Rating | Ingredient |
---|---|
Best |
babassu oilBabassu oil comes from the seed of the Orbignya oleifera plant, which is native to Brazil. |
Best |
bakuchiolAn antioxidant found in the seeds and leaves of the plant Psoralea corylifolia...
Categories:
Antioxidants,
Plant Extracts
|
Poor |
balm mint extractExtract derived from a fragrant plant; it poses some risk of causing skin sensitivity… |
Poor |
balsam peruFatty resin that when applied topically can cause skin sensitivity… |
Best |
Bambusa vulgaris (bamboo) leaf/stem extractExtract from the common bamboo plant. Like many plant extracts, research has shown...
Categories:
Uncategorized
|
Average |
banana extractExtract from banana fruit that has some weak antioxidant properties (Source: Free Radical Research,...
Categories:
Antioxidants,
Plant Extracts
|
Best |
barberryPlant whose primary component, berberine, is an alkaloid that can have soothing properties and...
Categories:
Skin-Soothing
|
Good |
barium sulfateBarium sulfate is an inorganic salt that occurs in nature.
Categories:
Coloring Agents/Pigments
|
Average |
barley extractExtract from barley plants. Can have antioxidant properties when ingested, but there is no research...
Categories:
Plant Extracts
|
Good |
batyl alcoholDerived from glycerin and used as a stabilizing ingredient and skin-conditioning agent.
Categories:
Emollients
|
Poor |
bay leaf oilHas the potential to provide antioxidant benefits for skin… |
Good |
bearberry extractLatin name Arctostaphylos uva ursi, there is research showing that this extract has soothing...
Categories:
Antioxidants
|
Poor |
bee pollenCan have antioxidant properties (Source: Journal of Agricultural Food Chemistry, April 2001, pages...
Categories:
Uncategorized
|
Good |
beeswaxSubstance made by bees to build the walls of their honeycomb. It is a thickening agent that has...
Categories:
Texture Enhancer,
Emollients
|
Good |
beet root extractPowdered base of the stem (root) of the Beta vulgaris plant. Used as a coloring agent. As with most... |
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 |
behenic acidFatty acid used as a thickening agent and surfactant.
Categories:
Texture Enhancer,
Cleansing Agents
|
Good |
behentrimonium chlorideSkin-conditioning agent and emulsifier.
Categories:
Texture Enhancer,
Emollients
|
Good |
behenyl alcoholThickening agent used in cosmetics. It is not related to irritating forms of alcohol.
Categories:
Texture Enhancer
|
Good |
behenyl behenateBehenyl behenate is the wax-like ester of the fatty acid behenic acid and fatty alcohol behenyl alcohol.
Categories:
Hydration,
Emollients
|
Poor |
Bellis perennis
Categories:
Plant Extracts
|
Good |
bentoniteType of clay that is used as an absorbent in cosmetics. It can be drying for skin, though its...
Categories:
Absorbent
|
Average |
benzalkonium chlorideUsed as a preservative in skincare products. There is no research showing it...
Categories:
Antioxidants
|
Good |
benzephenone-3Also called oxybenzone, a sunscreen agent that protects skin primarily from the sun’s UVB rays and...
Categories:
Sunscreen Actives
|
Good |
benzoic acidPreservative used in skincare products; it is considered less sensitizing than some other forms of...
Categories:
Preservatives
|
Poor |
benzoin extractBalsam resin that has some fragrant properties; it may also be sensitizing to skin…
Categories:
Fragrance: Synthetic and Fragrant Plant Extracts
|
Good |
benzophenoneGroup of compounds used in cosmetics as sunscreen agents to protect mostly from UVB radiation and...
Categories:
Sunscreen Actives
|
Good |
benzothonium chlorideCompound used as a preservative in cosmetics. It is generally considered less sensitizing…
Categories:
Preservatives
|
Best |
benzoyl peroxideBenzoyl peroxide is considered the most effective over-the-counter topical acne treatment. Learn more.
Categories:
Anti-Acne
|
Good |
benzyl alcoholAn organic alcohol that occurs naturally in some fruits (apricots, cranberries) and teas.
Categories:
Preservatives
|
Poor |
benzyl salicylateA volatile fragrance chemical with a sweet, floral odor used to impart scent to cosmetic products and perfumes.
