A common humectant that draws water to the skin, keeping it hydrated.
Usually helps with
Hydration
The base of most skincare formulations.
Usually helps with
All skin types
Surfactant
Potassium Myristate
A fatty acid salt used as a cleansing agent and emulsifier. Can be slightly stripping in high concentrations.
Usually helps with
Cleansing
Watch for
Potential for dryness if skin is very sensitive
A mild physical exfoliant that can help to gently buff away dead skin cells.
Usually helps with
Exfoliation
Watch for
Can be too abrasive for very sensitive skin if used aggressively
Surfactant
Potassium Stearate
A soap-forming agent that helps to cleanse the skin.
Usually helps with
Cleansing
Watch for
Can be drying for some skin types
Surfactant
Sodium Methyl Cocoyl Taurate
A mild, sulfate-free surfactant that creates a good lather and cleanses effectively.
Usually helps with
Gentle cleansing
Watch for
Generally well-tolerated
Surfactant
Potassium Palmitate
A cleansing agent derived from palmitic acid.
Usually helps with
Cleansing
Watch for
Can contribute to dryness
A solvent and humectant that also has preservative qualities.
Usually helps with
Hydration, preservation
Humectant
Pentylene Glycol
A skin-conditioning agent and humectant that also helps to preserve the formula.
Usually helps with
Hydration
Thickener
Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
A polymer used to thicken formulations and improve texture.
Usually helps with
Texture enhancement
Soothing Agent
Artemisia Princeps Leaf Powder
Contains compounds that help to calm and soothe irritated skin.
Usually helps with
Soothing, antioxidant
Watch for
Rarely, some individuals may experience sensitivity
Surfactant
Potassium Cocoyl Glycinate
A mild amino acid-based surfactant that provides gentle cleansing.
Usually helps with
Gentle cleansing
Watch for
Generally well-tolerated
Fragrance
Fragrance / Parfum
Adds scent to the product. Can be a potential irritant for sensitive skin.
Usually helps with
Sensory experience
Watch for
Skin sensitivity, potential irritation
Viscosity Adjuster
Sodium Chloride
Used to adjust the thickness of the product.
Usually helps with
Texture
A skin-conditioning agent and humectant that also helps with preservation.
Usually helps with
Hydration, preservation
Preservative
Ethylhexylglycerin
A skin-conditioning agent and preservative that can also boost the efficacy of other preservatives.
Usually helps with
Preservation, skin conditioning
Watch for
Generally well-tolerated
Skin Conditioning
Carthamus Tinctorius (Safflower) Flower Extract
Contains antioxidants and fatty acids that can benefit the skin.
Usually helps with
Skin conditioning
A polysaccharide used as a thickening agent.
Usually helps with
Texture
Antioxidant
Gardenia Florida Fruit Extract
Contains antioxidants that can help protect the skin from environmental damage.
Usually helps with
Antioxidant protection
A humectant that helps to attract and retain moisture.
Usually helps with
Hydration
Antioxidant
Theobroma Cacao (Cocoa) Seed Extract
Rich in antioxidants, it can help protect the skin from free radical damage.
Usually helps with
Antioxidant protection
Thickener
Sodium Polyacrylate
A polymer used to thicken cosmetic formulations.
Usually helps with
Texture
Soothing Agent
Artemisia Argyi Leaf Water
Calms and soothes the skin, similar to Artemisia Princeps Leaf Powder.
Usually helps with
Soothing
Watch for
Potential sensitivity in very reactive individuals
A form of Vitamin B5 that moisturizes, soothes, and helps improve skin barrier function.
Usually helps with
Hydration, soothing, barrier support
A solvent and humectant that enhances the absorption of other ingredients.
Usually helps with
Hydration, ingredient penetration
A common humectant and solvent that also helps to improve product texture.
Usually helps with
Hydration, texture
A phospholipid that acts as an emulsifier and skin-conditioning agent.
Usually helps with
Emulsifying, skin conditioning
Preservative
Lactobacillus Ferment
A probiotic-derived ingredient that acts as a preservative and can have skin-conditioning benefits.
Usually helps with
Preservation, skin conditioning
Emulsifier
Inulin Lauryl Carbamate
A mild emulsifier derived from inulin.
