A preservative belonging to a class of antimicrobial agents known as higher molecular glycols. Read More »
Categories: Preservatives
A synthetic ingredient that functions as a skin-conditioning and occlusive agent. Read More »
Categories: Emollients
A fragrant extract from a type of acacia tree. There is no research showing it to have any benefit... Read More »
Categories: Plant Extracts, Fragrance: Synthetic and Fragrant Plant Extracts
Herb that can have anti-inflammatory properties, but is used primarily as a thickening agent. Read More »
Categories: Thickeners/Emulsifiers, Plant Extracts, Anti-Irritants
Pronounced "ah-sigh-ee", this small berry with a deep purple color is a potent source of... Read More »
Categories: Antioxidants, Plant Extracts
Trade name for the drug with the active ingredient isotretinoin. Acutane as a brand name is no... Read More »
Categories: Prescription Drugs, Vitamins
Acerola contains vitamin C. However, the dry acerola fruit and powder are unlikely to be a good... Read More »
Categories: Plant Extracts
Acid found in vinegar, some fruits, and human sweat. It can be a skin irritant and drying to skin,... Read More »
Categories: Irritants
Strong solvent that is used in Nail Polish removers. Read More »
Categories: Miscellaneous
See L-carnitine
Categories: Antioxidants
Amino acid sugar and primary constituent of mucopolysaccharides and hyaluronic acid. As such, it... Read More »
Used as an emollient and thickening agent in cosmetics. Read More »
Categories: Thickeners/Emulsifiers, Emollients
A synthetically-derived peptide that is being used in a wide range of skin care and makeup... Read More »
Categories: Cell-Communicating Ingredients
A synthetic peptide that is based around octapeptide-3, a peptide complex composed of the amino acids aspartic acid, glutamic acid, glutamine, and methionine... Read More »
Related to citric acid and used as a plasticizer, most commonly in nail polish and nail-hardening... Read More »
An amino acid complex that functions as a skin-conditioning agent. There is no research proving it... Read More »
Categories: Emollients, Thickeners/Emulsifiers
Emollient derived from lanolin. Read More »
An ester of lanolin alcohol uses as an emollient and occlusive agent. An ester is a compound formed... Read More »
Chemical name for aspirin, one of the most widely used anti-inflammatory drugs in the world.... Read More »
Categories: Anti-Irritants
See yarrow extract
Categories: Plant Extracts, Anti-Irritants
Anything with a pH lower than 7 is considered acidic—above 7 is considered alkaline. Water has a pH... Read More »
Soaps that often contain anti-bacterial ingredients, and they are often overly drying and... Read More »
Categories: Surfactants/Detergent Cleansing Agents, Antibacterial/Anti-Acne
Paula Begoun is the best-selling author of 20 books on skin care and makeup. She is known worldwide as the Cosmetics Cop and creator of Paula's Choice. Paula's expertise has led to hundreds of appearances on national and international TV including:
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