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.
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.
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.
Sodium Hyaluronate is an amazing component! It plays very important role in skin hydration process. It helps to maintain water balance and lower water loss. Scientists have found a direct dependence between the level of Sodium Hyaluronate in cells and skin aging. That's why this component is so much important. It must be in your routine if you want to have a healthy and fresh looking skin.
Some people think that Sodium Hyaluronate and Hyaluronic acid are different names of the same component, but it is not entirely correct. Hyaluronic acid is a different chemical but with similar effects. Actually, Sodium Hyaluronate is used in cosmetics much more often because it’s more stable and has much better resistance to oxidation.
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Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid
Moisturizing
Anti-aging
Elasticity improvement
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Hydroxypropyltrimonium Hyaluronate
Roles: Film former, Humectant
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Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer
Roles: Skin conditioning, Humectant
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Aphanothece Sacrum Polysaccharide (Sacrum)
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Hydrogenated Starch Hydrolysate
Roles: Humectant
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Glycosyl Trehalose
Roles: Binding, Emulsion stabilizer, Film former, Humectant
Sorbitol is usually used for making different gels. It helps the product to keep water and it helps to deliver active components deeper into the skin. It is a moisturizing and soothing component. It is usually accepted well by all skin types.
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Pentylene Glycol
Roles: Skin conditioning, Solvent
Moisturizing
Hair conditioning
Pentylene Glycol is a great replacement for Propylene Glycol. It has very similar characteristics but it’s derived from plants (usually from corn). Natural cosmetics lovers will find this component very useful. It enhances the moisturizing effect of cosmetic products, improves the efficiency of preservatives and it’s an effective emulsifier. It’s approved by ECOCERT and COSMOS so it’s considered to be 100% safe and can be used in vegan products.
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Triethyl CitrateAntioxidant
Roles: Deodorant, Fragrance, Masking, Solvent
Antiseptic
Deodorant
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Carbomer
Roles: Emulsion stabilizer, Gel forming, Viscosity controlling
Moisturizing
Carbomer is used for formulation purposes. It helps to control the viscosity and flow of a product. It’s considered safe but only if it’s well purified. Poorly purified carbomers may contain benzol which may lead to irritation.
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Polyquaternium-51
Roles: Skin conditioning, Film former, Humectant
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PEG-32
Roles: Binding, Humectant, Solvent
Moisturizing
Cleansing
Softening
PEG
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PEG-75
Roles: Binding, Humectant, Solvent
PEG
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Ammonium Acrylates Copolymer
Roles: Antistatic, Binding, Film former, Viscosity controlling
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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.
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Potassium Hydroxide
Roles: Buffering
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Diethoxyethyl Succinate
Roles: Solvent
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Disodium SuccinateAntioxidant
Roles: Fragrance, Masking, Surfactant
Regeneration
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Succinic Acid
Roles: Buffering, Fragrance, Masking
Cleansing
Soothing
Anti-aging
Lifting
Elasticity improvement
Rejuvenation
Antiseptic
Regeneration
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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.
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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.