Usually helps with
Emulsifying
A humectant that helps to attract and retain moisture.
Usually helps with
Hydration
Soothing Agent
Artemisia Argyi Leaf Extract
Known for its anti-inflammatory and soothing properties.
Usually helps with
Soothing, calming
Watch for
Potential for sensitivity in very reactive skin
A form of Vitamin E, it's an antioxidant that protects the skin from free radical damage.
Usually helps with
Antioxidant protection
Soothing Agent
Centella Asiatica Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract
A well-known soothing ingredient that helps calm inflammation and promote skin healing.
Usually helps with
Soothing, healing, calming
Emulsifier
Hydrogenated Lecithin
A hydrogenated form of lecithin, used as an emulsifier and skin-conditioning agent.
Usually helps with
Emulsifying, skin conditioning
Soothing Agent
Centella Asiatica Extract
Provides potent anti-inflammatory and wound-healing benefits.
Usually helps with
Soothing, calming, repair
Antioxidant
Ficus Carica (Fig) Fruit Extract
Rich in antioxidants and enzymes, it can help with gentle exfoliation and skin brightening.
Usually helps with
Antioxidant, gentle exfoliation
A polysaccharide that hydrates, soothes, and supports the skin barrier.
Usually helps with
Hydration, soothing, barrier support
Chelating Agent
Disodium EDTA
A chelating agent that helps to improve the stability and efficacy of the formula by binding to metal ions.
Usually helps with
Product stability
Watch for
Some concerns about environmental impact, but generally safe in rinse-off products
Barrier Repair
Ceramide NP
A lipid that helps to restore and maintain the skin's natural barrier function.
Usually helps with
Barrier support, hydration
Skin Conditioning
Pseudoalteromonas Ferment Extract
A fermented extract with skin-conditioning and potential anti-aging benefits.
Usually helps with
Skin conditioning, hydration
Humectant
Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid
A smaller molecular weight form of hyaluronic acid that can penetrate deeper into the skin for hydration.
Usually helps with
Deep hydration
Humectant
Dimethylsilanol Hyaluronate
A derivative of hyaluronic acid that provides hydration and improves skin elasticity.
Usually helps with
Hydration, elasticity
Humectant
Hydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate
Another low-molecular-weight form of hyaluronic acid for enhanced hydration.
Usually helps with
Deep hydration
Humectant
Sodium Hyaluronate
The salt form of hyaluronic acid, known for its ability to attract and hold moisture.
Usually helps with
Surface hydration
A powerful humectant that draws moisture to the skin, plumping and hydrating.
Usually helps with
Hydration, plumping
Humectant
Potassium Hyaluronate
A salt form of hyaluronic acid that provides hydration.
Usually helps with
Hydration
Humectant
Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer
A cross-linked form of sodium hyaluronate that provides long-lasting hydration.
Usually helps with
Long-lasting hydration
Humectant
Hydroxypropyltrimonium Hyaluronate
A cationic derivative of hyaluronic acid that binds to the skin for enhanced hydration and conditioning.
Usually helps with
Hydration, conditioning
Humectant
Sodium Hyaluronate Dimethylsilanol
A silicon-based derivative of hyaluronic acid that offers hydration and skin conditioning.
Usually helps with
Hydration, skin conditioning
Humectant
Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate
A modified form of hyaluronic acid that offers improved skin penetration and hydration.
Usually helps with
Enhanced hydration
Preservative
Sodium Salicylate
A salt of salicylic acid, it can act as a preservative and mild exfoliant. Can cause irritation in some.
Usually helps with
Preservation, mild exfoliation
Watch for
Potential for irritation, especially on sensitive skin
A BHA that exfoliates inside the pores, helping to clear congestion and reduce breakouts. Can be drying or irritating for some.
Usually helps with
Acne, blackheads, pore congestion
Watch for
Dryness, peeling, irritation, sun sensitivity
An AHA that helps to exfoliate the skin's surface and can adjust the pH of the formula. Can cause stinging or irritation.
Usually helps with
Exfoliation, brightening
Watch for
Stinging, irritation, sun sensitivity