Rating | Ingredient |
---|---|
Good |
galactoarabinanPolysaccharide extracted from the western larch tree. |
Poor |
galbanumFragrant substance that, because of its resin and volatile oil content, can be extremely sensitizing… |
Best |
gamma linolenic acid (GLA)Fatty acid used in cosmetics as an emollient and antioxidant. GLA is considered to... |
Best |
Ganoderma lucidum (mushroom) extractGanoderma lucidum is a species of mushroom also known as Reishi mushroom that, when applied to skin, can visibly reduce some types of discoloration.
Categories:
Antioxidants,
Plant Extracts
|
Best |
Garcinia mangostana (mangosteen) peel extractMangosteen is a fruit with a sweet and sour flavor and is native to several Asian countries.
Categories:
Antioxidants,
Plant Extracts
|
Poor |
Gardenia florida extractFlower extract used in cosmetics to impart fragrance; also functions as an antioxidant (Source:... |
Good |
gelatinProtein obtained from plants or animals and used in cosmetics as a thickening agent.
Categories:
Thickeners/Emulsifiers
|
Good |
gellan gumA plant-derived, high-weight, polysaccharide texture enhancer that also...
Categories:
Texture Enhancer
|
Good |
Gellidiela acerosa extractExtract derived from a type of algae. |
Best |
genisteinPlant component (most often from soy) that is a rich source of antioxidants, though it can also be... |
Best |
Gentiana lutea (Gentian) root extractPart of the gentian plant, constituents of which are soothing to skin... |
Average |
geraniolA volatile fragrance ingredient extracted from geranium, geraniol is capable of causing sensitivity when applied to skin. |
Best |
geranium extractExtract that can have potent antioxidant properties (Source: Phytomedicine, June 2000, pages...
Categories:
Antioxidants,
Plant Extracts
|
Poor |
geranium oilFragrant oil that can have beneficial properties but also can be a skin sensitizer... |
Poor |
Geranium pretenseGeranium plant. |
Good |
Germaben IITrade name for diazolidinyl urea.
Categories:
Preservatives
|
Good |
ginger extractExtract from a plant in the Zingiberacae family that has research showing it has soothing... |
Poor |
ginger oil |
Best |
Ginkgo biloba leaf extractPotent antioxidant and soothing ingredient. |
Best |
ginsengGinseng is a popular herbal supplement. When applied topically it delivers antioxidant benefits, boosts hydration, and helps visibly improve signs of skin aging.
Categories:
Antioxidants,
Plant Extracts
|
Best |
GLA |
Best |
glabridinMain ingredient in licorice extract. It has soothing properties. There is research showing...
Categories:
Skin-Soothing,
Plant Extracts
|
Best |
glucomannanGlucomannan is prebiotic sugar that combines the simples sugars mannose with glucose.
Categories:
Hydration
|
Best |
gluconolactone
Categories:
Exfoliant
|
Best |
glucosamine HCLA form of glucosamine, an amino sugar that can be considered a skin-restorative...
Categories:
Skin-Soothing,
Skin-Replenishing
|
Good |
glucoseMonosaccharide that has water-binding properties for skin.
Categories:
Skin-Replenishing
|
Good |
glucose oxidaseGlucose oxidase is an enzyme that catalyzes the oxidation of the sugar glucose.
Categories:
Miscellaneous
|
Best |
glucosylceramidesGlucosylceramides are responsible for the healthy formation and appearance of skin’s upper layers.
Categories:
Skin-Restoring,
Skin-Replenishing
|
Best |
glucosyl hesperidinA water-soluble form of hesperidin, a flavonoid found in many citrus plants, as well as evening primrose oil. It has potential as an antioxidant...
Categories:
Antioxidants,
Plant Extracts
|
Good |
glutamic acidGlutamic acid is an amino acid that helps aid skin hydration.
Categories:
Hydration
|
Best |
glutamineCan help improve the function of skin...
Categories:
Skin-Replenishing
|
Best |
glutathionePowerful, non-enzymatic antioxidant which naturally occurs in the skin.
Categories:
Antioxidants,
Skin-Restoring
|
Good |
gluten ingredientsGluten is a protein that occurs naturally in many types of grains, including wheat, rye, and barley.
Categories:
Miscellaneous
|
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
|
Best |
glycerinAlso called glycerol or glycerine, glycerin is present in all natural lipids (fats), whether animal or vegetable.
Categories:
Skin-Replenishing,
Skin-Restoring
|
Best |
glycerine
Categories:
Skin-Replenishing
|
Best |
glycerol
Categories:
Skin-Replenishing
|
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
|
Best |
glyceryl ascorbateA vitamin C derivative, it serves as an antioxidant in skincare products.
Categories:
Antioxidants
|
Good |
glyceryl behanateA simple mixture of glycerin and the naturally-occuring fatty acid behenic acid. Glyceryl behenate... |
Best |
glyceryl behenateAn ester emollient of fatty acid behenic acid...
