The base liquid for the formulation.
Usually helps with
All skin types
A common and effective humectant that draws moisture to the skin.
Usually helps with
Dryness, hydration
Surfactant
Sodium Cocoyl Glycinate
A mild, amino acid-based surfactant that creates foam and cleanses the skin.
Usually helps with
Gentle cleansing
Watch for
Can be slightly drying for very dry skin if not balanced
Surfactant
Disodium Cocoyl Glutamate
A mild, anionic surfactant derived from coconut oil and glutamic acid, used for cleansing.
Usually helps with
Gentle cleansing
Used to adjust the pH of the formula, can also offer mild exfoliation at higher concentrations.
Usually helps with
pH balance
Watch for
Can be irritating if pH is too low
Surfactant
Decyl Glucoside
A non-ionic surfactant derived from glucose and fatty alcohols, known for its mildness.
Usually helps with
Gentle cleansing
Emulsifier
Glyceryl Stearate Se
An emulsifier that helps to blend oil and water components, also has emollient properties.
Usually helps with
Emulsification, skin conditioning
Surfactant
Sodium Cocoyl Glutamate
Another mild surfactant derived from glutamic acid, contributing to the cleansing action.
Usually helps with
Gentle cleansing
Preservative
Sodium Benzoate
A common preservative that prevents microbial growth.
Usually helps with
Preservation
Watch for
Can be a trigger for sensitive skin or those with salicylate sensitivity
Emollient/Opacifier
Glycol Distearate
Provides a pearlescent effect and contributes to the product's texture and emollient properties.
Usually helps with
Texture, skin softening
Humectant/Preservative Booster
Pentylene Glycol
A multi-functional ingredient that hydrates and can enhance the efficacy of preservatives.
Usually helps with
Hydration, preservation
Thickener
Cetyl Hydroxyethylcellulose
A cellulose derivative used to thicken the product.
Usually helps with
Texture
Skin Conditioning Agent
Hydrolyzed Cottonseed Protein
A protein derivative that can help condition and soften the skin.
Usually helps with
Skin conditioning
A natural sugar that can help attract and retain moisture.
Usually helps with
Hydration
pH Adjuster
Sodium Hydroxide
Used to adjust the pH of the formula.
Usually helps with
pH balance
Watch for
Can be irritating in high concentrations
A humectant that also has mild exfoliating properties at higher concentrations.
Usually helps with
Hydration, gentle exfoliation
Watch for
Can be irritating for some, especially at higher percentages
Fragrance
Parfum (Fragrance)
Adds scent to the product. Fragrance compounds can be a common source of irritation or allergic reactions for sensitive skin.
Watch for
Potential for irritation, redness, or allergic reactions
Skin Conditioning Agent
Opuntia Ficus-Indica Stem Extract
Known for its hydrating and soothing properties, derived from prickly pear cactus.
Usually helps with
Hydration, soothing
Chelating Agent
Tetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate
Helps to improve the stability and performance of the product by binding to metal ions.
Usually helps with
Product stability
Skin Soothing Agent
Allantoin
Known for its soothing, anti-inflammatory, and skin-conditioning properties.
Usually helps with
Soothing, calming
A sugar that can help attract and retain moisture.
Usually helps with
Hydration
Viscosity Adjuster
Sodium Chloride
Common salt, used here to adjust the thickness of the product.
Usually helps with
Texture
The sodium salt of lactic acid, it's a humectant and part of the skin's natural moisturizing factor (NMF).
Usually helps with
Hydration
A component of the skin's natural moisturizing factor (NMF), it helps to bind moisture to the skin.
Usually helps with
Hydration
A sugar known for its ability to protect cells from dehydration and environmental stress.
Usually helps with
Hydration, protection
Humectant
Sodium Hyaluronate
The salt form of hyaluronic acid, a powerful humectant that attracts and holds water in the skin.
Usually helps with
Hydration, plumping
Preservative
Phenoxyethanol
A widely used preservative that helps prevent bacterial contamination.
Usually helps with
Preservation
Watch for
Can be irritating for some sensitive individuals
Soothing Agent
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice Powder
Derived from aloe vera, known for its soothing and hydrating properties.
Usually helps with
Soothing, hydration
Emollient
Butyrospermum Parkii (Shea) Butter
A rich emollient derived from the shea tree nut, known for its moisturizing and skin-conditioning properties.
Usually helps with
Moisturizing, softening
Watch for
Can be comedogenic for acne-prone skin
Antioxidant
Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate
A stable derivative of Vitamin C that acts as an antioxidant and can help brighten the skin.
Usually helps with
Antioxidant protection, brightening
Watch for
Generally well-tolerated, but effectiveness varies
Antioxidant
Tocopheryl Acetate
A form of Vitamin E, an antioxidant that helps protect the skin from free radical damage.
Usually helps with
Antioxidant protection
Emollient
Camellia Oleifera (Camellia) Seed Oil
A lightweight, non-greasy oil rich in antioxidants and fatty acids, known for its moisturizing properties.
Usually helps with
Moisturizing, antioxidant
Emollient
Rosa Canina Fruit Oil
Rich in fatty acids and antioxidants, known for its regenerative and moisturizing properties.
Usually helps with
Moisturizing, skin repair
Emollient
Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Seed Oil
A rich source of linoleic acid, known for its emollient and skin-conditioning properties.
Usually helps with
Moisturizing, barrier support
Chelating Agent
Disodium EDTA
Improves the stability and effectiveness of the product by binding to metal ions.
Usually helps with
Product stability
Preservative
Potassium Sorbate
A preservative used to inhibit the growth of mold, yeast, and bacteria.
Usually helps with
Preservation
pH Adjuster
Disodium Phosphate
Used to adjust the pH of the formulation.
Usually helps with
pH balance
Abrasive/Absorbent
Hydrated Silica
Can be used as a mild abrasive for exfoliation or as an absorbent. In a cleanser, it might contribute to texture or mild physical exfoliation.
Usually helps with
Texture, mild exfoliation
Watch for
Can be too abrasive for very sensitive skin
A simple sugar that can help attract and retain moisture.
Usually helps with
Hydration
Thickener/Absorbent
Silica Dimethyl Silylate
Used to thicken the formula and can absorb excess oil.
Usually helps with
Texture, oil absorption
pH Adjuster
Sodium Phosphate
Used to adjust the pH of the formulation.
Usually helps with
pH balance
Skin Conditioning Agent
Plumeria Rubra Flower Extract
A botanical extract known for its potential skin-conditioning properties.
Usually helps with
Skin conditioning
Vitamin E, a potent antioxidant that protects skin from free radical damage.
Usually helps with
Antioxidant protection
Fragrance Ingredient
Hexyl Cinnamal
A common fragrance ingredient that can cause allergic reactions in sensitive individuals.
Watch for
Potential for skin irritation and allergic reactions
Fragrance Ingredient/Solvent
Benzyl Benzoate
A common fragrance component and solvent that can be a skin irritant for some.
Usually helps with
Scent, solvent
Watch for
Potential for skin irritation and allergic reactions