The base for most skincare formulations.
Usually helps with
Hydration
A form of Vitamin B5 that hydrates, soothes, and helps repair the skin barrier.
Usually helps with
Hydration, soothing, barrier support
Watch for
Generally well-tolerated
Emollient
Cetearyl Alcohol
A fatty alcohol that softens and smooths the skin, also acts as a thickener.
Usually helps with
Emollience, texture enhancement
Watch for
Rarely, can cause irritation in very sensitive individuals
A classic humectant that draws water into the skin, keeping it hydrated and supple.
Usually helps with
Hydration, skin conditioning
An emollient that softens and smooths the skin, improving texture.
Usually helps with
Emollience, skin softening
Emollient
Dicaprylyl Carbonate
A lightweight emollient that provides a smooth, non-greasy feel.
Usually helps with
Emollience, texture
Emollient
Butyrospermum Parkii (Shea) Butter
A rich emollient known for its moisturizing and skin-conditioning properties.
Usually helps with
Dryness, barrier repair
Watch for
Can be comedogenic for some acne-prone skin types
A solvent and humectant that helps improve product texture and hydration.
Usually helps with
Hydration, solvent
Emollient
Dicaprylyl Ether
A light emollient that improves spreadability and leaves a soft feel.
Usually helps with
Emollience, texture
Emulsifier
Glyceryl Stearate Citrate
An emulsifier that helps blend oil and water, also has emollient properties.
Usually helps with
Emulsification, skin conditioning
A multi-tasking ingredient that helps improve skin barrier, reduce inflammation, and even tone.
Usually helps with
Barrier support, redness, pores, tone
Watch for
Can cause flushing or irritation in high concentrations or sensitive skin
Emulsifier
Cetearyl Olivate
An emulsifier derived from olive oil, helps create stable emulsions and has skin-conditioning properties.
Usually helps with
Emulsification, skin conditioning
Emollient
Sambucus Nigra Seed Oil
Rich in essential fatty acids, it helps to nourish and condition the skin.
Usually helps with
Nourishment, skin conditioning
Antioxidant
Tocopheryl Acetate
A form of Vitamin E that provides antioxidant protection and helps condition the skin.
Usually helps with
Antioxidant protection, skin conditioning
Watch for
Some individuals may be sensitive
Emollient
Mangifera Indica (Mango) Seed Butter
A rich butter that moisturizes and softens the skin.
Usually helps with
Moisturizing, softening
Emollient
Astrocaryum Murumuru Seed Butter
A rich butter that helps to moisturize and condition the skin, rich in fatty acids.
Usually helps with
Moisturizing, conditioning
Emollient
Rubus Chamaemorus Seed Oil
A nourishing seed oil rich in fatty acids and antioxidants.
Usually helps with
Nourishment, antioxidant
Emollient
Ribes Nigrum (Black Currant) Seed Oil
Rich in omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids, it helps to nourish and condition the skin.
Usually helps with
Nourishment, conditioning
Humectant
Sodium Hyaluronate
A salt form of hyaluronic acid that attracts and holds moisture in the skin.
Usually helps with
Hydration, plumping
Humectant
Polyglutamic Acid
A powerful humectant that can hold more water than hyaluronic acid, providing intense hydration.
Usually helps with
Intense hydration, plumping
A skin-identical lipid that helps restore the skin barrier and retain moisture.
Usually helps with
Barrier repair, hydration
A skin-identical lipid that helps restore the skin barrier and retain moisture.
Usually helps with
Barrier repair, hydration
A skin-identical lipid that helps restore the skin barrier and retain moisture.
Usually helps with
Barrier repair, hydration
A skin-identical lipid that helps restore the skin barrier and retain moisture.
Usually helps with
Barrier repair, hydration
Helps regulate sebum production and has some anti-inflammatory properties.
Usually helps with
Oil control, anti-inflammatory
Watch for
Can be drying for some
A component of the skin's natural moisturizing factor, it helps attract and retain moisture.
Usually helps with
Hydration, skin conditioning
A mineral that can help energize skin cells and improve skin's resilience.
Usually helps with
Skin energizing, resilience
A mineral that can help protect skin from environmental stressors.
