The primary ingredient in many skincare formulations, acting as a base.
Usually helps with
Hydration
Draws moisture into the skin, keeping it hydrated and soft.
Usually helps with
Dryness, hydration
A common solvent and humectant that helps improve product texture and skin hydration.
Usually helps with
Hydration, texture enhancement
Watch for
Can be a mild irritant for some sensitive skin types.
Humectant
Sodium Hyaluronate
A salt form of hyaluronic acid that penetrates the skin to provide deep hydration.
Usually helps with
Dryness, plumping, hydration
Skin-Conditioning Agent
Hydrolyzed Collagen
A smaller molecular weight form of collagen that can help hydrate and improve skin's appearance.
Usually helps with
Hydration, skin elasticity
Watch for
Its effectiveness in topical application for collagen synthesis is debated.
Can help reduce redness and puffiness, and offers antioxidant benefits.
Usually helps with
Redness, puffiness, antioxidant protection
Watch for
Can be a mild irritant for some.
Skin-Conditioning Agent
Ceramide NP
A lipid that helps restore the skin's barrier function, improving moisture retention.
Usually helps with
Barrier repair, dryness, hydration
Skin-Conditioning Agent
Arnica Montana Flower Extract
Known for its soothing and anti-inflammatory properties.
Usually helps with
Soothing, reducing inflammation
Watch for
Can cause allergic reactions in some individuals.
Skin-Conditioning Agent
Althaea Officinalis Root Extract
Has soothing and anti-inflammatory properties.
Usually helps with
Soothing, calming
Skin-Conditioning Agent
Allantoin
Soothes, protects, and promotes skin healing.
Usually helps with
Soothing, healing, moisturizing
A form of Vitamin E that protects the skin from free radical damage.
Usually helps with
Antioxidant protection, moisturizing
Watch for
Can be an allergen for some.
Humectant
Hydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate
A smaller molecule form of hyaluronic acid that can penetrate deeper into the skin for enhanced hydration.
Usually helps with
Deep hydration, plumping
Emollient
Butyrospermum Parkii (Shea) Butter
A rich emollient that moisturizes and softens the skin.
Usually helps with
Dryness, moisturizing
Watch for
Can be comedogenic for acne-prone skin.
Skin-Conditioning Agent
Glycyrrhiza Glabra (Licorice) Root Extract
Known for its brightening and anti-inflammatory properties.
Usually helps with
Brightening, soothing, reducing redness
Skin-Conditioning Agent
Scutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract
An antioxidant with anti-inflammatory properties.
Usually helps with
Antioxidant, anti-inflammatory
Skin-Conditioning Agent
Angelica Gigas Root Extract
Traditionally used for its antioxidant and skin-conditioning properties.
Usually helps with
Antioxidant, skin conditioning
Watch for
Potential for photosensitivity in some individuals.
Skin-Conditioning Agent
Cimicifuga Racemosa Root Extract
Used for its antioxidant and skin-conditioning benefits.
Usually helps with
Antioxidant, skin conditioning
Skin-Conditioning Agent
Morus Alba Bark Extract
Known for its antioxidant and potential skin-brightening properties.
Usually helps with
Antioxidant, brightening
Skin-Conditioning Agent
Paeonia Lactiflora Root Extract
Has antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties.
Usually helps with
Antioxidant, anti-inflammatory
Skin-Conditioning Agent
Phellinus Linteus Extract
A mushroom extract with antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties.
Usually helps with
Antioxidant, anti-inflammatory
Skin-Conditioning Agent
Polygonum Multiflorum Root Extract
Traditionally used for its antioxidant properties.
Usually helps with
Antioxidant
Skin-Conditioning Agent
Sesamum Indicum (Sesame) Seed Extract
Contains antioxidants and fatty acids beneficial for skin.
Usually helps with
Antioxidant, moisturizing
Skin-Conditioning Agent
Sophora Angustifolia Root Extract
Used for its antioxidant and skin-conditioning properties.
Usually helps with
Antioxidant, skin conditioning
Skin-Conditioning Agent
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice
Soothes, hydrates, and has anti-inflammatory properties.
Usually helps with
Soothing, hydration, inflammation
Emollient
Ricinus Communis (Castor) Seed Oil
A rich emollient that can help moisturize the skin.
Usually helps with
Dryness, moisturizing
Watch for
Can be comedogenic for some.
Viscosity Controlling Agent
Amorphophallus Konjac Root Powder
Used to thicken formulations.
Usually helps with
Texture
A thickening and emulsifying agent derived from seaweed.
Usually helps with
Texture
Watch for
Can be irritating for some sensitive skin types.
