The primary ingredient in most skincare products, used to dissolve other ingredients.
Usually helps with
All skin types
A common humectant that draws moisture to the skin, improving texture and absorption.
Usually helps with
All skin types
Watch for
Can be slightly irritating for very sensitive skin in high concentrations.
A highly effective humectant that attracts and retains moisture, keeping skin hydrated and supple.
Usually helps with
All skin types, especially dry and dehydrated
A silicone that forms a protective barrier on the skin, preventing moisture loss and providing a smooth feel. Can sometimes feel heavy.
Usually helps with
Dry, normal, and combination skin
Watch for
May clog pores for acne-prone individuals; can feel heavy on oily skin.
A versatile ingredient used as a humectant, solvent, and preservative booster. It's known for its moisturizing properties.
Usually helps with
All skin types
Watch for
Generally well-tolerated.
A stable, plant-derived oil that mimics the skin's natural sebum, providing excellent hydration and improving skin's suppleness without feeling greasy.
Usually helps with
All skin types, especially dry and mature
Emollient
Diisostearyl Malate
An emollient that helps to soften and smooth the skin, improving texture and feel.
Usually helps with
Dry and normal skin
Emulsifier
C12-16 Alcohols
Fatty alcohols used as emulsifiers and emollients to help blend oil and water and soften the skin.
Usually helps with
All skin types
Thickener
Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Beheneth-25 Methacrylate Crosspolymer
A polymer used to thicken formulations and improve texture.
Usually helps with
All skin types
Emollient
Cetearyl Alcohol
A fatty alcohol that acts as an emollient, emulsifier, and thickener, helping to soften and smooth the skin.
Usually helps with
All skin types
Watch for
Can be comedogenic for some acne-prone individuals.
A fatty acid that acts as an emollient, helping to soften and smooth the skin.
Usually helps with
Dry and normal skin
Emulsifier
Hydrogenated Lecithin
A modified form of lecithin that acts as an effective emulsifier and skin-conditioning agent.
Usually helps with
All skin types
Emollient
Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer
A silicone elastomer that provides a smooth, silky feel and helps to create a protective barrier on the skin.
Usually helps with
Normal and dry skin
Watch for
Can feel heavy on oily skin; potential for pore-clogging in some individuals.
Thickener
Sodium Polyacrylate Starch
A synthetic polymer used to thicken cosmetic formulations.
Usually helps with
All skin types
A fatty acid that acts as an emollient and emulsifier, helping to soften and smooth the skin.
Usually helps with
All skin types
Soothing Agent
Hydroxypropyl Bispalmitamide Mea
A ceramide-like compound that helps to strengthen the skin barrier and reduce irritation.
Usually helps with
Dry, sensitive, and irritated skin
A sugar alcohol that acts as a humectant, attracting moisture to the skin.
Usually helps with
All skin types
Probiotic
Lactobacillus Ferment Lysate
A postbiotic ingredient derived from fermented bacteria, known for its potential to support the skin barrier and improve skin health.
Usually helps with
All skin types, especially imbalanced or sensitive
A solvent and humectant that enhances the absorption of other ingredients and provides hydration.
Usually helps with
All skin types
Watch for
Generally well-tolerated.
Thickener
Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer
A polymer used to thicken formulations and provide a smooth texture.
Usually helps with
All skin types
Emulsifier
Cetearyl Glucoside
A gentle, plant-derived emulsifier that helps to create stable oil-in-water formulations.
Usually helps with
All skin types, including sensitive
A natural polysaccharide used as a thickening agent and stabilizer in cosmetic products.
Usually helps with
All skin types
Emollient
Glyceryl Caprylate
A monoester of glycerin and caprylic acid, used as an emollient and preservative booster.
Usually helps with
All skin types
Chelating Agent
Disodium Edta
A chelating agent that binds to metal ions, improving product stability and efficacy. Concerns exist about its environmental impact.
Usually helps with
All skin types
Watch for
Environmental concerns; not directly irritating.
Preservative Booster
Ethylhexylglycerin
A preservative booster and skin-conditioning agent that enhances the efficacy of other preservatives.
Usually helps with
All skin types
Watch for
Can cause contact dermatitis in rare cases.
A plant extract known for its soothing, healing, and skin-conditioning properties.
Usually helps with
All skin types, especially sensitive and irritated
A naturally occurring compound that plays a role in cellular energy. In skincare, it's used for its anti-aging and skin-restoring properties.
