The base of the formulation, dissolving other ingredients.
Usually helps with
All skin types
A stable lipid that mimics skin's natural oils, providing moisture and improving suppleness.
Usually helps with
Dryness, barrier support
Watch for
Generally well-tolerated
Humectant/Preservative Booster
Pentylene Glycol
Helps to draw moisture to the skin and can enhance the effectiveness of preservatives.
Usually helps with
Hydration
Watch for
Can be a mild irritant for some
A fatty alcohol that softens and smooths the skin.
Usually helps with
Dryness
Emollient/Conditioning Agent
Butyrospermum Parkii (Shea) Butter
Rich in fatty acids and vitamins, it moisturizes and softens the skin.
Usually helps with
Dryness, barrier support
Watch for
Can be comedogenic for very acne-prone skin
Emollient/Skin Conditioning
Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil
Rich in fatty acids and Vitamin E, it moisturizes and protects the skin.
Usually helps with
Dryness, anti-aging
Emollient/Skin Conditioning
Persea Gratissima (Avocado) Oil
Nourishing oil rich in vitamins and fatty acids, known for its moisturizing properties.
Usually helps with
Dryness, barrier support
Watch for
Can be comedogenic for very acne-prone skin
Emollient/Antioxidant
Vitis Vinifera (Grape) Seed Oil
Lightweight oil rich in antioxidants and linoleic acid, helps to moisturize and protect.
Usually helps with
All skin types, anti-aging
Emollient
Prunus Amygdalus (Sweet Almond) Dulcis Oil
A gentle emollient that softens and conditions the skin.
Usually helps with
Dryness, sensitive skin
Watch for
Nut allergy concern for some
Emollient
Ethylhexyl Stearate
A synthetic emollient that provides a smooth feel on the skin.
Usually helps with
Dryness
Emulsifier/Emollient
Cetyl PEG/PPG-10/1 Dimethicone
Helps to blend oil and water components and provides a smooth, non-greasy feel.
Usually helps with
All skin types
A sugar alcohol that attracts and holds moisture in the skin.
Usually helps with
Hydration
Viscosity Controller/Emulsifier
Disteardimonium Hectorite
A mineral-based ingredient that helps thicken the product and stabilize emulsions.
Usually helps with
Texture
Fragrance
Methyldihydrojasmonate
A synthetic fragrance ingredient that provides a floral scent.
Usually helps with
Fragrance
Watch for
Potential for irritation in sensitive individuals
Humectant/Soothing Agent
Panthenol
A form of Vitamin B5 that hydrates, soothes, and helps improve skin barrier function.
Usually helps with
Hydration, redness, barrier support
Viscosity Controller
Magnesium Sulfate
Used to adjust the thickness of the formulation.
Usually helps with
Texture
Emulsifier
Polyglyceryl-4 Diisostearate/Polyhydroxystearate/Sebacate
A plant-derived emulsifier that helps mix oil and water.
Usually helps with
Texture
Humectant/Solvent
Butylene Glycol
Helps ingredients penetrate the skin and draws moisture to it.
Usually helps with
Hydration
Watch for
Can be a mild irritant for some
Emollient
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
A fractionated coconut oil derivative that replenishes skin's surface lipids.
Usually helps with
Dryness, barrier support
A mineral that adds shimmer or opacity to the product.
Usually helps with
Appearance
Antioxidant/Skin Conditioning
Tocopheryl Acetate
A stable form of Vitamin E that protects skin from oxidative damage.
Usually helps with
Anti-aging, protection
Emulsifier/Emollient
Cera Alba (Beeswax)
A natural wax that helps to thicken the formula and provides a protective barrier.
Usually helps with
Barrier support, dryness
Derived from jojoba oil, these provide a smooth, non-greasy feel and moisturize.
Usually helps with
Dryness, softening
Emulsifier
Polyglyceryl-3 Oleate
A plant-derived emulsifier that helps blend oil and water.
Usually helps with
Texture
Colorant/UV Filter
Titanium Dioxide
Used as a white pigment and can offer some sun protection.
Usually helps with
Appearance
Emollient/Emulsifier
Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Seed Wax
A plant-based wax that helps condition the skin and stabilize the formula.
Usually helps with
Dryness, texture
Emulsifier/Emollient
Diisostearoyl Polyglyceryl-3 Dimer Dilinoleate
A complex emulsifier that helps create a smooth texture and provides emollience.
Usually helps with
Texture, dryness
Solvent/Viscosity Controller
Propylene Carbonate
Helps to dissolve ingredients and can affect the product's thickness.
Usually helps with
Texture
Watch for
Can be a mild irritant for some
Peptide
Acetyl Hexapeptide-37
A peptide that may help improve skin hydration and reduce the appearance of wrinkles.
Usually helps with
Hydration, anti-aging
Watch for
Limited long-term studies
Antioxidant
Superoxide Dismutase
An enzyme that helps neutralize harmful free radicals.
Usually helps with
Anti-aging, protection
Watch for
Stability can be an issue
A potent antioxidant that helps protect cells from damage and can brighten skin.
Usually helps with
Anti-aging, brightening
Watch for
Stability and penetration can be challenging
Exfoliant/Humectant
Lactobionic Acid
A PHA that gently exfoliates and also attracts moisture, making it hydrating.
Usually helps with
Gentle exfoliation, hydration, sensitive skin
Watch for
Can cause mild irritation if overused
Essential Fatty Acid
Linoleic Acid
An omega-6 fatty acid crucial for maintaining a healthy skin barrier.