Antioxidant
Hydroxyacetophenone
A synthetic antioxidant that helps protect the formula and skin.
Usually helps with
Antioxidant
A solvent and viscosity-decreasing agent. Can be drying.
Usually helps with
Texture
Watch for
Can be drying and irritating for some.
A solvent and humectant that enhances skin hydration and improves texture.
Usually helps with
Hydration, texture
Humectant
Xylitylglucoside
A derivative of xylitol that helps skin retain moisture.
Usually helps with
Hydration
A sugar that helps attract and retain moisture.
Usually helps with
Hydration
A derivative of xylitol that enhances skin's ability to retain water.
Usually helps with
Hydration
Emollient
Glyceryl Caprylate
A skin-conditioning agent with emollient properties.
Usually helps with
Moisturizing, skin conditioning
A sugar alcohol that helps hydrate the skin.
Usually helps with
Hydration
A moisturizing ingredient that helps protect skin from irritation.
Usually helps with
Hydration, soothing
Skin-Conditioning Agent
Ethylhexylglycerin
A preservative booster and skin conditioner.
Usually helps with
Skin conditioning, preservation
Watch for
Can be a mild irritant for some.
A simple sugar that helps attract and retain moisture.
Usually helps with
Hydration
An emulsifier and skin-conditioning agent that helps improve texture and hydration.
Usually helps with
Emulsifying, hydration, skin conditioning
Skin-Conditioning Agent
Maltodextrin
A polysaccharide used as a binder and film-former.
Usually helps with
Texture, film-forming
Skin-Conditioning Agent
Magnesium Aspartate
A mineral salt that can help condition the skin.
Usually helps with
Skin conditioning
Skin-Conditioning Agent
Zinc Gluconate
A mineral salt that can help regulate sebum production and has anti-inflammatory properties.
Usually helps with
Oil control, anti-inflammatory
Opacifying Agent
Aluminum Hydroxide
Used to make products opaque and can act as a mild abrasive.
Usually helps with
Texture, opacity
Skin-Conditioning Agent
Copper Gluconate
A mineral salt that can help with skin repair and collagen production.
Usually helps with
Skin repair, anti-aging
Emulsifier
PEG-60 Hydrogenated Castor Oil
An emulsifier and surfactant that can help solubilize ingredients. Can be irritating.
Usually helps with
Emulsifying
Watch for
Can be a skin irritant and potentially comedogenic.
A gelling agent derived from bacteria, used to thicken formulations.
Usually helps with
Texture
Emulsifier
Cyamopsis Tetragonoloba (Guar) Gum
A thickening and stabilizing agent derived from guar beans.
Usually helps with
Texture
Emulsifier
Ceratonia Siliqua Gum
A thickening and stabilizing agent derived from carob seeds.
Usually helps with
Texture
Viscosity Controlling Agent
Calcium Chloride
Used to control the viscosity of formulations.
Usually helps with
Texture
Opacifying Agent
Tin Oxide
Used to make products opaque.
Usually helps with
Texture, opacity
Opacifying Agent
Synthetic Fluorphlogopite
A synthetic mica used for its pearlescent and opacifying qualities.
Usually helps with
Texture, shimmer
Film Former
Bis(Glycidoxyphenyl)Propane/Bisaminomethylnorbornane Copolymer
A polymer used to create a film on the skin.
Usually helps with
Film-forming
Watch for
Potential for irritation in sensitive individuals.
Preservative
Caprylhydroxamic Acid
A preservative that helps prevent microbial growth.
Usually helps with
Preservation
Watch for
Can be a mild irritant for some.
Chelating Agent
Disodium EDTA
Helps to improve the stability and efficacy of products by binding to metal ions.
Usually helps with
Product stability
Watch for
Can enhance penetration of other ingredients, potentially increasing irritation.
A solvent and humectant that also has antimicrobial properties.
Usually helps with
Hydration, preservation
Preservative
Ethyl Hexanediol Chlorphenesin
A preservative that helps prevent bacterial growth.
Usually helps with
Preservation
Watch for
Can be a skin irritant for some.
Preservative
Phenoxyethanol
A common preservative used to prevent bacterial contamination.
Usually helps with
Preservation
Watch for
Can cause allergic reactions and irritation in some individuals.
A mineral used to add shimmer and color.
Usually helps with
Color, shimmer
Colorant
Blue 1 (CI 42090)
A synthetic blue dye.
Watch for
Can cause allergic reactions in sensitive individuals.
Colorant
Titanium Dioxide (CI 77891)
A mineral pigment used as a white colorant and UV filter.
Usually helps with
Color, UV protection