The base for many skincare formulations.
Usually helps with
Hydration
Emollient
Cyclopentasiloxane
A silicone that provides a smooth, silky feel and helps with product spreadability. It can be occlusive.
Usually helps with
Smoothness
Watch for
Can be comedogenic for some
Emollient
Butyrospermum Parkii (Shea Butter)
A rich emollient known for its moisturizing and skin-conditioning properties.
Usually helps with
Dryness, barrier repair
Watch for
Can be heavy for very oily skin
Emollient
Cetearyl Alcohol
A fatty alcohol that moisturizes and softens the skin, and also acts as a thickener.
Usually helps with
Moisturizing
Emollient
Hydrogenated Polyisobutene
A synthetic emollient that gives a smooth feel and helps to prevent water loss.
Usually helps with
Softness
A humectant that draws moisture to the skin, and also acts as a solvent.
Usually helps with
Hydration
A powerful humectant that draws water into the skin, improving hydration.
Usually helps with
Hydration
A sugar that can help attract and retain moisture.
Usually helps with
Hydration
Emollient
Isostearyl Palmitate
An emollient that softens and smooths the skin.
Usually helps with
Softness
Emulsifier
Peg-100 Stearate
An emulsifier that helps to blend oil and water ingredients.
Usually helps with
Texture
Antioxidant
Camellia Sinensis (Green Tea) Leaf Extract
Rich in antioxidants, it helps protect the skin from environmental damage and can soothe irritation.
Usually helps with
Soothing, antioxidant protection
Antioxidant
Polygonum Cuspidatum Root Extract
A source of resveratrol, a potent antioxidant that helps fight free radicals.
Usually helps with
Antioxidant protection
Soothing
Hordeum Vulgare (Barley) Extract
Contains soothing and anti-inflammatory properties.
Usually helps with
Soothing
Soothing
Triticum Vulgare (Wheat) Germ Extract
Contains vitamins and minerals that can help nourish and soothe the skin.
Usually helps with
Nourishing, soothing
Emulsifier
Cetearyl Glucoside
A plant-derived emulsifier that helps create a stable emulsion.
Usually helps with
Texture
Antioxidant
Camellia Sinensis (Yellow Tea) Leaf Extract
Similar to green tea, it offers antioxidant benefits and can help soothe the skin.
Usually helps with
Soothing, antioxidant protection
Antioxidant
Aspalathus Linearis (Red Tea) Leaf Extract
Known for its antioxidant properties and ability to soothe the skin.
Usually helps with
Soothing, antioxidant protection
Soothing
Saccharomyces Lysate Extract
A yeast extract that can help soothe and condition the skin.
Usually helps with
Soothing
Soothing
Ascophyllum Nodosum Extract
An extract from brown algae known for its soothing and skin-conditioning properties.
Usually helps with
Soothing, conditioning
Soothing
Asparagopsis Armata Extract
Another algae extract with potential soothing and antioxidant benefits.
Usually helps with
Soothing
Antioxidant
Camellia Sinensis (White Tea) Leaf Extract
Offers potent antioxidant protection and can help calm the skin.
Usually helps with
Soothing, antioxidant protection
Can help soothe and condition the skin, and may support skin repair.
Usually helps with
Soothing, conditioning
Known for its hydrating, soothing, and skin-conditioning properties.
Usually helps with
Hydration, soothing
Can help reduce puffiness and has antioxidant properties. May also temporarily constrict blood vessels, which could reduce redness.
Usually helps with
Soothing, reducing puffiness
Watch for
Can be irritating for some
Probiotic
Lactobacillus Ferment
A probiotic that helps balance the skin's microbiome, strengthening the barrier and calming irritation.
Usually helps with
Barrier support, calming
Surfactant
Sodium Lauroyl Oat Amino Acids
A gentle cleansing agent derived from oats, known for its mildness.
