The primary ingredient in most skincare products, acting as a base for other components.
Usually helps with
All skin types
A common and effective humectant that attracts water to the skin, providing hydration and improving skin barrier function.
Usually helps with
Dryness, hydration, barrier support
A sugar alcohol that helps to draw moisture into the skin, providing hydration and a smooth feel.
Usually helps with
Hydration, skin smoothing
Emollient
Isononyl Isononanoate
An emollient that helps to soften and smooth the skin, providing a non-greasy feel.
Usually helps with
Softening skin, improving texture
A humectant that helps to attract and retain moisture in the skin.
Usually helps with
Hydration
Humectant/Preservative Booster
1,2-Hexanediol
A multi-functional ingredient that provides hydration and helps to preserve the product.
Usually helps with
Hydration, preservation
Watch for
Can be irritating for some sensitive skin types in high concentrations.
Emollient
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
A lightweight emollient derived from coconut oil and glycerin, known for its skin-conditioning properties.
Usually helps with
Emollience, skin conditioning
Humectant/Solvent
Pentylene Glycol
A multi-functional ingredient that provides hydration and helps to solubilize other ingredients.
Usually helps with
Hydration, solvent
Watch for
Can be irritating for some sensitive skin types.
Emollient
Dicaprylyl Carbonate
A lightweight emollient that improves skin feel and spreadability without a greasy residue.
Usually helps with
Emollience, skin feel
Emulsifier/Emollient
Diisostearoyl Polyglyceryl-3 Dimer Dilinoleate
An emulsifier and emollient that helps to blend oil and water phases and provides a smooth skin feel.
Usually helps with
Emulsification, skin feel
Emollient
Butyrospermum Parkii (Shea) Butter
A rich emollient known for its moisturizing and skin-conditioning properties.
Usually helps with
Dryness, nourishment
Watch for
Can be comedogenic for acne-prone skin.
Thickener/Stabilizer
Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/VP Copolymer
A synthetic polymer used to thicken formulations and stabilize emulsions.
Usually helps with
Texture, stability
Humectant/Soothing Agent
Panthenol
Also known as Pro-Vitamin B5, it attracts moisture and has soothing and anti-inflammatory properties.
Usually helps with
Hydration, soothing, barrier support
Emulsifier
Polyglyceryl-3 Methylglucose Distearate
A plant-derived emulsifier that helps to create stable oil-in-water formulations.
Usually helps with
Emulsification
Thickener
Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
A synthetic polymer used to thicken cosmetic formulations and improve texture.
Usually helps with
Texture, viscosity
Emollient
Caprylic/Capric/Myristic/Stearic Triglyceride
A blend of fatty acids that provides emollience and skin conditioning.
Usually helps with
Emollience, skin conditioning
pH Adjuster
Aminomethyl Propanol
Used to adjust the pH of cosmetic formulations. Can be irritating in high concentrations.
Usually helps with
pH balancing
Watch for
Potential for irritation.
Opacifier/Texture Enhancer
Boron Nitride
A mineral compound used to improve texture and provide a soft-focus effect. Can be drying for some.
Usually helps with
Texture, soft-focus effect
Emulsifier/Thickener
Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
A synthetic polymer used to stabilize emulsions and thicken formulations.
Usually helps with
Texture, stability
Film Former/Thickener
Hydroxypropyl Methylcellulose Stearoxy Ether
A cellulose derivative that can form a film on the skin and thicken formulations.
Usually helps with
Film forming, texture
Humectant/Preservative Booster
Caprylyl Glycol
A multi-functional ingredient that provides hydration and enhances the effectiveness of preservatives.
Usually helps with
Hydration, preservation
Watch for
Can be irritating for some sensitive skin types.
Emulsifier
Cetearyl Olivate
An emulsifier derived from olive oil and cetearyl alcohol, known for its skin-conditioning properties.
Usually helps with
Emulsification, skin conditioning
Thickener/Film Former
Glyceryl Acrylate/Acrylic Acid Copolymer
A polymer used to thicken formulations and create a film on the skin.
Usually helps with
Texture, film forming
Emollient/Thickener
Cetearyl Alcohol
A fatty alcohol that acts as an emollient and thickener, helping to soften and smooth the skin.
Usually helps with
Emollience, texture
Emulsifier
Sorbitan Olivate
An emulsifier derived from sorbitol and olive oil, used to blend oil and water ingredients.
Usually helps with
Emulsification
Skin Conditioning Agent
Saccharomyces Ferment Filtrate
A fermented ingredient that can help to improve skin hydration and texture.
Usually helps with
Hydration, skin texture
Emulsifier
Polyglyceryl-10 Oleate
A gentle, water-soluble emulsifier derived from glycerin and oleic acid.
Usually helps with
Emulsification
Emulsifier
Polyglyceryl-5 Oleate
A mild emulsifier used to help mix oil and water ingredients.
Usually helps with
Emulsification
Soothing Agent
Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate
A derivative of licorice root, known for its anti-inflammatory and soothing properties.
Usually helps with
Soothing, redness reduction
Preservative Booster/Skin Conditioning
Ethylhexylglycerin
A preservative booster and skin conditioning agent that also has some antimicrobial properties.
Usually helps with
Preservation, skin conditioning
Watch for
Can be irritating for some sensitive skin types.
Emollient
Limnanthes Alba (Meadowfoam) Seed Oil
A highly stable plant oil known for its moisturizing and skin-conditioning properties.
Usually helps with
Dryness, skin conditioning
Emulsifier
Sodium Stearoyl Glutamate
A mild emulsifier derived from stearic acid and glutamic acid.
Usually helps with
Emulsification
Chelating Agent
Sodium Phytate
A plant-derived ingredient that helps to stabilize formulations by binding to metal ions.
Usually helps with
Product stability
Emollient/Thickener
Hydrogenated Vegetable Oil
Vegetable oil that has been hydrogenated to create a more solid texture, used as an emollient and thickener.
Usually helps with
Emollience, texture
Solvent/Humectant
Dipropylene Glycol
A solvent and humectant that can help to improve product texture and spreadability. Can be irritating.
Usually helps with
Solvent, texture
Watch for
Potential for irritation.
Skin Conditioning Agent
Gleditsia Triacanthos Seed Extract
An extract from the honey locust tree, believed to have skin-conditioning properties.
Usually helps with
Skin conditioning
Film Former
PVM/MA Copolymer
A synthetic polymer that forms a film on the skin, often used in products for a 'tightening' effect.
Usually helps with
Film forming, texture
Watch for
Can feel tight or drying on some skin types.
Emulsifier/Preservative Booster
Glyceryl Caprylate
A multi-functional ingredient that acts as an emulsifier and enhances preservative efficacy.
Usually helps with
Emulsification, preservation
Soothing Agent
Albatrellus Confluens (Mushroom) Extract
An extract from a type of mushroom known for its soothing and anti-inflammatory properties.
Usually helps with
Soothing, calming
Skin Conditioning Agent
Hydrolyzed Vegetable Protein
Protein fragments from vegetables that can help to condition and improve skin texture.
Usually helps with
Skin conditioning, texture
A form of Vitamin E, it acts as an antioxidant to protect the skin from free radical damage.
Usually helps with
Antioxidant protection
A sugar that helps to retain moisture and protect skin cells from dehydration.
Usually helps with
Hydration, moisture retention