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1
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aqua/water/eau
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Plain old water
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2
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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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3
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propanediol
|
Acts as a solvent for other ingredients. Speeds up the absorption of other ingredients into the skin
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4
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glyceryl 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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5
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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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6
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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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7
|
ppg-15 stearyl ether
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Help soften the upper layer of the skin and create a nice product consistency
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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
|
hydrogenated ethylhexyl olivate
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|
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10
|
glycerin
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One of the best moisturizing ingredients. Naturally present in skin. It attracts water to the upper layer of the skin working as a humectant
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11
|
myristyl myristate
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An emollient. Is not recommended for acne-prone skin as it can be comedogenic
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12
|
panthenol
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Helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin and can help improve skin barrier function
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13
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retinyl palmitate
|
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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14
|
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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15
|
caffeine
|
Might be helpful in neutralizing free radicals. Can have a dehydration effect that might somewhat decrease the look of puffy eyes
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16
|
aloe barbadensis (aloe vera) leaf juice powder
|
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
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17
|
epilobium fleischeri extract
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|
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18
|
barosma betulina leaf extract
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|
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19
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zingiber officinale (ginger) root extract
|
A plant extract that can contain an irritating essential oil. Might have some anti-oxidant effect, but evidence is lacking
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20
|
jojoba esters
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An emollient made of jojoba oil. Helps soften the skin and support its barrier function
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21
|
hydrogenated olive oil unsaponifiables
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Help soften the upper layer of the skin
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22
|
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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23
|
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.
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24
|
bisabolol
|
An active component of chamomile plant that historically has been used to calm down irritated skin. A recent study shows that bisabolol indeed can have some anti-inflammatory effect on skin, even though conclusive data is lacking. Bisabolol has a sweet floral scent and can be added to products for its aromatic properties
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25
|
arachidyl alcohol
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Used to soften the upper layer of the skin and create a thicker product consistency
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26
|
polysorbate 60
|
Helps oil and water mix together
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|
27
|
polyacrylamide
|
Used to improve product texture and help oil and water mix together
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|
28
|
xanthan gum
|
Used to create a thicker product consistency
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29
|
arachidyl glucoside
|
Helps oil and water mix together
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|
30
|
butylene glycol
|
Used to create a nice product texture and help delivery of other ingredients. Might be somewhat helpful in attracting water to the upper layer of the skin
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31
|
caprylyl glycol
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Helps preserve products and creates a nice product texture
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|
32
|
behenyl alcohol
|
Non-drying alcohol that helps water and oil mix together. Also serves as an emollient
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|
33
|
benzyl alcohol
|
A preservative. Can be used to mask unpleasant smell. Can be irritating
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|
34
|
disodium edta
|
Stabilizes the product formulation
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35
|
bht
|
A preservative
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|
36
|
laureth-7
|
Helps oil and water mix together
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|
37
|
sodium hyaluronate
|
One of the best moisturizing ingredients. Attracts water into the upper layer of the skin
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|
38
|
aminomethyl propanol
|
Used to adjust the pH in formulations
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|
39
|
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
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40
|
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)
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41
|
benzoic acid
|
A preservative
|
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42
|
phenoxyethanol
|
A preservative. It helps prevent bacterial growth in cosmetic products
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43
|
chlorphenesin
|
A preservative
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44
|
sorbic acid
|
A preservative
|
|
45
|
parfum/fragrance
|
An aromatic blend of unspecified irritating ingredients
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|
46
|
citral
|
A fragrance with a lemon scent. A likely irritant
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|
47
|
geraniol
|
A fragrance. Can be irritating
|
|
48
|
limonene
|
A common frangrance that can easily irritate skin, especially if exposed to air, light or heat
|
|
49
|
linalool
|
A fragrance. Can be irritating
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