The primary base for most skincare formulations.
Usually helps with
Hydration
A silicone that provides a smooth, silky feel and helps to create a protective barrier on the skin.
Usually helps with
Smoothing, barrier support
Watch for
Can feel heavy on very oily skin
A powerful humectant that draws moisture from the air into the skin, keeping it hydrated.
Usually helps with
Hydration
An emollient that helps to soften and smooth the skin, providing a non-greasy feel.
Usually helps with
Smoothing, emollience
A humectant that helps to draw moisture into the skin and also acts as a solvent.
Usually helps with
Hydration, solvent
Emulsifier
Bis-PEG-18 Methyl Ether Dimethyl Silane
A silicone-based emulsifier that helps to blend oil and water ingredients, contributing to a smooth texture.
Usually helps with
Texture enhancement
Emulsifier
PEG-10 Dimethicone
A silicone-based emulsifier that improves texture and spreadability.
Usually helps with
Texture enhancement
Viscosity Controller
Disteardimonium Hectorite
A clay derivative used to thicken formulations and improve texture.
Usually helps with
Texture enhancement
Antioxidant
Moringa Oleifera Seed Extract
Rich in antioxidants, it helps protect skin from environmental stressors and pollution.
Usually helps with
Antioxidant protection, soothing
Botanical Extract
Hibiscus Sinensis Flower Extract
A botanical extract that may help to boost skin's natural collagen production, contributing to firmness.
Usually helps with
Firming, antioxidant
Humectant
Sodium Hyaluronate
A salt form of hyaluronic acid that effectively draws moisture into the skin, providing hydration and plumping.
Usually helps with
Hydration, plumping
Peptide
Acetyl Hexapeptide-8
A peptide known for its 'botox-like' effect, helping to relax facial muscles and reduce the appearance of expression lines.
Usually helps with
Reducing fine lines and wrinkles
Watch for
Results are subtle and cumulative
Antioxidant
Laminaria Digitata Extract
A type of seaweed extract rich in minerals and antioxidants, known for its skin-conditioning properties.
Usually helps with
Skin conditioning, antioxidant
Skin Conditioning Agent
Whey Protein/Lactis Protein/Proteine Du Petit-Lait
Derived from milk, it contains amino acids and proteins that can help condition and support the skin.
Usually helps with
Skin conditioning
Watch for
Potential allergen for those with dairy sensitivities
Botanical Extract
Opuntia Tuna Extract
Derived from prickly pear cactus, it is rich in antioxidants and known for its hydrating and soothing properties.
Usually helps with
Hydration, soothing, antioxidant
Exfoliant
Acetyl Glucosamine
A derivative of glucose that can help to gently exfoliate the skin and improve skin tone and texture.
Usually helps with
Improving skin tone, gentle exfoliation
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
Botanical Extract
Narcissus Tazetta Bulb Extract
An extract from the daffodil bulb, believed to help revitalize and energize the skin.
Usually helps with
Skin revitalization
A stable, hydrogenated form of squalene, it mimics the skin's natural oils to provide excellent hydration and improve suppleness.
Usually helps with
Hydration, emollience
Skin Conditioning Agent
Algae Extract
Rich in minerals and vitamins, it can help to hydrate, soothe, and condition the skin.
Usually helps with
Hydration, soothing
Skin Conditioning Agent
Hypnea Musciformis (Algae) Extract
A type of red algae extract known for its moisturizing and skin-conditioning properties.
Usually helps with
Moisturizing, skin conditioning
Botanical Extract
Pyrus Malus (Apple) Fruit Extract
Contains natural fruit acids and antioxidants that can help to brighten and protect the skin.
Usually helps with
Brightening, antioxidant
Soothing Agent
Cucumis Sativus (Cucumber) Fruit Extract
Known for its cooling and soothing properties, it can help to calm irritated skin.
Usually helps with
Soothing, calming
Botanical Extract
Lens Esculenta (Lentil) Fruit Extract
Contains antioxidants and nutrients that can help to support skin health.
Usually helps with
Skin health support
Humectant
Citrullus Lanatus (Watermelon) Fruit Extract
Rich in water and antioxidants, it provides hydration and helps to protect the skin.
Usually helps with
Hydration, antioxidant
Antioxidant
Silybum Marianum (Lady's Thistle) Extract
A potent antioxidant that helps to protect the skin from environmental damage.
