Skincare Ingredient Dictionary

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Rating	Ingredient
Best	idebenone A synthetic antioxidant similar to coenzyme Q10. Idebenone got a lot of press as the best... Categories: Antioxidants
Best	Ilex paraguariensis Categories: Skin-Soothing, Antioxidants
Poor	Illicium vernum Categories: Antioxidants, Sensitizing, Fragrance: Synthetic and Fragrant Plant Extracts
Good	illite Illite is a mineral-sourced natural thickener that is sometimes referred to as French green clay. Categories: Thickeners, Absorbent
Average	imidazolidinyl urea Considered a weaker preservative than its "cousin" diazolidinyl urea because it is beneficial against... Categories: Preservatives
Good	inactive ingredient The list of inactive ingredients is the part of an ingredient label that is not regulated by the... Categories: Miscellaneous
Best	inositol Major component of lecithin whose relation to glycerin means it may have water-binding properties for skin. Categories: Skin-Replenishing
Poor	Inula helenium Categories: Plant Extracts, Sensitizing
Good	iodopropynyl butylcarbamate A synthetic preservative that is typically used in concentrations of 0.1% or less. It is very... Categories: Preservatives
Poor	Iris florentina extract Categories: Plant Extracts, Fragrance: Synthetic and Fragrant Plant Extracts, Sensitizing
Good	Irish moss extract Type of red algae. Categories: Antioxidants, Thickeners/Emulsifiers, Plant Extracts, Emollients, Texture Enhancer
Good	iron oxides Cosmetic pigments that originate from natural minerals and are considered both synthetic and mineral when refined. Used to tint sunscreens, create complexion-enhancing makeup shades, and help protect skin from visible light. Categories: Coloring Agents/Pigments
Average	iron powder Iron powder is, as the name states, a powdered versoin of the mineral iron. A natural ingredient, it's used as an opacifying agent in cosmetics. Categories: Absorbent
Good	isoamyl cocoate A mix of non-irritating fatty alcohol isoamyl alcohol and coconut acid, this natural ingredient works as an emollient on skin. Categories: Emollients, Skin-Softening
Good	isoamyl laurate The ester of isoamyl alcohol and lauric acid, this plant- or synthetic-based texture-enhancing ingredient feels velvety-soft. Categories: Emulsifiers, Skin-Softening
Good	isobutyl acetate Categories: Miscellaneous
Good	isobutylparaben Parabens are a group of controversial preservatives that include butylparaben... Categories: Preservatives
Average	isocetyl salicylate Categories: Miscellaneous
Good	isododecane Hydrocarbon ingredient used as a solvent. Isododecane enhances the spreadability of products and... Categories: Miscellaneous, Texture Enhancer
Best	isoflavone Plant derivative with antioxidant properties... Categories: Antioxidants, Plant Extracts
Good	isohexadecane A synthetic ingredient with a powder-like finish.Used as a cleansing agent and texture enhancer in cosmetics, particularly beneficial for those for oily skin. Categories: Thickeners/Emulsifiers, Cleansing Agents, Texture Enhancer
Good	isoleucine Categories: Antioxidants, Skin-Replenishing
Good	isononyl isononanoate An ester that functions as a skin-conditioning agent. Occurs naturally in cocoa and lavender oil. Categories: Emollients
Good	isoparaffin Categories: Thickeners/Emulsifiers, Texture Enhancer
Poor	isopropyl alcohol Categories: Sensitizing
Good	isopropyl isostearate The ester of isopropyl alcohol and isostearic acid. It is used as a skin-conditioning agent and emollient in cosmetics products... Categories: Emollients
Good	isopropyl lanolate Derived from lanolin, it is used in cosmetics as a thickening agent and emollient. Categories: Thickeners/Emulsifiers, Texture Enhancer, Emollients
Good	isopropyl myristate Texture enhancer and emollient as used in cosmetics. Categories: Texture Enhancer, Emollients
Good	isopropyl palmitate Texture enhancer and emollient as used in cosmetics. It can potentially be... Categories: Emollients, Texture Enhancer
Good	isopropyl titanium triisostearate A synthetic or animal-derived ingredient used as a surface treatment for cosmetic pigments... Categories: Emulsifiers, Texture Enhancer, Emollients
Good	isopropyl titanium triisostearte/triethoxycaprylylsilane crosspolymer A synthetic, silicone-enhanced polymer that occurs from combining isopropyl titanium triisostearate... Categories: Thickeners/Emulsifiers, Silicones, Texture Enhancer
Good	isostearamide DEA Used as a surfactant, water-binding agent, and thickening agent. Categories: Thickeners/Emulsifiers, Texture Enhancer, Cleansing Agents
Good	isostearic acid Fatty acid used as a binding agent and thickener. Categories: Thickeners/Emulsifiers, Texture Enhancer
Poor	ivy extract Plant extract that can be sensitizing due to its astringent (skin-constricting) properties. 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!

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