Rating | Ingredient |
---|---|
Poor |
alcloxaMore technically known as aluminum chlorhydroxy allantoinate, alcloxa has constricting properties...
Categories:
Uncategorized
|
Good |
aliphatic hydrocarbonHydrocarbon contained in natural gas and mineral oils. It is a synthetic fluid with varying...
Categories:
Uncategorized
|
Poor |
alkalineAnything with a pH higher than 7 is alkaline; a pH below 7 is acidic. Water has a pH of 7; skin has...
Categories:
Uncategorized
|
Good |
aluminumAluminum is the most common element on Earth. It's also a common source of confusion in terms of its presence in cosmetics, specifically whether that presence poses a health risk.
Categories:
Uncategorized
|
Good |
aminomethyl propanediolUsed to adjust pH in cosmetics.
Categories:
Uncategorized
|
Good |
aminomethyl propanolAminomethyl propanol is a synthetic ingredient used in cosmetics as a pH adjuster.
Categories:
Uncategorized,
Miscellaneous
|
Average |
ammonium hydroxideClear, colorless liquid used in cosmetics to adjust a product's pH level. Ammonium hydroxide is...
Categories:
Uncategorized
|
Best |
Azelex
Categories:
Uncategorized
|
Best |
Bambusa vulgaris (bamboo) leaf/stem extractExtract from the common bamboo plant. Like many plant extracts, research has shown...
Categories:
Uncategorized
|
Poor |
bee pollenCan have antioxidant properties (Source: Journal of Agricultural Food Chemistry, April 2001, pages...
Categories:
Uncategorized
|
Good |
caseinSubstance derived from milk protein that may have some antioxidant properties when applied...
Categories:
Uncategorized
|
Good |
disodium EDTAShort for disodium ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid. Used as a chelating agent...
Categories:
Uncategorized
|
Good |
disodium lauriminodipropionate tocopheryl phosphatesA complex mixture of esters formed from a blend of tocopherol phosphates with lauriminodipropionic...
Categories:
Uncategorized
|
Good |
disteardimonium hectoriteUsed as a suspending agent, often with pigments.
Categories:
Uncategorized
|
Good |
chelating agentAny of numerous ingredients that bind with metal ions or metallic compounds, preventing them from...
Categories:
Uncategorized
|
Good |
citric acidExtract derived from citrus and used primarily to adjust the pH of products to prevent them from...
Categories:
Uncategorized
|
Poor |
colloidal silverRefers to ground-up silver suspended in solution.
Categories:
Uncategorized
|
Good |
copper lysinate/prolinateAn amino acid/mineral complex that limited yet potentially exciting research has shown...
Categories:
Uncategorized
|
Good |
copper PCAA synthetic skin-conditioning agent composed of the copper salt of PCA (Pyrrolidone Carboxylic...
Categories:
Uncategorized
|
Average |
copper sulfateEffective for soothing skin, but there is no research showing it has any impact when used...
Categories:
Uncategorized
|
Average |
dehydroepiandrosterone
Categories:
Uncategorized
|
Good |
deionized/demineralized waterFiltered water used in cosmetics. All water used in cosmetic formulations goes through this process...
Categories:
Uncategorized
|
Average |
deoxyribonucleic acid
Categories:
Uncategorized
|
Average |
deuterium oxide
Categories:
Uncategorized
|
Good |
DHA
Categories:
Uncategorized
|
Average |
dibutyl phthalateAlso known as DBP, it is a common ingredient in nail polish and most synthetic fragrances sold...
Categories:
Uncategorized
|
Good |
dihydroxyacetoneIngredient present in all self-tanners that affects the color of skin. Derived from sugar, it...
Categories:
Uncategorized
|
Good |
dimethyl capramideFunctions as a stabilizer and solvent in cosmetics.
Categories:
Uncategorized
|
Poor |
dimethyl etherColorless gas used as a propellant in aerosol products. It is potentially harmful if inhaled…
Categories:
Uncategorized
|
Good |
dimethyl isosorbideA solvent derived from the sugar sorbitol...
Categories:
Uncategorized
|
Poor |
grapefruit seed extractLabelled as Citrus paradisi (grapefruit) seed extract, this is often claimed as a natural preservative...
Categories:
Uncategorized
|
Good |
PEG-14A lightweight synthetic polymer that serves as solvent and humectant (moisture-binding) ingredient in cosmetics.
Categories:
Uncategorized
|
Good |
PEG-33A synthetic polymer whose role in cosmetics is both solvent and humectant (moisture-binding).
Categories:
Uncategorized
|
Good |
PEG-8 dimethiconeA blend of a synthetic polyethylene glycol polymer with skin-protective dimethicone. It conditions both skin and hair.
Categories:
Uncategorized
|
Good |
PEG/PPG-18/4 copolymerA synthetic polymer compound that functions as a solvent.
Categories:
Uncategorized
|
Good |
pentasodium pentetateUsed as a chelating agent in cosmetics to prevent various mineral components from binding together...
Categories:
Uncategorized
|
Good |
phosphoric acidUsed as a pH adjuster in cosmetics and skincare products.
Categories:
Uncategorized
|
Poor |
photosensitizerIngredient that can cause the skin to have a sensitizing reaction when exposed to...
Categories:
Uncategorized
|
Average |
phthalatesPhthalates refers to a wide range of substances that are very different from one another...
Categories:
Uncategorized
|
Good |
phytantriolHair- and skin-conditioning agent that also has water-binding properties.
Categories:
Uncategorized
|
Best |
Mexoryl SX
Categories:
Uncategorized
|
Good |
polyhydroxystearic acidSynthetic polymer related to stearic acid. It functions as a suspending agent.
Categories:
Uncategorized
|
Good |
polymerA word that literally means “many parts.” Any of numerous compounds having a high molecular weight...
Categories:
Uncategorized
|
Good |
polypropylene glycolAlso known by the acronym PPG, polypropylene glycol is...
Categories:
Uncategorized
|
Good |
potassium phosphateAn inorganic (not composed of plant or animal matter) salt used as a buffering agent and pH...
Categories:
Uncategorized
|
Good |
PPG-14 butyl etherUsed as a hair- and skin-conditioning agent.
Categories:
Uncategorized
|
Good |
PPG-2-deceth-30An emulsifying agent partially derived from a fatty alcohol.
Categories:
Uncategorized
|
Good |
PPG-20 methyl glucose etherA synthetic ingredient that funtions as hair- and skin-replenishing agent. The "PPG" designation...
Categories:
Uncategorized
|
Good |
propanediolA glycol that can enhance the absorption of ingredients…
Categories:
Uncategorized
|
Good |
propylene glycol dicaprylate/dicaprateA gel-textured ingredient used in many lightweight moisturizers. It is a mix of propylene glycol...
Categories:
Uncategorized
|
Good |
purified water
Categories:
Uncategorized
|
Good |
quaternium ammonium compoundsA wide range of ingredients, called “quats” for short, that share a unique molecular structure that...
Categories:
Uncategorized
|
Average |
royal jellyThe myriad claims about royal jelly are anecdotal and have no research to substantiate them.
Categories:
Uncategorized
|
Good |
silanetriolA silicone-derived synthetic ingredient that helps improve formulary esthetics. It may also enhance the penetration of other key ingredients.
Categories:
Uncategorized
|
Good |
sodium acetateThe sodium salt derived from acetic acid, it serves as a buffering agent when used in small amounts.
Categories:
Uncategorized
|
Average |
Yucca schidigera
Categories:
Uncategorized
|
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!