| Rating | Ingredient |
|---|---|
| Good |
maltooligosyl glucosideA polysaccharide that’s naturally-derived and then combined with a starch. It has multiple functions in cosmetics, including binding agent, emulsifier, hydrator, texture enhancer, and film-forming agent. |
| Good |
isopropyl titanium triisostearateA synthetic or animal-derived ingredient used as a surface treatment for cosmetic pigments... |
| Good |
lauryl PEG-9 polydimethylsiloxyethyl dimethiconeA silicone polymer that has multiple functions in cosmetic products, including skin and hair softening and as a texture enhancer. |
| Good |
hydrogenated vegetable glycerides citrateA hydrogenated blend of vegetable glycerides that functions chiefly as an emollient and texture enhancer in cosmetics. |
| Good |
isoamyl laurateThe ester of isoamyl alcohol and lauric acid, this plant- or synthetic-based texture-enhancing ingredient feels velvety-soft.
Categories:
Emulsifiers,
Skin-Softening
|
| Good |
PEG-10 phytosterolA synthetic or soy-derived (Paula’s Choice Skincare uses the latter) ingredient used in cosmetics as a cleansing agent and emulsifier.
Categories:
Cleansing Agents,
Emulsifiers
|
| Good |
polyglyceryl-10 laurateA plant-derived or synthetic ester of lauric acid and the synthetic polymer polyglycerin-10. |
| Good |
PPG-26-Buteth-26A derivative of butyl alcohol (a non-irritating fatty alcohol) that works to condition skin and hair in cosmetics.
Categories:
Emulsifiers,
Cleansing Agents
|
| Good |
sodium dilauramidoglutamide lysinePlant-derived ingredient that helps skin rejuvenate, while also functioning as a surfactant and emulsifier to keep the formula from separating. Its ceramide-like structure has a high affinity for skin.
Categories:
Emulsifiers,
Skin-Replenishing
|
| Good |
sodium lauroyl sarcosinateSodium lauroyl sarcosinate is a synthetic or plant-derived surfactant (cleansing agent) that also works as an emulsifier.
Categories:
Cleansing Agents,
Emulsifiers
|
| Good |
tribehenin PEG-20 estersA complex mixture of tribehenin and PEG-20, this ingredient has multiple functions in cosmetic... |
| Good |
triethanolamineUsed in cosmetics as a pH balancer. Like all amines, it has the potential for creating...
Categories:
Miscellaneous,
Emulsifiers
|
| Good |
trideceth-6An emulsifier, meaning it helps keep unlike ingredients (such as oil and water) from separating in an emulsion...
Categories:
Emulsifiers
|
| Best |
polyglyceryl-3 rice branateAn ingredient that serves as a surfactant and emulsifier and is a derivative of the fatty acids that come from rice bran oil.
Categories:
Emulsifiers,
Cleansing Agents
|
| Good |
ceteareth-25A fatty alcohol that functions as an emulsifier and surfactant in cosmetics.
Categories:
Emulsifiers,
Texture Enhancer
|
| Good |
glyceryl rosinateAn ester of long chain acids derived from a plant-based ingredient known as rosin. |
| Good |
sodium stearoyl lactylateA synthetic or animal-derived ingredient...
Categories:
Emulsifiers,
Texture Enhancer
|
| Good |
sorbitan laurateSorbitan laurate is an ester that works as a cleansing agent and emulsifier.
Categories:
Cleansing Agents,
Emulsifiers
|
| Good |
sorbeth-230 tetraoleateA complex mixture consisting primarily of fatty acid oleic acid and a sugar known as sorbitol. Works as a cleansing agent, thickener, and emulsifier. |
| Good |
C11-15 pareth-7C11-15 pareth-7 is a lightweight, synthetic mixture of fatty alcohols and polyethylene glycols that functions as an emulsifier and surfactant.
Categories:
Cleansing Agents,
Emulsifiers
|
| Good |
sucrose stearateSucrose stearate is an ester of stearic acid and sugar that works as an emollient and cleansing agent. |
| Good |
polyglyceryl-10 stearatePolyglyceryl-10 stearate is the ester of stearic acid with a glycerin polymer that functions as a skin-softener and emollient ingredient. |
| Good |
C12-16 pareth-9C12-16 pareth-9 is a lightweight, synthetic mixture of fatty alcohols and polyethylene glycols that functions as an emulsifier and surfactant.
Categories:
Cleansing Agents,
Emulsifiers
|
| Good |
trideceth-12Trideceth-12 is a synthetic mixture of a fatty alcohol (tridecyl alcohol) and polyethylene glycol that functions as an emulsifier and cleansing agent.
Categories:
Cleansing Agents,
Emulsifiers
|
| Good |
polyglyceryl-10 dioleatePolyglyceryl-10 dioleate is a mixture of the fatty acid esters of oleic acid and a polymer, polyglycerin-10, which functions as a hydrator and emulsifier.
Categories:
Emulsifiers,
Hydration
|
| Good |
sorbitan olivateSorbitan olivate is a mixture of the fatty acids from olive oil plus a sugar known as sorbitol.
Categories:
Cleansing Agents,
Emulsifiers
|
| Good |
cetearyl olivateCetearyl olivate is an ester of cetearyl alcohol and fatty acids from olive oil. |
| Good |
diisostearyl polyglyceryl-3 dimer dilinoleateDiisostearyl polyglyceryl-3 dimer dilinoleate is an emollient blend of fatty acids often used in cosmetics to enhance coverage. |
| Good |
ceteareth-6 olivateA mixture of a derivative of fatty alcohol cetearyl alcohol and a fatty acid from olives. Works to make emulsions stable and offers skin-smoothing emollient properties. |
| Good |
polyglyceryl-4 lauratePolyglyceryl-4 laurate works as an emollient, emulsifier, and a cleansing agent
Categories:
Emulsifiers,
Emollients
|
| Best |
polyglyceryl-4 olivatePolyglyceryl-4 olivate is the plant-derived or synthetic ester of olive oil and polyglycerin.
Categories:
Emollients,
Emulsifiers
|
| Good |
sorbitan isostearateA very mild cleansing agent that also helps stabilize skin care formulas and keep oil- and water-based ingredients from separating.
Categories:
Emulsifiers
|
| Good |
myristamidopropyl PG-dimonium chloride phosphatemyristamidopropyl PG-dimonium chloride phosphate |
| Good |
polyglyceryl-3 stearatePolyglyceryl-3 stearate is the ester of the fatty acid stearic acid and polyglycerin-3, which is a polymer of glycerin that contains three units.
Categories:
Emollients,
Emulsifiers
|
| Good |
sucrose cocoateVersatile, gentle, coconut-derived cleansing agent, foam booster, texture enhancer, and emollient used in both rinse-off and leave-on products. |
| Good |
olive oil PEG-7 estersOlive oil PEG-7 esters comes from a process known as transesterification. |
| Good |
sodium stearoyl glutamateSodium stearoyl glutamate is a synthetic or animal-derived ingredient that is added to cosmetics to condition skin or work as an emulsifier.
Categories:
Emulsifiers,
Hydration
|
| Good |
PEG-75 stearatePEG-75 stearate is an ester blend of polyethylene glycol and stearic acid. |
| Good |
PEG-20 glyceryl triisostearatePEG-20 glyceryl triisostearate is an ester of the fatty acid isostearic acid combined with polyethylene glycol and glycerin. |
| Good |
glyceryl stearate citrateGlyceryl stearate citrate is an ester of citric acid and glyceryl stearate.
Categories:
Emulsifiers,
Emollients
|
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!