The base for most skincare formulations.
Usually helps with
Hydration
Draws moisture into the skin, keeping it hydrated and plump.
Usually helps with
Dryness, hydration
Emollient
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
A lightweight, non-greasy emollient derived from coconut oil and glycerin that helps to replenish skin.
Usually helps with
Dryness, softening skin
A stable, plant-derived lipid that mimics skin's natural sebum, providing excellent moisturization and improving suppleness.
Usually helps with
Dryness, barrier support, softening skin
Emollient
Dodecane/Coconut Alkanes
Lightweight, non-greasy emollients that provide a smooth feel and help with product spreadability.
Usually helps with
Emollience, texture
Emollient
Meadowfoam Estolide
A plant-derived ester that provides long-lasting moisturization and helps to improve skin texture.
Usually helps with
Dryness, softening skin
Emulsifier
Glyceryl Stearate
An emulsifier that helps to blend oil and water components in a formula, also providing emollient properties.
Usually helps with
Emollience, texture
Emulsifier
PEG-100 Stearate
A common emulsifier used to create stable oil-in-water formulations. While generally safe, some prefer to avoid PEGs.
Usually helps with
Texture, emulsification
Watch for
Potential for skin irritation in sensitive individuals
Emollient
Cetearyl Alcohol
A fatty alcohol that acts as an emollient, thickener, and emulsifier, helping to soften and smooth the skin.
Usually helps with
Emollience, texture
Emollient
C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate
An emollient that provides a smooth, non-greasy feel and helps to improve product spreadability.
Usually helps with
Emollience, texture
Emollient
Phytosteryl Macadamiate
A plant-derived ester that helps to condition and soften the skin, mimicking natural lipids.
Usually helps with
Dryness, softening skin
Emollient
Coco-Caprylate/Caprate
A lightweight, naturally derived emollient that provides a silky feel and improves skin hydration.
Usually helps with
Dryness, emollience
A synthetic emollient that provides a smooth, non-greasy feel and helps to improve skin's barrier function.
Usually helps with
Dryness, barrier support
A humectant and emollient that also acts as a preservative booster, improving skin hydration.
Usually helps with
Hydration, emollience
A solvent and humectant that helps to improve the absorption of other ingredients and provides hydration.
Usually helps with
Hydration, ingredient delivery
An essential fatty acid that helps to support the skin barrier and improve hydration.
Usually helps with
Barrier support, dryness
Plant-derived sterols that help to condition and soothe the skin, supporting barrier function.
Usually helps with
Soothing, barrier support
Key components of the skin barrier that help to retain moisture and improve skin texture.
Usually helps with
Barrier support, hydration
Thickener
Sodium Polyacrylate
A thickening agent that helps to give the product its desired consistency.
Usually helps with
Texture
A plant-derived emollient that helps to condition and soften the skin, providing a smooth feel.
Usually helps with
Emollience, softening skin
A component of the skin's natural moisturizing factor (NMF), it helps to attract and retain moisture.
Usually helps with
Hydration
A powerful humectant that also has exfoliating properties. At higher concentrations, it can be beneficial, but lower concentrations aid hydration.
Usually helps with
Hydration, exfoliation (at higher concentrations)
Watch for
Potential for irritation if skin is sensitive or barrier is compromised
Preservative
Phenoxyethanol
A common preservative used to prevent microbial growth in cosmetic products. It's generally considered safe but can be an irritant for some.
Usually helps with
Preservation
Watch for
Potential for skin irritation or allergic reactions
A lightweight, non-greasy emollient that provides a smooth feel and improves spreadability.
Usually helps with
Emollience, texture
Skin Conditioning Agent
Dipalmitoyl Hydroxyproline
A peptide derivative that helps to improve skin firmness and reduce the appearance of wrinkles.
Usually helps with
Firming, anti-aging
Emollient
Dilinoleic Acid/Butanediol Copolymer
A polymer that provides emollient properties and helps to improve skin texture.
Usually helps with
Emollience, texture
Skin Conditioning Agent
Hydroxyproline Palmitamide
A derivative of hydroxyproline that helps to improve skin firmness and elasticity.
Usually helps with
Firming, anti-aging
Thickener
Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
A copolymer used as a thickening agent and emulsion stabilizer, providing a pleasant skin feel.
Usually helps with
Texture, stability
A non-greasy emollient that provides a smooth feel and helps to improve product spreadability.
Usually helps with
Emollience, texture
A sugar that helps to protect skin cells and retain moisture, providing hydration.
Usually helps with
Hydration, protection
Skin Conditioning Agent
Ceramide NG
A type of ceramide that helps to restore and maintain the skin's natural barrier function, crucial for preventing moisture loss.
Usually helps with
Barrier support, dryness
A solvent and viscosity-decreasing agent that can also act as a humectant.
Usually helps with
Texture, hydration
Emulsifier
PEG-10 Phytosterol
An emulsifier derived from plant sterols. While beneficial, some prefer to avoid PEGs.
Usually helps with
Emulsification, skin conditioning
Watch for
Potential for skin irritation in sensitive individuals
Chelating Agent
Sodium Phytate
A chelating agent that helps to improve the stability of the formula by binding to metal ions.
Usually helps with
Stability
An emulsifier used to blend oil and water. While generally safe, it can be derived from ethoxylated ingredients.
Usually helps with
Texture, emulsification
Watch for
Potential for skin irritation in sensitive individuals
Humectant
Polyquaternium-51
A conditioning agent that forms a moisturizing film on the skin, helping to retain hydration.
Usually helps with
Hydration, skin conditioning
A fatty acid that acts as an emollient, helping to soften and smooth the skin.
Usually helps with
Emollience, softening skin
A solvent and plasticizer that can also act as a humectant.
Usually helps with
Texture, hydration
Emulsifier
Sodium Isostearate
An emulsifier that helps to create stable formulations.
Usually helps with
Texture, stability
Film Former
Castor Oil/IPDI Copolymer
A copolymer that can form a film on the skin, providing a smooth feel and potentially enhancing ingredient delivery.
Usually helps with
Texture, film-forming
An Alpha Hydroxy Acid (AHA) that exfoliates the skin, promoting cell turnover and improving texture. Can be beneficial but may cause sensitivity.
Usually helps with
Exfoliation, brightening, hydration
Watch for
Sun sensitivity, potential irritation if overused or skin is sensitive
Humectant
Sodium Hyaluronate
The salt form of hyaluronic acid, a powerful humectant that attracts and retains moisture, plumping the skin.
Usually helps with
Hydration, plumping
Peptide
Palmitoyl Hexapeptide-12
A peptide that supports skin firmness and elasticity, helping to reduce the appearance of wrinkles and improve skin texture.
Usually helps with
Firming, anti-aging, texture improvement
A form of Vitamin E, an antioxidant that helps to protect the skin from environmental damage and provides moisturizing benefits.
Usually helps with
Antioxidant protection, moisturizing
