The primary ingredient in most skincare formulations, acting as a base for other ingredients.
Usually helps with
Hydration
A humectant that draws moisture to the skin, keeping it hydrated and soft.
Usually helps with
Dryness, hydration
Surfactant
Cocamidopropyl Hydroxysultaine
A mild surfactant that helps to cleanse the skin by lifting dirt and oil.
Usually helps with
Cleansing
Watch for
Can cause irritation in some sensitive individuals.
Surfactant
Sodium Cocoyl Isethionate
A gentle surfactant derived from coconut oil, known for its mild cleansing properties and creamy lather.
Usually helps with
Gentle cleansing
Viscosity-controlling agent
Magnesium Aluminum Silicate
A mineral-derived ingredient used to thicken formulations and improve texture.
Usually helps with
Texture
Emulsifier
Polyglyceryl-3 Methylglucose Distearate
An emulsifier that helps to blend oil and water components in a formula.
Usually helps with
Formula stability
Surfactant
Sodium Methyl Cocoyl Taurate
A mild anionic surfactant known for its good foaming properties and gentle cleansing action.
Usually helps with
Cleansing, foaming
Emollient
Avena Sativa (Oat) Kernel Oil
An emollient derived from oats, known for its soothing and moisturizing properties.
Usually helps with
Soothing, moisturizing
Emulsifier
PCA Glyceryl Oleate
An emulsifier that helps to stabilize the formula and can have conditioning properties.
Usually helps with
Formula stability, conditioning
Humectant
Saccharide Isomerate
A plant-derived humectant that provides long-lasting hydration by binding to moisture in the skin.
Usually helps with
Hydration
Emollient
Butyrospermum Parkii (Shea) Butter
A rich emollient known for its moisturizing and skin-conditioning benefits.
Usually helps with
Dryness, softening
Watch for
Can be comedogenic for some acne-prone individuals.
Emollient
Cetearyl Alcohol
A fatty alcohol that acts as an emollient and emulsifier, helping to soften and smooth the skin.
Usually helps with
Softening, moisturizing
Emulsifier
Glyceryl Stearate
An emulsifier and emollient that helps to stabilize the formula and condition the skin.
Usually helps with
Emulsifying, conditioning
Emollient
Moringa Oleifera Seed Oil
A plant oil rich in antioxidants, known for its cleansing and hydrating properties.
Usually helps with
Cleansing, hydration, antioxidants
Soothing agent
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice
Known for its soothing, hydrating, and anti-inflammatory properties.
Usually helps with
Soothing, hydration, calming
An essential fatty acid that helps to maintain the skin's barrier function and hydration.
Usually helps with
Skin barrier, hydration
Antioxidant
Pyrus Malus (Apple) Fruit Extract
Contains antioxidants and can offer mild exfoliating properties.
Usually helps with
Antioxidants, mild exfoliation
A very mild, plant-derived surfactant that creates a gentle lather.
Usually helps with
Gentle cleansing
An emollient that helps to condition and soften the skin.
Usually helps with
Conditioning, softening
Viscosity-controlling agent
Sodium Chloride
Used to adjust the thickness of the product.
Usually helps with
Texture
Derived from coconut oil, it contributes to the cleansing and foaming properties.
Usually helps with
Cleansing
Watch for
Can be drying for some skin types.
Thickener
Sodium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate
A synthetic polymer used to thicken cosmetic formulations.
Usually helps with
Texture
Antioxidant
Hydroxyacetophenone
A synthetic antioxidant that helps to protect the formula from degradation.
Usually helps with
Formula preservation
A solvent and humectant that helps to improve skin hydration.
Usually helps with
Hydration, preservation
A humectant that also has preservative properties.
Usually helps with
Hydration, preservation
Surfactant
Sodium Isethionate
A mild surfactant that creates a creamy lather and cleanses gently.
Usually helps with
Gentle cleansing
A fatty acid that acts as an emollient, helping to soften and smooth the skin.
Usually helps with
Softening, smoothing
An essential fatty acid that helps to maintain the skin's barrier function.
Usually helps with
Skin barrier
pH adjuster
Sodium Citrate
A salt of citric acid used to adjust the pH of the product.
Usually helps with
pH balance
A fatty acid that acts as an emulsifier and emollient, helping to soften and smooth the skin.
Usually helps with
Emulsifying, softening
A form of Vitamin E, known for its antioxidant properties.
Usually helps with
Antioxidant protection
Surfactant
Sodium Methyltaurate
A mild surfactant that contributes to the cleansing action.
Usually helps with
Cleansing
A fatty acid that acts as an emollient, helping to soften and smooth the skin.
Usually helps with
Softening, smoothing
A mineral that can be used as a gentle physical exfoliant, though its presence in a creamy cleanser might be for texture.
Usually helps with
Gentle exfoliation
Watch for
Can be too abrasive for sensitive skin if not finely milled.
A polysaccharide used as a thickening agent and stabilizer.
Usually helps with
Texture
Emulsifier
Hydrogenated Palm Glycerides Citrate
An emulsifier that helps to blend oil and water components.
Usually helps with
Formula stability
Preservative
Potassium Sorbate
A common preservative used to prevent microbial growth.
Usually helps with
Preservation
Preservative
Sodium Benzoate
A common preservative used to prevent microbial growth.
Usually helps with
Preservation
Watch for
Can degrade in acidic conditions.
Used to adjust the pH of the product and can have mild exfoliating properties.
Usually helps with
pH balance, mild exfoliation