The primary ingredient in most skincare products, acting as a base for other components.
Usually helps with
All skin types
A humectant that draws moisture to the skin, improving hydration. Can also act as a solvent.
Usually helps with
All skin types
Watch for
Can be irritating for some sensitive skin types in high concentrations.
A classic humectant that effectively draws water into the skin, keeping it hydrated and soft.
Usually helps with
All skin types
A sugar that helps skin retain moisture and protects it from environmental stressors.
Usually helps with
Dry, sensitive skin
Emollient
Methyl Trimethicone
A silicone derivative that provides a smooth, silky feel and helps to spread the product evenly. It's lighter than many other silicones.
Usually helps with
All skin types
Watch for
Some individuals may be sensitive to silicones.
A versatile ingredient that acts as a humectant, preservative booster, and solvent. It's known for its skin-conditioning properties.
Usually helps with
All skin types
Watch for
Generally well-tolerated, but can cause mild irritation in very sensitive individuals.
A highly stable and biocompatible emollient that mimics the skin's natural sebum, providing excellent moisturization without feeling greasy.
Usually helps with
All skin types, especially dry and mature skin
Emollient
Phenyl Trimethicone
A silicone that provides a smooth, non-greasy feel and helps to improve product spreadability.
Usually helps with
All skin types
Watch for
Some individuals may be sensitive to silicones.
A silicone derivative that offers emollient properties and can help improve skin texture.
Usually helps with
All skin types
Watch for
Some individuals may be sensitive to silicones.
Emollient
Caprylyl Methicone
A silicone-based emollient that provides a light, non-greasy feel and helps to condition the skin.
Usually helps with
All skin types
Watch for
Some individuals may be sensitive to silicones.
Thickener
Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer
A synthetic polymer used to thicken formulations and improve texture.
Usually helps with
All skin types
A common thickening agent used to create gel-like textures in cosmetic products.
Usually helps with
All skin types
Used to adjust the pH of the formulation, ensuring it's compatible with the skin.
Usually helps with
All skin types
Active
Lactobacillus Ferment Lysate
A probiotic-derived ingredient that can help to balance the skin's microbiome, support the skin barrier, and improve radiance.
Usually helps with
All skin types, especially sensitive or imbalanced skin
Watch for
Generally well-tolerated, but patch testing is always recommended.
A form of Vitamin B3 that offers multiple benefits, including improving skin barrier function, reducing inflammation, minimizing pores, and brightening skin tone.
Usually helps with
All skin types, especially acne-prone, oily, and mature skin
Watch for
Can cause temporary flushing or redness in some individuals, especially at higher concentrations.
Emollient
Glyceryl Caprylate
A multifunctional ingredient derived from coconut oil and glycerin. It acts as an emollient, skin conditioner, and can also help boost the efficacy of preservatives.
Usually helps with
All skin types
Thickener
Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
A synthetic polymer used to thicken cosmetic formulations and improve texture.
Usually helps with
All skin types
A solvent and humectant that helps to improve product texture and hydration. It's a more natural alternative to some other glycols.
Usually helps with
All skin types
Watch for
Generally well-tolerated.
Preservative Booster
Ethylhexylglycerin
A skin-conditioning agent and preservative booster that enhances the effectiveness of other preservatives, while also having some antimicrobial properties.
Usually helps with
All skin types
Watch for
Can cause mild skin irritation in some individuals.
Antioxidant
Malachite Extract
A mineral extract rich in copper, believed to have antioxidant and detoxifying properties. It can also impart a blue color to formulations.
Usually helps with
All skin types
Watch for
The effectiveness and scientific backing for cosmetic benefits are still under research.
Humectant
Xylitylglucoside
A derivative of xylitol, this ingredient helps to improve the skin's ability to retain moisture by optimizing its water reserves.
Usually helps with
All skin types, especially dry skin
Humectant
Propylene Glycol
A common humectant and solvent that helps to draw moisture into the skin. However, it can be a potential irritant for some.
Usually helps with
Normal to dry skin
Watch for
Can cause irritation, redness, or allergic reactions in sensitive individuals.
