| Rating | Ingredient |
|---|---|
| Good |
coco caprylate/caprateAn emollient that leaves a non-greasy, soft finish on skin. Can also function as a prebiotic to help feed skin’s natural supply of probiotics.
Categories:
Emollients,
Skin-Softening
|
| Best |
cocos nucifera (coconut) fruit extractThe extract of the fruit of the coconut tree, this ingredient is rich in skin-conditioning fatty acids, proteins, and complex B vitamins.
Categories:
Skin-Softening
|
| Good |
caprylyl caprylate/caprateA synthetic ester blend of medium chain fatty acids and fatty alcohol that works as an emollient.
Categories:
Emollients,
Skin-Softening
|
| Good |
whey proteinA 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.
Categories:
Miscellaneous,
Skin-Softening
|
| Good |
C13-15 alkaneC13-15 alkane is a synthetic blend of alkanes that functions as a solvent.
Categories:
Skin-Softening,
Miscellaneous
|
| Best |
ethylhexyl olivateA natural ester of skin-conditioning fatty acids derived from olive oil. It can have an occlusive effect on skin.
Categories:
Emollients,
Skin-Softening
|
| Best |
biotin/folic acid/cyanocobalamin/niacinamide/pantothenic acid/pyridoxine/riboflavin/thiamine/yeast polypeptidesA blend of several B vitamins plus peptides derived from a strain of lab-produced yeast.
Categories:
Skin-Softening
|
| Good |
xymenynic acidSynthetic fatty acid that functions as a skin-softening agent.
Categories:
Miscellaneous,
Skin-Softening
|
| Good |
neopentyl glycol diheptanoateMixture of texture-enhancing ingredient neopentyl glycol and grape-derived fatty acid heptanoic acid. The compound functions as a non-aqueous skin-softening agent and thickener
Categories:
Texture Enhancer,
Skin-Softening
|
| Good |
octyldodecyl myristateMixture of octyldodecanol (thickener) and myristic acid that forms a new compound used as a... |
| Good |
octyldodecyl neopentanoateA skin-softening agent and emollient.
Categories:
Emollients,
Skin-Softening
|
| Good |
oleyl erucateSkin-softening agent derived from oleyl alcohol, which is obtained chiefly from fish oil.
Categories:
Skin-Softening
|
| Best |
Oryza sativa ceraA natural, non-fragrant wax obtained from rice bran. It functions as a skin-softening agent...
Categories:
Skin-Softening
|
| Best |
Oryza sativa (rice) bran extractOryza sativa (rice) bran extract is a plant ingredient used in cosmetics to condition and soften skin.
Categories:
Skin-Softening
|
| Good |
tridecyl trimellitateSkin-softening agent and texture enhancer that can provide a cushiony, emollient feel. |
| Good |
trimethylsiloxysilicateUsed as a skin-softening and occlusive agent. |
| Best |
Lactobacillus/coconut fruit juice ferment filtrateLactobacillus/coconut fruit juice ferment filtrate is the filtered result of combining the skin-friendly lactobacillus bacteria with the milky liquid found inside coconuts.
Categories:
Plant Extracts,
Skin-Softening
|
| Good |
trioctyldodecyl citrateMixture of octyldodecanol and citric acid used as a skin-softening agent and emollient.
Categories:
Emollients,
Skin-Softening
|
| Good |
Triticum vulgare (wheat) germ extractExtract from the germ portion of the wheat plant. In cosmetics, this ingredient functions as a...
Categories:
Plant Extracts,
Skin-Softening
|
| Good |
Triticum vulgare germ oilNon-fragrant plant oil that imparts emollience and delivers beneficial compounds including skin-replenishing squalane. |
| Good |
diisooctyl succinateDiisooctyl succinate is a synthetic or plant-derived (Paula’s Choice uses the latter) transparent liquid emollient.
Categories:
Emollients,
Skin-Softening
|
| Good |
diisostearyl polyglyceryl-3 dimer dilinoleateDiisostearyl polyglyceryl-3 dimer dilinoleate is an emollient blend of fatty acids often used in cosmetics to enhance coverage. |
| Best |
palmitoyl prolinePalmitoyl proline combines fatty acid palmitic acid with the amino acid proline.
