The base of the formulation, dissolving other ingredients.
Usually helps with
All skin types
Attracts water to the skin, helping to keep it hydrated and supple.
Usually helps with
All skin types
Emollient/Occlusive
Dimethicone
A silicone that provides a smooth feel and helps to lock in moisture, creating a protective barrier.
Usually helps with
Dry, normal, combination skin
Watch for
Can feel heavy on very oily skin
Emollient
Olive Oil Decylesters
Derived from olive oil, it helps to soften and smooth the skin.
Usually helps with
Dry, normal skin
A humectant that helps to attract and retain moisture.
Usually helps with
All skin types
A stable, hydrogenated form of squalene, it mimics the skin's natural oils to moisturize and soften.
Usually helps with
All skin types
Humectant/Solvent
Butylene Glycol
Helps to draw moisture into the skin and improves the texture of the product.
Usually helps with
All skin types
Emollient/Emulsifier
Behenyl Alcohol
A fatty alcohol that helps to condition and soften the skin, and stabilize the formula.
Usually helps with
All skin types
Emollient/Film Former
Polysilicone-11
A silicone that provides a smooth feel and can create a breathable film on the skin.
Usually helps with
Normal, dry, combination skin
Watch for
Can feel heavy on very oily skin
A fatty alcohol that helps to condition and soften the skin.
Usually helps with
All skin types
Emollient
Simmondsia Chinensis (Jojoba) Seed Oil
Mimics the skin's natural sebum, providing excellent moisture and balancing properties.
Usually helps with
All skin types
A peptide that may help improve skin elasticity and firmness.
Usually helps with
Mature skin, loss of firmness
Peptide
Dipeptide Diaminobutyroyl Benzylamide Diacetate
Often referred to as a 'Botox-like' peptide, it may help relax facial muscles to reduce the appearance of expression lines.
Usually helps with
Expression lines
Watch for
Results can vary
Peptide
Palmitoyl Tripeptide-5
A peptide that can help stimulate collagen production, improving skin firmness and reducing wrinkles.
Usually helps with
Wrinkles, loss of firmness
Peptide
Tripeptide-10 Citrulline
A peptide that may help improve skin's hydration and elasticity.
Usually helps with
Dryness, loss of elasticity
Peptide
Acetyl Hexapeptide-1
A peptide designed to mimic the effects of natural neurotransmitters, potentially reducing the appearance of wrinkles.
Usually helps with
Expression lines
Peptide
Acetyl Tetrapeptide-11
A peptide that may help improve skin's structure and firmness.
Usually helps with
Loss of firmness
Peptide
Acetyl Hexapeptide-8
Another 'Botox-like' peptide that aims to reduce the appearance of wrinkles by relaxing facial muscles.
Usually helps with
Expression lines
Peptide
Palmitoyl Hexapeptide-12
A peptide that may help improve skin's firmness and elasticity.
Usually helps with
Loss of firmness, wrinkles
Peptide
Acetyl Tetrapeptide-9
A peptide that may help improve skin's texture and firmness.
Usually helps with
Loss of firmness
Peptide
Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7
Works with other peptides to help reduce inflammation and improve skin's appearance.
Usually helps with
Redness, aging skin
Peptide
Acetyl Tetrapeptide-2
A peptide that may help improve skin's firmness and elasticity.
Usually helps with
Loss of firmness
Peptide
Acetyl Octapeptide-3
A peptide that targets expression lines by influencing neurotransmitter release.
Usually helps with
Expression lines
Peptide
Palmitoyl Hexapeptide-19
A peptide that may help reduce the appearance of wrinkles.
Usually helps with
Wrinkles
Peptide
Trifluoroacetyl Tripeptide-2
A peptide that may help improve skin's firmness and elasticity.
Usually helps with
Loss of firmness
A peptide that may help stimulate collagen production.
Usually helps with
Wrinkles, loss of firmness
Peptide
Palmitoyl Oligopeptide
A peptide that may help improve skin's firmness and elasticity.
Usually helps with
Loss of firmness, wrinkles
Peptide
Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1
A peptide that may help stimulate collagen production.
Usually helps with
Wrinkles, loss of firmness
Humectant
Potassium Hydrolyzed Polygamma-Glutamate
A derivative of polyglutamic acid, it helps to hydrate and moisturize the skin.
Usually helps with
Dry, dehydrated skin
Humectant
Sodium Polyglutamate
A humectant that can hold more water than hyaluronic acid, providing intense hydration.
Usually helps with
Dry, dehydrated skin
A lipid that is naturally found in the skin, it helps to moisturize and soften.
Usually helps with
All skin types
Colorant/Opacifier
Mica (CI 77019)
A mineral that provides a subtle shimmer and can help to brighten the skin's appearance.
Usually helps with
All skin types
Humectant
Sodium Hyaluronate
A salt form of hyaluronic acid that attracts and holds moisture, plumping the skin.
Usually helps with
All skin types, dehydrated skin
A mild preservative used to prevent microbial growth.
Usually helps with
All skin types
Watch for
Rarely, can cause irritation
A form of Vitamin E that helps protect the skin from environmental damage.
Usually helps with
All skin types
Botanical Extract
Cereus Grandiflorus (Cactus) Flower Extract
A botanical extract with potential soothing and antioxidant properties.
