The base of most skincare formulations, providing hydration.
Usually helps with
All skin types
A common and effective humectant that draws moisture to the skin.
Usually helps with
All skin types
Mimics skin's natural oils to hydrate and soften without feeling heavy.
Usually helps with
All skin types, especially dry or dehydrated
Emollient
Ethylhexyl Palmitate
An emollient that can feel a bit heavy for some, but provides good slip and moisturization.
Usually helps with
Dry to normal skin
Watch for
Can be comedogenic for acne-prone skin
A lightweight, non-greasy emollient that improves texture and spreadability.
Usually helps with
All skin types
Emulsifier/Emollient
Glyceryl Stearate
Helps to mix oil and water, and also softens the skin.
Usually helps with
All skin types
Emollient
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
A skin-replenishing ingredient derived from coconut oil and glycerin, it's a great emollient.
Usually helps with
All skin types
Emollient/Emulsifier
Cetyl Alcohol
A fatty alcohol that moisturizes and thickens formulas. Despite the name, it's not drying.
Usually helps with
All skin types
Humectant/Soothing
Honey Extract/Mel Extract/Extrait De Miel
Contains antioxidants and has humectant properties to draw moisture to the skin. Also known for its soothing benefits.
Usually helps with
All skin types, especially dry or irritated
A natural compound that helps protect skin cells from environmental stressors and dehydration, supporting barrier function.
Usually helps with
All skin types, especially stressed or dehydrated
Humectant
Sodium Polyglutamate
A powerful humectant that can hold more water than hyaluronic acid, providing intense hydration.
Usually helps with
All skin types, especially dehydrated
Humectant
Sodium Hyaluronate
The salt form of hyaluronic acid, it penetrates the skin to deliver moisture.
Usually helps with
All skin types, especially dehydrated
Soothing
Calendula Officinalis Extract
Known for its anti-inflammatory and wound-healing properties, it helps to calm irritated skin.
Usually helps with
Sensitive, irritated, or dry skin
Soothing
Anthemis Nobilis Flower Extract
Chamomile extract, known for its calming and anti-inflammatory properties.
Usually helps with
Sensitive or irritated skin
Humectant/Soothing
Panthenol
Also known as Vitamin B5, it's a humectant that hydrates and soothes the skin.
Usually helps with
All skin types, especially dry or sensitive
A skin-conditioning agent that helps to soothe, protect, and moisturize.
Usually helps with
All skin types, especially sensitive or irritated
Emollient
Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Seed Oil
Rich in linoleic acid, it's a good emollient that helps support the skin barrier.
Usually helps with
All skin types
A form of Vitamin E, it's an antioxidant that helps protect skin from environmental damage.
Usually helps with
All skin types
Watch for
Can be irritating for some very sensitive skin types
Emollient/Skin-Replenishing
Glycosphingolipids
Lipids that are naturally found in the skin's outer layer, helping to maintain the barrier function and hydration.
Usually helps with
Dry, mature, or compromised skin
Preservative/Skin-Conditioning
Leuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate
A natural preservative alternative that also has skin-conditioning benefits.
Usually helps with
All skin types
Skin-Replenishing
Ceramide NP
A key component of the skin barrier, it helps to restore and maintain moisture levels.
Usually helps with
Dry, compromised, or aging skin
Antioxidant/Preservative Booster
Hydroxyacetophenone
A synthetic antioxidant that also helps to boost the efficacy of preservatives.
Usually helps with
All skin types
Humectant/Solvent
Propanediol
A humectant that helps to hydrate the skin and improve the texture of formulations.
Usually helps with
All skin types
Emollient
Hydrogenated Palm Glycerides
An emollient that helps to soften and smooth the skin.
Usually helps with
All skin types
Emollient
Hydrogenated Rapeseed Oil
A plant-derived emollient that softens and conditions the skin.
Usually helps with
All skin types
Emollient/Emulsifier
Palmitic Acid
A fatty acid that can help to moisturize and improve skin texture.
Usually helps with
Dry skin
Watch for
Can be comedogenic for acne-prone skin
An emollient derived from oleic acid, it helps to soften and smooth the skin.
Usually helps with
Dry skin
Humectant/Preservative Booster
1,2-Hexanediol
A humectant that also helps to preserve the product.
Usually helps with
All skin types
Humectant/Emollient
Caprylyl Glycol
A humectant that also has emollient properties, it helps to improve skin texture and hydration.
Usually helps with
All skin types
Emollient
Glyceryl Dioleate
An emollient that helps to soften and moisturize the skin.
Usually helps with
Dry skin
Emulsifier
Polyglyceryl-3 Methylglucose Distearate
A plant-derived emulsifier that helps to create a stable cream texture.
Usually helps with
All skin types
Emulsifier
Potassium Cetyl Phosphate
An emulsifier that helps to create a smooth and stable cream.
Usually helps with
All skin types
Thickener
Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
A synthetic polymer used to thicken formulations and improve texture.
Usually helps with
All skin types
Emollient/Emulsifier
Stearic Acid
A fatty acid that can help to soften and smooth the skin, and also aids in emulsification.
Usually helps with
Dry skin
Watch for
Can be comedogenic for acne-prone skin
Chelating Agent
Sodium Phytate
A plant-derived ingredient that helps to stabilize the formula by binding to metal ions.
Usually helps with
All skin types
pH Adjuster
Potassium Hydroxide
Used to adjust the pH of the formulation. In small amounts, it's safe.
Usually helps with
All skin types
Watch for
Can be irritating in high concentrations
Preservative
Sodium Benzoate
A common preservative that prevents microbial growth.
Usually helps with
All skin types
Watch for
Can be irritating for some sensitive skin types, especially when combined with acidic ingredients