Categories:
Fragrance: Synthetic and Fragrant Plant Extracts
|
Best |
Berberis aristata
Categories:
Plant Extracts,
Antioxidants
|
Poor |
bergamot oilA volatile citrus oil that, when used topically, is a photosensitizer... |
Good |
Bertholletia excelsa extract
Categories:
Antioxidants,
Plant Extracts
|
Good |
beta-caroteneMember of the carotenoid family. There are hundreds of carotenoids, including lycopene and lutein....
Categories:
Antioxidants
|
Best |
beta-glucanPolysaccharide sugar derived from yeast or oats. It has some antioxidant properties and is a skin-soothing agent.
Categories:
Skin-Soothing,
Antioxidants
|
Best |
beta hydroxy acid |
Good |
betaineBetaine is an ingredient that works to balance skin’s hydration.
Categories:
Hydration
|
Good |
betaine salicylateAn ingredient derived from sugar beets that is sometimes used as an alternative to...
Categories:
Exfoliant
|
Best |
beta-sitosterolBeta-sitosterol is a fatty acid-type ingredient derived from plants, and is similar to cholesterol... |
Good |
Beta vulgaris root extract |
Good |
Betula alba
Categories:
Antioxidants,
Plant Extracts
|
Good |
Betula alba (birch) juiceBetula alba juice is the sap from the birch tree.
Categories:
Antioxidants,
Plant Extracts
|
Best |
BHA (beta hydroxy acid)BHA, or beta hydroxy acid, is more commonly known as salicylic acid. |
Average |
BHTButylated hydroxytoluene, a potent synthetic antioxidant that also has negative properties when...
Categories:
Antioxidants
|
Best |
bifida ferment lysateBifida ferment lysate is a probiotic ingredient derived from a specific type of yeast obtained by the fermentation of Bifida bacteria.
Categories:
Miscellaneous,
Hydration
|
Best |
bilberry extractSome research shows bilberry (vaccinium myrtillis) to be effective as an antioxidant when ingested...
Categories:
Plant Extracts
|
Best |
bioflavonoidDiverse range of substances that are components of many fruits and vegetables. Many have been shown...
Categories:
Antioxidants
|
Good |
biotinA water-soluble substance produced in the body by certain types of...
Categories:
Vitamins
|
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 |
birch bark extractExtract derived from the plant Betula alba (common name white birch). It can have potent...
Categories:
Antioxidants,
Plant Extracts
|
Good |
birch leaf extract
Categories:
Antioxidants,
Plant Extracts
|
Best |
bisabololCan be extracted from chamomile or derived synthetically. It is an anti-irritant.
Categories:
Skin-Soothing,
Plant Extracts
|
Good |
bis-diglyceryl polyacyladipateCan be extracted from chamomile or derived synthetically. It is an skin-soothing ingredient.
Categories:
Texture Enhancer,
Emollients
|
Average |
bismuth oxychlorideAlso known as synthetic pearl, it’s the primary ingredient included in most powders that are referred to as...
Categories:
Texture Enhancer,
Absorbent
|
Good |
bis-PEG-18 methyl ether dimethyl silaneA synthetic skin conditioning agent and surfactant belonging to the chemical class of siloxanes and... |
Good |
bis-phenylpropyl dimethiconeA synthetic, colorless, silicone-based polymer that...
Categories:
Silicones,
Texture Enhancer
|
Poor |
bitter orange flower |
Best |
blackberryBerries that have antioxidant properties...
Categories:
Antioxidants,
Plant Extracts
|
Average |
black cohoshThere is no research showing that black cohosh can have this or any effect…
Categories:
Plant Extracts
|
Best |
black currant oilNon-volatile plant oil.
Categories:
Plant Extracts
|
Best |
black elderberryWhen taken orally, this has antioxidant properties (Source: Journal of Agricultural Food...
Categories:
Antioxidants,
Plant Extracts
|
Poor |
black locust extractExtract that can have antioxidant properties, although it also may have harmful...
Categories:
Antioxidants,
Plant Extracts
|
Good |
black mulberryDue to its arbutin content, this extract can have some value in improving the look of discolorations....
Categories:
Plant Extracts
|
Poor |
black pepper extract and oilIt can cause significant skin sensitivity...
Categories:
Plant Extracts
|
Best |
black raspberryFruit that has antioxidant properties...
Categories:
Antioxidants,
Plant Extracts
|
Best |
black tea |
Best |
bladderwrack extractExtract derived from seaweed; it can be an effective antioxidant and has water-binding properties...
Categories:
Antioxidants,
Plant Extracts
|
Poor |
bloodwortAlso known as yarrow.
