| 1 |
aqua
| Plain old water |
| 2 |
ascorbic acid
| 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a serum or cream containing ascorbic acid has an orange color, it is a likely that the ingredient has oxidized and is no longer active).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 |
| 3 |
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 |
| 4 |
dimethyl isosorbide
| Used to dissolve other ingredients in a product and can enhance their ability to penetrate the skin |
| 5 |
pentylene glycol
| Used to preserve products, dissolve other ingredients and create a nice product texture |
| 6 |
propanediol
| Acts as a solvent for other ingredients. Speeds up the absorption of other ingredients into the skin |
| 7 |
terminalia ferdinandiana fruit extract
| A plant extract that might have some anti-oxidant effect in skin, but evidence is lacking |
| 8 |
sodium hyaluronate
| One of the best moisturizing ingredients. Attracts water into the upper layer of the skin |
| 9 |
ferulic acid
| A potent anti-oxidant that has been shown to be effective in neutralizing free radicals in skin. There seem to have a synergetic effect of ferulic acid, vitamin E and C, meaning that when the ingredients are used together, they enhance each other's ability protect the skin against free radicals. Ferulic acid also helps to stabilize other ingredients - including vitamins C and E. It can help to even out the skin tone. Ferulic acid is approved for use as a sunscreen ingredient in Japan in concentrations up to 10% |
| 10 |
olea europaea (olive) leaf extract
| A plant extract that might have some anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory properties but evidence for effectiveness in skin is missing |
| 11 |
zizyphus jujuba seed extract
| |
| 12 |
levan
| |
| 13 |
decyl glucoside
| Helps oil and water mix together. Can be irritating |
| 14 |
galactoarabinan
| Helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin |
| 15 |
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 |
| 16 |
xylitol
| Helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin and repair the skin barrier function |
| 17 |
caprylic acid
| |
| 18 |
sodium hydroxide
| Used to adjust the product's pH |
| 19 |
citric acid
| Can work as an exfoliant but is typically used to adjust the product pH |
| 20 |
phenethyl alcohol
| A fragrance. Can be irritating |
| 21 |
ethylhexylglycerin
| A preservative |
| 22 |
potassium sorbate
| A preservative |
| 23 |
caprylyl glycol
| Helps preserve products and creates a nice product texture |
