citrate buffer

Citrate buffer is a buffered mixture of sodium citrate and citric acid and is used in cosmetics as a pH adjuster.

bifida ferment lysate

Probiotic-derived ingredient that strengthens skin’s microbiome, encouraging skin to repair itself. This helps it look younger.

water

The most widely used cosmetic ingredient; water is almost always listed first on an ingredient...

wheat amino acids

A blend of amino acids from wheat protein after it has been broken down via hydrolysis. Most often...

whey protein

A form of protein derived from milk that functions as a skin-softening and/or hair-conditioning agent. Whey protein also shows promise for enhancing skin’s extracellular matrix.

C13-15 alkane

C13-15 alkane is a synthetic blend of alkanes that functions as a solvent.

acid

Anything with a pH lower than 7 is considered acidic—above 7 is considered alkaline. Water has a pH...

advanced glycation endproduct (AGE)

Advanced glycation endproducts, also known as AGEs, are caused by the body's major fuel source, namely glucose.

AGE

aminomethyl propanol

Aminomethyl propanol is a synthetic ingredient used in cosmetics as a pH adjuster.

EDTA

Acronym for ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid, a stabilizer used in cosmetics to prevent ingredients...

environmental damage

Occurrence that takes place at an atomic level and is a complex physiological process. Molecules...

erythrulose

Substance chemically similar to the self-tanning agent dihydroxyacetone. Depending on your skin...

ethoxydiglycol

Helps key ingredients absorb more effectively and can also improve formulary texture + spreadability.

ethylhexylglycerin

Skin-softening agent with hydration boosting properties. Also plays an important preservative role to help keep cosmetic formulas stable.

dipotassium phosphate

A synthetic salt that helps to adjust and maintain the pH of water-based and...

yogurt

There is no research showing that yogurt is effective when applied topically on skin. Yogurt...

zinc carbonate

zinc PCA

A synthetic skin-softening ingredient derived from zinc, research has shown it to have anti-aging benefits due to...

sun protection factor

Most commonly seen as SPF, it is a number that is assigned to a product that identifies its ability...

xylose

Form of sugar. Similar to other sugars, xylose has hydrating properties for skin.

xymenynic acid

Synthetic fatty acid that functions as a skin-softening agent.

UVB

Ultra-violet B radiation.

SPF

steapyrium chloride

Antistatic agent used in hair-care products.

stearalkonium chloride

Antistatic ingredient used in hair-care products to control flyaways and aid in helping a brush or...

stearalkonium hectorite

A powder derived from hectorite clay which is used in amounts up to 50% as a safe suspending agent in cosmetics.

isocetyl salicylate

isododecane

Hydrocarbon ingredient used as a solvent. Isododecane enhances the spreadability of products and...

synthetic wax

A wax derived from a mixture of various oils. It functions as a binding and stabilizing agent.

talc

Naturally occurring silicate mineral (any group of substances containing negative ions composed of...

tallow

Substance extracted from the fatty deposits of animals, especially from suet (the fat of cattle and...

TEA

tetrahydroxypropyl ethylenediamine

tetrasodium EDTA

Chelating agent used to prevent minerals present in formulations from bonding to other ingredients.

tetrasodium etidronate

Used as a chelating agent in cosmetics to prevent varying mineral components from binding together...

thymus hydrolysate

Form of animal thymus derived by acid, enzyme, or other methods of hydrolysis. It can have...

tranexamic acid

Discoloration-fading ingredient that interrupts multiple pathways in skin that would otherwise lead to uneven tone. Excellent for dark spots and brown/gray patches.

trehalose

A water-binding plant sugar that has hydrating properties for skin.

tridecyl salicylate

Salt form of salicylic acid (BHA). When it is no longer an acid (as in this case), salicylic acid...

triethanolamine

Used in cosmetics as a pH balancer. Like all amines, it has the potential for creating...

trioclanolin

Derived from lanolin and used as a texture enhancer, most commonly in powder-based products such as...

tetrasodium glutamate diacetate

A safe synthetic chelating agent with natural origins. Used in amounts up to 1% to boost the effectiveness of preservatives, allowing for the use of lower amounts than is typical without compromising effectiveness.

trisodium EDTA

Used as a water-softening and chelating agent (a compound that binds and separates metals, keeping them from bonding to other ingredients).

