leaf/Stem Extract
An extract from the rockrose plant, used for its resinous, amber-like aroma.
Usually helps with
Fragrance
Watch for
Can be irritating for sensitive skin.
Fragrance
Rosmarinus Officinalis (Rosemary) Leaf Oil
An essential oil with a herbaceous scent. It has antioxidant properties but can be irritating for some.
Usually helps with
Fragrance, antioxidant
Watch for
Can be irritating for sensitive skin.
Fragrance
Tagetes Minuta Flower Oil
An essential oil derived from marigold flowers, used for its herbaceous and slightly fruity aroma.
Usually helps with
Fragrance
Watch for
Can be irritating for sensitive skin.
Fragrance
Gardenia Florida Fruit Extract
An extract from the gardenia flower, used for its strong, sweet floral scent.
Usually helps with
Fragrance
Watch for
Potential allergen for sensitive skin.
A common solvent and humectant that helps ingredients penetrate the skin and provides hydration.
Usually helps with
Hydration, penetration enhancement
Watch for
Can be irritating in high concentrations for some.
A component of the skin's natural moisturizing factor (NMF), it helps to attract and bind moisture to the skin.
Usually helps with
Hydration, moisture retention
Antioxidant
Tocopheryl Acetate
A stable form of Vitamin E, an antioxidant that helps protect the skin from free radical damage.
Usually helps with
Antioxidant protection
Vitamin E, a potent antioxidant that protects the skin from environmental stressors.
Usually helps with
Antioxidant protection
Emulsifier
PEG-10 Dimethicone
A silicone-based emulsifier that helps to blend oil and water ingredients, providing a smooth texture.
Usually helps with
Emulsification, texture enhancement
Watch for
Some people prefer to avoid silicones.
A humectant that helps to hydrate and soften the skin.
Usually helps with
Hydration, softening
A dipeptide with antioxidant properties that may help protect the skin from glycation and environmental damage.
Usually helps with
Antioxidant protection, anti-aging
Humectant
Potassium Lactate
A salt of lactic acid, it acts as a humectant to hydrate the skin.
Usually helps with
Hydration
Emulsifier
Dimethicone/Polyglycerin-3 Crosspolymer
A silicone-based emulsifier that helps create a smooth texture and can provide a light, breathable feel.
Usually helps with
Emulsification, texture enhancement
Watch for
Some people prefer to avoid silicones.
Humectant
Saccharide Isomerate
A plant-derived carbohydrate complex that binds to skin cells and provides long-lasting hydration.
Usually helps with
Deep hydration, moisture retention
Emulsifier
Lauryl PEG-9 Polydimethylsiloxyethyl Dimethicone
A silicone-based emulsifier that helps stabilize formulations and provides a smooth feel.
Usually helps with
Emulsification, texture enhancement
Watch for
Some people prefer to avoid silicones.
A plant extract known for its soothing, anti-inflammatory, and skin-conditioning properties.
Usually helps with
Soothing, calming, moisturizing
Humectant
Pentylene Glycol
A humectant that also has antimicrobial properties, helping to preserve the product and hydrate the skin.
Usually helps with
Hydration, preservation
A component of the skin's natural moisturizing factor (NMF), it helps to hydrate and soften the skin.
Usually helps with
Hydration, softening
Watch for
Can be irritating at higher concentrations.
A polysaccharide that can help to bind moisture to the skin.
Usually helps with
Hydration
A solvent and humectant that also has antimicrobial properties, helping to preserve the product and hydrate the skin.
Usually helps with
Hydration, preservation
Chelating Agent
Tetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate
A biodegradable chelating agent that helps to improve the stability and performance of the product by binding to metal ions.
Usually helps with
Product stabilization
A synthetic emulsifier used to blend oil and water. Can be a mild irritant for some.
Usually helps with
Emulsification
Watch for
Potential for mild irritation.
An alpha hydroxy acid (AHA) used to adjust the pH of the product. Can also offer mild exfoliating benefits.
Usually helps with
pH adjustment, mild exfoliation
Watch for
Can increase sun sensitivity.
pH Adjuster
Sodium Hydroxide
Used to adjust the pH of the product to a skin-friendly level.
Usually helps with
pH adjustment
Watch for
Can be irritating if the pH is not properly adjusted.
pH Adjuster
Sodium Citrate
A salt of citric acid used to adjust and buffer the pH of the product.
Usually helps with
pH adjustment
Emulsifier
Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer
A silicone-based cross-polymer that provides a smooth, velvety feel and can help with texture and film-forming.
Usually helps with
Texture enhancement, smoothing
Watch for
Some people prefer to avoid silicones.
Solvent
Dipropylene Glycol
A solvent that helps to dissolve other ingredients and can improve product texture.
Usually helps with
Solvent, texture enhancement
A component of citrus peel oils, used for its fresh, citrus scent. Can be a potential irritant and allergen.
Usually helps with
Fragrance
Watch for
Potential irritant and allergen.
A component of essential oils, used for its floral, bergamot-like scent. Can be a potential allergen.
Usually helps with
Fragrance
Watch for
Potential allergen.
Fragrance
Citrus Limon (Lemon) Peel Oil
Adds a bright, citrus scent. Can be phototoxic and irritating.
Usually helps with
Fragrance
Watch for
Potential for photosensitivity and irritation.
A naturally occurring compound found in many flowers and spices, used for its floral scent. Can be a potential allergen.
Usually helps with
Fragrance
Watch for
Potential allergen.
Fragrance
Santalum Album (Sandalwood) Oil
A woody, rich scent from sandalwood. Can be a potential irritant for some.
Usually helps with
Fragrance
Watch for
Potential irritant.
A compound found in pine trees, contributing a fresh, pine-like scent. Can be a potential irritant.
Usually helps with
Fragrance
Watch for
Potential irritant.
A component of sandalwood oil, contributing to its woody aroma. Can be a potential irritant.
Usually helps with
Fragrance
Watch for
Potential irritant.
Fragrance
Citrus Aurantium Bergamia (Bergamot) Peel Oil
Adds a fresh, citrus scent. Can be phototoxic and irritating for some skin types.
Usually helps with
Fragrance
Watch for
Potential for photosensitivity and irritation.