Part of the aquaxyl complex, it helps to boost skin hydration by improving water circulation and limiting water loss.
Usually helps with
All skin types
Fragrance
Fragrance / Parfum
Adds a pleasant scent to the product. However, fragrance is a common cause of skin irritation and allergic reactions.
Usually helps with
None (potential irritant)
Watch for
Can cause contact dermatitis, redness, itching, and other allergic reactions, especially in sensitive or reactive skin.
Humectant
Sodium Hyaluronate
A salt form of hyaluronic acid, it's a powerful humectant that attracts and retains moisture in the skin, helping to plump and hydrate.
Usually helps with
All skin types, especially dehydrated skin
Chelating Agent
Sodium Metaphosphate
A chelating agent that helps to bind metal ions, improving the stability and efficacy of the formulation.
Usually helps with
All skin types
A sugar alcohol that helps to increase and retain moisture in the skin. It's part of the aquaxyl complex.
Usually helps with
All skin types
A complex sugar that helps to attract and bind moisture to the skin, providing hydration.
Usually helps with
All skin types
Emollient
Oenothera Biennis (Evening Primrose) Oil
Rich in fatty acids, this oil helps to soothe, moisturize, and improve skin elasticity. It can be beneficial for dry or irritated skin.
Usually helps with
Dry, mature, or sensitive skin
Watch for
Some individuals may be sensitive to plant oils.
Humectant
Hydroxypropyltrimonium Hyaluronate
A derivative of hyaluronic acid that is positively charged, allowing it to bind more effectively to the skin and provide sustained hydration.
Usually helps with
All skin types
An essential amino acid that plays a role in skin health and repair. Its direct topical benefits are still being researched.
Usually helps with
All skin types
Watch for
Limited research on topical efficacy.
Active
Lactobacillus Ferment
A probiotic ingredient that can help to support the skin's natural barrier function and improve overall skin health.
Usually helps with
All skin types, especially sensitive or imbalanced skin
Watch for
Generally well-tolerated.
A polysaccharide derived from oats or yeast, known for its excellent hydrating and skin-soothing properties. It can also help support the skin barrier.
Usually helps with
All skin types, especially dry, sensitive, or irritated skin
Fragrance Component
Limonene
A common component of citrus peel oils, used for its scent. It is a known potential allergen and irritant.
Usually helps with
None (potential irritant)
Watch for
Can cause allergic reactions and skin irritation.
Fragrance Component
Linalool
A naturally occurring terpene alcohol found in many flowers and spice plants, used for its scent. It is a potential allergen.
Usually helps with
None (potential irritant)
Watch for
Can cause allergic reactions and skin irritation.
Thickener
Acrylates/Stearyl Methacrylate Copolymer
A synthetic polymer used to thicken cosmetic formulations and improve texture.
Usually helps with
All skin types
Humectant
Tremella Fuciformis Sporocarp Extract
Also known as snow mushroom extract, it's a potent humectant with smaller molecules than hyaluronic acid, allowing for deeper hydration.
Usually helps with
All skin types, especially dehydrated skin
A powerful humectant that can hold up to 1000 times its weight in water, providing intense hydration and plumping the skin.
Usually helps with
All skin types, especially dehydrated skin
Chelating Agent
Sodium Trimetaphosphate
A chelating agent that helps to stabilize the formulation by binding to metal ions.
Usually helps with
All skin types
A natural polysaccharide used as a thickening and stabilizing agent in cosmetic products.
Usually helps with
All skin types
Humectant
Polyglutamic Acid
A peptide-based humectant that is more effective at retaining moisture than hyaluronic acid. It also helps to improve skin texture.
Usually helps with
All skin types, especially dry and aging skin
A type of ceramide that is naturally found in the skin. It helps to restore the skin's barrier function, retain moisture, and protect against environmental aggressors.
Usually helps with
All skin types, especially dry, sensitive, and aging skin
A form of Vitamin E, it's a fat-soluble antioxidant that helps protect the skin from free radical damage caused by UV exposure and pollution.
Usually helps with
All skin types