Categories:
Emollients,
Texture Enhancer
|
Good |
glyceryl behenate/eicosadioateA mixture of esters of glycerin, along with behenic and eicosadioic acids, its works as a thickener and stabilizing agent in makeup and skincare products.
Categories:
Thickeners
|
Good |
glyceryl cocoateUsed as an emollient and thickening agent in cosmetics.
Categories:
Thickeners/Emulsifiers,
Emollients
|
Good |
glyceryl dibehanateA complex mixture of glycerin and the naturally-occurring fatty acid behenic acid. Glyceryl...
Categories:
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 rosinateAn ester of long chain acids derived from a plant-based ingredient known as rosin. |
Good |
glyceryl stearateUsed as an emollient and thickening agent in cosmetics. |
Good |
glyceryl stearate citrateGlyceryl stearate citrate is an ester of citric acid and glyceryl stearate.
Categories:
Emulsifiers,
Emollients
|
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 |
glycine
Categories:
Skin-Replenishing
|
Best |
Glycine soja oilOil derived from wild soybeans; it has emollient properties. |
Best |
Glycine soja seed extract
Categories:
Plant Extracts,
Emollients
|
Best |
Glycine soja sterolsA sterol is a solid complex alcohol derived from animals and plants. In this case, the sterols are...
Categories:
Plant Extracts,
Emollients
|
Good |
glycogenPolysaccharide that has water-binding properties for skin.
Categories:
Skin-Replenishing,
Hydration
|
Best |
glycolic acidA type of alpha hydroxy acid (AHA) that, like other ingredients in the category, can act as a water-binding agent and, when properly formulated, as an exfoliant...
Categories:
Exfoliant
|
Best |
glycolipidType of lipid composed of sugar (monosaccharide) and fat (lipid) that forms an important component... |
Good |
glycol stearateUsed as an emollient and thickening agent.
Categories:
Thickeners/Emulsifiers,
Emollients
|
Best |
glycoproteinsGlycoproteins are a type of peptide naturally present in skin's surface that works with other ingredients to reinforce skin's barrier strength.
Categories:
Skin-Restoring,
Hydration
|
Best |
glycosaminoglycansAlso known as mucopolysaccharides; these are a fundamental component of skin and are...
Categories:
Skin-Replenishing,
Skin-Restoring
|
Best |
glycosphingolipid
Categories:
Skin-Replenishing
|
Best |
glycyrrhetic acidExtract from licorice that has skin-soothing properties…
Categories:
Skin-Soothing,
Plant Extracts
|
Best |
glycyrrhetinic acidOne of the components of licorice root extract...
Categories:
Antioxidants,
Skin-Soothing
|
Best |
Glycyrrhiza glabra
Categories:
Skin-Soothing,
Plant Extracts
|
Best |
Glycyrrhiza uralensis root extract
Categories:
Skin-Soothing,
Plant Extracts
|
Best |
goji fruit extractThis bright, warm red berry, native to Asia, is a very good source of antioxidant compounds.
Categories:
Antioxidants,
Plant Extracts
|
Poor |
goldAn ingredient that seems luxe and helpful but is actually a frequent contact sensitizer…
Categories:
Sensitizing,
Miscellaneous
|
Good |
Gossypium herbacuem seed oilAlso known as cotton seed oil, this non-fragrant plant oil may cause...
Categories:
Plant Extracts
|
Best |
gotu kola
Categories:
Plant Extracts,
Antioxidants
|
Poor |
grapefruit oilCitrus oil whose volatile components (chiefly substances known as furocoumarins) are sensitizing... |
Poor |
grapefruit peel extractTypically listed as citrus grandis (grapefruit) peel extract on the ingredient list...
Categories:
Sensitizing,
Plant Extracts
|
Poor |
grapefruit seed extractLabelled as Citrus paradisi (grapefruit) seed extract, this is often claimed as a natural preservative...
Categories:
Uncategorized
|
Best |
grape seed extractGrape seed extract has been shown to help diminish free-radical damage…
Categories:
Antioxidants,
Plant Extracts
|
Best |
grape seed oilEmollient, non-fragrant plant oil that also has excellent antioxidant properties... |
Best |
green teaSignificant amounts of research have established that tea, including black, green, and white tea... |
Best |
gromwell |
Poor |
guaranaHerb that contains two and a half times more caffeine than coffee. It can have constricting...
Categories:
Plant Extracts,
Sensitizing
|
Good |
guar gumPlant-derived thickening agent...
Categories:
Plant Extracts,
Thickeners/Emulsifiers
|
Good |
guar hydroxypropyltrimonium chloride |
Best |
guavaGuava extract is a rich source of bioactive antioxidants including gallic acid, quercetin, and tocopherol.
Categories:
Antioxidants,
Plant Extracts
|
Good |
gumsSubstances that have water-binding properties, but that are used primarily as thickening agents in... |
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!