UVA

Ultraviolet A radiation. The sun produces a range of ultraviolet (UV) radiation, of which UVA and...

lactoperoxidase

Enzyme derived from milk; it has purifying benefits for skin and may be helpful for...

lady's mantle extract

laurdimonium hydroxypropyl hydrolyzed soy protein

laurdimonium hydroxypropyl hydrolyzed wheat protein

lauroyl lysine

Amino acid derivative that functions as a skin- and hair-conditioning agent. It also contributes to...

lauryl PEG-9 polydimethylsiloxyethyl dimethicone

A silicone polymer that has multiple functions in cosmetic products, including skin and hair softening and as a texture enhancer.

Saccharomyces calcium ferment

Extract of yeast fermented in the presence of calcium ions. It has no known benefit for skin.

fish cartilage extract

May have water-binding properties, but there is no research showing that this has any benefit for...

flavor

Any ingredient or combination of ingredients, natural or synthetic, added to a cosmetic to improve its taste, usually by masking the undesirable taste of another ingredient. In the EU, flavor is indicated as “aroma”.

fruit acid

liposomes

Delivery system (not an ingredient) capable of holding other ingredients and releasing them after...

glucose oxidase

A synthetic enzyme that’s chemically classified as a protein, this sugar-based ingredient works to condition both skin and hair.

gluten ingredients

Gluten is a protein that occurs naturally in many types of grains, including wheat, rye, and barley.

sebacic acid

Used as a pH adjuster.

magnesium hydroxide

Active ingredient in milk of magnesia. It is an absorbent and has disinfectant properties for skin.

gold

An ingredient that seems luxe and helpful but is actually a frequent contact sensitizer…

guar hydroxypropyltrimonium chloride

Functions as a synthetic conditioning agent for skin and hair and can play a role in depositing active ingredients.

sodium bicarbonate

A synthetic inorganic salt more commonly known as baking soda. It has many functions in cosmetics, including pH adjuster, buffering agent, and abrasive, such as in face or body scrubs.

potassium citrate

Potassium citrate is a buffering agent that is the potassium salt of citric acid.

methylpropanediol

Solvent that can be used to enhance the absorption of other ingredients into skin for improved efficacy. Also provides hydrating properties.

sodium gluconate

The salt form of gluconic acid, a mild acid produced from the sugar glucose. It helps certain skin care ingredients bond with others in a formula.

sodium lactate

The sodium salt of lactic acid. Used primarily as a hydrating and buffering agent (to adjust a product’s pH value).

Mucor miehei extract

Extract of a type of mold whose enzymes are used as a food additive and flavor enhancer in cheeses....

hydrolyzed vegetable protein

The protein portion of vegetables obtained by hydrolysis, which is the breakdown of a substance when it’s reacted with water. This natural ingredient conditions skin and hair.

hydroxyethylpiperazine ethane sulfonic acid

Also known by the acronym HEPES, hydroxyethylpiperazine ethane sulfonic acid is a buffering ingredient typically used to...

myristyl nicotinate

A derivative of nicotinic acid, a component of vitamin B3 (niacin) that isn’t the same ingredient...

sodium phytate

The synthetic salt form of the antioxidant phytic acid. In this form, it works as a chelating agent, keeping metals from binding to water in cosmetics.

sodium salicylate

Salt form of salicylic acid (BHA). Because it is not the acid form of salicylate (i.e., salicylic...

sodium tallowate

Sodium salt of tallow.

solvent

Describes a large group of ingredients, including water, that are used to dissolve or break down...

hydroxypropyl cyclodextrin

A plant- derived or synthetic carbohydrate that functions as a chelating agent and...

inactive ingredient

The list of inactive ingredients is the part of an ingredient label that is not regulated by the...

isobutyl acetate