The base for most skincare formulations, dissolving other ingredients.
Usually helps with
Hydration
Attracts moisture to the skin, improving hydration and product texture.
Usually helps with
Hydration
Watch for
Can be a mild irritant for some
A classic humectant that draws water into the skin, keeping it hydrated and supple.
Usually helps with
Hydration
Mimics skin's natural oils, providing excellent hydration and improving skin's softness and suppleness without greasiness.
Usually helps with
Hydration, barrier support
Emollient
Butyrospermum Parkii (Shea) Butter
A rich emollient that moisturizes and softens the skin, rich in fatty acids and vitamins.
Usually helps with
Dryness, barrier support
Watch for
Can be comedogenic for some acne-prone skin types
Emollient
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Derived from coconut oil and glycerin, it's an excellent emollient that replenishes skin.
Usually helps with
Hydration, softening
A fatty acid that helps to smooth and soften skin, but can be comedogenic in higher concentrations.
Usually helps with
Softening
Watch for
Can clog pores for some
Emollient
Simmondsia Chinensis (Jojoba) Seed Oil
A liquid wax that closely resembles skin's natural sebum, providing excellent moisturization and balancing properties.
Usually helps with
Hydration, balancing
Emulsifier
Glyceryl Stearate SE
An emulsifier that helps blend oil and water ingredients, also providing some emollient properties.
Usually helps with
Texture, moisturizing
A solvent and humectant that enhances the absorption of other ingredients and provides hydration.
Usually helps with
Hydration, absorption
A fatty alcohol that softens and smooths the skin.
Usually helps with
Softening
Emulsifier
Polyglyceryl-3 Methylglucose Distearate
A plant-derived emulsifier that helps create stable emulsions and provides a smooth skin feel.
Usually helps with
Texture
Antioxidant
Hydroxyacetophenone
A synthetic antioxidant that can help protect the skin from environmental damage and stabilize the formula.
Usually helps with
Antioxidant protection
Soothing Agent
Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate
Derived from licorice root, it has anti-inflammatory and soothing properties, helping to calm redness.
Usually helps with
Soothing, anti-inflammatory
Soothing Agent
Centella Asiatica Extract
Also known as Cica or Gotu Kola, it's renowned for its healing, soothing, and anti-inflammatory properties, aiding in barrier repair.
Usually helps with
Soothing, barrier repair, redness reduction
Soothing Agent
Boerhavia Diffusa Root Extract
A botanical extract known for its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant benefits, helping to calm skin.
Usually helps with
Soothing, antioxidant
Watch for
Limited research on widespread use
Antioxidant
Myrothamnus Flabellifolia Leaf/Stem Extract
A resurrection plant extract known for its potent antioxidant and hydrating properties, helping skin recover from dryness.
Usually helps with
Antioxidant, hydration
Watch for
Less common ingredient
Soothing Agent
Tasmannia Lanceolata Leaf Extract
A Tasmanian pepperberry extract with potent anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, known to reduce redness and irritation.
Usually helps with
Soothing, anti-inflammatory
Watch for
Can cause mild irritation in sensitive individuals
Emollient
Brassica Campestris (Rapeseed) Sterols
Plant-derived sterols that help to condition and soften the skin, supporting the lipid barrier.
Usually helps with
Emollient, barrier support
Antioxidant
Zingiber Officinale (Ginger) Root Extract
Contains antioxidants that can help protect skin from damage, though it can be a potential irritant for some.
Usually helps with
Antioxidant
Watch for
Can cause irritation or stinging for sensitive skin
A form of Vitamin E, it's a well-known antioxidant that protects skin from free radical damage.
Usually helps with
Antioxidant protection
Preservative Booster
Lactobacillus Ferment
A probiotic-derived ingredient that can help support the skin's microbiome and act as a preservative booster.
Usually helps with
Microbiome support
Skin-Conditioning Agent
Cetylhydroxyproline Palmitamide
A synthetic lipid that helps to condition and moisturize the skin, supporting barrier function.
Usually helps with
Conditioning, barrier support
A humectant that also acts as a preservative booster and skin-conditioning agent.
Usually helps with
Hydration, preservation
A triglyceride that helps to soften and smooth the skin.
Usually helps with
Softening
Viscosity Agent
Maltodextrin
A polysaccharide used to thicken formulations and provide a smooth feel.
Usually helps with
Texture
The active component of chamomile, it is highly effective at calming inflammation and reducing redness.
Usually helps with
Soothing, anti-inflammatory
A common thickening agent derived from fermented sugar that improves product texture.
Usually helps with
Texture
Emollient
Cetearyl Alcohol
A fatty alcohol that moisturizes, softens, and smooths skin. It is not drying like some other alcohols.
Usually helps with
Moisturizing, softening
A fatty acid that can act as an emulsifier and emollient, but can be comedogenic.
Usually helps with
Emollient
Watch for
Can clog pores for some
Chelating Agent
Tetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate
Helps to stabilize the formula by binding to metal ions.
Usually helps with
Formula stability
Emollient
Hydroxystearic Acid
A fatty acid that helps to condition and soften the skin.
Usually helps with
Conditioning
A solvent and humectant that also has antimicrobial properties, helping to preserve the formula.
Usually helps with
Hydration, preservation
pH Adjuster
Sodium Hydroxide
Used to adjust the pH of the product to be compatible with skin.
Usually helps with
pH balance
Watch for
Can be irritating if pH is not properly adjusted
An alpha-hydroxy acid (AHA) used to adjust pH and can offer mild exfoliation.
Usually helps with
pH balance, exfoliation
Watch for
Can cause irritation in high concentrations or on sensitive skin
Thickener
Sodium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate
A synthetic polymer used to thicken formulations and create a smooth texture.
Usually helps with
Texture
Thickener
Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/VP Copolymer
A synthetic polymer used to thicken formulations and provide a pleasant skin feel.
Usually helps with
Texture
A fatty acid that acts as an emulsifier and emollient, helping to create a smooth texture.
Usually helps with
Emollient, texture
Watch for
Can be comedogenic for some
Thickener
Acacia Senegal Gum
A natural gum used to thicken formulations and provide a smooth finish.
Usually helps with
Texture