Categories:
Skin-Softening,
Hydration
|
| Good |
PEG-20 glyceryl triisostearatePEG-20 glyceryl triisostearate is an ester of the fatty acid isostearic acid combined with polyethylene glycol and glycerin. |
| Good |
lentil fruit extractExtract that functions as a skin-conditioning agent and likely has antioxidant benefit, too. |
| Best |
Limnanthes albaPlant commonly known as meadowfoam; its seed oil is a non-volatile plant oil used as a...
Categories:
Plant Extracts,
Skin-Softening
|
| Best |
Lycium barbarum fruit extractThe extract of the fruit commonly known as goji, goji berry, or wolfberry. This fruit extract is an antioxidant...
Categories:
Antioxidants,
Skin-Softening
|
| Good |
magnesium aspartateMagnesium aspartate is the magnesium salt of aspartic acid that plays a role in maintaining proteins in skin.
Categories:
Skin-Softening,
Hydration
|
| Good |
magnesium palmitoyl glutamateMagnesium palmitoyl glutamate is an amino acid (glutamic acid) and mineral (magnesium) blend that conditions and softens skin.
Categories:
Skin-Softening
|
| Good |
polyglyceryl-10 laurateA plant-derived or synthetic ester of lauric acid and the synthetic polymer polyglycerin-10. |
| Best |
Silybum marianum seed oilSilybum marianum seed oil comes from the milk thistle plant. |
| Good |
hexyl laurateSkin-softening agent and emollient that is a mixture of hexyl alcohol and lauric acid.
Categories:
Emollients,
Skin-Softening
|
| Good |
hexyldecanolA synthetic, non-drying fatty alcohol used as an emollient and skin-conditioning agent.
Categories:
Emollients,
Skin-Softening
|
| Good |
methyl gluceth-20Made by combining polyethylene glycol with glucose to create a new synthetic compound that draws and holds moisture to skin.
Categories:
Skin-Softening
|
| Good |
methyl glucose sesquistearateA mixure of the diesters of methyl glucoside and stearic acid. Functions as a skin-conditioning...
Categories:
Emollients,
Skin-Softening
|
| Good |
methylglucoside phosphateA type of monosaccharide (simple sugar) derived from glucose, it serves as a skin-conditioning agent...
Categories:
Skin-Softening
|
| Good |
sodium cocoyl glycinateSodium cocoyl glycinate is an amino acid-derived cleansing agent and skin-softening ingredient in skin care and hair care products.
Categories:
Cleansing Agents,
Skin-Softening
|
| Good |
sodium gluconateThe 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.
Categories:
Skin-Softening,
Miscellaneous
|
| Average |
millet seed extractExtract from a cereal grain that has no established benefit for skin, but is added to cosmetic...
Categories:
Plant Extracts,
Skin-Softening
|
| Good |
sodium levulinateSodium levulinate is the salt of levulinic acid, a synthetic organic acid that helps condition and soften skin.
Categories:
Skin-Softening,
Preservatives
|
| Good |
hydrogenated polyisobuteneSynthetic emollient with research backing its ability to provide long-lasting moisture retention. It acts as a lubricant on skin’s surface, providing a soft, smooth feel.
Categories:
Emollients,
Skin-Softening
|
| Best |
hydrolyzed glycosaminoglycansA skin-restorative ingredient that has been hydrolyzed, which is a chemical process involving the...
Categories:
Skin-Replenishing,
Skin-Softening
|
| Best |
hydrolyzed jojoba estersEssential fatty acids from the jojoba plant, broken down by water to form a new complex. They serve as skin-softening and stabilizing ingredients in cosmetics. |
| Good |
myristamidopropyl PG-dimonium chloride phosphatemyristamidopropyl PG-dimonium chloride phosphate |
| Best |
N-hydroxysuccinimideN-hydroxysuccinimide is a synthetic ingredient used in cosmetics as an ester to soften and condition skin.
Categories:
Skin-Softening
|
| Good |
isoamyl cocoateA mix of non-irritating fatty alcohol isoamyl alcohol and coconut acid, this natural ingredient works as an emollient on skin.
Categories:
Emollients,
Skin-Softening
|
| 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
|
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!