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.
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.
5
PPG-3 Benzyl Ether Myristate
Roles: Skin conditioning
6
Methyl Methacrylate Crosspolymer
Roles: Film former, Viscosity controlling
7
Glycereth-5 Lactate
Roles: Emollient, Emulsifying, Solvent
8
Dimethicone PEG/PPG-12/4 Phosphate
Roles: Cleansing, Emulsifying, Surfactant
9
Polyhydroxystearic Acid
Roles: Emulsifying
10
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.
11
Sodium Citrate
Roles: Buffering, Chelating, Masking
Sodium Citrate is a water-soluble soft organic surfactant with strong stabilizing and conditioning effects. It helps to produce foam and lowers the negative impact of hard water on your skin and hair. It also helps to regulate the pH level of the product. It’s a natural ingredient and it’s safe for most people. It’s used in food (additive number E331).
12
Poloxamer 407
Roles: Emulsifying, Surfactant
13
Isononyl Isononanoate
Roles: Skin conditioning, Antistatic, Emollient
14
Ethylhexyl Isononanoate
Roles: Emollient
Softening
Ethylhexyl Isononanoate is a softening agent that forms a thin protecting film on your skin and helps it to keep water. The component also improves the texture and feeling of the product. Ethylhexyl Isononanoate is also used in haircare products helping your hair slide better and making combing process easier.
