The base for most skincare formulations, dissolving other ingredients.
Usually helps with
All skin types
A common and effective humectant that draws water into the skin, keeping it hydrated and soft.
Usually helps with
All skin types
Soothing Agent, Humectant
Panthenol
A provitamin of B5, it hydrates, soothes, and helps repair the skin barrier.
Usually helps with
Dry, sensitive, irritated skin
Humectant, Solvent
Butylene Glycol
A humectant that helps ingredients penetrate the skin and can also act as a solvent.
Usually helps with
Most skin types
Watch for
Can be a mild irritant for some sensitive skin types
Emollient
Propylheptyl Caprylate
A synthetic emollient that helps to soften and smooth the skin.
Usually helps with
Dry, normal skin
Emollient, Emulsifier
Cetearyl Alcohol
A fatty alcohol that moisturizes and thickens formulations. It is not drying like some other alcohols.
Usually helps with
Dry, normal skin
Watch for
Rarely, can cause irritation in very sensitive individuals
Humectant, Solvent
Pentylene Glycol
A humectant that also has antimicrobial properties, helping to preserve the formula.
Usually helps with
Most skin types
Watch for
Can be a mild irritant for some sensitive skin types
An ester that acts as an emollient, softening and smoothing the skin.
Usually helps with
Dry, normal skin
Emollient, Emulsifier
Behenyl Alcohol
A fatty alcohol that moisturizes and helps stabilize emulsions.
Usually helps with
Dry, normal skin
Humectant
Sodium Hyaluronate
The salt form of hyaluronic acid, known for its ability to attract and hold water, providing hydration.
Usually helps with
All skin types, especially dry and dehydrated
Humectant
Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer
A cross-linked form of hyaluronic acid that forms a moisturizing film on the skin's surface, providing sustained hydration.
Usually helps with
All skin types, especially dry and dehydrated
Humectant
Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate
A derivative of hyaluronic acid that has enhanced skin penetration and moisture retention capabilities.
Usually helps with
All skin types, especially dry and dehydrated
Humectant
Hydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate
A smaller molecular weight form of hyaluronic acid, allowing for deeper skin penetration and hydration.
Usually helps with
All skin types, especially dry and dehydrated
Humectant
Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid
A smaller molecular weight form of hyaluronic acid that can penetrate deeper into the skin for hydration.
Usually helps with
All skin types, especially dry and dehydrated
Skin Conditioning Agent
sh-Oligopeptide-1
A synthetic form of Epidermal Growth Factor (EGF) that can promote cell turnover and skin regeneration.
Usually helps with
Mature skin, skin seeking firmness
Watch for
Can be irritating for some; use with caution if you have sensitive skin.
A dipeptide with antioxidant properties that can help protect the skin from oxidative stress.
Usually helps with
All skin types
Skin Conditioning Agent
Arginine/Lysine Polypeptide
A peptide blend that can help improve skin texture and firmness.
Usually helps with
All skin types
Skin Conditioning Agent
Ceramide NP
A type of ceramide that helps to reinforce the skin's natural barrier, preventing moisture loss and improving hydration.
Usually helps with
Dry, sensitive, compromised skin
Skin Conditioning Agent
Palmitoyl Dipeptide-7
A peptide that may help to reduce inflammation and improve skin elasticity.
Usually helps with
All skin types
Emulsifier, Emollient
Methyl Glucose Sesquistearate
A plant-derived emulsifier and emollient that helps to blend oil and water and soften the skin.
Usually helps with
Dry, normal skin
Emollient
Hydrogenated Polydecene
A synthetic emollient that provides a smooth, non-greasy feel and helps to moisturize the skin.
Usually helps with
Dry, normal skin
Skin Conditioning Agent
Phytosterols
Plant-derived sterols that can help to soothe and condition the skin, and support the skin barrier.
Usually helps with
Dry, sensitive skin
Known for its soothing and skin-conditioning properties, it helps to calm irritation and promote healing.
Usually helps with
Sensitive, irritated skin
Emulsifier
Cetearyl Glucoside
A gentle, plant-derived emulsifier that helps to create stable formulations.
Usually helps with
Most skin types
A humectant that provides moisture and a smooth feel to the skin.
Usually helps with
Most skin types
Humectant
Glyceryl Glucoside
A derivative of glycerin and glucose that enhances skin hydration and helps to protect the skin barrier.
Usually helps with
All skin types
Derived from jojoba oil, these esters act as emollients, softening and smoothing the skin.
Usually helps with
Dry, normal skin
Emulsifier, Emollient
Glyceryl Stearates
An emulsifier and emollient that helps to moisturize and soften the skin.
Usually helps with
Dry, normal skin
Humectant, Emollient
Polyglycerin-3
A humectant and emollient that provides hydration and a smooth skin feel.
