The base of the formulation, providing hydration.
Usually helps with
Hydration
Attracts water to the skin, helping to keep it hydrated and soft.
Usually helps with
Hydration
Emollient
CETYL ETHYLHEXANOATE
Softens and smooths the skin, improving its texture.
Usually helps with
Softening skin
Humectant/Solvent
PROPANEDIOL
Helps to draw moisture into the skin and can improve the absorption of other ingredients.
Usually helps with
Hydration, ingredient absorption
Emollient/Emulsifier
CETYL ALCOHOL
A fatty alcohol that helps to soften and smooth skin, and also stabilizes the emulsion.
Usually helps with
Emollience, texture
Antioxidant/Brightener
3-O-ETHYL ASCORBIC ACID
A stable and effective form of Vitamin C that brightens skin, boosts collagen, and protects against environmental damage.
Usually helps with
Brightening, antioxidant protection, collagen support
Watch for
Can cause mild tingling in sensitive individuals.
A versatile ingredient that helps improve skin barrier function, reduce inflammation, minimize pores, and even out skin tone.
Usually helps with
Pore appearance, tone, barrier support
Watch for
Generally well-tolerated, but some may experience flushing.
Helps to blend oil and water components in the formula.
Usually helps with
Texture
Watch for
Can be a mild irritant for some.
Emollient
DICAPRYLYL CARBONATE
Provides a smooth, non-greasy feel on the skin and helps to condition it.
Usually helps with
Skin conditioning, texture
Emulsifier/Thickener
HYDROXYETHYL ACRYLATE/SODIUM ACRYLOYLDIMETHYL TAURATE COPOLYMER
Helps to create a stable emulsion and thicken the product.
Usually helps with
Texture, stability
Thickener
AMMONIUM ACRYLOYLDIMETHYLTAURATE/VP COPOLYMER
Used to thicken the product and improve its texture.
Usually helps with
Texture
Humectant/Preservative Booster
1,2-HEXANEDIOL
Adds hydration and helps to preserve the product.
Usually helps with
Hydration, preservation
Emulsifier/Thickener
SYNTHETIC BEESWAX
Helps to stabilize the formula and provide a smooth texture.
Usually helps with
Texture, stability
Antioxidant/Brightener
TETRAHEXYLDECYL ASCORBATE
A lipid-soluble form of Vitamin C that penetrates the skin to provide antioxidant protection and promote collagen synthesis.
Usually helps with
Brightening, antioxidant protection, collagen support
Watch for
Generally well-tolerated.
Antioxidant/Brightener
ASCORBIC ACID
Pure Vitamin C, a potent antioxidant that brightens skin and stimulates collagen. However, it can be unstable and irritating.
Usually helps with
Brightening, antioxidant protection
Watch for
Can be irritating and unstable in formulations.
Antioxidant/Brightener
COLLOIDAL GOLD
Often used for its perceived anti-aging and brightening properties, though scientific evidence for topical efficacy is limited.
Usually helps with
Perceived anti-aging, brightening
Watch for
Limited proven efficacy.
Humectant
POLYGLUTAMIC ACID
A powerful humectant that can hold more water than hyaluronic acid, providing intense hydration and plumping.
Usually helps with
Intense hydration, plumping
Humectant
SODIUM HYALURONATE
A salt form of hyaluronic acid that attracts and holds moisture, hydrating and plumping the skin.
Usually helps with
Hydration, plumping
Emollient/Antioxidant
RUBUS CHAMAEMORUS SEED OIL
Rich in fatty acids and antioxidants, it helps to nourish and protect the skin.
Usually helps with
Nourishing, antioxidant protection
Skin Conditioning
HYDROLYZED VEGETABLE PROTEIN
Helps to condition and improve the feel of the skin.
Usually helps with
Skin conditioning
A naturally occurring antioxidant that can help protect skin from damage and improve tone.
Usually helps with
Antioxidant protection, tone
Watch for
Efficacy in topical formulations can vary.
Vitamin E, an antioxidant that protects the skin from free radical damage.
Usually helps with
Antioxidant protection
Antioxidant
TOCOPHERYL ACETATE
A derivative of Vitamin E, providing antioxidant benefits.
