The base of the formulation, providing hydration.
Usually helps with
Hydration
Emollient
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
A skin-conditioning agent derived from coconut oil and glycerin that helps to replenish the skin.
Usually helps with
Dryness, barrier support
A stable, plant-derived emollient that mimics skin's natural sebum, providing excellent moisturization and improving skin elasticity.
Usually helps with
Dryness, suppleness
A form of Vitamin B3 that helps improve the skin barrier, reduce redness, and calm inflammation. It also helps with oil control.
Usually helps with
Redness, barrier support, inflammation
Watch for
Can cause flushing in some individuals if used in high concentrations or on compromised skin.
Emollient
Cetearyl Alcohol
A fatty alcohol that acts as an emollient, emulsifier, and thickener, helping to soften and smooth the skin.
Usually helps with
Softening skin
Watch for
Generally well-tolerated, but can cause irritation in very sensitive individuals.
A powerful humectant that draws moisture from the air into the skin, keeping it hydrated and supple.
Usually helps with
Hydration
Humectant
Pentylene Glycol
A multi-functional ingredient that acts as a humectant and preservative booster, improving skin hydration.
Usually helps with
Hydration
Emollient
Capryloyl Glycerin/Sebacic Acid Copolymer
A conditioning agent that helps to improve skin texture and provide a smooth feel.
Usually helps with
Skin texture
Emulsifier
Glyceryl Stearate
An emulsifier and emollient that helps to create a smooth texture and prevent water and oil from separating.
Usually helps with
Texture, skin conditioning
Emulsifier
Sorbitan Stearate
An emulsifier that helps to blend oil and water ingredients in a formulation.
Usually helps with
Formulation stability
Emollient
Diheptyl Succinate
A plant-derived emollient that helps to soften and smooth the skin.
Usually helps with
Softening skin
Emollient
Butyrospermum Parkii (Shea) Butter
A rich emollient known for its moisturizing and skin-conditioning properties, packed with fatty acids and vitamins.
Usually helps with
Dryness, nourishment
Watch for
Can be comedogenic for some acne-prone individuals.
Emollient
Oenothera Biennis (Evening Primrose) Oil
Rich in gamma-linolenic acid (GLA), this oil is known for its anti-inflammatory and skin-soothing properties, beneficial for dry and irritated skin.
Usually helps with
Dryness, inflammation
A fatty acid that acts as an emollient and emulsifier, helping to soften and smooth the skin.
Usually helps with
Softening skin
A highly purified active compound from Centella Asiatica (Cica), known for its potent anti-inflammatory and skin-healing properties.
Usually helps with
Soothing, redness, barrier repair
Antioxidant
Angelica Polymorpha Sinensis Root Extract
A traditional herbal extract with antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, often used to improve skin circulation.
Usually helps with
Soothing, antioxidant
Watch for
Potential for photosensitivity in some individuals, though less common in topical formulations.
Antioxidant
Turkey Rhubarb (Rheum Palmatum) Extract
Contains compounds that may offer antioxidant and anti-inflammatory benefits.
Usually helps with
Antioxidant, soothing
Antioxidant
Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
Green tea extract, rich in antioxidants that help protect the skin from environmental damage and have soothing properties.
Usually helps with
Antioxidant, soothing
Antioxidant
Astragalus Membranaceus Extract
An adaptogenic herb extract that may provide antioxidant and anti-inflammatory benefits.
Usually helps with
Antioxidant, soothing
Antioxidant
Curcuma Longa (Turmeric) Root Extract
Contains curcumin, a potent antioxidant and anti-inflammatory compound that can help brighten and calm the skin.
Usually helps with
Anti-inflammatory, antioxidant
Watch for
Can temporarily stain the skin yellow at higher concentrations.
Antioxidant
Panax Ginseng Root Extract
Known for its antioxidant and revitalizing properties, it may help improve skin's resilience.
Usually helps with
Antioxidant, revitalizing
Soothing
Licorice Root (Glycyrrhiza Uralensis) Extract
Contains compounds like glabridin and liquiritin that help soothe inflammation, reduce redness, and brighten the skin.
Usually helps with
Soothing, redness, brightening
Humectant
Sodium Hyaluronate
The salt form of hyaluronic acid, a powerful humectant that attracts and retains moisture, plumping the skin.
Usually helps with
Hydration, plumping
A lipid naturally found in the skin that plays a role in barrier function and has anti-inflammatory properties.
Usually helps with
Barrier repair, anti-inflammatory
A component of the skin's natural moisturizing factor (NMF), it helps to attract and bind moisture to the skin.
Usually helps with
Hydration
An essential lipid that helps to form the skin's barrier and retain moisture. Part of a healthy skin microbiome.
Usually helps with
Barrier repair, hydration
Another crucial lipid that supports the skin barrier, helping to prevent water loss and protect against environmental stressors.
Usually helps with
Barrier repair, hydration
A commonly used ceramide that helps to restore the skin barrier, improving hydration and reducing sensitivity.
Usually helps with
Barrier repair, hydration
An amino acid that is a component of the skin's natural moisturizing factor (NMF), contributing to hydration.
Usually helps with
Hydration
An amino acid that is part of the skin's NMF, helping to maintain hydration and barrier function.
Usually helps with
Hydration
An amino acid that plays a role in skin hydration and barrier function.
Usually helps with
Hydration
An amino acid that is a building block for proteins and contributes to skin hydration.
Usually helps with
Hydration
An amino acid essential for protein synthesis and skin health, contributing to hydration.
Usually helps with
Hydration
An amino acid that helps improve skin texture and hydration.
Usually helps with
Hydration, texture
An amino acid that helps with skin hydration and can support wound healing.
Usually helps with
Hydration, healing
An amino acid that is a component of proteins and contributes to skin structure.
Usually helps with
Skin structure
An amino acid that acts as an antioxidant and helps with skin hydration.
Usually helps with
Antioxidant, hydration
A fatty acid that acts as an emollient, helping to soften and smooth the skin.
Usually helps with
Softening skin
An amino acid that is a building block for proteins and contributes to skin health.
Usually helps with
Skin health
Pyrrolidone Carboxylic Acid, a component of the skin's NMF, it helps attract and retain moisture.
Usually helps with
Hydration
A skin-conditioning agent that provides a smooth feel and helps improve texture.
Usually helps with
Skin texture
A lipid that is a natural component of the skin barrier, helping to reinforce it and prevent moisture loss.
Usually helps with
Barrier repair
The sodium salt of lactic acid, it's a humectant that helps increase skin hydration.
Usually helps with
Hydration
Preservative
Ethylhexylglycerin
A preservative that also acts as a skin-conditioning agent, enhancing the efficacy of other preservatives.
Usually helps with
Preservation
Watch for
Can be a skin irritant for some individuals.
Emulsifier
Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
A synthetic polymer used as an emulsifier and thickener, providing a smooth texture.
Usually helps with
Texture
Emulsifier
Cetearyl Glucoside
A gentle, plant-derived emulsifier that helps to blend oil and water ingredients.
Usually helps with
Formulation stability
Emulsifier
Sodium Lauroyl Lactylate
A gentle emulsifier derived from lactic acid and lauric acid, used to stabilize oil and water phases.
Usually helps with
Formulation stability
A synthetic polymer used to thicken formulations and improve texture.
Usually helps with
Texture
A natural polysaccharide used as a thickener and stabilizer.
Usually helps with
Texture
Preservative
Phenoxyethanol
A common preservative used to prevent microbial growth in cosmetic products.
Usually helps with
Preservation
Watch for
Can be a skin irritant or allergen for some individuals.