Usually helps with
Gentle cleansing
Emulsifier
Hydrogenated Lecithin
A modified form of lecithin that acts as an emulsifier and skin-conditioning agent.
Usually helps with
Emulsifying, conditioning
A wax used to thicken formulations and provide texture.
Usually helps with
Texture
Emulsifier
Glyceryl Stearate
An emulsifier and emollient that helps stabilize the formula and soften the skin.
Usually helps with
Texture, softening
A beta-hydroxy acid (BHA) that exfoliates inside pores. While beneficial for acne, it can be drying and irritating for sensitive or redness-prone skin if overused.
Usually helps with
Pore cleansing, exfoliation
Watch for
Can cause dryness or irritation, especially for sensitive skin
A sugar alcohol that acts as a humectant, drawing moisture to the skin.
Usually helps with
Hydration
Emulsifier
Methyl Glucose Sesquistearate
An emulsifier derived from glucose and stearic acid, used to create stable emulsions.
Usually helps with
Texture
A lipid that helps strengthen the skin barrier and improve moisture retention.
Usually helps with
Barrier repair, moisturizing
An essential fatty acid that is a component of the skin barrier, helping to maintain its integrity and reduce inflammation.
Usually helps with
Barrier repair, anti-inflammatory
Antioxidant
Acetyl Carnitine Hcl
An amino acid derivative with antioxidant properties that may help protect skin cells.
Usually helps with
Antioxidant protection
An amino acid that helps with skin hydration and repair.
Usually helps with
Hydration, repair
A prebiotic fiber that can help hydrate and condition the skin.
Usually helps with
Hydration, conditioning
Used to adjust the pH of the product.
Usually helps with
Formulation stability
Antioxidant
Decarboxy Carnosine Hcl
A synthetic peptide with antioxidant properties that may help protect against environmental damage.
Usually helps with
Antioxidant protection
Skin-Conditioning Agent
Phytosphingosine
A lipid that is naturally found in the skin and helps to support the skin barrier and reduce inflammation.
Usually helps with
Barrier repair, anti-inflammatory
A fatty alcohol that acts as an emollient, thickener, and emulsifier.
Usually helps with
Moisturizing, texture
Antioxidant
Tocopheryl Acetate
A form of Vitamin E that acts as an antioxidant, protecting the skin from free radical damage.
Usually helps with
Antioxidant protection
Derived from chamomile, it has anti-inflammatory and soothing properties, making it excellent for calming irritated skin.
Usually helps with
Soothing, anti-inflammatory
A stable, hydrogenated form of squalene, it mimics the skin's natural oils to moisturize and soften without feeling greasy.
Usually helps with
Moisturizing, softening
Film Former
Hdi/Trimethylol Hexyllactone Crosspolymer
A polymer that forms a film on the skin, providing a smooth feel and improving texture.
Usually helps with
Texture, smoothness
A fatty alcohol that acts as an emollient and thickener, providing a smooth feel.
Usually helps with
Moisturizing, texture
A thickening agent used to create gel-like consistencies.
Usually helps with
Texture
A mineral used to absorb excess oil and improve texture.
Usually helps with
Mattifying, texture
Chelating Agent
Disodium Edta
A chelating agent that helps improve product stability by binding to metal ions.
Usually helps with
Product stability
Preservative
Potassium Sorbate
A common preservative used to prevent microbial growth.
Usually helps with
Preservation
Preservative
Phenoxyethanol
A widely used preservative that helps prevent bacterial contamination.
Usually helps with
Preservation
Watch for
Can be irritating for some sensitive skin types
Colorant
Blue 1 (Ci 42090)
A synthetic colorant.
Colorant
Yellow 5 (Ci 19140)
A synthetic colorant.
Colorant
Chromium Hydroxide Green (Ci 77289)
A mineral-derived colorant.
Colorant
Titanium Dioxide (Ci 77891)
A mineral pigment used as a colorant and opacifier.
A mineral pigment that can add shimmer and color.
Usually helps with
Color, shimmer