The base of the formulation, dissolving other ingredients.
Usually helps with
Hydration
Attracts moisture to the skin, keeping it hydrated and soft.
Usually helps with
Dryness, hydration
Humectant/Solvent
Methylpropanediol
Helps to draw moisture into the skin and can improve the texture of the product.
Usually helps with
Hydration, texture
Watch for
Can be a mild irritant for some
A skin-identical lipid that moisturizes and helps to improve skin barrier function.
Usually helps with
Dryness, barrier support
Emollient
Dicaprylyl Ether
Softens and smooths the skin, providing a pleasant feel.
Usually helps with
Softness, smoothness
Emollient/Occlusive
Dimethicone
Forms a protective barrier on the skin, reducing water loss and providing a smooth feel. Can be pore-clogging for some.
Usually helps with
Smoothing, moisture retention
Watch for
May not be suitable for acne-prone skin
A moisturizing ingredient that helps to retain water in the skin.
Usually helps with
Hydration
Emollient/Viscosity Agent
Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer
Provides a smooth, silky feel and can help to create a blurring effect on the skin.
Usually helps with
Texture, smoothing
Watch for
Similar concerns to dimethicone
Emollient/Emulsifier
Pentaerythrityl Distearate
Helps to condition the skin and stabilize the emulsion.
Usually helps with
Conditioning, texture
Emollient/Emulsifier
Cetearyl Alcohol
A fatty alcohol that softens and smooths the skin, and helps to thicken the product.
Usually helps with
Softening, thickening
Emulsifier
Cetearyl Glucoside
A gentle emulsifier derived from plant sugars, helping to blend oil and water.
Usually helps with
Emulsification, gentle formulation
Emollient
Phytosteryl/Isostearyl/Cetyl/Stearyl/Behenyl Dimer Dilinoleate
A blend of fatty acids that conditions and softens the skin.
Usually helps with
Conditioning, softening
Colorant
Ci 19140/Yellow 5
A synthetic colorant that gives the product its yellow hue. Can cause allergic reactions in sensitive individuals.
Watch for
Potential for allergic reactions
A synthetic colorant that gives the product its red hue. Can cause allergic reactions in sensitive individuals.
Watch for
Potential for allergic reactions
Humectant/Exfoliant (in other contexts)
Sucrose
Can attract moisture to the skin; in some formulations, it acts as a gentle exfoliant.
Usually helps with
Hydration
Vitamin E, an antioxidant that helps protect the skin from free radical damage.
Usually helps with
Antioxidant protection
Thickener/Viscosity Agent
Sodium Polyacrylate
Helps to thicken the product and improve its texture.
Usually helps with
Texture
Emulsifier
Sodium Stearoyl Glutamate
A gentle emulsifier that helps to blend oil and water components.
Usually helps with
Emulsification
Antioxidant/Preservative Booster
Hydroxyacetophenone
A skin-soothing antioxidant that also helps to boost the efficacy of preservatives.
Usually helps with
Soothing, preservation
Emulsifier/Thickener
Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Helps to stabilize the emulsion and thicken the product, providing a smooth feel.
Usually helps with
Texture, stabilization
Humectant/Thickener
Hydrolyzed Corn Starch
Can help to hydrate the skin and thicken the product.
Usually helps with
Hydration, texture
A salt of lactic acid, it helps to hydrate and condition the skin.
Usually helps with
Hydration
Humectant
Sodium Hyaluronate
A form of hyaluronic acid that attracts and holds moisture in the skin, plumping and hydrating.
Usually helps with
Hydration, plumping
Preservative
Sodium Benzoate
A common preservative that prevents microbial growth. Can be irritating for some, especially in combination with acidic ingredients.
Usually helps with
Preservation
Watch for
Potential for irritation
Skin-Conditioning Agent
Adenosine
A beneficial ingredient known for its anti-aging properties, helping to smooth wrinkles and improve skin elasticity.
Usually helps with
Anti-aging, smoothing
Preservative
Phenoxyethanol
A widely used preservative to prevent bacterial contamination. Can be a skin irritant for some.
Usually helps with
Preservation
Watch for
Potential for irritation
Fragrance Ingredient
Acetyl Cedrene
A synthetic fragrance compound that contributes to the product's scent. Can be a potential allergen.
