beheneth-5

A derivative of polyethylene glycol and non-drying behenyl alcohol that functions as an emulsifier and surfactant in skin care products. It can be synthetic or plant-derived.

emollient

Supple, waxlike, lubricating, thickening agents that prevent water loss and have a softening and...

emulsifier

When it comes to cosmetics, an emulsifier refers to any ingredient that helps keep unlike...

Enteromorpha compressa extract

Extract from green algae.

ethyl macadamiate

Mixture of fatty acids from macadamia nut oil.

ethylhexyl stearate

Commonly used as an emollient to deliver skin-softening properties and a smooth afterfeel.

Euphorbia cerifera wax

A type of wax derived from candelilla plants, often used in lip care products for barrier protection and emollience. Also contributes to the product's solid consistency.

fatty acid

Substance typically found in plant and animal lipids (fat). Fatty acids include compounds such as...

fatty alcohol

Made from fatty acids; fatty alcohols are used in cosmetics as thickening agents and emollients....

cetyl alcohol

Fatty alcohol used as an emollient, emulsifier, thickener, and carrying agent for other...

fuller's earth

Mineral substance that is similar to kaolin (a clay). Composed mainly of alumina, silica, iron...

gelatin

Protein obtained from plants or animals and used in cosmetics as a thickening agent.

glycereth-26

Functions as a skin-conditioning agent to provide a soft, smooth feel.

glycereth-26 phosphate

Used as an emollient and thickening agent in cosmetics.

glycereth-6 laurate

Used as an emollient and thickening agent in cosmetics.

glycerol monostearate

Used as an emollient and thickening agent in cosmetics.

glycerol triacetate

Used as an emollient and thickening agent in cosmetics.

glycerol trioleate

Used as an emollient and thickening agent in cosmetics.

glyceryl behanate

A simple mixture of glycerin and the naturally-occuring fatty acid behenic acid. Glyceryl behenate...

glyceryl cocoate

Used as an emollient and thickening agent in cosmetics.

glyceryl dipalmitate

Used as an emollient and thickening agent in cosmetics.

glyceryl distearate

Used as an emollient and thickening agent in cosmetics.

glyceryl ester

Large group of ingredients that are composed of fats and oils. At room temperature, the fats are...

glyceryl isopalmitate

Used as an emollient and thickening agent in cosmetics.

glyceryl isostearate

Used as an emollient and thickening agent in cosmetics.

glyceryl myristate

Used as an emollient and thickening agent in cosmetics.

glyceryl oleate

Mixture of portions of glycerin and oleic acid that can serve as an emollient, surfactant, emulsifier, and absorption enhancer within skin care formulas.

glyceryl palmitate

Used as an emollient and thickening agent in cosmetics.

glyceryl polymethacrylate

A blend of glycerin and polymethacrylic acid whose smooth finish is used to enhance the texture and application of skin care products.

glyceryl stearate

Used as an emollient and thickening agent in cosmetics.

isohexadecane

Used as a detergent cleansing agent, emulsifier, and thickening agent in cosmetics.

isoparaffin

isopropyl lanolate

Derived from lanolin, it is used in cosmetics as a thickening agent and emollient.

isopropyl titanium triisostearte/triethoxycaprylylsilane crosspolymer

A synthetic, silicone-enhanced polymer that occurs from combining isopropyl titanium triisostearate...

isostearamide DEA

Used as a surfactant, water-binding agent, and thickening agent.

isostearic acid

Fatty acid used as a binding agent and thickener.

Japan wax

Vegetable wax obtained from sumac berries, and used as a thickening agent and emollient in...

kelp extract

Laminaria digitata

Laminaria longicruris

Laminaria sacharrina

laureth-23

Used either as a cleansing agent or texture enhancer (sometimes as both). Derived from lauryl alcohol (a non-sensitizing fatty alcohol).

laureth-4

Used either as a cleansing agent or texture enhancer (sometimes both). Derived from lauryl alcohol (a non-sensitizing fatty alcohol).

laureth-7

Form of lauryl alcohol (a non-sensitizing fatty alcohol derived from coconut oil) that can function as a cleansing agent and/or texture enhancer.

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.

glyceryl stearate SE

Emulsifies water and oil; can also be used as a thickener. Derivative of glyceryl stearate that is a self-emulsifying (that’s what the “SE” stands for).

glycol stearate

A mixture of glycerin and stearic acid used as an emollient, surfactant, and emulsifier. May also be used to impart a pearlescent appearance to a formula.

glycolipid

Type of lipid composed of sugar (monosaccharide) and fat (lipid) that forms an important component...

guar gum

Plant-derived thickening agent...

guar hydroxypropyltrimonium chloride

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

Haslea ostrearia extract

Extract derived from a water plant also known as blue algae. In pure concentrations this extract...

Himanthalia elongate extract

Extract of a species of algae.

hydrogenated coco-glyceride

Used as an emollient and thickening agent in cosmetics.

hydrogenated didecene

Skin-conditioning agent derived from didecene, which is a hydrocarbon. Hydrocarbons are organic...

hydroxyethyl acrylate/sodium acryloyl dimethyl taurate copolymer

A polymer that functions as a stabilizer, thickening agent, and opacifying agent.

hydroxyethylcellulose

Plant-derived thickening agent typically used as a binding agent or emulsifier. Also used (most...

hydroxypropyl guar

Hydroxypropyl guar is a plant-derived ingredient that serves as a thickening agent in cosmetics.

hydroxypropyl starch phosphate

A plant-based or synthetic starch ingredient that functions as a thickener or bulking agent in cosmetics...

