Rating | Ingredient |
---|---|
Average |
bismuth oxychlorideAlso known as synthetic pearl, it’s the primary ingredient included in most powders that are referred to as...
Categories:
Texture Enhancer,
Absorbent
|
Good |
boron nitrideSynthetic, inorganic powder, which in cosmetics has absorbent properties similar to those of...
Categories:
Absorbent
|
Good |
calcium carbonateChalk; used as an absorbent in cosmetics.
Categories:
Absorbent
|
Good |
aluminaAluminum oxide, which is used as an abrasive, a thickening agent, and an absorbent in cosmetics. |
Good |
Aluminum hydroxideA synthetic ingredient that functions as an opacifying agent. Secondary uses...
Categories:
Texture Enhancer,
Absorbent
|
Good |
aluminum magnesium silicateSalt that has absorbent properties.
Categories:
Absorbent
|
Good |
aluminum silicateSalt that has absorbent and abrasive properties.
Categories:
Absorbent,
Scrub Agents
|
Good |
aluminum starch octenylsuccinatePowdery thickening agent, absorbent, and anticaking agent used in cosmetics.
Categories:
Texture Enhancer,
Absorbent
|
Poor |
aluminum sulfateIt can sensitizing to skin.
Categories:
Absorbent,
Antioxidants
|
Poor |
ammonium chlorideAlkaline salt used as a pH balancer in skincare products; it is not used in concentrations that...
Categories:
Absorbent
|
Good |
bentoniteType of clay that is used as an absorbent in cosmetics. It can be drying for skin, though its...
Categories:
Absorbent
|
Good |
carnauba waxNatural, hard wax obtained from the leaves of palm trees. Used primarily as a thickening agent, but... |
Good |
charcoalPrimarily carbon substance formed by charring organic material in absence of oxygen. One...
Categories:
Absorbent
|
Good |
China clay
Categories:
Absorbent
|
Good |
clay
Categories:
Absorbent
|
Good |
Copernicia cerifera wax |
Good |
cornstarchStarch obtained from corn and sometimes used as an absorbent in cosmetics instead of talc.
Categories:
Plant Extracts,
Absorbent
|
Good |
fuller's earthMineral substance that is similar to kaolin (a clay). Composed mainly of alumina, silica, iron...
Categories:
Thickeners/Emulsifiers,
Absorbent
|
Good |
kaolinNaturally occurring clay mineral (silicate of aluminum) that is used in cosmetics for its absorbent...
Categories:
Absorbent
|
Good |
hydrolyzed corn starchA form of the natural absorbent corn starch that has been hydrolyzed, which means it has undergone...
Categories:
Absorbent
|
Average |
iron powderIron powder is, as the name states, a powdered versoin of the mineral iron. A natural ingredient, it's used as an opacifying agent in cosmetics.
Categories:
Absorbent
|
Good |
lithium magnesium sodium silicateSynthetic silica-based clay composed of lithium, sodium, and magnesium. Used as a thickening agent... |
Good |
magnesiumEarth mineral that has strong absorbent properties and some disinfecting properties…
Categories:
Absorbent
|
Good |
magnesium carbonateInorganic mineral salt used as an absorbent, opacifying agent, coloring agent, or to adjust the pH...
Categories:
Absorbent
|
Good |
magnesium hydroxideActive ingredient in milk of magnesia. It is an absorbent and has disinfectant properties for skin.
Categories:
Absorbent,
Miscellaneous
|
Good |
montmorilloniteA type of clay that is a mix of bentonite and fuller's earth, with the latter being a white to brown substance found in sediment...
Categories:
Absorbent
|
Good |
nylon-12Powder substance that is used as an absorbent and texture enhancer...
Categories:
Texture Enhancer,
Absorbent
|
Good |
potassiumImportant element in diet that is present in such fruits as bananas and citrus. It is also an earth...
Categories:
Plant Extracts,
Absorbent
|
Good |
sodium polyacrylateA synthetic polymer with multiple functions, including film-forming agent, stabilizer, absorbent,... |
Good |
rice starchAbsorbent substance sometimes included in products rather than talc....
Categories:
Plant Extracts,
Absorbent
|
Good |
silicaMineral found abundantly in sandstone, clay, and granite, as well as in parts of plants and...
Categories:
Thickeners/Emulsifiers,
Absorbent
|
Good |
silicateInorganic salt that has potent absorbing and thickening properties.
Categories:
Thickeners/Emulsifiers,
Absorbent
|
Good |
silk powderSynthetically derived powder used as an absorbent and slip agent.
Categories:
Absorbent,
Slip Agents
|
Good |
siltA sediment obtained from various bodies of water. Silt’s absorbent nature helps it function to...
Categories:
Absorbent
|
Poor |
sodium carbonateAbsorbent salt used in cosmetics; it can also be a skin sensitizer.
Categories:
Absorbent,
Sensitizing
|
Good |
charcoal powderPrimarily carbon substance formed by charring organic material in absence of oxygen...
Categories:
Absorbent
|
Good |
maltodextrinA plant-based sugar created by hydrolyzing a saccharide with starch from corn, potato, or rice. |
Good |
sodium polyacrylate starchSodium polyacrylate starch is a mixture of a natural starch combined with a synthetic acrylate polymer. |
Good |
illiteIllite is a mineral-sourced natural thickener that is sometimes referred to as French green clay.
Categories:
Thickeners,
Absorbent
|
About the Experts
Paula Begoun is the best-selling author of 20 books about skincare and makeup. She is known worldwide as The Cosmetics Cop and creator of Paula’s Choice Skincare. Paula’s expertise has led to hundreds of appearances on national and international radio, print, and television including:
The Paula's Choice Research Team is dedicated to busting beauty myths and providing expert advice that solves your skincare frustrations so you can have the best skin of your life!