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1
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purified water
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Plain old water
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2
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glycolic acid
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An alpha-hydroxy acid (AHA) that helps to remove the dead skin cells on the surface of the skin reveling a more even, smoother complexation. It is also able to stimulate collagen production with long-term use. Could help to reduce pore congestion. It can be irritating to the skin. Apply sunscreen daily if using products with glycolic acid
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3
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c12-15 alkyl, benzoate
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Enhances the product texture and makes it more spreadable. Helps reduce water loss from the outer layer of skin. Extands the shelf life by preventing bacteria growth
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4
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cyclomethicone
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A type of silicone that leaves a nice silky finish on the skin and can help soften its upper layer
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5
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cetearyl alcohol
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A non-drying alcohol. Works as an emollient. Helps water and oil mix together and creates a nice product texture
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6
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gyceryl stearate
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An emollient that softens the skin and forms a protective layer on its surface. Helps water and oil mix together
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7
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ammonium hydroxide
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8
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dimethicone
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A silicone that helps to reduce water loss from the surface of the skin. Can temporarily "fill in" lines and wrinkles, absorb oil, and create a nice product finish
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9
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polyacrylamide
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Used to improve product texture and help oil and water mix together
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10
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c13-14 isoparaffin
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Helps soften the upper layer of the skin, dissolve other ingredients and create a thicker product consistency
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11
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squalane
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An oil naturally present in skin. Works as an emollient to soften the skin and form a protective layer on its surface without a greasy feeling.
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12
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tocopheryl, acetate
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A more stable but less bio-available form of vitamin E compared to Tocopherol. Might help moisturize and protect the skin from free radicals, but mostly used in low concentrations to stabilize other ingredients.
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13
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vitamin e
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Pure form of vitamin E. Can help moisturise and protect the skin from free radicals. Often used to help stabilise other ingredients or the formula itself
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14
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camelia sinensis (green tea) leaf extract
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Can contain potent anti-oxidant compounds and help protect the skin from free radicals. Can help calm down inflammation and has some anti-bacterial properties
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15
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ubiquinone (coenzyme q10
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Coenzyme Q10. It helps neutralize free radicals in skin, improves skin hydration and might be helpful agains fine lines and wrinkles. It can be an allergen
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16
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hydrolyzed glycosaminoglycans
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Long sugars that help attract water to the upper layer of the skin
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17
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phospholipids
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Emollients that are naturaly present in skin. In addition, they help water and oil mix together in the product
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18
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retinyl palmitate
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Three steps removed from the active form of vitamin A - retinoic acid. To have an effect in the skin, it first needs to be converted twice to become the retinoic acid. This means it is less potent than retinol, but could also be less irritating. Once converted to the retinoic acid in the skin, it helps against all signs of aging, improves skin cell turnover and helps fight blemishes and clogged pores. However, in many cosmetic formulations, it is used in a concentration that is too low to have the full effect
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19
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vitamin a
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Two steps removed from the active form of vitamin A - retinoic acid. Once converted to the retinoic acid in the skin, retinol is proven to be effective against all signs of aging. It improves skin cell turnover, helps fight blemishes and clogged pores, can regulate excess oil production and even skin tone. It can, however, be quite irritating
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20
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ascorbyl palmitate
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Being a lipid soluble form of vitamin C, it is more stable and can penetrate the skin better than L-Ascorbic acid. It is effective in protecting the skin from free radicals, as well as evening the skin tone, but is less effective in stimulating collagen production compared to L-Ascorbic acid.
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21
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vitamin c
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One of the few well researched potent anti-aging ingredients. When it is able to penetrate the skin in an active state, it is effective against fine lines and wrinkles, helps improve skin elasticity and reduce hyperpigmentation. It acts as a powerful anti-oxidant and stimulates collagen production. The main issue with ascorbic acid is that it is highly unstable, in other words, it is losing its effectivenss quickly when exposed to air and light (if a serum or cream containing ascorbic acid has an orange color, it is a likely that the ingredient has oxidized and is no longer active). In addition, it is water-soluble, meaning that it has difficulty pentrating the skin. It is also quite irritating, and can cause stinging. When used in low concentrations, helps stabilize the product formulation
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22
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cetearyl glucoside
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Helps water and oil in the product mix well together and improves product texture
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23
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peg-100 stearate
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Helps oil and water mix togehter and creates a nice product texture
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24
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xanthan gum
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Used to create a thicker product consistency
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25
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laureth-7
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Helps oil and water mix together
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26
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disodium edta
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Stabilizes the product formulation
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27
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methylparaben
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A preservative
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28
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propylparaben
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A preservative
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29
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imidazolidinyl urea
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A preservative. Is more irritating than many other preservatives available
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