A common and effective humectant that draws water to the skin.
Usually helps with
Hydration
Emollient
Butyrospermum Parkii (Shea) Butter Extract
Provides emollient properties to soften and smooth the skin.
Usually helps with
Soothing, softening
Watch for
Can be heavy for some very oily skin types.
An emollient that helps to soften and smooth the skin's texture.
Usually helps with
Softening
Emollient
Hexyldecyl Laurate
A skin-conditioning agent that provides a smooth feel.
Usually helps with
Softening
Antioxidant
Palmitoyl Grape Seed Extract
Derived from grape seeds, it offers antioxidant benefits.
Usually helps with
Antioxidant protection
Emollient/Thickener
Behenyl Alcohol
A fatty alcohol that acts as an emollient and thickener.
Usually helps with
Texture, softening
Emulsifier/Emollient
Glyceryl Stearate
Helps to emulsify ingredients and provides emollient properties.
Usually helps with
Emulsifying, softening
Thickener
Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
A synthetic polymer used to thicken formulations.
Usually helps with
Texture
Watch for
Can sometimes cause pilling if over-applied.
A sugar alcohol that acts as a humectant.
Usually helps with
Hydration
Emulsifier/Skin-Conditioning
Lecithin
A phospholipid that helps stabilize emulsions and condition the skin.
Usually helps with
Emulsifying, skin conditioning
A sugar alcohol that can help attract and retain moisture.
Usually helps with
Hydration
Vitamin E, an antioxidant that protects the skin from free radical damage.
Usually helps with
Antioxidant protection
Emollient/Preservative Booster
Caprylyl Glycol
A skin-conditioning agent that can also boost preservative efficacy.
Usually helps with
Skin conditioning
Watch for
Can be a mild irritant for some.
Emollient/Antioxidant
Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Seed Oil
Rich in linoleic acid, it's an emollient and antioxidant.
Usually helps with
Soothing, moisturizing
Thickener/Emulsifier
Xanthan Gum
A polysaccharide used as a thickener and stabilizer.
Usually helps with
Texture
Preservative
Sodium Benzoate
A common preservative, but can be irritating for some, especially in high concentrations or when combined with acidic ingredients.
Usually helps with
Preservation
Watch for
Potential for irritation or allergic reactions in sensitive individuals.
Antioxidant/Soothing
Vitis Vinifera (Grape) Juice
Contains antioxidants from grapes, known for soothing properties.
Usually helps with
Antioxidant, soothing
Emollient/Skin-Conditioning
Glycine Soja (Soybean) Sterols
Derived from soybeans, these sterols help condition and soften the skin.
Usually helps with
Skin conditioning
Humectant/Solvent
Butylene Glycol
A humectant that also acts as a solvent for other ingredients.
Usually helps with
Hydration, formulation
Watch for
Can be a mild irritant for some.
Soothing/Anti-inflammatory
Chamomilla Recutita (Matricaria) Flower Extract
Known for its calming and anti-inflammatory properties, it helps soothe irritated skin.
Usually helps with
Soothing, calming
pH Adjuster
Sodium Hydroxide
Used to adjust the pH of the formulation to be skin-compatible.
Usually helps with
Formulation
Watch for
Can be irritating in high concentrations, but typically safe in small amounts for pH adjustment.
pH Adjuster/Exfoliant
Citric Acid
Used to adjust pH; at higher concentrations, it's an AHA exfoliant.
Usually helps with
pH adjustment
Watch for
Can cause irritation or sensitivity if used in high concentrations.
Soothing/Moisturizing
Sodium Carboxymethyl Beta-Glucan
A derivative of beta-glucan, known for its soothing and moisturizing benefits.
Usually helps with
Soothing, hydration
pH Adjuster
Sodium Citrate
A salt of citric acid used to adjust pH.
Usually helps with
pH adjustment
Chelating Agent
Sodium Phytate
A chelating agent that helps improve the stability of the product.
Usually helps with
Product stability
Preservative
Potassium Sorbate
A preservative that prevents the growth of mold and yeast.
Usually helps with
Preservation
Watch for
Can cause skin irritation or allergic reactions in sensitive individuals.
Humectant/Soothing
Biosaccharide Gum-1
A polysaccharide that provides hydration and a soothing effect.
Usually helps with
Hydration, soothing
Humectant
Sodium Hyaluronate
The salt form of hyaluronic acid, a powerful humectant that attracts and retains moisture.
Usually helps with
Hydration, plumping
Skin-Conditioning
Sodium Levulinate
A derivative of levulinic acid, it helps condition the skin.
Usually helps with
Skin conditioning
Emollient/Preservative Booster
Glyceryl Caprylate
A multi-functional ingredient that acts as an emollient and helps boost preservative systems.
Usually helps with
Skin conditioning, preservation
Antioxidant/Moisturizing
Homarine Hcl
A compound found in marine organisms, offering antioxidant and moisturizing benefits.
Usually helps with
Antioxidant, hydration
Skin-Conditioning
Sodium Anisate
A salt derived from anisic acid, used for its skin-conditioning properties.
Usually helps with
Skin conditioning
Solvent/Astringent
Alcohol
Can be drying and irritating for some skin types, especially in higher concentrations. Here it's likely used in a low concentration for formulation purposes.
Usually helps with
Solvent
Watch for
Potential for dryness and irritation, especially for sensitive or dry skin.
Soothing Peptide
Acetyl Tetrapeptide-15
A peptide designed to help soothe and reduce skin sensitivity.
Usually helps with
Soothing, calming
Fragrance
Parfum (Fragrance)
Adds scent to the product. Can be a common cause of irritation and allergic reactions for sensitive skin.
Watch for
Potential for irritation, redness, and allergic reactions, especially for sensitive skin.