Categories:
Plant Extracts
|
Good |
blue 1
Categories:
Coloring Agents/Pigments
|
Good |
blue 1 lake
Categories:
Coloring Agents/Pigments
|
Best |
Boerhavia diffusa root extractExtract from a flowering plant. Animal studies have shown that this plant has strong... |
Poor |
bois de rose oil |
Poor |
bois oilFragrant oil that has no research showing it has benefit for skin (Source: www.naturaldatabase.com). |
Best |
borage seed extractExtract of the plant Borago officinalis, it can have skni-soothing properties...
Categories:
Skin-Soothing,
Plant Extracts
|
Best |
borage seed oilNon-fragrant plant oil that contains gamma linolenic acid and other essential fatty acids for skin. |
Best |
Borago officinalis extract |
Best |
Borago officinalis seed oil |
Poor |
borateGroup of compounds used in cosmetics in small quantities primarily as pH adjusters (they have a pH...
Categories:
Preservatives
|
Poor |
boraxAlso known as sodium borate decahydrate, borax is a mineral composed of sodium, boron, oxygen, and...
Categories:
Preservatives
|
Good |
boric acidMay have skin soothing and restoring benefits…
Categories:
Preservatives
|
Good |
boron nitrideSynthetic, inorganic powder, which in cosmetics has absorbent properties similar to those of...
Categories:
Absorbent
|
Poor |
Boswellia carterii |
Average |
Boswellia serrata extractAn extract from the gum resin of a tree and also a source of Indian frankincense, this plant extract has both positive and negative qualities for skin. |
Average |
botanicalsGeneral term for a large group of natural ingredients. Botanicals may or may not be organic, and...
Categories:
Plant Extracts
|
Best |
boysenberryBerry that can have potent antioxidant properties (Source: Journal of Agricultural Food Chemistry,...
Categories:
Antioxidants,
Plant Extracts
|
Best |
Brassica campestris
Categories:
Antioxidants,
Emollients
|
Good |
Brazil nut extractExtract for which there is a small amount of research showing it can have antioxidant properties...
Categories:
Antioxidants,
Plant Extracts
|
Good |
broad spectrumTerm that, when applied to sunscreen, refers to a sunscreen’s ability to protect the skin from both...
Categories:
Sunscreen Actives
|
Good |
bromelainBromelain is an extract from the pineapple that contains, among other components, various...
Categories:
Plant Extracts,
Exfoliant
|
Poor |
bronopolTechnical name 2-bromo-2-nitropropane-1,3-diol, a formaldehyde-releasing preservative (Source:...
Categories:
Preservatives
|
Good |
bronze powderMineral coloring agent derived from copper. Permanently listed (since 1977) by the FDA as a safe...
Categories:
Coloring Agents/Pigments
|
Best |
Buddleja davidii extractPlant also known as summer lilac or butterfly bush (because the flowers are a food source for...
Categories:
Antioxidants,
Plant Extracts
|
Good |
bumetrizoleSunscreen ingredient that absorbs primarily UVB light.
Categories:
Sunscreen Actives
|
Average |
Bupleurum falcatum extractA plant used in Chinese medicine for a varitety of ailments ranging from the common cold to liver...
Categories:
Plant Extracts
|
Best |
burdock rootPlant extract whose active constituents are skin soothing and antioxidant… |
Good |
butyl acetateSolvent used in nail polish and many other products.
Categories:
Film-Forming Agents,
Texture Enhancer
|
Good |
butylene glycolCommonly-used ingredient that has multiple functions in cosmetics, including....
Categories:
Texture Enhancer
|
Best |
butyl methoxydibenzoylmethane
Categories:
Sunscreen Actives
|
Good |
butylparabenParabens are a group of controversial preservatives that include butylparaben...
Categories:
Preservatives
|
Poor |
butylphenyl methylpropionalSynthetic fragrance ingredient with a strong floral scent.
Categories:
Fragrance: Synthetic and Fragrant Plant Extracts
|
Best |
Butyrospermum fruitFruit from the karite tree, scientific name Butyrospermum parkii, from which the fat is obtained to...
Categories:
Plant Extracts,
Emollients
|
Best |
Butyrospermum parkii |
Best |
Butyrosperum parkii (shea) butter extractButyrosperum parkii (shea) butter extract doesn’t just have a rich texture; it’s also a rich source of antioxidants and replenishing antioxidants. |
Best |
Buxus chinensis |
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!