Rating | Ingredient |
---|---|
Good |
beheneth-5A synthetic or plant-derived derivative of polyethylene glycol and behenyl alcohol that functions as an emulsifier and can also be a surfactant.
Categories:
Thickeners/Emulsifiers
|
Good |
emollientSupple, waxlike, lubricating, thickening agents that prevent water loss and have a softening and...
Categories:
Thickeners/Emulsifiers,
Emollients
|
Good |
emulsifierWhen it comes to cosmetics, an emulsifier refers to any ingredient that helps keep unlike...
Categories:
Thickeners/Emulsifiers
|
Good |
Enteromorpha compressa extractExtract from green algae. |
Good |
ethyl macadamiateMixture of fatty acids from macadamia nut oil. |
Good |
ethylhexyl stearate |
Good |
Euphorbia cerifera wax |
Best |
fatty acidSubstance typically found in plant and animal lipids (fat). Fatty acids include compounds such as... |
Good |
fatty alcoholMade from fatty acids; fatty alcohols are used in cosmetics as thickening agents and emollients.... |
Good |
cetyl alcoholFatty alcohol used as an emollient, emulsifier, thickener, and carrying agent for other...
Categories:
Thickeners/Emulsifiers,
Emollients
|
Good |
fuller's earthMineral substance that is similar to kaolin (a clay). Composed mainly of alumina, silica, iron...
Categories:
Thickeners/Emulsifiers,
Absorbent
|
Good |
gelatinProtein obtained from plants or animals and used in cosmetics as a thickening agent.
Categories:
Thickeners/Emulsifiers
|
Good |
glycereth-26Used as an emollient and thickening agent in cosmetics.
Categories:
Thickeners/Emulsifiers,
Emollients
|
Good |
glycereth-26 phosphateUsed as an emollient and thickening agent in cosmetics.
Categories:
Thickeners/Emulsifiers,
Emollients
|
Good |
glycereth-6 laurateUsed as an emollient and thickening agent in cosmetics.
Categories:
Thickeners/Emulsifiers,
Emollients
|
Good |
glycerol monostearateUsed as an emollient and thickening agent in cosmetics.
Categories:
Thickeners/Emulsifiers,
Emollients
|
Good |
glycerol triacetateUsed as an emollient and thickening agent in cosmetics.
Categories:
Thickeners/Emulsifiers,
Emollients
|
Good |
glycerol trioleateUsed as an emollient and thickening agent in cosmetics.
Categories:
Thickeners/Emulsifiers,
Emollients
|
Good |
glyceryl behanateA simple mixture of glycerin and the naturally-occuring fatty acid behenic acid. Glyceryl behenate... |
Good |
glyceryl cocoateUsed as an emollient and thickening agent in cosmetics.
Categories:
Thickeners/Emulsifiers,
Emollients
|
Good |
glyceryl dipalmitateUsed as an emollient and thickening agent in cosmetics.
Categories:
Thickeners/Emulsifiers,
Emollients
|
Good |
glyceryl distearateUsed as an emollient and thickening agent in cosmetics.
Categories:
Thickeners/Emulsifiers,
Emollients
|
Good |
glyceryl esterLarge group of ingredients that are composed of fats and oils. At room temperature, the fats are...
Categories:
Thickeners/Emulsifiers,
Emollients
|
Good |
glyceryl isopalmitateUsed as an emollient and thickening agent in cosmetics.
Categories:
Thickeners/Emulsifiers,
Emollients
|
Good |
glyceryl isostearateUsed as an emollient and thickening agent in cosmetics.
Categories:
Thickeners/Emulsifiers,
Emollients
|
Good |
glyceryl myristateUsed as an emollient and thickening agent in cosmetics.
Categories:
Thickeners/Emulsifiers,
Emollients
|
Good |
glyceryl oleateUsed as an emollient and thickening agent in cosmetics. |
Good |
glyceryl palmitateUsed as an emollient and thickening agent in cosmetics.
Categories:
Thickeners/Emulsifiers,
Emollients
|
Good |
glyceryl polymethacrylateA blend of glycerin and polymethacrylic acid that functions as a film-forming agent. It has a... |
Good |
glyceryl stearateUsed as an emollient and thickening agent in cosmetics. |
Good |
isohexadecaneUsed as a detergent cleansing agent, emulsifier, and thickening agent in cosmetics. |
Good |
isoparaffin
Categories:
Thickeners/Emulsifiers,
Texture Enhancer
|
Good |
isopropyl lanolateDerived from lanolin, it is used in cosmetics as a thickening agent and emollient. |
Good |
isopropyl titanium triisostearte/triethoxycaprylylsilane crosspolymerA synthetic, silicone-enhanced polymer that occurs from combining isopropyl titanium triisostearate... |
Good |
isostearamide DEAUsed as a surfactant, water-binding agent, and thickening agent. |
Good |
isostearic acidFatty acid used as a binding agent and thickener.