Usually helps with
Antioxidant, protection
Active
Saccharomyces/zinc Ferment
A fermented zinc complex that can help with oil balance and skin soothing.
Usually helps with
Oil balance, soothing
Active
Saccharomyces/copper Ferment
A fermented copper complex that can support skin regeneration and repair.
Usually helps with
Skin regeneration, repair
Active
Saccharomyces/iron Ferment
A fermented iron complex that can help improve skin's energy and vitality.
Usually helps with
Skin vitality, energy
Active
Saccharomyces/potassium Ferment
A fermented potassium complex that can help support skin hydration.
Usually helps with
Hydration support
Active
Saccharomyces/silicon Ferment
A fermented silicon complex that can help strengthen the skin.
Usually helps with
Skin strengthening
Active
Saccharomyces/manganese Ferment
A fermented manganese complex that can help protect skin from environmental damage.
Usually helps with
Antioxidant, protection
Vitamin E, an antioxidant that protects skin from free radical damage.
Usually helps with
Antioxidant protection
Watch for
Can be irritating for some very sensitive skin types
Vitamin B12, known for its soothing and skin-conditioning properties.
Usually helps with
Soothing, skin conditioning
A salt of lactic acid, it's a humectant that helps skin retain moisture.
Usually helps with
Hydration, skin conditioning
An essential fatty acid that helps maintain the skin barrier and reduce inflammation.
Usually helps with
Barrier repair, anti-inflammatory
An essential fatty acid that helps maintain the skin barrier and reduce inflammation.
Usually helps with
Barrier repair, anti-inflammatory
Emulsifier
Sodium Lauroyl Lactylate
An emulsifier derived from lactic acid and lauric acid, helps create stable emulsions.
Usually helps with
Emulsification
A lipid that is a component of ceramides, helping to support skin barrier function.
Usually helps with
Barrier repair
A skin-identical lipid that helps support the skin barrier and improve moisture retention.
Usually helps with
Barrier support, hydration
Emulsifier
Sorbitan Olivate
An emulsifier derived from olive oil, helps create stable emulsions and has skin-conditioning properties.
Usually helps with
Emulsification, skin conditioning
A humectant and preservative booster that also has emollient properties.
Usually helps with
Hydration, preservation
Antioxidant
Hydroxyacetophenone
A skin-conditioning agent with antioxidant properties, often used as a preservative booster.
Usually helps with
Antioxidant, skin conditioning
Thickener
Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6
A synthetic polymer used to thicken formulations and improve texture.
Usually helps with
Texture enhancement
Antioxidant
Pentaerythrityl Tetra-di-t-butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate
An antioxidant that protects the formula from degradation.
Usually helps with
Formula stability
A natural gum used to thicken formulations and stabilize emulsions.
Usually helps with
Texture enhancement, stabilization
A silicone that forms a breathable barrier on the skin, providing a smooth feel and preventing moisture loss.
Usually helps with
Emollience, barrier formation, smoothing
Watch for
Can feel heavy or occlusive for some; may clog pores for acne-prone individuals
A synthetic polymer used to thicken formulations.
Usually helps with
Texture enhancement
Preservative
Ethylhexylglycerin
A preservative booster with skin-conditioning properties.
Usually helps with
Preservation, skin conditioning
Watch for
Can be a skin irritant for some
Preservative
Potassium Sorbate
A common preservative used to prevent microbial growth.
Usually helps with
Preservation
Preservative
Phenoxyethanol
A widely used preservative that can be irritating or allergenic for some.
Usually helps with
Preservation
Watch for
Potential for irritation or allergic reactions
Fragrance
Parfum/fragrance
Adds scent to the product. Can be a common cause of skin irritation and allergic reactions.
Watch for
Potential for irritation, sensitization, and allergic reactions
Preservative
Leuconostoc/radish Root Ferment Filtrate
A natural preservative derived from fermented radish root.
Usually helps with
Preservation
A fragrance ingredient that can be a potential allergen.
Watch for
Potential allergen
A fragrance ingredient derived from citrus peels, can be a potential allergen.
Watch for
Potential allergen
A fragrance ingredient with a floral scent, can be a potential allergen.
Watch for
Potential allergen