Usually helps with
Most skin types
Emulsifier, Emollient
Polyglyceryl-3 Methylglucose Distearate
A plant-derived emulsifier and emollient that helps to create a stable emulsion and moisturize the skin.
Usually helps with
Dry, normal skin
Emulsifier
Sorbitan Oleate
An emulsifier that helps to mix oil and water ingredients in a formula.
Usually helps with
Most skin types
Watch for
Can be a mild irritant for some sensitive skin types
Soothing Agent
Madecassoside
A compound derived from Centella Asiatica, known for its soothing and anti-inflammatory properties.
Usually helps with
Sensitive, irritated skin
Soothing Agent
Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate
A derivative of licorice root, it has anti-inflammatory and soothing properties.
Usually helps with
Sensitive, irritated skin
Emollient
Heptyl Undecylenate
A plant-derived emollient that provides a smooth, non-greasy feel and helps to moisturize the skin.
Usually helps with
Dry, normal skin
Emulsifier
Sorbitan Palmitate
An emulsifier that helps to mix oil and water ingredients in a formula.
Usually helps with
Most skin types
Watch for
Can be a mild irritant for some sensitive skin types
Buffering Agent
Sodium Acetate
Used to adjust the pH of the formulation.
Usually helps with
All skin types
Emulsifier
Sodium Stearoyl Glutamate
A mild, plant-derived emulsifier.
Usually helps with
Most skin types
Emulsifier, Thickener
Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
A synthetic polymer used to thicken formulations and create emulsions.
Usually helps with
Most skin types
Watch for
Can be a mild irritant for some sensitive skin types
Thickener
Glyceryl Acrylate/Acrylic Acid Copolymer
A synthetic polymer used to thicken formulations.
Usually helps with
Most skin types
Watch for
Can be a mild irritant for some sensitive skin types
Buffering Agent
Sodium Phosphate
Used to adjust the pH of the formulation.
Usually helps with
All skin types
A plant-derived emollient that provides a light, non-greasy feel.
Usually helps with
Most skin types
Emollient, Emulsifier
Stearyl Alcohol
A fatty alcohol that moisturizes and thickens formulations. It is not drying like some other alcohols.
Usually helps with
Dry, normal skin
Watch for
Rarely, can cause irritation in very sensitive individuals
Emollient, Emulsifier
Cetyl Alcohol
A fatty alcohol that moisturizes and thickens formulations. It is not drying like some other alcohols.
Usually helps with
Dry, normal skin
Watch for
Rarely, can cause irritation in very sensitive individuals
Emulsifier, Emollient
Stearic Acid
A fatty acid that helps to emulsify and condition the skin.
Usually helps with
Dry, normal skin
Humectant, Emollient
Caprylyl Glycol
A humectant that also has antimicrobial properties, helping to preserve the formula and condition the skin.
Usually helps with
Most skin types
Watch for
Can be a mild irritant for some sensitive skin types
Emollient
Acacia Decurrens Flower Wax
A plant-derived wax that acts as an emollient, helping to soften and smooth the skin.
Usually helps with
Dry, normal skin
Emollient
Vinyl Dimethicone
A silicone derivative that provides a smooth feel and can help to occlude the skin.
Usually helps with
Most skin types
Watch for
Some individuals prefer to avoid silicones
Emulsifier, Skin Conditioning Agent
Hydrogenated Lecithin
A hydrogenated form of lecithin that acts as an emulsifier and skin conditioner.
Usually helps with
All skin types
Emulsifier
Sorbitan Isostearate
An emulsifier that helps to mix oil and water ingredients in a formula.
Usually helps with
Most skin types
Watch for
Can be a mild irritant for some sensitive skin types
Chelating Agent
Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate
Used to improve the stability and performance of the formula by binding to metal ions.
Usually helps with
All skin types
A synthetic polymer used to thicken formulations.
Usually helps with
Most skin types
Watch for
Can be a mild irritant for some sensitive skin types
Emollient, Emulsifier
Arachidyl Alcohol
A fatty alcohol that moisturizes and helps stabilize emulsions.
Usually helps with
Dry, normal skin
Emulsifier
Arachidyl Glucoside
A gentle, plant-derived emulsifier.
Usually helps with
Most skin types
Humectant, Preservative Booster
Ethylhexylglycerin
A humectant that also enhances the effectiveness of preservatives and improves skin feel.
Usually helps with
Most skin types
Watch for
Can be a mild irritant for some sensitive skin types
Antioxidant
Malachite Extract
A mineral extract believed to have antioxidant properties.
Usually helps with
All skin types
Amino Acid, Skin Conditioning Agent
Arginine
An amino acid that helps to maintain skin hydration and can support barrier function.
Usually helps with
All skin types
Vitamin E, a fat-soluble antioxidant that helps protect the skin from free radical damage.
Usually helps with
All skin types
