The base for most skincare formulations.
Usually helps with
Hydration
A powerful humectant that draws moisture to the skin, keeping it hydrated and soft. It's a gold standard for moisturization and barrier support.
Usually helps with
Dryness, hydration, skin barrier
Watch for
Can feel slightly sticky in high concentrations if not formulated well.
Surfactant
Cocamidopropyl Hydroxysultaine
A mild amphoteric surfactant that provides gentle cleansing and helps create foam. It's known for being less irritating than some other surfactants.
Usually helps with
Gentle cleansing, sensitive skin
Thickener
Acrylates Crosspolymer-4
A polymer used to thicken formulations and improve texture.
Usually helps with
Product texture
Surfactant
Sodium Cocoyl Glycinate
A mild amino acid-based surfactant that offers gentle cleansing and a soft, creamy lather. It's known for its skin-compatibility.
Usually helps with
Gentle cleansing, dry skin
Surfactant
Sodium Lauroamphoacetate
A mild amphoteric surfactant that is gentle on the skin and helps to cleanse without stripping. It's often used in baby products.
Usually helps with
Gentle cleansing, sensitive skin
Emollient/Emulsifier
Stearic Acid
A fatty acid that helps to soften and smooth the skin, and also acts as an emulsifier to keep oil and water mixed.
Usually helps with
Emollience, texture
Emollient
Simmondsia Chinensis (Jojoba) Seed Oil
A plant-based oil that closely resembles the skin's natural sebum, providing excellent moisturization and conditioning without clogging pores.
Usually helps with
Moisturizing, balancing
Viscosity Adjuster
Sodium Chloride
Common salt, used here to adjust the thickness of the product.
Usually helps with
Product texture
Moisture-Depositing Agent
Castoryl Maleate
A unique ingredient designed to help moisture adhere to the skin during the rinsing process, enhancing the hydrating effect of glycerin.
Usually helps with
Hydration, moisture retention
Preservative
Phenoxyethanol
A common preservative used to prevent microbial growth in cosmetic products.
Usually helps with
Product preservation
Watch for
Can be an irritant for some sensitive individuals.
An alpha hydroxy acid (AHA) used to adjust the pH of the formulation, making it more compatible with the skin.
Usually helps with
pH balance
Watch for
Can cause mild exfoliation at higher concentrations.
Emollient/Emulsifier
Stearyl Alcohol
A fatty alcohol that acts as an emollient to soften and smooth skin, and also helps to stabilize the product's texture.
Usually helps with
Emollience, texture
Surfactant/Emollient
Lauric Acid
A fatty acid that can contribute to cleansing properties and also acts as an emollient.
Usually helps with
Cleansing, emollience
Chelating Agent
Disodium EDTA
Helps to improve the stability and performance of the product by binding to metal ions.
Usually helps with
Product stability
Preservative
Methylparaben
A common preservative, though concerns about endocrine disruption have led to its reduced use in some markets.
Usually helps with
Product preservation
Watch for
Potential for skin sensitivity or allergic reactions in some individuals.
Emollient/Emulsifier
Palmitic Acid
A fatty acid that provides emollient properties and helps to create a smooth texture.
Usually helps with
Emollience, texture
Another common preservative in the paraben family. Similar concerns as methylparaben regarding potential endocrine disruption and sensitivity.
Usually helps with
Product preservation
Watch for
Potential for skin sensitivity or allergic reactions.
Antioxidant/Skin Conditioning
Malachite Extract
A mineral extract believed to have antioxidant properties and contribute to skin conditioning.
Usually helps with
Skin conditioning
Emollient/Surfactant
Oleic Acid
A fatty acid that acts as an emollient and can also contribute to cleansing properties.
Usually helps with
Emollience, cleansing
Humectant/Solvent
Propylene Glycol
A common ingredient that helps to retain moisture and improve the penetration of other ingredients. Can be a mild irritant for some.
Usually helps with
Hydration, penetration enhancement
Watch for
Potential for skin irritation or allergic reactions in sensitive individuals.
Emollient/Emulsifier
Cetyl Alcohol
A fatty alcohol that acts as an emollient to soften and smooth the skin, and also helps to thicken the product.
Usually helps with
Emollience, texture
pH Adjuster
Sodium Hydroxide
Used to adjust the pH of the product to a skin-friendly level.
Usually helps with
pH balance
Watch for
Can be irritating in high concentrations, but is safe when used correctly to adjust pH.
Skin Conditioning
Cyanocobalamin
Vitamin B12, known for its role in cell metabolism and skin health. It can have a pink hue.
Usually helps with
Skin conditioning