The base of the formulation, dissolving other ingredients.
Usually helps with
All skin types
Draws moisture to the skin, helping to keep it hydrated and soft.
Usually helps with
Dryness, dullness, normal skin
Surfactant
Sodium Cocoyl Glycinate
A gentle amino acid-based surfactant that creates a creamy lather and cleanses without stripping.
Usually helps with
Normal, dry, combination skin
Watch for
Can be slightly drying for very sensitive skin if overused.
Viscosity Controlling Agent
Sodium Chloride
Used to thicken the product's texture.
Usually helps with
All skin types
Emollient/Opacifier
Glycol Distearate
Gives the product a pearly appearance and contributes to a smooth feel.
Usually helps with
Dry, normal skin
Surfactant
Disodium Laureth Sulfosuccinate
A mild surfactant that helps create foam and cleanse the skin.
Usually helps with
Normal, dry, combination skin
Watch for
Less common than SLS, generally well-tolerated.
Helps to maintain the product's optimal pH level for skin compatibility.
Usually helps with
All skin types
Emulsifier/Emollient
Glyceryl Stearate
Helps to mix oil and water, and provides a softening effect on the skin.
Usually helps with
Dry, normal skin
Emulsifier
Peg-100 Stearate
Works with Glyceryl Stearate to keep the formula stable and create a smooth texture.
Usually helps with
All skin types
Preservative
Phenoxyethanol
A common preservative to prevent microbial growth in the product.
Usually helps with
All skin types
Watch for
Can be irritating for a small percentage of people.
Antioxidant/Preservative Booster
Hydroxyacetophenone
Helps protect the formula and can boost the effectiveness of other preservatives.
Usually helps with
All skin types
Watch for
Generally well-tolerated.
A mild clay that can help absorb excess oil and impurities.
Usually helps with
Combination, oily skin
Watch for
Can be drying if left on the skin for too long.
Thickener
Hydroxypropyl Starch Phosphate
A modified starch used to control the product's viscosity.
Usually helps with
All skin types
Emollient/Humectant
Caprylyl Glycol
Helps to condition the skin and can also act as a preservative booster.
Usually helps with
All skin types
Film Former/Thickener
Acrylates Copolymer
Helps to create a smooth feel and thicken the product.
Usually helps with
All skin types
Emollient/Thickener
Behenyl Alcohol
A fatty alcohol that helps to soften and smooth the skin, and thicken the formula.
Usually helps with
Dry, normal skin
Skin Conditioning Agent
Magnesium Gluconate
A mineral salt that can help condition the skin.
Usually helps with
All skin types
A skin-identical lipid that moisturizes and helps support the skin barrier.
Usually helps with
Dry, normal, combination skin
Chelating Agent
Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate
Helps to stabilize the formula by binding to metal ions.
Usually helps with
All skin types
Humectant/Soothing Agent
Panthenol
A form of Vitamin B5 that attracts and holds moisture, and can help soothe the skin.
Usually helps with
Dry, sensitive skin