The base of most cosmetic formulations.
Usually helps with
All skin types
Emollient
Isostearyl Hydroxystearate
Softens and smooths the skin.
Usually helps with
Dry skin
A multi-tasking ingredient that improves barrier function, reduces inflammation, and can help with tone and texture.
Usually helps with
All skin types, especially acne-prone and sensitive
Watch for
Can cause flushing in some individuals at higher concentrations.
Attracts moisture to the skin.
Usually helps with
All skin types
Emollient
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
A skin-conditioning agent derived from coconut oil and glycerin.
Usually helps with
All skin types
Emulsifier
C14-22 Alcohols
Helps to mix oil and water components in a formula.
Usually helps with
All skin types
Texture enhancer
Polymethylsilsesquioxane
Provides a smooth, silky feel and can help mattify the skin.
Usually helps with
Oily and combination skin
A silicone that creates a smooth barrier on the skin, offering protection and a silky feel.
Usually helps with
All skin types
Watch for
Can be comedogenic for some acne-prone individuals.
A fatty alcohol that moisturizes and softens the skin.
Usually helps with
Dry and normal skin
Emulsifier
Glyceryl Stearate
Helps to stabilize oil and water in a formula and acts as an emollient.
Usually helps with
All skin types
Skin-conditioning agent
Hydrolyzed Yeast Extract
Can help to improve skin hydration and barrier function.
Usually helps with
All skin types
Emollient
Isopropyl Palmitate
A fatty acid ester that softens and smooths the skin, but can be comedogenic for some.
Usually helps with
Dry skin
Watch for
Can clog pores for acne-prone individuals.
A form of Vitamin A that promotes cell turnover, reduces wrinkles, and improves skin texture. It can cause irritation, redness, and peeling, especially when first introduced.
Usually helps with
Aging skin, acne-prone skin
Watch for
Photosensitivity, irritation, dryness, peeling. Start slowly and use sunscreen.
A milder form of retinoid that converts to retinol in the skin, offering similar benefits with potentially less irritation.
Usually helps with
Aging skin, sensitive skin
Watch for
Similar to retinol, though generally less potent.
A fatty alcohol that softens and smooths the skin.
Usually helps with
Dry skin
Humectant
Sodium Hyaluronate
A form of hyaluronic acid that attracts and holds moisture in the skin, providing hydration.
Usually helps with
All skin types, especially dehydrated
A component of the skin's natural moisturizing factor, helps to hydrate and maintain skin's surface.
Usually helps with
All skin types
Softens and smooths the skin.
Usually helps with
Dry skin
Antioxidant
Glycine Soja (Soybean) Extract
Contains antioxidants that can help protect skin from environmental damage.
Usually helps with
All skin types
Antioxidant
Tocopheryl Acetate
A form of Vitamin E that provides antioxidant protection and helps to condition the skin.
Usually helps with
All skin types
Emollient
Glycine Soja (Soybean) Sterols
Helps to condition and soften the skin.
Usually helps with
Dry skin
A powerful humectant that attracts water to the skin, also has exfoliating properties at higher concentrations.
Usually helps with
Dry and rough skin
Watch for
Can be irritating at high concentrations.
Skin-conditioning agent
Yeast Amino Acids
A blend of amino acids that can help improve skin hydration and suppleness.
Usually helps with
All skin types
A sugar that helps the skin retain moisture.
Usually helps with
All skin types
A carbohydrate that helps with moisture retention.
Usually helps with
All skin types
An amino acid that can help protect skin cells.
Usually helps with
All skin types
A sugar beet derivative that moisturizes and reduces irritation.
Usually helps with
All skin types
A classic humectant that draws water into the skin, keeping it hydrated and soft.
Usually helps with
All skin types
Humectant
Polyglucuronic Acid
A polysaccharide that helps to hydrate and plump the skin.
Usually helps with
All skin types
Emulsifier
C12-20 Alkyl Glucoside
A gentle emulsifier derived from plant sugars.
Usually helps with
All skin types
Botanical extract
Dioscorea Villosa (Wild Yam) Room Extract
Contains compounds that may have antioxidant and soothing properties.
Usually helps with
All skin types
Humectant
Pentylene Glycol
A multi-functional ingredient that acts as a humectant and preservative booster.
Usually helps with
All skin types
Thickener
Glyceryl Polyacrylate
Helps to thicken the product and can provide some moisturizing benefits.
Usually helps with
All skin types
A polysaccharide derived from seaweed, used as a thickening agent.
Usually helps with
All skin types
A skin-conditioning agent that also has preservative properties.
Usually helps with
All skin types
Botanical extract
Swertia Chirata Extract
A plant extract that may help to improve skin regeneration and firmness.
Usually helps with
Aging skin
A phospholipid that helps to emulsify ingredients and can improve skin hydration.
Usually helps with
All skin types
A polysaccharide that can form a film on the skin, providing a tightening effect and helping to retain moisture.
Usually helps with
All skin types
pH adjuster
Disodium Phosphate
Used to adjust the pH of the product.
Usually helps with
All skin types
pH adjuster
Potassium Phosphate
Used to adjust the pH of the product.
Usually helps with
All skin types
Emulsifier
PEG-75 Stearate
An emulsifier that helps to blend oil and water.
Usually helps with
All skin types
An emulsifier that helps to stabilize oil and water.
Usually helps with
All skin types
An emulsifier that helps to stabilize oil and water.
Usually helps with
All skin types
Thickener
Cetyl Hydroxethylcellulose
A cellulose derivative used to thicken formulations.
Usually helps with
All skin types
Preservative
Phenoxyethanol
A common preservative used to prevent microbial growth.
Usually helps with
All skin types
Watch for
Can be irritating for some sensitive individuals.
Preservative
Ethylhexylglycerin
A skin-conditioning agent with preservative properties.
Usually helps with
All skin types
The exact function of this ingredient in this formulation is not clearly defined by common cosmetic databases.
Usually helps with
Unknown
Watch for
Limited information available.
Chelating agent
Disodium EDTA
Helps to improve the stability and efficacy of the product by binding to metal ions.
Usually helps with
All skin types
pH adjuster
Sodium Hydroxide
Used to adjust the pH of the product to a skin-friendly level.
Usually helps with
All skin types
A solvent and viscosity-decreasing agent.
Usually helps with
All skin types
UV filter
Sodium Benzotriazolyl Butylphenol Sulfonate
A UV absorber that helps protect the formula from degradation by light.
Usually helps with
All skin types
Thickener
Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/VP Copolymer
A synthetic polymer used to thicken the product and improve its texture.
Usually helps with
All skin types
Colorant
Yellow 5 (CI 19140)
A synthetic colorant that gives the product its yellow hue.
Usually helps with
All skin types
Watch for
Can cause allergic reactions in sensitive individuals.
A synthetic colorant that gives the product its red hue.
Usually helps with
All skin types
Watch for
Can cause allergic reactions in sensitive individuals.
Fragrance
Alpha-Isomethyl Ionone
A synthetic fragrance ingredient that can be a potential allergen.
Usually helps with
All skin types
Watch for
Potential allergen, can cause skin sensitivity.
A fragrance ingredient derived from roses and geraniums, can be a potential allergen.
Usually helps with
All skin types
Watch for
Potential allergen, can cause skin sensitivity.
Fragrance
Fragrance (Parfum)
A blend of aromatic compounds that gives the product its scent. Can be a common cause of skin irritation and allergic reactions.
Usually helps with
All skin types
Watch for
Potential allergen, can cause skin sensitivity, irritation, or breakouts.