| Rating | Ingredient |
|---|---|
| Good |
lentil fruit extractExtract that functions as a skin-conditioning agent and likely has antioxidant benefit, too. |
| 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 |
hydrogenated polyisobuteneSynthetic polymer used as a skin-conditioning agent and emollient.
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 with... |
| 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 |
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 |
methyl gluceth-20Liquid that functions as a water-binding and skin-conditioning agent.
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
|
| 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 |
neopentyl glycol diheptanoateMixture of texture-enhancing ingredient neopentyl glycol and grape-derived fatty acid heptanoic acid...
Categories:
Texture Enhancer,
Skin-Softening
|
| Good |
octyldodecyl myristateMixture of octyldodecanol (thickener) and myristic acid that forms a new compound used as a... |
| Good |
octyldodecyl neopentanoateSkin-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
|
| Good |
polyglyceryl-10 laurateA plant-derived or synthetic ester of lauric acid and the synthetic polymer polyglycerin-10. |
| Good |
tridecyl trimellitateUsed as a skin-conditioning agent and thickening agent. |
| Good |
trimethylsiloxysilicateUsed as a skin-softening and occlusive agent. |
| 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 oil |
| Good |
whey proteinA form of protein derived from milk. An animal-derived ingredient, whey protein functions as a hair...
Categories:
Miscellaneous,
Skin-Softening
|
| Good |
xymenynic acidSynthetic fatty acid that functions as a skin-softening agent.
Categories:
Miscellaneous,
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 |
magnesium aspartateMagnesium aspartate is the magnesium salt of aspartic acid that plays a role in maintaining proteins in skin.
Categories:
Skin-Softening,
Hydration
|
| Good |
caprylyl caprylate/caprateA synthetic ester blend of medium chain fatty acids and fatty alcohol that works as an emollient.
Categories:
Emollients,
Skin-Softening
|
| 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
|
| Good |
isoamyl cocoateIsoamyl cocoate, an ester of isoamyl alcohol and coconut acid, works as a lightweight, fast-absorbing emollient and skin softener in skin care.
Categories:
Emollients,
Skin-Softening
|
| Good |
sodium gluconateThe salt form of gluconic acid, sodium gluconate is a mild acid produced from the sugar glucose.
Categories:
Skin-Softening,
Miscellaneous
|
| 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 |
diisostearyl polyglyceryl-3 dimer dilinoleateDiisostearyl polyglyceryl-3 dimer dilinoleate is an emollient blend of fatty acids often used in cosmetics to enhance coverage. |
| Good |
C13-15 alkaneC13-15 alkane is a synthetic blend of alkanes that functions as a solvent.
Categories:
Skin-Softening,
Miscellaneous
|
| Good |
coco caprylate/caprateCoco caprylate/caprate functions as a lightweight emollient.
Categories:
Emollients,
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!