Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride is an emollient that also hydrates the skin without leaving a fatty film. When applied, the component feels smooth and light. In haircare products, it’s also used for hydrating purposes. It makes hair silky, lowers tangling, and makes hair smooth.
It’s safe for most people, except for people with allergic reactions to coconut or palm oil because these oils are usually used for producing the component.
3
Ethylhexyl Stearate
Roles: Emollient
Softening
4
Isohexadecane
Roles: Skin conditioning, Emollient, Solvent
Softening
Protection
5
PEG-20 Glyceryl Triisostearate
Roles: Emollient, Emulsifying, Surfactant
Malassezia unsafe
PEG
6
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.
7
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.
8
Hexyl Cinnamal
Roles: Fragrance, Masking
Allergens
Hexyl Cinnamal is a fragrance component that gives the product pleasant cinnamon and light jasmine aroma. It’s also used to enhance other fragrances. It’s considered a skin sensitizer and manufacturers have to call out this component on an ingredient statement.
9
Lilial
Roles: Fragrance, Masking
Allergens
10
Linalool
Roles: Deodorant, Fragrance, Masking
Allergens
Linalool gives the product a nice and fresh lavender scent. It can be found in many essential oils. It oxidizes during air exposure and becomes allergenic. It can lead to irritation causing problems for people with sensitive skin. The threat is even higher if the product was opened several months ago. In such products, more Linalool is oxidized.
Benzyl Salicylate is a fragrance component with a pleasant flower odor. It can be an allergy trigger and should be used carefully. Pay attention to this ingredient in a formulation if you have sensitive skin or if you have an allergy.
15
Ascorbyl TetraisopalmitateAntioxidant
Roles: Skin conditioning, Emollient
Anti-aging
Lightening
Healing
Nutrifying
16
Sodium Hydroxide
Roles: Buffering
Sodium Hydroxide is used mostly for formulation purposes. It helps to hold the pH level of a product. It also works as a chemical exfoliator that removes dead cells. Usually concentration of this component is low in skin care products and it’s used mostly for adjusting pH.
17
2-Oleamido-1,3-Octadecanediol
Roles: Skin conditioning, Emollient
18
Hydrolyzed Prunus Domestica
Roles: Skin conditioning
19
Laminaria Digitata Extract
Roles: Skin conditioning, Fragrance
20
Vaccinium Myrtillus (Bilberry) Extract
Roles: Skin conditioning, Astringent
21
Saccharum Officinarum (Sugar Cane) Extract
Roles: Skin conditioning, Moisturising
22
Citrus Aurantium Dulcis (Orange) Fruit Extract
Roles: Skin conditioning, Fragrance, Masking
23
Citrus Limon (Lemon) Peel Extract
24
Acer Saccharum (Sugar Maple) Extract
Roles: Keratolytic
25
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".