Watch for
Potential for allergic reactions
An amino acid that helps to moisturize and condition the skin.
Usually helps with
Moisturizing, conditioning
Emollient/Preservative Booster
Ethylhexylglycerin
Enhances the effectiveness of preservatives and can also act as a skin conditioner.
Usually helps with
Preservation, conditioning
Emulsifier
Polyglyceryl-10 Myristate
A gentle emulsifier derived from plant sources, used to blend oil and water.
Usually helps with
Emulsification
An emulsifier that helps to mix oil and water. Can be a skin irritant for some.
Usually helps with
Emulsification
Watch for
Potential for irritation
An emulsifier that helps to mix oil and water. Can be a skin irritant for some.
Usually helps with
Emulsification
Watch for
Potential for irritation
Active/Skin Conditioning
Soluble Collagen
A form of collagen that can help to hydrate and plump the skin, improving its texture and appearance.
Usually helps with
Hydration, plumping, texture
Fragrance Ingredient
Pelargonium Graveolens Flower Oil
Rose geranium oil, used for its floral scent. Can be a potential allergen.
Watch for
Potential for allergic reactions
Active/Peptide
Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1
A peptide that signals the skin to repair itself, promoting collagen production and improving firmness.
Usually helps with
Firming, anti-aging
Active/Peptide
Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7
A peptide that helps to reduce inflammation and stimulate collagen production, contributing to firmer, smoother skin.
Usually helps with
Firming, anti-aging
Fragrance Ingredient/Solvent
Limonene
A common fragrance component derived from citrus peels. It's a known allergen and can cause skin irritation.
Watch for
High potential for allergic reactions and irritation
Preservative/Fragrance Ingredient
Benzyl Alcohol
Used as a preservative and fragrance component. Can be a skin irritant and allergen.
Usually helps with
Preservation, scent
Watch for
Potential for irritation and allergic reactions
Fragrance Ingredient
Linalyl Acetate
A common fragrance ingredient with a floral scent. Can be a potential allergen.
Watch for
Potential for allergic reactions
Fragrance Ingredient
Pinene
A component of pine resin, used for its scent. Can be a potential allergen.
Watch for
Potential for allergic reactions
Emollient/Thickener
Dipentaerythrityl Hexahydroxystearate/Hexastearate/Hexarosinate
A blend of esters that conditions and softens the skin, and helps to thicken the product.
Usually helps with
Conditioning, texture
Active/Peptide
Copper Tripeptide-1
A peptide known for its ability to promote collagen and elastin production, aiding in skin repair and improving elasticity.
Usually helps with
Firming, anti-aging, repair
Humectant/Emollient/Preservative Booster
Caprylyl Glycol
Helps to moisturize the skin and can enhance the effectiveness of preservatives.
Usually helps with
Moisturizing, preservation
Fragrance
Parfum/Fragrance
A blend of natural and/or synthetic ingredients that gives the product its scent. Can be a common cause of skin irritation and allergic reactions.
Watch for
High potential for irritation and allergic reactions
Thickener/Viscosity Agent
Carbomer
A thickening agent used to create gel-like consistencies and stabilize formulations.
Usually helps with
Texture
Emulsifier
Sorbitan Isostearate
An emulsifier that helps to blend oil and water components. Can be a mild irritant for some.
Usually helps with
Emulsification
Watch for
Potential for mild irritation
Fragrance Ingredient
Carvone
A component of spearmint and caraway, used for its scent. Can be a potential allergen.
Watch for
Potential for allergic reactions
Fragrance Ingredient
Geraniol
A common fragrance ingredient with a rose-like scent. It's a known allergen.
Watch for
Potential for allergic reactions
Humectant/Solvent
Butylene Glycol
A versatile ingredient that helps to hydrate the skin and improve product texture. Can be a mild irritant for some.
Usually helps with
Hydration, texture
Watch for
Potential for mild irritation
Humectant/Soothing Agent
Beta-Glucan
Derived from oats, it hydrates, soothes, and can help to improve skin barrier function.
Usually helps with
Hydration, soothing, barrier support
Fragrance Ingredient
Tetramethyl Acetyloctahydronaphthalenes
A synthetic fragrance ingredient used to provide a woody or amber scent. Can be a potential allergen.
Watch for
Potential for allergic reactions