Irish moss extract

Type of red algae.

lipid

Wide range of ingredients found in plants, animals, and human skin. Lipids include fatty acids,...

lithium magnesium sodium silicate

Synthetic silica-based clay composed of lithium, sodium, and magnesium. Used as a thickening agent...

locust bean

magnesium aluminum silicate

Powdery, dry-feeling, white solid that is used as a thickening agent and powder in cosmetics.

magnesium stearate

Used as a thickening agent in cosmetics.

MEA

Abbreviation for monoethanolamine.

microcrystalline wax

Used as a thickener and to give products a semi-solid to solid smooth texture. Utilized most abundantly in lip care products.

polyethylene

A synthetic polymer whose many uses in cosmetics depend on whether it is used in solid, wax, or liquid forms. In solid form it can be an abrasive; wax and liquid forms serve as binding or thickening agents and film-formers.

sodium hexametaphosphate

Salt with multiple functions in cosmetics. It can act as a detergent, an emulsifier, a texturizer,...

sodium lauroyl lactylate

Used as an emulsifier and mild thickening agent in cosmetics. In higher concentrations, it...

sodium lauryl sulfate

Versatile ingredient composed of several non-volatile alcohols. Functions primarily as a surfactant...

sodium polyacrylate

A synthetic polymer with multiple functions, including film-forming agent, stabilizer, absorbent,...

Solanum tuberosum extract

Extract that is more commonly known as potato starch. Used as a thickening agent and texture enhancer in cosmetics.

sorbitan oleate

A synthetic or animal-derived ingredient used as an emulsifier and cleansing agent in cosmetics. Considered safe as used in cosmetics.

sorbitan sesquioleate

sorbitan stearate

An emulsifier used to thicken and stabilize cosmetics formulations.

sorbitol

Sorbitol is a type of sugar that can be created synthetically or derived from natural sources.

spirulina

stearates

stearic acid

Fatty acid used as an emollient and emulsifier...

stearyl alcohol

A type of non-irritating fatty alcohol used to moisturize skin and to help keep other ingredients intact in a formulation.

synthetic beeswax

An artificial form of beeswax composed of a mixture of alcohol esters...

Salvia officinalis

sclerotium gum

A 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.

Seamollient

Trade name for an algae extract.

seaweed

Group of sea plants (scientific name: algae) of all sizes and shapes, and having a gelatin-like...

sesquioleate

Used in cosmetics as a thickening agent and emollient.

silica

Mineral found abundantly in sandstone, clay, and granite, as well as in parts of plants and...

silicate

Inorganic salt that has potent absorbing and thickening properties.

sodium acrylate/acryloydimethyl taurate copolymer

Versatile synthetic polymer used as a suspending and thickening agent.

sodium carboxymethyl beta-glucan

A carbohydrate ingredient with a gel-like texture, it functions as a binding agent and texture...

TEA-lauryl sulfate

While there is abundant research showing sodium lauryl sulfate is a sensitizing cleansing agent,...

thickening agent

Substances that can have a soft to hard waxlike texture or a creamy, emollient feel, and that can...

titanium dioxide

Inert earth mineral used as a thickening, whitening, lubricating, and sunscreen ingredient in...

tragacanth

Natural gum used as a thickener in cosmetics.

tribehenin

Also known as glyceryl tribehenate, a skin-conditioning agent that is a mixture of glycerin and...

tridecyl stearate

Offers skin conditioning and emollient properties. Can also be included in formulas as a thickening agent.

tridecyl trimellitate

Skin-softening agent and texture enhancer that can provide a cushiony, emollient feel.

triglyceride

Used as an emollient and thickening agent in cosmetics.

trigonella foenum-graecum seed extract

Latin name for the fenugreek plant. The seeds are used most often, and their fiber content helps...

trihydroxystearin

A mixture of glycerin and castor oil-derived fatty acids that is used in amounts between 1–7% as an emollient and thickening agent.

trilaurin

Group of ingredients that are triesters of glycerin and aliphatic acids, and known generically as...

trioctanoin

Used as an emollient and thickening agent in cosmetics.

wheat germ glycerides

Used as emollient and texture enhancer in cosmetics.

xanthan gum

Used as a thickening agent.

xylitol

Xylitol is a sugar alcohol that may be plant-derived or synthetic (Paula’s Choice uses the former).

zinc oxide

Zinc oxide is an inert earth mineral used as a thickening, whitening, lubricating, and sunscreen ingredient in cosmetics.

zinc stearate

The zinc salt of stearic acid. It has multiple functions in cosmetics, including serving as the...

candelilla/jojoba/rice bran polyglyceryl-3 esters

A natural mixture of polyglycerin-3, candelilla wax, jojoba seed wax, and rice bran wax...

myristyl alcohol

A lighter-weight fatty alcohol that functions as a thickener, emulsion stabilizer, and emollient.

polyglyceryl-10 caprylate/caprate

Polyglyceryl-10 caprylate/caprate is a single ester created from polymers and glycerin used in skin care as an emulsifier or solvent.

sorbeth-230 tetraoleate

A complex mixture consisting primarily of fatty acid oleic acid and a sugar known as sorbitol. Works as a cleansing agent, thickener, and emulsifier.

sodium polyacrylate starch

Sodium polyacrylate starch is a mixture of a natural starch combined with a synthetic acrylate polymer.

silica silylate

Silica silylate works as a binder, thickening agent, and emollient in cosmetics.

calcium aluminum borosilicate

Calcium aluminum borosilicate is a mineral-derived thickening agent often used in powders.

polyacrylate crosspolymer-6

Polyacrylate crosspolymer-6 is a synthetic powder ingredient that stabilizes and thickens water-based emulsions.