Usually helps with
Mature and aging skin
Fragrance
Fragrance/Parfum
Adds scent to the product. Can be a common cause of irritation and allergic reactions for sensitive skin.
Usually helps with
None (potential irritant)
Watch for
Allergic reactions, irritation, sensitivity
Film Former
Acrylates/Ammonium Methacrylate Copolymer
A polymer used to form a film on the skin, providing texture and hold.
Usually helps with
All skin types
A humectant and emollient that also has antimicrobial properties, helping to preserve the product.
Usually helps with
All skin types
Watch for
Can cause irritation in some individuals.
A polymer used to thicken cosmetic formulations, creating gels and improving texture.
Usually helps with
All skin types
A lipid that helps to reinforce the skin's barrier function and improve moisture retention.
Usually helps with
Dry and compromised skin
Fragrance Ingredient
Linalool
A naturally occurring fragrance compound found in many plants. It can be a common allergen and irritant.
Usually helps with
None (potential irritant)
Watch for
Allergic reactions, skin sensitivity
Used to absorb excess oil and improve the texture of the product.
Usually helps with
Oily and combination skin
Antioxidant
Malachite Extract
A mineral extract believed to have antioxidant properties and to protect the skin.
Usually helps with
All skin types
Fragrance Ingredient
Citronellol
A fragrance compound found in essential oils. It can cause skin irritation and allergic reactions.
Usually helps with
None (potential irritant)
Watch for
Allergic reactions, skin sensitivity
Fragrance Ingredient
Geraniol
A fragrance compound found in essential oils. It can cause skin irritation and allergic reactions.
Usually helps with
None (potential irritant)
Watch for
Allergic reactions, skin sensitivity
Fragrance Ingredient
Hydroxycitronellal
A synthetic fragrance ingredient that can cause allergic reactions and skin irritation.
Usually helps with
None (potential irritant)
Watch for
Allergic reactions, skin sensitivity
Skin Conditioning
Carthamus Tinctorius (Safflower) Flower Extract
An extract from the safflower flower, known for its moisturizing and skin-conditioning properties.
Usually helps with
Dry and normal skin
A carbohydrate that can act as a humectant, helping to attract and retain moisture.
Usually helps with
All skin types
Fragrance Ingredient
Benzyl Salicylate
A fragrance ingredient that can cause allergic reactions and skin irritation.
Usually helps with
None (potential irritant)
Watch for
Allergic reactions, skin sensitivity
Vitamin B12
Cyanocobalamin
Vitamin B12, which can help to soothe and condition the skin.
Usually helps with
All skin types
Skin Replenisher
Hydrolyzed Collagen
Collagen that has been broken down into smaller peptides, which can help to hydrate and improve skin elasticity.
Usually helps with
Mature and dry skin
Watch for
Larger molecules may sit on the skin's surface.
Humectant
Sodium Hyaluronate
The salt form of hyaluronic acid, a potent humectant that draws moisture into the skin.
Usually helps with
All skin types, especially dehydrated
Skin Conditioning
Paeonia Albiflora Root Extract
Extract from the peony root, known for its antioxidant and skin-conditioning properties.
Usually helps with
All skin types
A form of Vitamin E, an antioxidant that protects the skin from environmental damage.
Usually helps with
All skin types
Humectant
Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid
A smaller molecular weight version of hyaluronic acid that can penetrate deeper into the skin to provide hydration.
Usually helps with
All skin types, especially dehydrated
Peptide
Acetyl Tetrapeptide-2
A peptide that can help to improve skin firmness and elasticity by supporting collagen production.
Usually helps with
Mature and aging skin
Humectant
Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer
A cross-linked form of sodium hyaluronate that provides long-lasting hydration and forms a protective film on the skin.
Usually helps with
All skin types, especially dry and dehydrated
A powerful humectant that attracts and holds moisture in the skin, providing hydration and plumping effects.
Usually helps with
All skin types, especially dehydrated
Skin Conditioning
Paeonia Albiflora Flower Extract
Extract from the peony flower, known for its antioxidant and skin-conditioning properties.
Usually helps with
All skin types
Humectant
Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate
A derivative of hyaluronic acid that offers excellent hydration and can penetrate the skin more effectively.
Usually helps with
All skin types, especially dehydrated