Phenoxyethanol is one of the most popular preservatives. It kills bacteria and makes the product live longer. Manufacturers like this ingredient because it can dissolve in any liquid, even in oils.
Another purpose of this component is the fixation of aromas in perfumery. Phenoxyethanol is also used as a strong antiseptic and a good antibacterial agent. It is widely used in dermatological cosmetics alongside natural antiseptics such as chamomile, sage, and calendula.
Butylene Glycol is a very popular synthetic alcohol. It helps the product to absorb deeper and faster. It is also a solvent for other ingredients. As for the skin benefits, it helps to attract water and helps to make the skin softer.
7
Fragrance
Roles: Deodorant, Fragrance, Masking
Fragrances
Fragrance is a mix of chemical ingredients (usually 20-30 chemicals but up to 200 sometimes) that help the product to smell better. It can hide many bad things. Synthetic fragrances may contain many different chemicals, but manufacturers don’t want to reveal each of them for some reason and hide them behind the word "Fragrance".
8
Vitis Vinifera (Grape) Seed OilAntioxidant
Roles: Skin conditioning, Emollient
Elasticity improvement
Nutrifying
Good for oily skin
Vitis Vinifera (Grape) Seed Oil is a very strong antioxidant and it's a very valuable skincare component. It's great for treating acne. It helps to deliver vitamins into the deep layers of your skin. It improves elasticity and helps to treat wrinkles.
9
Olea Europaea (Olive) OilAntioxidant
Roles: Skin conditioning, Fragrance
Moisturizing
Softening
Hair follicle nutrition
Malassezia unsafe
Comedogenic rating [ 2 ]
Olea Europaea (Olive) Oil is a great natural ingredient rich with Vitamin E and Vitamin A. It’s an antioxidant that helps to slower aging, recover elasticity and slower wrinkle forming. It makes the skin softer, smooth and lowers inflammation. In antient times people used Olive Oil for healing wounds.
10
Tocopheryl AcetateVitaminsAntioxidant
Roles: Skin conditioning
Softening
Nutrifying
Tocopheryl Acetate is a form of Vitamine E. It’s used as an alternative to Tocopherol because it is more stable in the formulation. It has all the positive effects of Tocopherol plus better stability. It’s a brilliant component. It conditions and nourishes the skin helping it to resist aging. It also helps to protect the skin from the sun. High concentrations of Tocopheryl Acetate can lead to irritation and allergic reactions.
11
Water
Roles: Solvent
Water is a great solvent. It’s neutral and doesn’t provide any strong positive or negative effects. It just helps components to mix better and to transport active components.
12
Ethylhexylglycerin
Roles: Skin conditioning, Deodorant
Moisturizing
Softening
Antiseptic
Deodorant
Ethylhexylglycerin makes the skin softer, smoother and more hydrated. It acts deeply but without any heavy or sticky feeling. In haircare products, it works as a conditioner and scalp cleanser. It is safe but only in concentration below 8% in rinse-off products and below 2% in leave-on products. Can be an irritator in higher concentrations. In general, this component is great if you see it somewhere at the bottom of the list.
13
Thuja Orientalis Leaf Extract
14
Propanediol
Roles: Solvent, Viscosity controlling
Moisturizing
Hair conditioning
Propanediol is a good solvent, emollient and humectant. It helps to moisturize the skin and prevent moisture loss. In haircare products, it conditions hair and improves absorption of the product.
15
~zanthoxylum Piperitum Fruit Extract~
16
Carthamus Tinctorius (Safflower) Flower Extract
Roles: Skin conditioning
Soothing
Healing
Anticellulite
Regeneration
Protection
17
Dextrin
Roles: Binding, Bulking, Viscosity controlling
18
Gardenia Florida Fruit Extract
19
Vitis Vinifera (Grape) Root Extract
Moisturizing
Acne fighting
Soothing
Antiseptic
Regeneration
20
Vitis Vinifera (Grape) Vine Extract
Roles: Skin conditioning
21
1,2-Hexanediol
Roles: Solvent
Moisturizing
Good for dry skin
1,2-Hexanediol can do a lot of good things for the formulation of the product. It’s an emollient, preservative, and humectant. It keeps skin hydrated and soft. It’s a good component for dry and dehydrated skin.
22
Bambusa Vulgaris Leaf/stem Extract
23
Aspalathus Linearis (Rooibos) Extract
Roles: Skin conditioning
24
Angelica Archangelica Root Extract
Roles: Skin conditioning, Fragrance
Soothing
Antiseptic
25
Malpighia Glabra (West Indian Cherry) Fruit ExtractAntioxidant
Roles: Skin conditioning
Nutrifying
Protection
Hair conditioning
26
ResveratrolAntioxidant
Anti-aging
Lightening
Lifting
Elasticity improvement
Nutrifying
Rejuvenation
27
Polydiethyleneglycol Adipate/Ipdi Copolymer
Roles: Film former
28
Acrylates/Ammonium Methacrylate Copolymer
Roles: Antistatic, Binding, Film former, Hair fixative