Glycerin2, Butylene Glycol3, Allantoin9, Betaine12, 1,2-Hexanediol19 and 8 more.
Softening10
Glycerin2, Butylene Glycol3, Allantoin9, Cyamopsis Tetragonoloba (Guar) Gum11, Betaine12 and 5 more.
Soothing7
Allantoin9, Calcium Chloride13, Brassica Oleracea Italica (Broccoli) Extract30, Vaccinium Macrocarpon (Cranberry) Fruit Extract38, Eucalyptus Globulus40 and 2 more.
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.
Glycerin is one of the most outstanding and helpful skincare components. It's used in many skincare products because it works and provides notable results. It's one of the best moisturizers. Molecules of Glycerin can absorb water and deliver it into deep layers of the skin making it hydrated.
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.
Allantoin usually doesn’t catch too much attention, but it is an essential ingredient for sensitive, dry, and problem skin. It is a good moisturizer that makes skin hydrated. But manufacturers love it because of its strong soothing effect. It also exfoliates dead cells, stimulates recovery of your skin, and helps to protect the skin from the sun, frost, and similar negative impacts.
The component is researched very well and its soothing activity is confirmed by scientists. Used in concentration between 0.5-2%.
10
Methylparaben
Roles: Fragrance, Preservative
Parabens
Methylparaben is an effective preservative. It is a controversial ingredient in terms of safety. In 2006 there was a laboratory test showed that this component can increase the sun sensitivity of the skin cells. That’s why it’s a good idea to use sunscreen after you use this component.
11
Cyamopsis Tetragonoloba (Guar) Gum
Roles: Binding, Emulsion stabilizer, Film former, Fragrance, Masking, Viscosity controlling
Betaine is used a lot in “organic” skincare products. It is a good moisturizer that not only hydrates the skin but also strengthens the cell membrane. This helps to lower the water loss over time. It also softens the skin and reduces irritation and redness. It’s often used at a 3-5% concentration depending on the product.
13
Calcium Chloride
Roles: Astringent, Viscosity controlling
Soothing
14
Chlorphenesin
Roles: Antimicrobial, Biocide, Preservative
Chlorphenesin is a popular preservative. It doesn’t provide any skin-related positive effects and is used to prevent bacterial growth inside a product. It’s a weak preservative but works much better with silicones.
Allowed concentration: no more than 0,3% for European Union countries.
15
Calcium Aluminum Borosilicate
Roles: Bulking
16
Adenosine
Roles: Skin conditioning
17
Pyrus Pyrifolia Fruit Extract
18
Titanium Dioxide
Roles: Colorant
UV Protection
Titanium Dioxide is a very effective sunscreen. It belongs to physical sunscreens, meaning it reflects the UV rays like a mirror. The component is a mineral with white color. That’s why it’s also used in different powders as a pigment or brightener.
The component can be both safe and unsafe. It’s reported to be possibly carcinogenic to humans when inhaled. That’s why we don’t recommend using products where TiO2 is used in the form of powder and can be inhaled.
Sometimes it can be a nanoparticle. We recommend avoiding this form because it’s not researched well enough. A safer option is to use a non-nano form.
19
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.
20
Scutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract
21
Synthetic Fluorphlogopite
Roles: Bulking, Viscosity controlling
22
Vaccinium Angustifolium Fruit Extract
23
Glyceryl Caprylate
Roles: Emollient, Emulsifying, Surfactant
24
Disodium EDTA
Roles: Chelating, Viscosity controlling
Disodium EDTA is an emulsion stabilizer and chelating agent. It deactivates the metal ions preventing them from reacting with other active ingredients. It improves the stability of a cosmetic formula and keeps the product’s consistency, texture, and pH unchanged. It doesn’t have any skincare effects and is used for formulation purposes only.
25
Rubus Fruticosus (Blackberry) Fruit Extract
Roles: Astringent, Fragrance, Masking
Moisturizing
Elasticity improvement
Tones up skin
26
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.
27
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".
28
Ethyl Hexanediol
Roles: Fragrance, Solvent
29
Sambucus Nigra (Elder) Fruit Extract
Roles: Astringent
30
Brassica Oleracea Italica (Broccoli) ExtractAntioxidant
Green Tea Leaf Extract is a great antioxidant often used in Korean skincare products. It contains EGCG - the most effective flavonoid. It makes the skin look fresh, fills it with vitamines, and helps to prevent aging. It also helps to lower inflammation.
45
Linum Usitatissimum (Flax) Seed Extract
Roles: Skin conditioning
Moisturizing
Softening
Soothing
Healing
46
Salvia Hispanica Seed Extract
Roles: Skin conditioning, Emollient
47
Pinus Sylvestris (Scot's Pine) Leaf Extract
Soothing
Antiseptic
Tones up skin
Hair strengthening
48
Tin Oxide
Roles: Abrasive, Bulking, Viscosity controlling
49
Carmine
Roles: Colorant, Fragrance
50
Astaxanthin
Roles: Skin conditioning, Colorant
51
Phenoxyethanol
Roles: Fragrance, Preservative
Antiseptic
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.
Calendula Officinalis Flower Extract is used in medicine for hundreds of years. A small study shows that it can make skin firmer and more hydrated. There was also a slight improvement in elasticity of the skin. The component also heals wounds.
