| 1 |
water/aqua/eau
| Plain old water |
| 2 |
alcohol denat.
| Produces temporary toning effect. Can help dissolve other ingredients or preserve products |
| 3 |
sd alcohol 40-b
| Can be drying and contribute to skin irritation. Used in formulars to dissolve other ingredients, create a thinner product consistency or for its antibacterial properties |
| 4 |
glycolic acid
| 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 |
| 5 |
potassium hydroxide
| Used to adjust the pH level of products |
| 6 |
lactic acid
| An exfoliating and moisturizing alpha-hydroxy acid (AHA). Typically causes less irritation than other AHAs, for example, glycolic acid. At high concentrations (about 15%), lactic acid can help reduce lines and wrinkles. Recent studies show that lactic acid can support the "good" bacteria living on skin's surface (healthy skin microbiom) |
| 7 |
salicylic acid
| Used for skin exfoliation. It has an anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial effect, helps to unclog pores, prevent blemishes and speed up healing of the existing ones. Sometimes referred to as a BHA (beta-hydroxy acid) |
| 8 |
squalane
| 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. |
| 9 |
glycerin
| One of the best moisturizing ingredients. Naturally present in skin. It attracts water to the upper layer of the skin working as a humectant |
| 10 |
hexylresorcinol
| Might be helpful in reducing hyperpigmentation and neutralizing free radicals in skin |
| 11 |
olive oil glycereth-8 esters
| |
| 12 |
bakuchiol
| A plant extract that is, though different in chemical structure, acts similar to retinoids. Studies confirm that it can help reduce fine lines and wrinkles, improve skin tone, reduce clogged pores and blemishes, and reduce inflammation. It is less irritating than retinol |
| 13 |
bromelain
| |
| 14 |
papain
| An enzyme extracted from papaya fruit. Can have an exfoliating effect on the skin. Can be irritating |
| 15 |
phytic acid
| An alpha-hydroxy acid (AHA), but is mostly used to stabilize product formulations in cosmetics |
| 16 |
linoleic acid
| An excellent emollient. Helps soften the skin, restore its barrier function, and can help to calm down inflammation. It can be helpful to prevent blemishes and clogged pores |
| 17 |
linolenic acid
| An emollient that helps soften the skin and calm down inflammation |
| 18 |
soy isoflavones
| |
| 19 |
aloe barbadensis leaf juice
| Traditionally used to treat sunburns, dermatitis and inflammation, but evidence for its effectiveness is lacking. The extract can contain humectants that help attract water into the skin |
| 20 |
saccharide isomerate
| Helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin |
| 21 |
sodium hyaluronate
| One of the best moisturizing ingredients. Attracts water into the upper layer of the skin |
| 22 |
salix alba (willow) bark extract
| A plant extract that can help neutralize free radicals in skin. It contains a compound salicin that can theoretically be converted into salicylic acid that, in turn, helps reduce inflammation in skin, but the evidence of effectiveness in skin is lacking. |
| 23 |
phospholipids
| Emollients that are naturaly present in skin. In addition, they help water and oil mix together in the product |
| 24 |
copper pca
| Helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin |
| 25 |
zinc pca
| A compound that combines zinc with a hydrating ingredient PCA. Might to be helpful against acne and clogged pores. Can help calm down inflammation in skin. Could be helpful in reducing the formation of free radicals in skin. Might help to reduce fine lines in wrinkles, but solid evidence is missing |
| 26 |
hydroxyethyl urea
| A derivative of urea, a compound that is naturally present in skin. Attracts water to the upper layer of the skin. Can enhance penetration of other ingredients |
| 27 |
disodium edta
| Stabilizes the product formulation |
| 28 |
citric acid
| Can work as an exfoliant but is typically used to adjust the product pH |
| 29 |
sodium citrate
| Helps to control the skin's pH level. Maintains the skin's natural film of amino-lactic acids and oils. Helps to preserve products |
| 30 |
leuconostoc/radish root ferment filtrate
| A preservative that comes from radishes fermented by a bacteria. New research suggests that the preservation properties in the ingredient come from an ammonium salt that is not present naturally in radish root but used in its cultivation. Is problematic because the exact amount of the preservative agents is difficult to determine |
| 31 |
maltodextrin
| Used to stabilize the product formulation and can help absorb oil |
| 32 |
hamamelis virginiana (witch hazel) water
| A plant extract that can help calm down inflammation in skin. Can, however, itself be irritating |
| 33 |
menthone glycerin acetal
| |
| 34 |
vitis vinifera (grape) fruit extract
| A plant extract that helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin. It might be helpful in neutralizing free radicals in skin, but is less potent than the extract from the seeds |
| 35 |
jasminum officinale (jasmine) flower/leaf extract
| Used as a fragrance |
| 36 |
eugenia caryophyllus (clove) flower extract
| A plant extract that is used as a fragrance. Can be irritating |
| 37 |
caprylic/capric triglyceride
| A good mix of fatty acids that forms a protective layer on the skin. Improves the shelf life of products. Derived from coconut and glycerin |
| 38 |
lavandula angustifolia (lavender) flower/leaf/stem extract
| |
| 39 |
phenoxyethanol
| A preservative. It helps prevent bacterial growth in cosmetic products |
| 40 |
benzoic acid
| A preservative |
