The base of the formula, dissolving other ingredients.
Usually helps with
Hydration
Draws moisture to the skin and helps other ingredients penetrate.
Usually helps with
Hydration
Watch for
Can be a mild irritant for some
A classic humectant that attracts water to the skin's surface, improving hydration.
Usually helps with
Hydration
A silicone that creates a smooth, protective barrier on the skin, preventing moisture loss.
Usually helps with
Smoothing, occlusive barrier
Watch for
Can feel heavy on oily skin; potential for pore-clogging in some individuals
Emollient
Hydrogenated Polyisobutene
A synthetic emollient that softens and smooths the skin.
Usually helps with
Softening skin
Emulsifier
Glyceryl Stearate Se
Helps to blend oil and water components in the formula.
Usually helps with
Stabilizing emulsion
Emulsifier
Peg-40 Stearate
An emulsifier that helps mix oil and water, but can be a skin irritant for some.
Usually helps with
Emulsifying
Watch for
Potential for irritation
Emollient
Isodecyl Neopentanoate
Provides a smooth, non-greasy feel on the skin.
Usually helps with
Emollience
Emollient
Myristyl Myristate
A fatty acid ester that softens and conditions the skin.
Usually helps with
Emollience
Emollient
Mineral Oil (Paraffinum Liquidum/Huile Minerale)
A highly occlusive emollient that prevents water loss, but can be comedogenic for some.
Usually helps with
Occlusion, moisture barrier
Watch for
Potential for pore-clogging; some prefer to avoid
A dipeptide that acts as an antioxidant, helping to protect skin from damage.
Usually helps with
Antioxidant protection
Emollient
Limnanthes Alba (Meadowfoam) Seed Oil
A rich plant oil known for its moisturizing and skin-conditioning properties.
Usually helps with
Moisturizing, skin conditioning
A fatty alcohol that softens and smooths the skin.
Usually helps with
Emollience
A fatty alcohol that conditions and softens the skin.
Usually helps with
Emollience
Thickener
Dimethylacrylamide/Sodium Acryloyldimethyltaurate Crosspolymer
A polymer used to thicken the product and improve texture.
Usually helps with
Texture enhancement
Emollient
Microcrystalline Wax (Cera Microcristallina/Cire Microcristalline)
A wax that helps to structure the cream and provide a protective layer.
Usually helps with
Texture, occlusive properties
A fatty alcohol that softens and conditions the skin.
Usually helps with
Emollience
Preservative
Phenoxyethanol
A common preservative that prevents microbial growth, but can be an irritant for some.
Usually helps with
Preservation
Watch for
Potential for irritation or allergic reactions
A mineral-derived emollient that forms a barrier on the skin to prevent moisture loss.
Usually helps with
Occlusion
Watch for
Can be comedogenic for some
Adds scent to the product. Can be a common cause of skin irritation and allergies.
Watch for
Potential for irritation, redness, or allergic reactions
Preservative
Methylparaben
A preservative that can cause allergic reactions and is a subject of some health concerns.
Usually helps with
Preservation
Watch for
Potential for allergic reactions; endocrine disruption concerns
Used to adjust the pH of the product, can also have mild exfoliating properties.
Usually helps with
pH balance
Watch for
Can cause stinging at higher concentrations or on sensitive skin
Emulsifier
Sorbitan Tristearate
Helps to stabilize the emulsion, but can be a mild irritant.
Usually helps with
Emulsifying
Watch for
Potential for irritation
A sugar alcohol that helps to attract and retain moisture.
Usually helps with
Hydration
Antioxidant
Tocopheryl Acetate
A form of Vitamin E that provides antioxidant protection.
Usually helps with
Antioxidant
Watch for
Can be irritating for some individuals
Skin-Conditioning Agent
Panthenyl Ethyl Ether
A derivative of Vitamin B5 that helps to condition and moisturize the skin.
Usually helps with
Skin conditioning
Antioxidant
Potassium Ascorbyl Tocopheryl Phosphate
A stable derivative of Vitamin C and E, offering antioxidant benefits.
Usually helps with
Antioxidant protection
Fragrance Ingredient
Butylphenyl Methylpropional
A synthetic fragrance ingredient that can be a common allergen.
Usually helps with
Fragrance
Watch for
Potential for allergic reactions and skin sensitization
Chelating Agent
Sodium Metaphosphate
Helps to stabilize the formula by binding to metal ions.
Usually helps with
Stabilizing formula
Chelating Agent
Trisodium Edta
Helps to improve the stability and efficacy of the product by binding to metal ions.
Usually helps with
Stabilizing formula
Watch for
Can enhance penetration of other ingredients, potentially increasing irritation
Antioxidant
Glucosyl Hesperidin
A flavonoid derived from citrus fruits, known for its antioxidant properties.
Usually helps with
Antioxidant
Colorant
Titanium Dioxide (Ci 77891)
A white pigment used for color, also offers UV protection.
Usually helps with
Colorant, UV protection
Fragrance Ingredient
Limonene
A common fragrance component derived from citrus peels, can be an allergen.
Usually helps with
Fragrance
Watch for
Potential for allergic reactions and skin sensitization
Fragrance Ingredient
Linalool
A naturally occurring fragrance compound found in many plants, can be an allergen.
Usually helps with
Fragrance
Watch for
Potential for allergic reactions and skin sensitization
Fragrance Ingredient
Alpha-Isomethyl Ionone
A synthetic fragrance ingredient that can cause allergic reactions.
Usually helps with
Fragrance
Watch for
Potential for allergic reactions and skin sensitization
Fragrance Ingredient
Geraniol
A fragrance compound found in essential oils, can be an allergen.
Usually helps with
Fragrance
Watch for
Potential for allergic reactions and skin sensitization
Fragrance Ingredient
Benzyl Benzoate
A compound used in fragrances, can be an irritant for some.
Usually helps with
Fragrance
Watch for
Potential for irritation
Fragrance Ingredient
Citronellol
A fragrance compound found in rose and geranium oils, can be an allergen.
Usually helps with
Fragrance
Watch for
Potential for allergic reactions and skin sensitization
Colorant
Iron Oxides (Ci 77491, Ci 77492)
Mineral pigments used to provide color to the product.
Usually helps with
Colorant
Humectant
Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate
A derivative of hyaluronic acid that attracts and retains moisture.
Usually helps with
Hydration
Colorant
Aluminum Hydroxide
Used as a colorant and opacifier.
Usually helps with
Colorant
A synthetic antioxidant that can cause skin irritation and has some health concerns.
Usually helps with
Antioxidant
Watch for
Potential for irritation, endocrine disruption concerns
Vitamin E, a well-known antioxidant that protects skin from free radical damage.
Usually helps with
Antioxidant
Watch for
Can be irritating for some individuals