Usually helps with
All skin types
Skin-Conditioning Agent
Pseudoalteromonas Ferment Extract
A fermented extract that can help improve skin hydration and barrier function.
Usually helps with
Dry, dehydrated skin
Preservative Booster/Skin-Conditioning Agent
Leuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate
A fermented ingredient that can help condition the skin and act as a preservative.
Usually helps with
All skin types
Mineral Salt
Magnesium Chloride
A mineral salt that can help condition the skin.
Usually helps with
All skin types
Preservative
Phenoxyethanol
A common preservative used to prevent bacterial contamination.
Usually helps with
All skin types
Watch for
Can be irritating for some sensitive skin types
Emollient/Emulsifier
Cetyl Alcohol
A fatty alcohol that softens and smooths the skin, and helps to stabilize the formula.
Usually helps with
All skin types
Emollient/Emulsifier
Stearyl Alcohol
A fatty alcohol that softens and smooths the skin, and helps to stabilize the formula.
Usually helps with
All skin types
A sugar that helps the skin retain moisture and protects it from dryness.
Usually helps with
Dry, dehydrated skin
Emulsifier/Emollient
Glyceryl Stearate
An emulsifier that helps mix oil and water, and also softens the skin.
Usually helps with
All skin types
Humectant
Silanetriol Trehalose Ether
A derivative of trehalose that helps to hydrate and condition the skin.
Usually helps with
Dry, dehydrated skin
A sugar alcohol that attracts and retains moisture.
Usually helps with
All skin types
Emollient/Skin-Conditioning Agent
Phytosterols
Plant-derived sterols that help to condition and soothe the skin.
Usually helps with
All skin types
Thickener
Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
A polymer used to thicken the product and improve its texture.
Usually helps with
All skin types
Emollient
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
A derivative of coconut oil and glycerin, it's a light emollient that helps to replenish the skin.
Usually helps with
All skin types
Emulsifier/Emollient
Hydrogenated Lecithin
A modified form of lecithin that helps to emulsify and condition the skin.
Usually helps with
All skin types
Emulsifier
Polyglyceryl-10 Myristate
An emulsifier derived from glycerin and myristic acid, used to blend oil and water.
Usually helps with
All skin types
An emulsifier used to help disperse oils in water-based formulas.
Usually helps with
All skin types
Watch for
Can be a skin irritant for some
Solvent/Penetration Enhancer
Dimethyl Isosorbide
Helps to dissolve ingredients and improve their penetration into the skin.
Usually helps with
All skin types
Preservative
Sodium Benzoate
A common preservative that helps prevent microbial growth.
Usually helps with
All skin types
Watch for
Can cause irritation in sensitive individuals, especially when combined with ascorbic acid
Preservative
Potassium Sorbate
A salt of sorbic acid used as a preservative.
Usually helps with
All skin types
Watch for
Can cause irritation in sensitive individuals
Humectant/Preservative Booster
Caprylyl Glycol
A skin-conditioning agent that also helps to preserve the product.
Usually helps with
All skin types
pH Adjuster
Sodium Hydroxide
Used to adjust the pH of the product to ensure stability and efficacy.
Usually helps with
All skin types
Watch for
None in this concentration
An emulsifier that helps to blend oil and water components.
Usually helps with
All skin types
Skin-Conditioning Agent
Hydrolyzed Wheat Protein
A protein derived from wheat that can help moisturize and condition the skin.
Usually helps with
Dry skin
Watch for
Avoid if you have a gluten sensitivity or celiac disease
Emulsifier/Skin-Conditioning Agent
Lecithin
A phospholipid that helps to emulsify ingredients and condition the skin.
Usually helps with
All skin types
pH Adjuster
Disodium Phosphate
Used to adjust the pH of the product.
Usually helps with
All skin types
Skin-Conditioning Agent
Hydrolyzed Soy Protein
A protein derived from soy that can help moisturize and condition the skin.
Usually helps with
All skin types
A polymer used to thicken the product and create a gel-like consistency.
Usually helps with
All skin types
A polysaccharide that can help attract and retain moisture.
Usually helps with
All skin types
Humectant/Preservative Booster
Ethylhexylglycerin
A skin-conditioning agent that also enhances the effectiveness of preservatives.
Usually helps with
All skin types
A salt of lactic acid that helps to hydrate and condition the skin.
Usually helps with
All skin types
Peptide
Tetradecyl Aminobutyroylvalylaminobutyric Urea Trifluoroacetate
A complex peptide that may help improve skin firmness and reduce the appearance of wrinkles.
Usually helps with
Loss of firmness, wrinkles
pH Adjuster
Sodium Phosphate
Used to adjust the pH of the product.
Usually helps with
All skin types
Thickener/Emulsifier
Xanthan Gum
A polysaccharide used to thicken the product and stabilize emulsions.
Usually helps with
All skin types
pH Adjuster
Triethanolamine
Used to adjust the pH of the product. Can be irritating in higher concentrations.
Usually helps with
All skin types
Watch for
Potential for irritation if formulation pH is not well-controlled
Thickener
Acrylates Copolymer
A polymer used to thicken the product and improve its texture.
Usually helps with
All skin types