The base of the formulation.
Usually helps with
Hydration
A common and effective humectant that draws moisture to the skin.
Usually helps with
Hydration
Watch for
Can feel slightly sticky in high concentrations.
A stable, plant-derived emollient that mimics skin's natural oils, providing moisture and improving suppleness.
Usually helps with
Dryness, barrier support
Watch for
Generally well-tolerated.
Emollient
Ethylhexyl Palmitate
An emollient that can feel slightly waxy and may clog pores for some individuals.
Usually helps with
Emollience
Watch for
Potential for pore-clogging in acne-prone skin.
A lightweight, non-greasy emollient that improves spreadability.
Usually helps with
Texture, emollience
Emulsifier
Glyceryl Stearate
An emulsifier that helps to blend oil and water components, also providing some emollience.
Usually helps with
Texture, emollience
Emollient
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
A skin-conditioning agent derived from coconut oil and glycerin, known for its emollient properties and ability to reduce dryness.
Usually helps with
Dryness, emollience
Watch for
Generally well-tolerated.
A fatty alcohol that acts as an emollient and thickener. Despite the name, it's not drying.
Usually helps with
Texture, emollience
Watch for
Can be comedogenic for some.
Humectant
Honey Extract/Mel Extract/Extrait De Miel
A natural humectant with soothing and antioxidant properties.
Usually helps with
Hydration, soothing
Watch for
Potential allergen for those with bee product sensitivities.
A natural compound that helps protect skin cells from environmental stress and dehydration.
Usually helps with
Hydration, barrier support, soothing
Humectant
Sodium Polyglutamate
A powerful humectant that can hold significantly more water than hyaluronic acid, providing deep hydration.
Usually helps with
Intense hydration
Humectant
Sodium Hyaluronate
The salt form of hyaluronic acid, a potent humectant that draws moisture to the skin.
Usually helps with
Hydration
Soothing Agent
Calendula Officinalis Extract
Known for its anti-inflammatory and skin-soothing properties.
Usually helps with
Soothing, redness reduction
Watch for
Potential allergen for those with ragweed allergies.
Soothing Agent
Anthemis Nobilis Flower Extract
Chamomile extract, known for its calming and anti-inflammatory benefits.
Usually helps with
Soothing, redness reduction
Watch for
Potential allergen for those with ragweed allergies.
A form of Vitamin B5 that acts as a humectant and skin conditioner, helping to improve hydration and barrier function.
Usually helps with
Hydration, soothing, barrier support
A skin-conditioning agent known for its soothing, moisturizing, and keratolytic properties.
Usually helps with
Soothing, moisturizing
Emollient
Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Seed Oil
A rich emollient and source of linoleic acid, which can help support the skin barrier.
Usually helps with
Emollience, barrier support
Vitamin E, a fat-soluble antioxidant that protects skin from free radical damage.
Usually helps with
Antioxidant protection
Watch for
Can be comedogenic for some.
Emollient
Glycosphingolipids
Lipids that are a natural component of the skin's barrier, helping to retain moisture.
Usually helps with
Barrier support, emollience
Preservative
Leuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate
A natural preservative derived from fermented radish root, offering some antimicrobial benefits.
Usually helps with
Preservation
A type of ceramide that helps to restore and maintain the skin's natural barrier function.
Usually helps with
Barrier support, hydration
Antioxidant
Hydroxyacetophenone
A synthetic antioxidant that also acts as a skin-conditioning agent.
Usually helps with
Antioxidant protection
A solvent and humectant that enhances the penetration of other ingredients.
Usually helps with
Hydration, ingredient penetration
Emulsifier
Hydrogenated Palm Glycerides
An emulsifier derived from palm oil, used to stabilize the formula.
Usually helps with
Texture
Watch for
Ethical sourcing concerns for some.
Emollient
Hydrogenated Rapeseed Oil
A hydrogenated vegetable oil used for its emollient properties.
Usually helps with
Emollience
A fatty acid that provides emollient properties and helps thicken the formula.
Usually helps with
Emollience, texture
Watch for
Can be comedogenic for some.
A triglyceride that provides emollient properties and helps soften the skin.
Usually helps with
Emollience
A solvent and humectant that also has some preservative properties.
Usually helps with
Hydration, preservation
Watch for
Can be a skin irritant for some.
A humectant that also acts as a preservative booster and skin-conditioning agent.
Usually helps with
Hydration, preservation
Watch for
Can be a skin irritant for some.
Emulsifier
Glyceryl Dioleate
An emulsifier that helps to stabilize the oil and water phases of the formulation.
Usually helps with
Texture
Emulsifier
Polyglyceryl-3 Methylglucose Distearate
A natural-derived emulsifier that helps create a stable emulsion.
Usually helps with
Texture
Emulsifier
Potassium Cetyl Phosphate
An emulsifier used in cosmetic formulations.
Usually helps with
Texture
Thickener
Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
A synthetic polymer used to thicken and stabilize the formula.
Usually helps with
Texture
A fatty acid that acts as an emollient and thickener.
Usually helps with
Texture, emollience
Watch for
Can be comedogenic for some.
Chelating Agent
Sodium Phytate
A chelating agent that helps to improve the stability of the formulation by binding to metal ions.
Usually helps with
Formulation stability
pH Adjuster
Potassium Hydroxide
Used to adjust the pH of the product. Can be irritating in high concentrations.
Usually helps with
pH balance
Watch for
Can be irritating if pH is not properly adjusted.
Preservative
Sodium Benzoate
A common preservative that helps prevent microbial growth.
Usually helps with
Preservation
Watch for
Can cause irritation or allergic reactions in sensitive individuals.