The base of many skincare formulations.
Usually helps with
Hydration
A plant-derived solvent and humectant that helps improve product texture and skin hydration.
Usually helps with
Hydration, texture enhancement
A classic humectant that draws moisture to the skin.
Usually helps with
Hydration
Emollient
Stearyl Dimethicone
A silicone that provides a smooth feel and can help condition the skin.
Usually helps with
Emollience, texture
Watch for
Can be occlusive for some
Emollient
Methyl Trimethicone
A lightweight silicone that offers a smooth, non-greasy feel.
Usually helps with
Texture, emollience
Emollient
Pentaerythrityl Tetraethylhexanoate
An emollient that helps to soften and smooth the skin.
Usually helps with
Emollience, skin softening
Emollient
Butylene Glycol Dicaprylate/Dicaprate
An emollient ester that provides a light, non-greasy feel.
Usually helps with
Emollience, texture
Emollient
Glyceryl Polymethacrylate
Helps to condition and soften the skin.
Usually helps with
Emollience, skin conditioning
A solvent and humectant that also has antimicrobial properties.
Usually helps with
Hydration, preservation
Texturizer
Polymethylsilsesquioxane
A silicone derivative that improves the texture and feel of the product.
Usually helps with
Texture, mattifying
A stable, plant-derived emollient that mimics skin's natural oils, providing hydration and improving suppleness.
Usually helps with
Hydration, barrier support, suppleness
Emulsifier
Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
A synthetic polymer used to stabilize emulsions and improve texture.
Usually helps with
Texture, emulsion stability
Emulsifier
Polyglyceryl-3 Methylglucose Distearate
A plant-derived emulsifier that helps blend oil and water ingredients.
Usually helps with
Emulsion stability, texture
A synthetic polymer used to thicken formulations and improve texture.
Usually helps with
Texture, thickening
Emulsifier
Hydrogenated Lecithin
A modified form of lecithin that helps to emulsify and condition the skin.
Usually helps with
Emulsification, skin conditioning
A skin-identical lipid that helps support the skin barrier and improve moisture retention.
Usually helps with
Barrier support, hydration
Emulsifier
Glyceryl Stearate
An emulsifier and emollient derived from glycerin and stearic acid.
Usually helps with
Emulsification, skin softening
Used to adjust the pH of the formulation.
Usually helps with
Formulation stability
Emulsifier
Sodium Stearoyl Glutamate
A mild, plant-derived emulsifier.
Usually helps with
Emulsification
Skin Conditioning
Lactobacillus Ferment Lysate
A probiotic-derived ingredient that can help support the skin's microbiome and barrier function.
Usually helps with
Skin conditioning, barrier support
A powerful humectant that draws moisture into the skin, plumping and hydrating.
Usually helps with
Hydration, plumping
A form of Vitamin B5 that hydrates, soothes, and helps improve skin barrier function.
Usually helps with
Hydration, soothing, barrier support
Skin Conditioning
Allantoin
Soothes and protects the skin, promoting healing.
Usually helps with
Soothing, skin protection
Chelating Agent
Sodium Metaphosphate
Helps to stabilize the formulation by binding to metal ions.
Usually helps with
Formulation stability
Emollient
Camellia Sinensis Seed Oil
Rich in antioxidants and fatty acids, this oil nourishes and conditions the skin.
Usually helps with
Nourishment, antioxidant protection, emollience
Emollient
Cetearyl Alcohol
A fatty alcohol that softens and smooths the skin, and also acts as an emulsifier.
Usually helps with
Emollience, texture, emulsification
A natural polysaccharide used to thicken formulations and improve texture.
Usually helps with
Texture, thickening
Emulsifier
Glyceryl Caprylate
A multifunctional ingredient that acts as an emulsifier and skin conditioner.
Usually helps with
Emulsification, skin conditioning
A common humectant and solvent that helps improve product texture and skin hydration.
Usually helps with
Hydration, texture enhancement
Humectant
Ethylhexylglycerin
A skin-conditioning agent and preservative booster.
Usually helps with
Hydration, preservation
Emulsifier
Sorbitan Isostearate
An emulsifier that helps to blend oil and water ingredients.
Usually helps with
Emulsification
Humectant
Sodium Hyaluronate
The salt form of hyaluronic acid, known for its ability to hold a large amount of water.
Usually helps with
Hydration
Antioxidant
Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
Green tea extract, rich in antioxidants to protect skin from environmental stressors.
Usually helps with
Antioxidant protection, soothing
Skin Conditioning
Madecassoside
A purified compound from Centella Asiatica, known for its soothing and healing properties.
Usually helps with
Soothing, calming, barrier repair
An Alpha Hydroxy Acid (AHA) that exfoliates the skin, improves texture, and can help with hydration.
Usually helps with
Exfoliation, texture improvement, hydration
Watch for
Can cause sensitivity, especially with sun exposure
A polysaccharide that can help with hydration.
Usually helps with
Hydration
Antioxidant
Theobroma Cacao (Cocoa) Extract
Contains antioxidants that can help protect the skin.
Usually helps with
Antioxidant protection
Humectant
Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid
A smaller molecular weight form of hyaluronic acid that can penetrate deeper into the skin.
Usually helps with
Deeper hydration
Humectant
Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer
A cross-linked form of hyaluronic acid that forms a hydrating film on the skin's surface.
Usually helps with
Surface hydration, moisture retention
Antioxidant
Camellia Sinensis Seed Extract
Extract from green tea seeds, rich in antioxidants.
Usually helps with
Antioxidant protection
Skin Conditioning
Ceramide NP
A type of ceramide that is crucial for maintaining a healthy skin barrier and preventing moisture loss.
Usually helps with
Barrier support, hydration, skin conditioning
A form of Vitamin E, an antioxidant that protects the skin from free radical damage.
Usually helps with
Antioxidant protection
Skin Conditioning
Phytosphingosine
A lipid that is a component of the skin's natural barrier, helping to soothe and repair.
Usually helps with
Barrier repair, soothing
Humectant
Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate
A derivative of hyaluronic acid that offers excellent hydration and skin conditioning.
Usually helps with
Hydration, skin conditioning