The base for many skincare formulations, dissolving other ingredients.
Usually helps with
Hydration
Emollient
C10-18 Triglycerides
A mixture of fatty acids that helps to soften and smooth the skin.
Usually helps with
Softening skin
A lightweight, non-greasy emollient derived from coconut oil that provides a smooth feel.
Usually helps with
Smooth feel
Emollient
Dicaprylyl Carbonate
A light emollient that improves spreadability and leaves a non-greasy finish.
Usually helps with
Spreadability
A synthetic emollient that provides a smooth, silky feel and helps to prevent water loss.
Usually helps with
Silky feel
Emollient
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
A fractionated coconut oil that is rich in fatty acids, providing excellent emollience and skin-replenishing benefits.
Usually helps with
Skin-replenishing
A plant-derived humectant that draws moisture to the skin and enhances the absorption of other ingredients.
Usually helps with
Hydration
A classic humectant that draws water into the skin, keeping it hydrated and supple.
Usually helps with
Hydration
A silicone that forms a protective barrier on the skin, preventing moisture loss and providing a smooth feel. Can be comedogenic for some.
Usually helps with
Barrier protection, smooth feel
Watch for
Can feel heavy or clog pores for acne-prone skin
Emollient
Cetearyl Alcohol
A fatty alcohol that acts as an emollient and thickener, providing a soft texture to the skin.
Usually helps with
Softening skin
A highly stable and biocompatible emollient that mimics the skin's natural sebum, providing excellent hydration and improving skin elasticity.
Usually helps with
Hydration, softening
Emollient
Butyrospermum Parkii (Shea) Butter
A rich emollient known for its moisturizing and skin-conditioning properties.
Usually helps with
Moisturizing
Derived from jojoba oil, these esters provide a smooth, non-greasy feel and help to condition the skin.
Usually helps with
Skin conditioning
Emulsifier
Glyceryl Stearate
An emulsifier and emollient that helps to blend oil and water, and conditions the skin.
Usually helps with
Emulsifying, conditioning
Viscosity Controlling Agent
Hectorite
A clay mineral used to thicken formulations and improve texture.
Usually helps with
Texture enhancement
Emulsifier
Sodium Stearoyl Glutamate
A mild emulsifier that helps to create stable emulsions.
Usually helps with
Emulsifying
Emollient
Limnanthes Alba (Meadowfoam) Seed Oil
A rich oil known for its antioxidant properties and ability to moisturize and protect the skin.
Usually helps with
Moisturizing, antioxidant
Emollient
Hydrogenated Phosphatidylcholine
A phospholipid that helps to repair and maintain the skin barrier, improving hydration and reducing irritation.
Usually helps with
Barrier repair, hydration
Emollient
Dimethicone Crosspolymer
A silicone polymer that provides a smooth, silky feel and can help to create a breathable barrier.
Usually helps with
Smooth feel, barrier
Watch for
Can feel heavy for some
Preservative
Phenoxyethanol
A common preservative used to prevent microbial growth in cosmetic products.
Usually helps with
Preservation
Watch for
Can be irritating for sensitive skin in high concentrations
Emollient
Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Seed Wax
A plant-based wax that provides texture and emollience to the formula.
Usually helps with
Texture, emollience
Emollient
Coco-Caprylate/Caprate
A lightweight, natural emollient derived from coconut oil that improves skin feel and hydration.
Usually helps with
Skin feel, hydration
Antioxidant
Oryza Sativa (Rice) Bran Extract
Contains antioxidants that help protect the skin from environmental damage.
Usually helps with
Antioxidant protection
Humectant
Pentylene Glycol
A humectant that also has some antimicrobial properties, helping to preserve the formula.
Usually helps with
Hydration, preservation
A humectant that also acts as a preservative booster, improving skin feel.
Usually helps with
Hydration, preservation
Essential components of cell membranes, they help to restore and maintain the skin barrier, improving hydration.
Usually helps with
Barrier function, hydration
Skin Conditioning Agent
Phytosterols
Plant-derived sterols that can help to soothe and condition the skin, and support barrier function.
Usually helps with
Soothing, barrier support
An essential fatty acid that helps to strengthen the skin barrier and improve hydration.
Usually helps with
Barrier strength, hydration
Soothing Agent
Stearyl Glycyrrhetinate
A derivative of licorice root, known for its anti-inflammatory and soothing properties.
Usually helps with
Soothing, anti-inflammatory
Thickener
Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
A synthetic polymer used to thicken formulations and improve texture.
Usually helps with
Texture enhancement
A solvent and viscosity-decreasing agent.
Usually helps with
Texture adjustment
Preservative
Ethylhexylglycerin
A preservative that also acts as a skin conditioner and deodorant agent.
Usually helps with
Preservation, skin conditioning
Used to adjust the pH of the formula, ensuring optimal performance and stability.
Usually helps with
pH balance
A form of Vitamin B5 that acts as a humectant, soothing and moisturizing the skin.
Usually helps with
Hydration, soothing
Chelating Agent
Tetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate
A chelating agent that helps to improve the stability and performance of the formula by binding to metal ions.
Usually helps with
Formula stability
Antioxidant
Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Extract
Rich in antioxidants, it helps to protect the skin from environmental damage.
Usually helps with
Antioxidant protection
Soothing Agent
Glycyrrhiza Glabra (Licorice) Root Extract
Known for its anti-inflammatory and brightening properties, it helps to calm redness and even out skin tone.
Usually helps with
Soothing, brightening
A type of carotenoid with antioxidant properties.
Usually helps with
Antioxidant
A form of Vitamin E, it's a potent antioxidant that protects the skin from free radical damage.
Usually helps with
Antioxidant protection
A humectant that helps to attract and retain moisture in the skin.
Usually helps with
Hydration
Antioxidant
Rosmarinus Officinalis (Rosemary) Leaf Extract
Contains antioxidants that help protect the skin from environmental damage.
Usually helps with
Antioxidant protection
A phospholipid that acts as an emulsifier and skin conditioner, helping to improve texture and hydration.
Usually helps with
Emulsifying, conditioning
Skin Conditioning Agent
Ceramide NP
A lipid naturally found in the skin barrier, essential for maintaining hydration and protecting against environmental aggressors.
Usually helps with
Barrier repair, hydration
Humectant
Sodium Hyaluronate
The salt form of hyaluronic acid, it's a powerful humectant that draws moisture into the skin, plumping and hydrating.
Usually helps with
Hydration, plumping
Antioxidant
Sodium Ascorbate
A stable salt form of Vitamin C, providing antioxidant benefits to protect the skin.
Usually helps with
Antioxidant protection