Usually helps with
Antioxidant protection
Mimics the skin's natural sebum, providing moisture and a smooth feel.
Usually helps with
Emollience, smoothing
A B vitamin that acts as an antioxidant.
Usually helps with
Antioxidant support
Vitamin B12
CYANOCOBALAMIN
Vitamin B12, which can help with skin health and repair.
Usually helps with
Skin health
Preservative/Skin Conditioning
LEUCONOSTOC/RADISH ROOT FERMENT FILTRATE
A natural preservative and skin-conditioning agent derived from fermented radish root.
Usually helps with
Preservation, skin conditioning
Emulsifier
CETEARYL OLIVATE
An emulsifier derived from olive oil, helping to blend oil and water.
Usually helps with
Emulsification, skin compatibility
Emulsifier
SORBITAN OLIVATE
Another emulsifier derived from olive oil, working with Cetearyl Olivate.
Usually helps with
Emulsification, skin compatibility
Preservative Booster/Skin Conditioning
ETHYLHEXYLGLYCERIN
Enhances the effectiveness of preservatives and has skin-conditioning properties.
Usually helps with
Preservation, skin conditioning
Emulsifier
SORBITAN ISOSTEARATE
Helps to stabilize the emulsion.
Usually helps with
Texture, stability
A sugar alcohol that attracts moisture to the skin.
Usually helps with
Hydration
Chelating Agent
SODIUM PHYTATE
Helps to improve the stability of the formula by binding to metal ions.
Usually helps with
Product stability
pH Adjuster/Exfoliant
CITRIC ACID
Used to adjust the pH of the product and can provide mild exfoliation.
Usually helps with
pH balance, mild exfoliation
Watch for
Can cause irritation at high concentrations.
Humectant/Preservative Booster
CAPRYLYL GLYCOL
Improves skin hydration and helps boost the preservative system.
Usually helps with
Hydration, preservation
Occlusive/Emollient
DIMETHICONE
Forms a protective barrier on the skin, reducing water loss and providing a smooth feel.
Usually helps with
Occlusion, smoothing
Watch for
Can feel heavy for some; may clog pores for acne-prone skin.
Thickener/Emulsifier
XANTHAN GUM
A natural gum used to thicken formulations and stabilize emulsions.
Usually helps with
Texture, stability
Helps to disperse oils in water.
Usually helps with
Texture
Watch for
Can be a mild irritant for some.
pH Adjuster
SODIUM CITRATE
Used to adjust the pH of the product.
Usually helps with
pH balance
pH Adjuster
SODIUM HYDROXIDE
Used to adjust the pH of the product to a skin-friendly level.
Usually helps with
pH balance
Watch for
Can be caustic in high concentrations, but safe in small amounts for pH adjustment.
Preservative
PHENOXYETHANOL
A common preservative used to prevent microbial growth in cosmetics.
Usually helps with
Preservation
Watch for
Can cause allergic reactions in some individuals.
Emollient
PENTAERYTHRITYL TETRAETHYLHEXANOATE
Softens and smooths the skin.
Usually helps with
Emollience
Antioxidant
PENTAERYTHRITYL TETRA-DI-T-BUTYL HYDROXYHYDROCINNAMATE
An antioxidant that helps protect the formula from degradation.
Usually helps with
Formula stability
A mineral that can provide a subtle shimmer or opacity.
Usually helps with
Appearance
Used to modify the color of pigments.
Fragrance
PARFUM/FRAGRANCE
Adds scent to the product. Can be a potential irritant or allergen for sensitive skin.
Watch for
Potential for irritation and allergic reactions.
Fragrance Component
CITRAL
A common fragrance ingredient with a citrus scent. Can be a potential allergen.
Watch for
Potential allergen.
Fragrance Component
LIMONENE
A common fragrance ingredient with a citrus scent. Can be a potential allergen.
Watch for
Potential allergen.
Fragrance Component
LINALOOL
A common fragrance ingredient with a floral scent. Can be a potential allergen.
Watch for
Potential allergen.
Colorant/Opacifier
TITANIUM DIOXIDE (CI 77891)
A white pigment used for color and opacity. Also provides UV protection.
Usually helps with
Color, opacity, UV protection