Categories:
Thickeners/Emulsifiers,
Texture Enhancer
|
Good |
Japan waxVegetable wax obtained from sumac berries, and used as a thickening agent and emollient in... |
Good |
kelp extract |
Good |
Laminaria digitata |
Good |
Laminaria longicruris |
Good |
Laminaria sacharrina |
Good |
laureth-23Derived from lauryl alcohol and used either as a surfactant or emulsifier (or, in many cases, as... |
Good |
laureth-4Derived from lauryl alcohol and used either as a surfactant or emulsifier (or, in many cases, as... |
Good |
laureth-7A form of lauryl alcohol (a non-irritating fatty alcohol derived from coconut oil) that can...
Categories:
Thickeners/Emulsifiers,
Cleansing Agents
|
Good |
lauryl PEG-9 polydimethylsiloxyethyl dimethiconeA silicone polymer that has multiple functions in cosmetic products, including skin/hair... |
Good |
glyceryl stearate SEWidely used ingredient that is a self-emulsifying (that’s what the “SE” stands for) form of...
Categories:
Thickeners/Emulsifiers,
Emollients
|
Good |
glycol stearateUsed as an emollient and thickening agent.
Categories:
Thickeners/Emulsifiers,
Emollients
|
Best |
glycolipidType of lipid composed of sugar (monosaccharide) and fat (lipid) that forms an important component... |
Good |
guar gumPlant-derived thickening agent...
Categories:
Plant Extracts,
Thickeners/Emulsifiers
|
Good |
guar hydroxypropyltrimonium chloride |
Good |
Haslea ostrearia extractExtract derived from a water plant also known as blue algae. In pure concentrations this extract... |
Good |
Himanthalia elongate extractExtract of a species of algae. |
Good |
hydrogenated coco-glycerideUsed as an emollient and thickening agent in cosmetics. |
Good |
hydrogenated dideceneSkin-conditioning agent derived from didecene, which is a hydrocarbon. Hydrocarbons are organic...
Categories:
Thickeners/Emulsifiers,
Texture Enhancer
|
Good |
hydroxyethyl acrylate/sodium acryloyl dimethyl taurate copolymerA polymer that functions as a stabilizer, thickening agent, and opacifying agent.
Categories:
Thickeners/Emulsifiers,
Texture Enhancer
|
Good |
hydroxyethylcellulosePlant-derived thickening agent typically used as a binding agent or emulsifier. Also used (most... |
Good |
hydroxypropyl guar
Categories:
Plant Extracts,
Thickeners/Emulsifiers
|
Good |
hydroxypropyl starch phosphateA plant-based or synthetic starch ingredient that functions as a thickener or bulking agent in cosmetics...
Categories:
Thickeners/Emulsifiers
|
Good |
Irish moss extractType of red algae. |
Best |
lipidWide range of ingredients found in plants, animals, and human skin. Lipids include fatty acids,... |
Good |
lithium magnesium sodium silicateSynthetic silica-based clay composed of lithium, sodium, and magnesium. Used as a thickening agent... |
Good |
locust bean |
Good |
magnesium aluminum silicatePowdery, dry-feeling, white solid that is used as a thickening agent and powder in cosmetics.
Categories:
Thickeners/Emulsifiers
|
Good |
magnesium stearateUsed as a thickening agent in cosmetics.
Categories:
Thickeners/Emulsifiers,
Texture Enhancer
|
Average |
MEAAbbreviation for monoethanolamine.
Categories:
Thickeners/Emulsifiers
|
Good |
microcrystalline waxPlastic-type, highly refined wax derived from petroleum. Used as a thickener and to give products a...
Categories:
Thickeners/Emulsifiers,
Texture Enhancer
|
Good |
polyethyleneA form of plastic (synthetic polymer) that has numerous functions in cosmetic products. Rounded... |
Good |
sodium hexametaphosphateSalt with multiple functions in cosmetics. It can act as a detergent, an emulsifier, a texturizer,... |
Good |
sodium lauroyl lactylateUsed as an emulsifier and mild thickening agent in cosmetics. In higher concentrations, it...
Categories:
Thickeners/Emulsifiers,
Cleansing Agents
|
Poor |
sodium lauryl sulfateVersatile ingredient composed of several non-volatile alcohols. Functions primarily as a surfactant... |
Good |
sodium polyacrylateA synthetic polymer with multiple functions, including film-forming agent, stabilizer, absorbent,... |
Good |
Solanum tuberosum extractExtract that is more commonly known as potato starch. Used as a thickening agent and texture enhancer in cosmetics.
Categories:
Thickeners/Emulsifiers,
Texture Enhancer
|
Good |
sorbitan oleateSynthetic or animal-derived ingredient used as an emulsifier and cleansing agent.
Categories:
Thickeners/Emulsifiers,
Cleansing Agents
|
Good |
sorbitan sesquioleate
Categories:
Thickeners/Emulsifiers
|
Good |
sorbitan stearateUsed to thicken and stabilize cosmetic formulations.
Categories:
Thickeners/Emulsifiers
|
Best |
sorbitolSorbitol is a type of sugar that can be created synthetically or derived from natural sources. |
Good |
spirulina |
Good |
stearates |
Good |
stearic acidFatty acid used as an emollient and emulsifier... |
Good |
stearyl alcoholFatty alcohol used as an emollient and to help keep other ingredients intact in a formulation.
