The base for many skincare formulations.
Usually helps with
Hydration
Soothing Agent
Seaweed (Algae) Extract
Rich in vitamins and minerals, known for its hydrating and calming properties.
Usually helps with
Hydration, Soothing
Emollient
Butyrospermum Parkii (Shea Butter)
A rich moisturizer that helps to soften and smooth the skin.
Usually helps with
Dryness, Smoothing
Attracts moisture to the skin, helping to keep it hydrated.
Usually helps with
Hydration
Viscosity Agent
Polyethylene
Can contribute to microplastic pollution.
Watch for
Environmental concerns
Emollient
Hydrogenated Polyisobutene
Softens and smooths the skin, creating a barrier to prevent moisture loss.
Usually helps with
Softening, Smoothing
A silicone that creates a smooth, protective layer on the skin, offering a temporary smoothing effect.
Usually helps with
Smoothing, Barrier Support
Watch for
Can feel heavy for some
Helps to soften and condition the skin.
Usually helps with
Softening
Emollient
Cetearyl Alcohol
A fatty alcohol that moisturizes and thickens formulations.
Usually helps with
Moisturizing
A copper carbonate mineral, often included for its purported energizing properties.
Usually helps with
Antioxidant support
Watch for
Limited scientific evidence for topical benefits
Viscosity Agent
Polybutene
Helps to thicken the product and provide a smooth texture.
Usually helps with
Texture
Emollient
Isostearyl Neopentanoate
Softens and conditions the skin.
Usually helps with
Softening
Can help to absorb excess oil and provide a mattifying effect.
Usually helps with
Oil control
A silicone that provides a smooth feel and can help with spreadability.
Usually helps with
Texture, Spreadability
Skin Conditioning Agent
Yeast Extract\Faex\Extrait De Levure
Rich in amino acids and peptides, it can support skin renewal and improve firmness.
Usually helps with
Firming, Renewal
Helps to temporarily constrict blood vessels, reducing the appearance of puffiness and dark circles.
Usually helps with
De-puffing
Watch for
Temporary effect
A skin-identical lipid that helps to support the skin barrier and retain moisture.
Usually helps with
Barrier Support, Hydration
Soothing Agent
Ascophyllum Nodosum Extract
A type of brown algae known for its hydrating and antioxidant properties.
Usually helps with
Hydration, Antioxidant
Soothing Agent
Asparagopsis Armata Extract
Another type of red algae extract, valued for its soothing and antioxidant benefits.
Usually helps with
Soothing, Antioxidant
Soothing Agent
Gelidium Cartilagineum Extract
A red algae extract that can help to hydrate and soothe the skin.
Usually helps with
Hydration, Soothing
Skin Conditioning Agent
Saccharomyces Lysate Extract
A fermented yeast extract that can provide nutrients to support skin health.
Usually helps with
Skin Health
Emollient
Sesamum Indicum (Sesame) Seed Oil
A nourishing oil rich in fatty acids and antioxidants.
Usually helps with
Nourishing, Antioxidant
Fragrance Ingredient
Eucalyptus Globulus (Eucalyptus) Leaf Oil
Provides a scent, but can be irritating for sensitive skin.
Watch for
Potential irritation
Exfoliant
Sesamum Indicum (Sesame) Seed
Can provide gentle physical exfoliation, but may be too abrasive for the delicate eye area.
Usually helps with
Exfoliation
Watch for
Potential for irritation
Exfoliant
Medicago Sativa (Alfalfa) Seed Powder
Provides mild exfoliation.
Usually helps with
Exfoliation
Watch for
Potential for irritation
Emollient
Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Seedcake
A byproduct of sunflower oil extraction, it contains fatty acids that moisturize the skin.
Usually helps with
Moisturizing
Exfoliant
Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis (Sweet Almond) Seed Meal
Can provide gentle exfoliation.
Usually helps with
Exfoliation
Watch for
Potential for irritation
Chelating Agent
Sodium Gluconate
Helps to improve the stability and texture of the product.
Usually helps with
Product Stability
Skin Conditioning Agent
Potassium Gluconate
A mineral salt that helps to condition the skin.
Usually helps with
Skin Conditioning
Skin Conditioning Agent
Copper Gluconate
A mineral salt that can support skin health and renewal.
Usually helps with
Skin Renewal
Skin Conditioning Agent
Calcium Gluconate
A mineral salt that helps to condition the skin.
Usually helps with
Skin Conditioning
Skin Conditioning Agent
Magnesium Gluconate
A mineral salt that helps to condition the skin.
Usually helps with
Skin Conditioning
Skin Conditioning Agent
Zinc Gluconate
A mineral salt with potential soothing and oil-balancing properties.
Usually helps with
Soothing, Oil Balance
Antioxidant
Tocopheryl Succinate
A derivative of Vitamin E, offering antioxidant protection.
Usually helps with
Antioxidant
Skin Conditioning Agent
Niacin
Also known as Vitamin B3, it can help to improve skin's barrier function and tone.
