The base for most skincare formulations.
Usually helps with
Hydration
Emollient
Caprylyl Caprylate/Caprate
A lightweight emollient that helps to soften and smooth the skin.
Usually helps with
Softening skin
Emollient
Jojoba Oil/Macadamia Seed Oil Esters
Esters derived from jojoba and macadamia seed oils, providing emollience and skin conditioning.
Usually helps with
Moisturizing
A humectant that draws moisture to the skin.
Usually helps with
Hydration
A versatile ingredient that helps brighten, reduce inflammation, improve skin barrier function, and minimize the appearance of pores.
Usually helps with
Brightening, barrier support, redness reduction
Watch for
Can cause flushing or irritation in some individuals, especially at higher concentrations.
Thickener
Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/VP Copolymer
A synthetic polymer used to thicken formulations.
Usually helps with
Texture
Thickener
Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
A synthetic polymer used to thicken formulations.
Usually helps with
Texture
Skin Conditioning
Collagen Amino Acids
Amino acids derived from collagen, which can help to improve skin hydration and elasticity.
Usually helps with
Hydration, elasticity
Watch for
Not true collagen, but beneficial amino acids.
A stable, hydrogenated form of squalene, it mimics the skin's natural sebum, providing excellent moisturization and barrier support.
Usually helps with
Moisturizing, barrier support
A stimulant that can temporarily constrict blood vessels, helping to reduce puffiness and the appearance of dark circles.
Usually helps with
Depuffing, dark circles
Watch for
Can be drying for some.
A naturally occurring lipid in the skin that helps with moisture retention. It is less stable than squalane.
Usually helps with
Moisturizing
Watch for
Can oxidize more easily than squalane.
Emollient
Macadamia Integrifolia Seed Oil
A rich, nourishing oil that helps to soften and condition the skin.
Usually helps with
Nourishing, softening
Antioxidant
Asparagopsis Armata Extract
An extract from red algae, known for its antioxidant and potential skin-conditioning properties.
Usually helps with
Antioxidant protection
Watch for
Limited research on topical benefits.
Humectant
Hydrogenated Starch Hydrolysate
A sugar-based humectant that attracts and retains moisture.
Usually helps with
Hydration
Emollient
Phytosteryl Macadamiate
An ester derived from phytosterols and macadamia oil, providing emollience and skin conditioning.
Usually helps with
Moisturizing
Skin Conditioning
Acetyl Glucosamine
A derivative of glucosamine, it can help with exfoliation and skin hydration. It is a precursor to hyaluronic acid.
Usually helps with
Exfoliation, hydration
Watch for
Can be mildly exfoliating.
Skin Conditioning
Acetyl Glutamine
An amino acid derivative that can help with skin hydration and repair.
Usually helps with
Hydration, repair
A phospholipid that acts as an emulsifier and skin-conditioning agent. It is also a component of skin cell membranes.
Usually helps with
Emulsifying, skin conditioning
Skin Conditioning
Phospholipids
Essential components of cell membranes, they help to maintain skin barrier function and hydration.
Usually helps with
Barrier support, hydration
Preservative
Leuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate
A natural preservative derived from fermented radish root, offering antimicrobial properties.
Usually helps with
Preservation
Humectant
Polyglutamic Acid
A powerful humectant that can hold significantly more water than hyaluronic acid, providing intense hydration.
Usually helps with
Intense hydration
Skin Conditioning
Phytosterols
Plant-derived sterols that can help to improve skin barrier function and reduce inflammation.
Usually helps with
Barrier support, anti-inflammatory
Antioxidant
Ascophyllum Nodosum Extract
An extract from a type of brown seaweed, rich in antioxidants and minerals.
Usually helps with
Antioxidant protection
Skin Conditioning
Ceramide NP
A type of lipid that is naturally found in the skin's barrier. It helps to restore and maintain skin barrier function.
Usually helps with
Barrier repair, hydration
Skin Conditioning
Bacillus/Soybean Ferment Extract
A fermented extract from soybeans, which can provide skin-conditioning benefits.
Usually helps with
Skin conditioning
A synthetic peptide that may help to stimulate collagen production and improve skin firmness.
Usually helps with
Firming, anti-aging
Watch for
Effectiveness can vary.
A synthetic peptide that may help to stimulate collagen production and improve skin firmness.
Usually helps with
Firming, anti-aging
Watch for
Effectiveness can vary.
A synthetic peptide that may help to stimulate collagen production and improve skin firmness.
Usually helps with
Firming, anti-aging
Watch for
Effectiveness can vary.
A synthetic peptide that may help to improve skin elasticity and reduce the appearance of wrinkles.
Usually helps with
Firming, anti-aging
Watch for
Effectiveness can vary.
Antioxidant
Tocopheryl Acetate
A stable form of Vitamin E, it acts as an antioxidant to protect the skin from free radical damage.
Usually helps with
Antioxidant protection
Humectant
Sodium Hyaluronate
The salt form of hyaluronic acid, it attracts and retains moisture, providing hydration to the skin.