Categories:
Thickeners/Emulsifiers,
Emollients
|
Good |
synthetic beeswaxAn artificial form of beeswax composed of a mixture of alcohol esters...
Categories:
Thickeners/Emulsifiers,
Emollients
|
Poor |
Salvia officinalis |
Good |
sclerotium gumA plant-derived, gel-like polysaccharide (sugar-based) ingredient that’s used in cosmetics to thicken and stabilize formulas. It is considered safe as used in cosmetics, and is similar to xanthan gum.
Categories:
Thickeners/Emulsifiers
|
Good |
SeamollientTrade name for an algae extract. |
Good |
seaweedGroup of sea plants (scientific name: algae) of all sizes and shapes, and having a gelatin-like... |
Good |
sesquioleateUsed in cosmetics as a thickening agent and emollient.
Categories:
Thickeners/Emulsifiers,
Emollients
|
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 |
sodium acrylate/acryloydimethyl taurate copolymerSynthetic polymer used as a stabilizing and suspending agent and as a thickening agent.
Categories:
Thickeners/Emulsifiers
|
Good |
sodium carboxymethyl beta-glucanA carbohydrate ingredient with a gel-like texture, it functions as a binding agent and texture...
Categories:
Thickeners/Emulsifiers
|
Poor |
TEA-lauryl sulfateWhile there is abundant research showing sodium lauryl sulfate is a sensitizing cleansing agent,... |
Good |
thickening agentSubstances that can have a soft to hard waxlike texture or a creamy, emollient feel, and that can...
Categories:
Thickeners/Emulsifiers
|
Best |
titanium dioxideInert earth mineral used as a thickening, whitening, lubricating, and sunscreen ingredient in... |
Good |
tragacanthNatural gum used as a thickener in cosmetics.
Categories:
Thickeners/Emulsifiers,
Texture Enhancer
|
Good |
tribeheninAlso known as glyceryl tribehenate, a skin-conditioning agent that is a mixture of glycerin and... |
Good |
tridecyl stearateUsed in cosmetics as a thickening agent and emollient.
Categories:
Thickeners/Emulsifiers,
Emollients
|
Good |
tridecyl trimellitateUsed as a skin-conditioning agent and thickening agent. |
Good |
triglycerideUsed as an emollient and thickening agent in cosmetics.
Categories:
Thickeners/Emulsifiers,
Emollients
|
Average |
trigonella foenum-graecum seed extractLatin name for the fenugreek plant. The seeds are used most often, and their fiber content helps... |
Good |
trihydroxystearinMixture of glycerin and fatty acids that is used as an emollient and thickening agent. |
Good |
trilaurinGroup of ingredients that are triesters of glycerin and aliphatic acids, and known generically as...
Categories:
Thickeners/Emulsifiers,
Emollients
|
Good |
trioctanoinUsed as an emollient and thickening agent in cosmetics.
Categories:
Thickeners/Emulsifiers,
Emollients
|
Good |
wheat germ glyceridesUsed as emollient and texture enhancer in cosmetics. |
Good |
xanthan gumUsed as a thickening agent.
Categories:
Thickeners/Emulsifiers,
Texture Enhancer
|
Best |
xylitolXylitol is a sugar alcohol that may be plant-derived or synthetic (Paula’s Choice uses the former). |
Best |
zinc oxideZinc oxide is an inert earth mineral used as a thickening, whitening, lubricating, and sunscreen ingredient in cosmetics. |
Good |
zinc stearateThe zinc salt of stearic acid. It has multiple functions in cosmetics, including serving as the... |
Best |
candelilla/jojoba/rice bran polyglyceryl-3 estersA natural mixture of polyglycerin-3, candelilla wax, jojoba seed wax, and rice bran wax...
Categories:
Thickeners/Emulsifiers
|
Good |
myristyl alcoholA lighter-weight fatty alcohol that functions as a thickener, emulsion stabilizer, and emollient.
Categories:
Emollients,
Thickeners/Emulsifiers
|
Good |
polyglyceryl-10 caprylate/capratePolyglyceryl-10 caprylate/caprate is a single ester created from polymers and glycerin used in skin care as an emulsifier or solvent. |
Good |
sorbeth-230 tetraoleateSorbeth-230 tetraoleate is a mixture of oleic acid with sorbitol derivatives that can help thicken cosmetic formulas. |
Good |
sodium polyacrylate starchSodium polyacrylate starch is a mixture of a natural starch combined with a synthetic acrylate polymer. |
Good |
silica silylateSilica silylate works as a binder, thickening agent, and emollient in cosmetics. |
Good |
calcium aluminum borosilicateCalcium aluminum borosilicate is a mineral-derived thickening agent often used in powders.
Categories:
Thickeners/Emulsifiers,
Texture Enhancer
|
Good |
polyacrylate crosspolymer-6Polyacrylate crosspolymer-6 is a synthetic powder ingredient that stabilizes and thickens water-based emulsions.
Categories:
Thickeners/Emulsifiers
|
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!