Solvent
Water / Aqua / Eau
The base of the formulation, dissolving other ingredients.
Usually helps with
All skin types
Draws moisture to the skin and helps other ingredients penetrate.
Usually helps with
Hydration, enhancing product texture
Watch for
Can be irritating for some very sensitive skin types in high concentrations.
A classic humectant that attracts water to the skin, keeping it hydrated and soft.
Usually helps with
Dryness, hydration
Emollient
Butylene Glycol Dicaprylate/Dicaprate
Softens and smooths the skin, improving texture.
Usually helps with
Dryness, skin softening
Emollient
Cetyl Ethylhexanoate
Provides a smooth, soft feel to the skin.
Usually helps with
Skin softening, emollience
A stable, plant-derived lipid that mimics skin's natural oils, providing moisture without greasiness.
Usually helps with
Hydration, all skin types
Emollient
Pentaerythrityl Tetraisostearate
Helps to soften and smooth the skin.
Usually helps with
Emollience, skin conditioning
Emollient
Dicaprylyl Carbonate
Improves skin feel and provides a smooth application.
Usually helps with
Emollience, skin conditioning
Emollient/Thickener
Behenyl Alcohol
A fatty alcohol that helps to thicken the formula and condition the skin.
Usually helps with
Skin conditioning, texture
Emollient/Occlusive
Dimethicone
Forms a protective barrier on the skin, preventing moisture loss and providing a smooth feel.
Usually helps with
Occlusion, smoothing
Watch for
Can feel heavy for some; some prefer to avoid silicones.
Ceramide
Hydroxypropyl Bispalmitamide Mea
A synthetic ceramide that helps to strengthen the skin barrier and retain moisture.
Usually helps with
Skin barrier repair, dryness
Emollient/Emulsifier
Stearic Acid
A fatty acid that helps to soften and smooth the skin, and stabilize the emulsion.
Usually helps with
Emollience, skin conditioning
A sugar beet-derived ingredient that helps to hydrate and protect the skin.
Usually helps with
Hydration, skin soothing
A sugar alcohol that can help to attract and retain moisture in the skin.
Usually helps with
Hydration
Emulsifier/Emollient
C14-22 Alcohols
Helps to blend oil and water, and provides emollience.
Usually helps with
Emulsification, skin conditioning
Emollient/Emulsifier
Palmitic Acid
A fatty acid that contributes to the emollient properties and helps stabilize the formula.
Usually helps with
Emollience, skin conditioning
Ceramide
Hydroxypropyl Bislauramide Mea
Another synthetic ceramide that supports the skin barrier.
Usually helps with
Skin barrier repair, dryness
Emollient/Emulsifier
Arachidyl Alcohol
A fatty alcohol that helps to condition the skin and stabilize the emulsion.
Usually helps with
Skin conditioning, texture
Emollient/Skin-Identical
Cholesterol
A vital component of the skin barrier, working with ceramides and fatty acids to maintain hydration and integrity.
Usually helps with
Skin barrier support, dryness
A synthetic polymer used to thicken the product and improve texture.
Usually helps with
Texture enhancement
Watch for
Can sometimes feel slightly tacky.
Emulsifier
C12-20 Alkyl Glucoside
A plant-derived emulsifier that helps to combine oil and water.
Usually helps with
Emulsification
Soothes and calms the skin, promoting healing and reducing irritation.
Usually helps with
Soothing, calming, healing
Emulsifier
Arachidyl Glucoside
A plant-derived emulsifier that helps to create a stable emulsion.
Usually helps with
Emulsification
A versatile ingredient that supports the skin barrier, reduces inflammation, and can help with tone and texture.
Usually helps with
Skin barrier support, redness, tone
Watch for
Can cause flushing or irritation in some individuals, especially at higher concentrations or when combined with other actives.
A naturally occurring ceramide that is crucial for maintaining a healthy skin barrier and preventing water loss.
Usually helps with
Skin barrier repair, hydration
Emulsifier/Preservative Booster
Glyceryl Caprylate
Helps to stabilize the emulsion and has antimicrobial properties.
Usually helps with
Emulsification, preservation
Preservative Booster/Emollient
Ethylhexylglycerin
Enhances the effectiveness of preservatives and can also act as a mild emollient.
Usually helps with
Preservation, skin conditioning
Watch for
Can be a skin sensitizer for some individuals.
Emollient/Occlusive
Hydrogenated Polyisobutene
Provides a smooth feel and helps to prevent water loss.
Usually helps with
Emollience, occlusion
Watch for
Can feel occlusive; some prefer to avoid.
A common thickening agent used to give creams and gels their desired consistency.
Usually helps with
Texture enhancement
Used to adjust the pH of the product.
Usually helps with
Formulation stability
Emollient/Conditioning Agent
Dimethiconol
A silicone derivative that provides a smooth, non-greasy feel and helps condition the skin.
Usually helps with
Smoothing, skin conditioning
Watch for
Can feel heavy for some; some prefer to avoid silicones.
Emulsifier
Polyglyceryl-10 Laurate
A gentle, plant-derived emulsifier.
Usually helps with
Emulsification
Emulsifier/Skin-Conditioning Agent
Hydrogenated Lecithin
A modified form of lecithin that helps to stabilize emulsions and condition the skin.
Usually helps with
Emulsification, skin conditioning
Emollient
Ethylhexyl Palmitate
An emollient that provides a smooth feel and can help with product spreadability.
Usually helps with
Emollience, texture
Watch for
Can be comedogenic for some acne-prone individuals.
Film Former/Thickener
Acrylates/Ammonium Methacrylate Copolymer
Helps to form a film on the skin and can contribute to thickening the formula.
Usually helps with
Film formation, texture
Emulsifier
Sorbitan Isostearate
An emulsifier that helps to blend oil and water components.
Usually helps with
Emulsification
Absorbent/Texture Enhancer
Silica
Can help absorb excess oil and improve the texture of the product.
Usually helps with
Texture, oil control
Ceramide Precursor/Soothing Agent
Phytosphingosine
A lipid that is naturally found in the skin and plays a role in barrier function and inflammation control.
Usually helps with
Skin barrier support, anti-inflammatory
Skin-Identical Lipid
Sphingolipids
Part of the skin's natural lipid structure, contributing to barrier function and hydration.
Usually helps with
Skin barrier support, hydration
Emollient/Emulsifier
Arachidic Acid
A fatty acid that contributes to the emollient properties of the cream.
Usually helps with
Emollience, skin conditioning
Vitamin E, an antioxidant that helps protect the skin from free radical damage.
Usually helps with
Antioxidant protection
Emollient/Emulsifier
Oleic Acid
A fatty acid that helps to soften and smooth the skin.
Usually helps with
Emollience, skin conditioning