Usually helps with
Antioxidant protection
Skin Conditioning Agent
Gelidiella Acerosa Extract
A type of red algae extract that can help to moisturize and condition the skin.
Usually helps with
Moisturizing, skin conditioning
Emollient
Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Seed Extract
Rich in linoleic acid, it helps to strengthen the skin barrier and retain moisture.
Usually helps with
Barrier support, hydration
Can help to temporarily reduce puffiness and redness, and has antioxidant properties.
Usually helps with
Reducing puffiness, antioxidant
Watch for
Effects can be temporary
Skin Conditioning Agent
Hordeum Vulgare (Barley) Extract/Extrait D'Orge
Contains antioxidants and nutrients that can help to soothe and condition the skin.
Usually helps with
Soothing, skin conditioning
A salt of lactic acid that acts as a humectant, helping to attract and retain moisture.
Usually helps with
Hydration
Antioxidant
Triticum Vulgare (Wheat) Germ Extract
Rich in Vitamin E and antioxidants, it helps to nourish and protect the skin.
Usually helps with
Nourishing, antioxidant
A sugar alcohol that acts as a humectant, drawing moisture to the skin.
Usually helps with
Hydration
Emollient
Propylene Glycol Dicaprate
A lightweight emollient that helps to soften and smooth the skin.
Usually helps with
Smoothing, emollience
A sugar that can act as a humectant, attracting moisture to the skin.
Usually helps with
Hydration
A component of the skin's natural moisturizing factor, it helps to bind moisture to the skin.
Usually helps with
Hydration
Antioxidant
Aminopropyl Ascorbyl Phosphate
A stable derivative of Vitamin C that provides antioxidant benefits and can help to brighten the skin.
Usually helps with
Brightening, antioxidant
Watch for
Less potent than L-Ascorbic Acid
Humectant
Pentylene Glycol
A humectant that helps to improve skin hydration and also acts as a preservative booster.
Usually helps with
Hydration
A humectant that helps to improve skin hydration and also acts as a preservative.
Usually helps with
Hydration, preservation
Solvent
Propylene Carbonate
A solvent used to dissolve other ingredients in the formulation.
Usually helps with
Solvent
Viscosity Controller
Polyethylene
A plastic polymer used to thicken formulations. Can be a microplastic.
Usually helps with
Texture enhancement
Watch for
Environmental concerns regarding microplastics
A silicone elastomer that provides a smooth, velvety feel and can help to mattify the skin.
Usually helps with
Smoothing, mattifying
A polyethylene glycol that acts as a humectant and solvent.
Usually helps with
Hydration, solvent
A polyethylene glycol that acts as a humectant and solvent.
Usually helps with
Hydration, solvent
Chelating Agent
Disodium EDTA
Helps to improve the stability and efficacy of the formulation by binding to metal ions.
Usually helps with
Formulation stability
An emulsifier that helps to blend oil and water ingredients.
Usually helps with
Emulsification
A lightweight, non-greasy emollient that helps to improve spreadability.
Usually helps with
Emollience, spreadability
Used to adjust the pH of the formulation, it also has mild exfoliating properties.
Usually helps with
pH adjustment, mild exfoliation
Fragrance
Fragrance (Parfum)
Adds scent to the product. Can be a common cause of skin irritation and allergic reactions.
Watch for
Potential for irritation and sensitivity
A synthetic antioxidant used to prevent oxidation. Some concerns exist regarding its safety.
Usually helps with
Preservation
Watch for
Potential for irritation in sensitive individuals
pH Adjuster
Sodium Citrate
Used to adjust the pH of the formulation.
Usually helps with
pH adjustment
Preservative
Potassium Sorbate
A common preservative used to prevent the growth of mold and yeast.
Usually helps with
Preservation
Watch for
Can cause skin irritation in some individuals
Preservative
Sodium Dehydroacetate
A broad-spectrum preservative used to prevent microbial contamination.
Usually helps with
Preservation
Watch for
Can cause irritation in sensitive individuals
Preservative
Sodium Benzoate
A common preservative that inhibits the growth of bacteria, yeast, and mold.
Usually helps with
Preservation
Watch for
Can cause irritation in sensitive individuals
Preservative
Phenoxyethanol
A widely used preservative that prevents the growth of bacteria.
Usually helps with
Preservation
Watch for
Can cause irritation in sensitive individuals
Colorant
Iron Oxides (CI 77491)
Mineral pigments used to provide color to the product.
Usually helps with
Coloring