Ingredient Dictionary | Cosmetic 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 Used as a detergent cleansing agent, emulsifier, and thickening agent in cosmetics. 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

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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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