Solvent
Water / Aqua / Eau
The base of the formulation.
Usually helps with
Hydration
Draws moisture to the skin and helps other ingredients penetrate.
Usually helps with
Hydration
Watch for
Can be a mild irritant for some.
A classic humectant that attracts water to the skin, keeping it hydrated and soft.
Usually helps with
Hydration, Dryness
Emollient
Butylene Glycol Dicaprylate/Dicaprate
Softens and smooths the skin.
Usually helps with
Dryness
Emollient
Cetyl Ethylhexanoate
A skin-conditioning agent that provides a smooth feel.
Usually helps with
Dryness
A stable, plant-derived oil that mimics the skin's natural sebum, providing moisture without greasiness.
Usually helps with
Dryness, All Skin Types
Emollient
Pentaerythrityl Tetraisostearate
Helps to soften and smooth the skin.
Usually helps with
Dryness
Emollient
Dicaprylyl Carbonate
Improves skin feel and provides emollience.
Usually helps with
Dryness
Emollient/Emulsifier
Behenyl Alcohol
Helps to stabilize the emulsion and condition the skin.
Usually helps with
Dryness
Emollient/Occlusive
Dimethicone
Forms a protective barrier on the skin, reducing water loss and providing a smooth feel. Can be comedogenic for some.
Usually helps with
Dryness, Protection
Watch for
May clog pores for acne-prone skin.
Ceramide
Hydroxypropyl Bispalmitamide Mea
A synthetic ceramide that helps to restore the skin barrier.
Usually helps with
Barrier Repair, Dryness
Emollient/Emulsifier
Stearic Acid
A fatty acid that helps to soften and smooth the skin, and stabilize the formula.
Usually helps with
Dryness
A sugar beet-derived ingredient that attracts water and helps protect skin cells.
Usually helps with
Hydration, Soothing
A sugar alcohol that can help attract and retain moisture.
Usually helps with
Hydration
Emulsifier/Emollient
C14-22 Alcohols
Helps to blend oil and water and condition the skin.
Usually helps with
Dryness
Emollient/Emulsifier
Palmitic Acid
A fatty acid that helps to soften and smooth the skin.
Usually helps with
Dryness
Ceramide
Hydroxypropyl Bislauramide Mea
Another synthetic ceramide that supports barrier function.
Usually helps with
Barrier Repair, Dryness
Emollient/Emulsifier
Arachidyl Alcohol
Helps to stabilize the emulsion and condition the skin.
Usually helps with
Dryness
Emollient/Skin-Identical
Cholesterol
A lipid that is naturally found in the skin, crucial for barrier function and moisture retention.
Usually helps with
Barrier Repair, Dryness
Used to thicken formulations. Can be irritating for some.
Usually helps with
Texture
Watch for
Potential for irritation.
Emulsifier
C12-20 Alkyl Glucoside
Helps to blend oil and water components in the formula.
Usually helps with
Formulation
Known for its soothing and skin-protecting properties.
Usually helps with
Soothing, Irritation
Emulsifier
Arachidyl Glucoside
A gentle emulsifier derived from plant sugars.
Usually helps with
Formulation
Vitamin B3 that improves barrier function, reduces inflammation, and can help with tone and texture.
Usually helps with
Barrier Repair, Redness, Tone
Watch for
Can cause flushing or irritation in sensitive individuals at higher concentrations.
A naturally occurring lipid that is a key component of the skin barrier.
Usually helps with
Barrier Repair, Dryness
Emulsifier/Preservative Booster
Glyceryl Caprylate
Helps to stabilize the emulsion and has antimicrobial properties.
Usually helps with
Formulation
Preservative Booster/Emollient
Ethylhexylglycerin
Enhances the effectiveness of preservatives and can have mild emollient properties. Can be a skin sensitizer for some.
Usually helps with
Preservation
Watch for
Potential for skin sensitivity.
Emollient/Occlusive
Hydrogenated Polyisobutene
A synthetic emollient that provides a smooth feel and can help prevent water loss.
Usually helps with
Dryness, Texture
Watch for
Can feel slightly heavy or occlusive.
A common thickening agent used to give products their gel-like consistency. Can be irritating in high concentrations.
Usually helps with
Texture
Watch for
Potential for irritation.
Used to adjust the pH of the product.
Usually helps with
Formulation
A silicone derivative that provides a smooth, silky feel and can help reduce water loss.
Usually helps with
Texture, Dryness
Watch for
Can feel heavy or occlusive.
Emulsifier
Polyglyceryl-10 Laurate
A gentle emulsifier derived from glycerin and lauric acid.
Usually helps with
Formulation
Emulsifier/Skin-Conditioning
Hydrogenated Lecithin
A modified form of lecithin that helps to emulsify and condition the skin.
Usually helps with
Formulation, Dryness
Emollient
Ethylhexyl Palmitate
An emollient that provides a smooth feel but can be comedogenic for some.
Usually helps with
Dryness
Watch for
Can clog pores for acne-prone skin.
Film Former/Thickener
Acrylates/Ammonium Methacrylate Copolymer
A polymer used to create a film on the skin and thicken the formula. Can be irritating.
Usually helps with
Texture
Watch for
Potential for irritation.
Emulsifier
Sorbitan Isostearate
Helps to stabilize oil and water mixtures.
Usually helps with
Formulation
Absorbent/Texture Enhancer
Silica
Can help absorb excess oil and improve the texture of the product.
Usually helps with
Texture
Ceramide Precursor/Skin-Conditioning
Phytosphingosine
A lipid that is a component of ceramides and helps support skin barrier function.
Usually helps with
Barrier Repair
Skin-Conditioning
Sphingolipids
A type of lipid that is a component of the skin's natural barrier.
Usually helps with
Barrier Repair
Emollient/Emulsifier
Arachidic Acid
A fatty acid that helps to condition and soften the skin.
Usually helps with
Dryness
Vitamin E, an antioxidant that helps protect the skin from environmental damage.
Usually helps with
Antioxidant, Skin Conditioning
Emollient/Emulsifier
Oleic Acid
A fatty acid that helps to soften and smooth the skin.
Usually helps with
Dryness