Usually helps with
Barrier Support, Tone Improvement
Skin Conditioning Agent
Whey Protein\Lactis Protein\Proteine Du Petit-Lait
Contains amino acids and proteins that can help to nourish and support the skin.
Usually helps with
Nourishing
A sugar that can attract and hold moisture.
Usually helps with
Hydration
Emollient
Elaeis Guineensis (Palm) Oil
Can be comedogenic for some, and its sourcing raises environmental concerns.
Usually helps with
Moisturizing
Watch for
Comedogenicity, Sustainability
Emulsifier
Methyl Glucose Sesquistearate
Helps to blend oil and water ingredients, contributing to a smooth texture.
Usually helps with
Texture
Emulsifier
Cetearyl Glucoside
A gentle emulsifier derived from plant sugars.
Usually helps with
Texture
A common and effective humectant that draws water to the skin.
Usually helps with
Hydration
pH Adjuster
Aminomethyl Propanol
Used to adjust the pH of the formulation.
Usually helps with
Formulation Stability
Emulsifier
Glyceryl Distearate
Helps to create a stable emulsion and provides emollient properties.
Usually helps with
Emulsion Stability, Emollience
Skin Conditioning Agent
Tetraacetylphytosphingosine
A derivative of phytosphingosine, which is a component of ceramides, helping to support the skin barrier.
Usually helps with
Barrier Support
An essential fatty acid that helps to maintain the skin barrier and hydration.
Usually helps with
Barrier Support, Hydration
A sugar alcohol that attracts moisture to the skin.
Usually helps with
Hydration
Thickener
Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
A polymer used to thicken formulations.
Usually helps with
Texture
A ethoxylated ingredient that can be contaminated with 1,4-dioxane.
Watch for
Potential contaminants
Antioxidant
Magnesium Ascorbyl Phosphate
A stable derivative of Vitamin C that offers antioxidant benefits and can help brighten the skin.
Usually helps with
Antioxidant, Brightening
Film Former
Vinyl Dimethicone/Methicone Silsesquioxane Crosspolymer
Creates a smooth, protective film on the skin.
Usually helps with
Smoothing, Protection
Humectant
Sodium Hyaluronate
The salt form of hyaluronic acid, known for its exceptional ability to attract and retain moisture.
Usually helps with
Hydration
A form of Vitamin E with potent antioxidant properties.
Usually helps with
Antioxidant
Can be drying for some skin types.
Usually helps with
Solvent
Watch for
Potential for dryness
Skin Conditioning Agent
Phytosphingosine
A lipid naturally found in the skin that helps to maintain the skin barrier.
Usually helps with
Barrier Support
A solvent that can help with product spreadability.
Usually helps with
Spreadability
Vitamin E, a well-known antioxidant that protects the skin from free radical damage.
Usually helps with
Antioxidant
A highly effective emollient that mimics the skin's natural sebum, providing hydration and softness.
Usually helps with
Hydration, Softening
Emollient
Propylene Glycol Dioctanoate
Helps to soften and smooth the skin.
Usually helps with
Softening
Plant-derived sterols that can help to condition and soothe the skin.
Usually helps with
Conditioning, Soothing
Film Former
Trimethylsiloxysilicate
Helps to create a smooth, long-lasting film on the skin.
Usually helps with
Film Forming
Helps to hydrate and condition the skin, also acts as a preservative booster.
Usually helps with
Hydration, Preservation
Peptide
Acetyl Hexapeptide-8
A peptide that may help to reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles by mimicking the effects of Botox.
Usually helps with
Anti-aging
Watch for
Results can vary
A polymer used to thicken formulations.
Usually helps with
Texture
Fragrance
Fragrance (Parfum)
Can cause irritation and allergic reactions in sensitive individuals.
Watch for
Potential irritation, Allergies
A gemstone often included for its purported energizing and skin-enhancing properties.
Usually helps with
Antioxidant support
Watch for
Limited scientific evidence for topical benefits
Chelating Agent
Disodium Edta
Helps to improve the stability and effectiveness of the product by binding to metal ions.
Usually helps with
Product Stability
Preservative
Sodium Dehydroacetate
A preservative that can be irritating for some.
Watch for
Potential irritation
Preservative
Phenoxyethanol
A common preservative used to prevent microbial growth.
Usually helps with
Preservation
Fragrance Ingredient
Linalool
A common fragrance component that can be a skin irritant for some.
Watch for
Potential irritation
Fragrance Ingredient
Limonene
A common fragrance component derived from citrus peels, can be a skin irritant.
Watch for
Potential irritation
Fragrance Ingredient
Benzyl Salicylate
A common fragrance ingredient that can cause allergic reactions.
Watch for
Potential allergic reactions
Colorant
Blue 1 (Ci 42090)
A synthetic colorant.
Colorant
Yellow 5 (Ci 19140)
A synthetic colorant.
Colorant
Titanium Dioxide (Ci 77891)
A mineral pigment used for color and opacity.
Colorant
Green 5 (Ci 61570)
A synthetic colorant.