The base for most cosmetic formulations.
Usually helps with
Hydration
Attracts water to the skin, helping to keep it hydrated and supple.
Usually helps with
Dryness, hydration
Emollient
Hydrogenated Ethylhexyl Olivate
A derivative of olive oil that softens and smooths the skin.
Usually helps with
Dryness, softening
Emollient
Limnanthes Alba (Meadowfoam) Seed Oil
A rich oil that helps to moisturize and condition the skin.
Usually helps with
Dryness, conditioning
A stable, hydrogenated form of squalene, a natural component of skin sebum. It's an excellent moisturizer and antioxidant.
Usually helps with
Dryness, antioxidant
Emollient/Emulsifier
Cetyl Alcohol
A fatty alcohol that helps to soften and smooth skin, and also acts as an emulsifier to keep oil and water mixed.
Usually helps with
Softening, stabilizing
Emollient/Emulsifier
Cetearyl Alcohol
Similar to cetyl alcohol, it softens and smooths skin and aids in product texture.
Usually helps with
Softening, texture
Humectant/Solvent
Propanediol
A versatile ingredient that helps to hydrate the skin and improve the absorption of other ingredients.
Usually helps with
Hydration, penetration
Emulsifier
Glyceryl Stearate SE
An emulsifier derived from glycerin and stearic acid, helping to blend oil and water components.
Usually helps with
Stabilizing
Emollient/Emulsifier
Behenyl Alcohol
A fatty alcohol that provides emollience and helps to stabilize the formulation.
Usually helps with
Softening, stability
Emulsifier
Glyceryl Stearate
Another emulsifier that helps to create a smooth texture and keep ingredients combined.
Usually helps with
Texture, stability
Emulsifier
Sorbitan Stearate
Helps to mix oil and water ingredients in the formula.
Usually helps with
Stabilizing
Emollient
Borago Officinalis Seed Oil
Rich in gamma-linolenic acid (GLA), it helps to soothe and moisturize the skin.
Usually helps with
Soothing, moisturizing
Emollient
Oenothera Biennis (Evening Primrose) Oil
Contains essential fatty acids that can help to improve skin hydration and elasticity.
Usually helps with
Hydration, elasticity
Emulsifier
Sodium Stearoyl Glutamate
A mild emulsifier that helps to create a stable and pleasant texture.
Usually helps with
Stabilizing, texture
Emollient
Vitis Vinifera (Grape) Seed Oil
A lightweight oil rich in antioxidants, known for its skin-conditioning properties.
Usually helps with
Antioxidant, conditioning
A triglyceride that helps to soften and smooth the skin.
Usually helps with
Softening, smoothing
Emulsifier
Cetearyl Glucoside
A gentle, plant-derived emulsifier that helps to create stable emulsions.
Usually helps with
Stabilizing, gentle
Humectant/Solvent
Butylene Glycol
A common ingredient that helps to hydrate the skin and improve the texture of the product.
Usually helps with
Hydration, texture
Emollient
Hydrogenated Olive Oil Unsaponifiables
A derivative of olive oil that provides emollience and skin conditioning.
Usually helps with
Softening, conditioning
Emollient
Astrocaryum Vulgare Kernel Oil
A rich oil known for its moisturizing and skin-conditioning properties.
Usually helps with
Moisturizing, conditioning
Preservative
Benzyl Alcohol
A preservative that can also act as a solvent. It can be a potential allergen for some.
Usually helps with
Preservation
Watch for
Potential irritation or allergy
Emollient/Preservative Booster
Caprylyl Glycol
Helps to condition the skin and boost the effectiveness of preservatives.
Usually helps with
Conditioning, preservation
Emulsifier/Skin Conditioning
Hydrogenated Lecithin
A modified form of lecithin that helps to stabilize emulsions and condition the skin.
Usually helps with
Stabilizing, conditioning
Emollient
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
A mix of fatty acids derived from coconut oil and glycerin, it's an excellent emollient and skin-replenishing ingredient.
Usually helps with
Moisturizing, replenishing
Thickener
Allyl Methacrylates Crosspolymer
A polymer used to thicken the product and improve its texture.
Usually helps with
Texture
Thickener
Sodium Polyacrylate
A synthetic polymer used to thicken cosmetic formulations.
Usually helps with
Texture
A form of Vitamin E, it helps to protect the skin from free radical damage.
Usually helps with
Antioxidant, protection
Skin-Replenishing
Ceramide NP
A crucial lipid that helps to restore and maintain the skin's barrier function, improving hydration and resilience.
Usually helps with
Barrier repair, hydration
Emollient
Glyceryl Dioleate
An emollient that helps to soften and smooth the skin.
Usually helps with
Softening, smoothing
Thickener/Emulsifier
Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/VP Copolymer
A polymer that helps to thicken the product and stabilize emulsions.
Usually helps with
Texture, stability
Emollient/Emulsifier
Palmitic Acid
A fatty acid that helps to soften and smooth skin, and can also aid in emulsification.
Usually helps with
Softening, smoothing
A synthetic emulsifier used to help mix oil and water. Can be irritating for some sensitive skin types.
Usually helps with
Stabilizing
Watch for
Potential irritation
Emollient/Emulsifier
Stearic Acid
A fatty acid that helps to soften and smooth skin, and also acts as an emulsifier.
Usually helps with
Softening, smoothing
A preservative used to prevent microbial growth. Can be a mild irritant for some.
Usually helps with
Preservation
Watch for
Potential mild irritation
A form of Vitamin A that promotes cell turnover, reduces wrinkles, and improves skin texture. Can cause irritation, dryness, and sun sensitivity.
Usually helps with
Anti-aging, texture, tone
Watch for
Redness, peeling, dryness, sun sensitivity
Chelating Agent
Disodium EDTA
Helps to improve the stability and performance of the product by binding to metal ions.
Usually helps with
Stability
Emollient/Skin Conditioning
Linoleic Acid
An essential fatty acid that helps to support the skin barrier and improve hydration.
Usually helps with
Barrier support, hydration
Emollient/Skin Conditioning
Phospholipids
Components of cell membranes that help to moisturize and support the skin barrier.
Usually helps with
Moisturizing, barrier support
Emollient/Antioxidant
Phytosterols
Plant-derived sterols that help to condition and soothe the skin, and offer antioxidant benefits.
Usually helps with
Conditioning, soothing, antioxidant
A polymer used to thicken cosmetic formulations and improve their texture.
Usually helps with
Texture
Humectant/Exfoliant
Sodium Lactate
A salt of lactic acid that acts as a humectant to draw moisture to the skin. At higher concentrations, it can be an AHA exfoliant.
Usually helps with
Hydration
Humectant
Sodium Hyaluronate
The salt form of hyaluronic acid, it attracts and holds moisture in the skin, providing hydration.
Usually helps with
Hydration
Peptide
Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1
A signaling peptide that helps to stimulate collagen production, improving skin firmness and reducing wrinkles.
Usually helps with
Anti-aging, firmness
Peptide
Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7
Another signaling peptide that works with Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1 to reduce inflammation and support collagen synthesis.
Usually helps with
Anti-aging, inflammation