The base of most cosmetic formulations.
Usually helps with
Hydration
A stable, skin-identical lipid that moisturizes and softens without clogging pores.
Usually helps with
Dryness, barrier support
A plant-derived solvent and humectant that helps ingredients penetrate the skin and provides hydration.
Usually helps with
Hydration, ingredient delivery
Emollient
Jojoba Oil/Macadamia Seed Oil Esters
Esters derived from plant oils that help to soften and smooth the skin.
Usually helps with
Dryness, softening
A synthetic emollient that provides a smooth, non-greasy feel and helps improve skin texture.
Usually helps with
Softening, texture improvement
A form of Vitamin B3 that helps regulate oil, minimize pores, improve skin tone, and support the skin barrier.
Usually helps with
Oiliness, visible pores, uneven tone, redness
Watch for
Can cause flushing or irritation in very sensitive individuals at high concentrations.
Humectant
Saccharide Isomerate
A carbohydrate complex that binds moisture to the skin, providing long-lasting hydration and soothing.
Usually helps with
Hydration, soothing
Thickener
Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer
A synthetic polymer used to thicken formulations and improve texture.
Usually helps with
Texture
A naturally occurring lipid that moisturizes and softens the skin. Note: This is the unsaturated form, different from Squalane.
Usually helps with
Moisturizing, softening
Helps to control sebum production and has mild antimicrobial properties, beneficial for oily and acne-prone skin.
Usually helps with
Oiliness, acne
Watch for
Can be drying if overused or in high concentrations.
Humectant
Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid
A smaller molecule form of hyaluronic acid that can penetrate deeper into the skin to provide hydration.
Usually helps with
Hydration
A common and effective humectant that draws water into the skin, keeping it hydrated and soft.
Usually helps with
Hydration, softening
Antioxidant
Camellia Sinensis Seed Extract
Derived from green tea, it offers antioxidant protection and can help soothe the skin.
Usually helps with
Antioxidant protection, soothing
Known for its soothing, moisturizing, and skin-protecting properties. It helps calm irritation.
Usually helps with
Soothing, calming
Emollient
Phytosteryl Macadamiate
A plant-derived ester that helps to condition and soften the skin.
Usually helps with
Softening, conditioning
Plant-derived sterols that help to support the skin barrier and provide emollience.
Usually helps with
Barrier support, softening
Skin-Conditioning Agent
Acetyl Glutamine
An amino acid derivative that can help support skin's natural repair processes and hydration.
Usually helps with
Skin conditioning, hydration
A phospholipid that helps stabilize emulsions and can also act as an emollient.
Usually helps with
Emulsifying, softening
A versatile ingredient that acts as a humectant, emollient, and preservative booster.
Usually helps with
Hydration, preservation
A polysaccharide used as a thickening agent to improve product texture.
Usually helps with
Texture
Humectant
Sodium Hyaluronate
The salt form of hyaluronic acid, it attracts and holds moisture in the skin.
Usually helps with
Hydration
Skin-Conditioning Agent
Folic Acid
A B vitamin that plays a role in cell repair and regeneration.
Usually helps with
Skin conditioning, repair
A signaling peptide that can help support skin's natural collagen production and repair processes.
Usually helps with
Firming, repair
Skin-Conditioning Agent
Bacillus/Soybean Ferment Extract
A fermented extract that can provide nutrients and support skin health.
Usually helps with
Skin conditioning
A synthetic peptide that mimics growth factors, potentially aiding in skin repair and rejuvenation.
Usually helps with
Rejuvenation, repair
A signaling peptide that can help promote cell turnover and improve skin texture.
Usually helps with
Texture improvement, rejuvenation
A peptide that may help improve skin elasticity and firmness.
Usually helps with
Firming, elasticity
A form of Vitamin E, it acts as an antioxidant to protect the skin from free radical damage.
Usually helps with
Antioxidant protection
Skin-Conditioning Agent
Lithothamnion Calcareum Extract
An extract from red algae, it can provide minerals and have soothing properties.
Usually helps with
Soothing, mineralizing
An alpha hydroxy acid (AHA) that exfoliates the skin, improves texture, and can help with hydration.
Usually helps with
Exfoliation, texture, hydration
Watch for
Can increase sun sensitivity; may cause stinging on compromised skin.
A simple sugar that acts as a humectant, attracting moisture to the skin.
Usually helps with
Hydration
Peptide
Acetyl Heptapeptide-4
A synthetic peptide designed to support skin's natural renewal processes.
Usually helps with
Skin renewal
Emulsifier
C14-22 Alcohols
Fatty alcohols that help to emulsify and condition the skin.
Usually helps with
Emulsifying, conditioning
Emulsifier
C12-20 Alkyl Glucoside
A plant-derived emulsifier that helps mix oil and water components in a formula.
Usually helps with
Emulsifying
Preservative Booster
Ethylhexylglycerin
A skin-conditioning agent and preservative booster that also has some antimicrobial properties.
Usually helps with
Preservation, skin conditioning
Watch for
Can be a mild skin irritant for some.
Chelating Agent
Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate
Helps to improve the stability and performance of the formula by binding to metal ions.
Usually helps with
Formula stability
Preservative
Potassium Sorbate
A common preservative used to prevent the growth of mold and yeast.
Usually helps with
Preservation
Watch for
Can be a mild irritant for some.
Used to adjust the pH of the product, it also has mild exfoliating properties.
Usually helps with
pH adjustment, mild exfoliation
Watch for
Can cause stinging at higher concentrations or on sensitive skin.
pH Adjuster
Sodium Citrate
A salt of citric acid used to adjust and buffer the pH of the product.
Usually helps with
pH adjustment
Humectant
Pentylene Glycol
A multi-functional ingredient that acts as a humectant, solvent, and preservative booster.
Usually helps with
Hydration, preservation
Preservative
Sodium Benzoate
A common preservative that inhibits the growth of bacteria, yeast, and mold.
Usually helps with
Preservation
Watch for
Can react with certain ingredients to form benzene; generally safe in cosmetic formulations.
A natural polysaccharide used as a thickening and stabilizing agent.
Usually helps with
Texture, stability
Preservative
Phenoxyethanol
A widely used preservative that prevents bacterial contamination.
Usually helps with
Preservation
Watch for
Can be a skin irritant for some individuals.