Usually helps with
Barrier support, dryness
Essential Fatty Acid
Linolenic Acid
An omega-3 fatty acid that helps reduce inflammation and support skin health.
Usually helps with
Barrier support, redness
Surfactant/Cleanser
Decyl Glucoside
A mild, plant-derived surfactant used for cleansing.
Usually helps with
Gentle cleansing
Humectant
Hydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate
A smaller molecule of hyaluronic acid that penetrates deeper into the skin for hydration.
Usually helps with
Deep hydration
Preservative/Antimicrobial
Phenethyl Alcohol
A natural alcohol derived from plants, used as a preservative.
Usually helps with
Preservation
Watch for
Can cause mild irritation in sensitive individuals
Pure Vitamin E, a potent antioxidant that protects skin from free radical damage.
Usually helps with
Anti-aging, protection
Watch for
Can degrade with light and air exposure
Emollient/Skin Conditioning
Passiflora Incarnata Seed Oil
Rich in essential fatty acids, it moisturizes and soothes the skin.
Usually helps with
Dryness, soothing
Emollient/Skin Conditioning
Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Seed Oil
Rich in linoleic acid, it moisturizes and helps strengthen the skin barrier.
Usually helps with
Dryness, barrier support
An AHA that exfoliates the skin, beneficial for acne and hyperpigmentation, but can be irritating.
Usually helps with
Acne, hyperpigmentation, gentle exfoliation
Watch for
Can cause redness, peeling, and sensitivity
A potent AHA that exfoliates effectively but can cause significant irritation and sensitivity.
Usually helps with
Exfoliation, texture, fine lines
Watch for
Redness, peeling, increased sun sensitivity
Peptide
N-Prolyl Palmitoyl Tripeptide-56 Acetate
A peptide that may help improve skin barrier function and reduce the appearance of wrinkles.
Usually helps with
Barrier support, anti-aging
Watch for
Limited long-term studies
Humectant
Sodium Hyaluronate
The salt form of hyaluronic acid, attracting and holding moisture in the skin.
Usually helps with
Hydration
Humectant
Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer
A cross-linked form of hyaluronic acid that forms a hydrating film on the skin's surface.
Usually helps with
Surface hydration, plumping
Soothing Agent
Hydroxyphenyl Propamidobenzoic Acid
A derivative of avenanthramide, known for its anti-inflammatory and soothing properties.
Usually helps with
Redness, irritation, sensitive skin
Humectant/Soothing Agent
Beta-Glucan
A polysaccharide that hydrates, soothes, and helps improve skin barrier function.
Usually helps with
Hydration, redness, barrier support
Preservative/Skin Conditioning
Ethylhexylglycerin
A preservative with skin-conditioning properties that can enhance other preservatives.
Usually helps with
Preservation, skin conditioning
Watch for
Can cause mild irritation in sensitive individuals
Emollient/Emulsifier
Acacia Decurrens Flower Wax
A plant-based wax that helps condition the skin and stabilize the formula.
Usually helps with
Dryness, texture
Humectant/Emollient
Polyglycerin-3
A humectant that attracts moisture and can provide a smooth feel.
Usually helps with
Hydration, texture
Humectant/Preservative Booster
Caprylyl Glycol
Helps to hydrate the skin and can boost the effectiveness of preservatives.
Usually helps with
Hydration, preservation
Watch for
Can be a mild irritant for some
Antioxidant/Vitamin C
Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate
A stable form of Vitamin C that offers antioxidant protection and can help brighten skin.
Usually helps with
Brightening, anti-aging, acne
Watch for
Less potent than L-Ascorbic Acid
A classic humectant that draws water into the skin, keeping it hydrated.
Usually helps with
Hydration
Antioxidant/Vitamin C
Ascorbyl Palmitate
A fat-soluble form of Vitamin C that provides antioxidant benefits.
Usually helps with
Antioxidant protection
Watch for
Less effective than L-Ascorbic Acid
Peptide
Palmitoyl Tripeptide-8
A peptide that helps to calm and soothe the skin, reducing the appearance of redness.
Usually helps with
Soothing, redness
Watch for
Limited long-term studies
Humectant
Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid
A smaller molecular weight form of hyaluronic acid that can penetrate deeper into the skin.
Usually helps with
Deep hydration
Humectant
Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate
A derivative of hyaluronic acid that has enhanced skin penetration and moisture retention.
Usually helps with
Intense hydration
Preservative/Solvent
Benzyl Alcohol
A preservative that can also act as a solvent, but can be a skin irritant for some.
Usually helps with
Preservation
Watch for
Potential for irritation and allergic reactions
Thickener/Emulsifier
Xanthan Gum
A common thickening agent derived from fermentation.
Usually helps with
Texture
Humectant/Skin Conditioning
Dextran
A polysaccharide that can help attract and retain moisture.
Usually helps with
Hydration
Emulsifier/Solubilizer
Polysorbate 20
A synthetic emulsifier that helps mix oil and water, but can be a mild irritant.
Usually helps with
Texture
Watch for
Potential for irritation
Preservative
Dehydroacetic Acid
A broad-spectrum preservative that helps prevent microbial growth.
Usually helps with
Preservation
Watch for
Can cause mild irritation in sensitive individuals
pH Adjuster/Exfoliant
Citric Acid
Used to adjust the pH of the product and can offer mild exfoliation.
Usually helps with
pH balance, mild exfoliation
Watch for
Can cause irritation at higher concentrations
