Rating | Ingredient |
---|---|
Best |
ecamsuleSunscreen ingredient that provides UVA protection...
Categories:
Sunscreen Actives
|
Best |
Echium plantagineum seed oilA novel, non-fragrant plant oil that's a rich source of saturated fatty acids...
Categories:
Emollients
|
Best |
Eclipta prostrata extractAn annual plant common to Korea, Eclipta prostrata has potent antioxidant and skin-calming properties.
Categories:
Antioxidants,
Plant Extracts
|
Best |
ectoinEctoin is a synthetic ingredient that serves as an emollient on skin and can also have a buffering effect in cosmetic formulas.
Categories:
Emollients
|
Good |
EDTAAcronym for ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid, a stabilizer used in cosmetics to prevent ingredients...
Categories:
Miscellaneous
|
Best |
egg yolkEgg yolk is mostly water and lipids (fats), especially cholesterol, which makes it a good emollient...
Categories:
Emollients,
Skin-Replenishing
|
Best |
eicosapentaenoic acidFatty acid derived from salmon oil; it is a good emollient and replenishing ingredient for skin.
Categories:
Skin-Replenishing,
Emollients
|
Best |
Elaeis guineensis |
Best |
elderberryAlso known as black elderberry or Sambucus nigra, this plant has potent antioxidant properties...
Categories:
Antioxidants,
Plant Extracts
|
Poor |
elecampaneLatin name Inula helenium; it is a plant that can be very sensitizing to the skin...
Categories:
Plant Extracts,
Sensitizing
|
Best |
ellagic acidPotent antioxidant compound found in pomegranate and most berries.
Categories:
Antioxidants
|
Best |
Emblica officinalis (gooseberry) fruit extractAlso known as amla, the fruit extract from gooseberry is among the richest plant sources of antioxidants.
Categories:
Plant Extracts,
Antioxidants
|
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 |
emu oilThe emu (Dromaius novaehollandiae) is a large, flightless bird indigenous to Australia. The oil...
Categories:
Emollients
|
Poor |
English ivy extractPlant extract that can be a skin sensitizer due to its stimulant and astringent (skin-constricting) properties.
Categories:
Plant Extracts,
Sensitizing
|
Best |
ensulizoleEnsulizole is a water soluble sunscreen ingredient that works in the UVB range, offering no UVA protection.
Categories:
Sunscreen Actives
|
Good |
Enteromorpha compressa extractExtract from green algae. |
Poor |
environmental damageOccurrence that takes place at an atomic level and is a complex physiological process. Molecules...
Categories:
Miscellaneous
|
Good |
enzymesVast group of protein , produced by all living things, that act as catalysts in chemical...
Categories:
Exfoliant,
Skin-Restoring
|
Best |
epigallocatechin gallateOne of the constituents of green tea believed to be responsible for its many health... |
Best |
Epilobium angustifolium extractExtract derived from a plant commonly known as fireweed or willow herb...
Categories:
Skin-Soothing
|
Best |
Epilobium fleischeri (willowherb) extractEpilobium fleischeri, also known as Alpine willowherb, is a plant extract has documented skin-calming and antioxidant benefits
Categories:
Skin-Soothing,
Plant Extracts
|
Poor |
Equisetum arvense |
Good |
ergocalciferolTechnical name for vitamin D.
Categories:
Antioxidants,
Vitamins
|
Best |
ergothioneineA substance derived from animal tissue or various types of mushrooms that has potent antioxidant...
Categories:
Skin-Soothing,
Antioxidants
|
Best |
Eriobotrya japonica
Categories:
Antioxidants,
Plant Extracts
|
Good |
erythruloseSubstance chemically similar to the self-tanning agent dihydroxyacetone. Depending on your skin...
Categories:
Miscellaneous
|
Poor |
esculinComponent of horse chestnut, it is considered harmful and is not recommended for skin...
Categories:
Sensitizing
|
Poor |
essential oil |
Good |
esterA compound formed from the reaction between an alcohol and an acid via the elimination of water....
Categories:
Emollients
|
Best |
Ester-CTrade name for a combination form of vitamin C that contains mainly calcium ascorbate, but in...
Categories:
Vitamins
|
Poor |
ethanol
Categories:
Sensitizing
|
Good |
ethoxydiglycol
Categories:
Miscellaneous
|
Poor |
ethyl alcohol
Categories:
Sensitizing
|
Average |
ethyl hexanediolA synthetic, viscous alcohol that functions as a solvent and can also be...
Categories:
Texture Enhancer
|
Good |
ethylhexylglycerinA synthetic skin-conditioning agent used as a preservative or as a carrier or suspending agent for...
Categories:
Miscellaneous,
Preservatives
|
Best |
ethylhexyl methoxycinnamate
Categories:
Sunscreen Actives
|
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 |
ethylhexyl palmitateA mixture of a fatty alcohol and palmitic acid that functions as an emollient.
Categories:
Emollients,
Texture Enhancer
|
Good |
ethylhexyl stearate |
Good |
ethyl macadamiateMixture of fatty acids from macadamia nut oil. |
Good |
ethylparaben
Parabens are a group of controversial preservatives that include butylparaben...
Categories:
Preservatives
|
Good |
ethyl vanillinFlavoring agent derived from vanilla. It has antioxidant properties (Source: Journal of...
Categories:
Antioxidants
|
Poor |
eucalyptus extractExtract that may have beneficial properties on the skin... |
Poor |
eucalyptus oilFragrant plant oil whose active constituents are found in the leaves and the oil obtained from... |
Poor |
Eugenia aromatica
Categories:
Plant Extracts,
Sensitizing
|
Poor |
Eugenia caryophyllus
Categories:
Plant Extracts,
Sensitizing
|
Poor |
eugenolFragrance chemical that occurs naturally in some plant ingredients... |
Good |
Euphorbia cerifera wax |
Average |
Euphrasia officinalis
Categories:
Plant Extracts,
Sensitizing
|
Best |
Euterpe oleracea (acai) sterolsEuterpe oleracea (acai) sterols are the sterol portion derived from the acai plant. |
Best |
Euterpe oleracea fruit extract
Categories:
Antioxidants,
Plant Extracts
|
Best |
evening primrose oilCan have significant soothing and emollient benefits for skin. |
Good |
Evodia rutaecarpa extractA species of Asian tree whose fragrant fruit functions as a good soothing agent in...
Categories:
Skin-Soothing,
Plant Extracts
|
Good |
Ext. D&CType of coloring agent. According to the FDA (www.fda.gov), when Ext. D&C is followed by a color,...
Categories:
Coloring Agents/Pigments
|
Average |
eyebrightA plant; although the name sounds like it would be beneficial for the eye area, there are no...
Categories:
Plant Extracts,
Sensitizing
|
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!