Usually helps with
Hydration
Skin Conditioning
Folic Acid
A B vitamin that plays a role in cell repair and regeneration.
Usually helps with
Cell repair
A component of starch, used as a thickening agent.
Usually helps with
Texture
Pure Vitamin E, a potent antioxidant that protects the skin from environmental damage.
Usually helps with
Antioxidant protection
Skin Conditioning
Phytosphingosine
A lipid that is a component of the skin's natural barrier. It has anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties.
Usually helps with
Barrier support, anti-inflammatory
Skin Conditioning
Ceramide AP
A type of lipid that is naturally found in the skin's barrier. It helps to restore and maintain skin barrier function.
Usually helps with
Barrier repair, hydration
Skin Conditioning
Cholesterol
A lipid that is a component of the skin's barrier. It helps to maintain skin hydration and suppleness.
Usually helps with
Barrier support, hydration
Skin Conditioning
Lithothamnion Calcareum Extract
An extract from red algae, rich in minerals and believed to have skin-conditioning properties.
Usually helps with
Skin conditioning
An alpha hydroxy acid (AHA) that exfoliates the skin, improves hydration, and can help with cell turnover.
Usually helps with
Exfoliation, hydration, brightening
Watch for
Can increase sun sensitivity. May cause tingling or mild irritation.
Antioxidant
Myrica Cerifera (Bayberry) Fruit Extract
An extract from bayberry fruit, known for its antioxidant properties.
Usually helps with
Antioxidant protection
Antioxidant
Hydroxyacetophenone
A synthetic antioxidant that helps to protect the skin from oxidative stress.
Usually helps with
Antioxidant protection
Skin Conditioning
Prunus Lannesiana Flower Extract
Extract from cherry blossoms, known for its soothing and antioxidant properties.
Usually helps with
Soothing, antioxidant
Skin Conditioning
Akebia Quinata Stem Extract
An extract from the stem of the Akebia Quinata plant, used for its skin-conditioning properties.
Usually helps with
Skin conditioning
Skin Conditioning
Saccharomyces Lysate
A lysate from yeast, which can provide skin-conditioning and antioxidant benefits.
Usually helps with
Skin conditioning, antioxidant
Skin Conditioning
Lactobacillus Ferment Lysate
A lysate from fermented Lactobacillus, which can help to support the skin's microbiome and barrier function.
Usually helps with
Microbiome support, barrier function
Skin Conditioning
Ceramide EOP
A type of lipid that is naturally found in the skin's barrier. It helps to restore and maintain skin barrier function.
Usually helps with
Barrier repair, hydration
A synthetic peptide that may help to stimulate collagen production and improve skin firmness.
Usually helps with
Firming, anti-aging
Watch for
Effectiveness can vary.
A humectant that also has preservative properties, helping to keep the skin hydrated.
Usually helps with
Hydration, preservation
A synthetic emulsifier used to blend oil and water-based ingredients.
Usually helps with
Emulsifying
Watch for
Can be a mild irritant for some.
A powerful humectant that draws moisture from the air into the skin, keeping it hydrated and supple.
Usually helps with
Hydration
Preservative
Ethylhexylglycerin
A preservative that also acts as a skin-conditioning agent.
Usually helps with
Preservation, skin conditioning
A humectant that helps to draw moisture to the skin.
Usually helps with
Hydration
Emulsifier
Sodium Lauroyl Lactylate
A gentle emulsifier derived from lactic acid and lauric acid, often used in barrier-repairing formulations.
Usually helps with
Emulsifying, barrier support
Emulsifier
Sorbitan Isostearate
An emulsifier used to blend oil and water-based ingredients.
Usually helps with
Emulsifying
Chelating Agent
Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate
A chelating agent that helps to improve the stability and efficacy of the formulation by binding to metal ions.
Usually helps with
Product stability
A humectant that helps to draw moisture to the skin and improve product texture.
Usually helps with
Hydration, texture
Humectant
Pentylene Glycol
A humectant that helps to draw moisture to the skin and has antimicrobial properties.
Usually helps with
Hydration, preservation
A natural polysaccharide used as a thickening and stabilizing agent.
Usually helps with
Texture
A synthetic polymer used to thicken formulations.
Usually helps with
Texture
Preservative
Sodium Benzoate
A common preservative that prevents the growth of bacteria and fungi.
Usually helps with
Preservation
Watch for
Can react with Vitamin C to form benzene, a carcinogen, in certain conditions.
Preservative
Potassium Sorbate
A common preservative that prevents the growth of bacteria and fungi.
Usually helps with
Preservation
A humectant that helps to draw moisture to the skin and has antimicrobial properties.
Usually helps with
Hydration, preservation
A polysaccharide that can help to improve skin hydration and texture.
Usually helps with
Hydration, texture
Preservative
Phenoxyethanol
A common preservative used to prevent microbial contamination. It is generally considered safe but can be irritating for some.
Usually helps with
Preservation
Watch for
Can cause irritation or allergic reactions in sensitive individuals.
