Cosmetic Ingredients Glossary
This ingredient glossary is designed to help you learn more about common ingredients used in the cosmetic industry.
This ingredient glossary is designed to help you learn more about common ingredients used in the cosmetic industry.
What Is Isohexadecane? Isohexadecane is an ingredient used in skincare and cosmetic formulations to...
What is Stearyl Alcohol? Stearyl alcohol is a natural fatty alcohol that is used as an emollient, em...
Acetyl glucosamine is a skin-replenishing ingredient that functions to reduce signs of aging through...
What Is Acetyl Hexapeptide 8? Acetyl hexapeptide 8, which is also known as Argireline, is a peptide...
Yeast Amino Acids Yeast amino acids are derived from Saccharomyces, a genus of fungi that includes m...
Acrylates/C10-30 alkyl acrylate crosspolymer is a synthetic ingredient used as a thickening agent, t...
What Is Adenosine? Adenosine is a natural ingredient used in cosmetics and skincare products that ar...
Alcohol is one of the most common skincare ingredients but makes some consumers wary, as they think...
Myristyl Alcohol Myristyl alcohol is a straight-chain saturated fatty alcohol that is prepared by th...
What Is Allantoin? Allantoin is a skincare ingredient that helps to moisturize and gently remove dea...
What Is Aloe barbadensis Leaf Extract? Aloe barbadensis leaf extract, commonly known as Aloe vera, h...
Alpha Hydroxy Acid: a Guide to AHA Skin Care While there are a number of ingredients in skin care pr...
What Is Aminomethyl Propanol? Aminomethyl propanol is a synthetic ingredient that is used in skincar...
What Is Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp copolymer? Ammonium acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp copolymer...
Many people are aware of the hair benefits of argan oil since it is a very common ingredient in prod...
Arginine is an amino acid that is used in cosmetics and personal care products to protect the skin f...
What is Argireline? Argireline, also known as acetyl hexapeptide-3 or acetyl hexapeptide-8, is a syn...
Ascorbic acid is another name for vitamin C, an antioxidant that is popular in skin care products du...
Ascorbyl palmitate is a stable, lipid soluble form of vitamin C that is used in skin care products f...
What is Avobenzone? One of the more effective ways to take care of your skin’s health and maintain a...
What Is Azelaic Acid? Azelaic acid is a skincare ingredient that has been making the rounds in skinc...
Betula Alba (Birch) Bark Extract Betula alba is a species of deciduous tree with many common names,...
Behenyl alcohol functions as an opacifying ingredient, thickener, emollient, and emulsifier in cosme...
What Is Benzyl Alcohol? Benzyl alcohol is an ingredient that is used in cosmetics and skincare produ...
What is Betaine? Betaine is a naturally derived ingredient that is added to skin and hair care produ...
What Is BHT? BHT stands for butylated hydroxytoluene, it is a preservative and antioxidant that is u...
What Is Bisabolol? Bisabolol is a natural ingredient that is used in cosmetics and skincare products...
What Is Butylene Glycol? Butylene glycol or 1,3-Butanediol is part of the diol family of ingredients...
What Is Butylparaben? Butylparaben is a type of paraben. Parabens are a class of chemicals that are...
Butylphenyl methylpropional is a synthetic fragrance ingredient that is used in a variety of cosmeti...
What Is Shea Butter? If you are someone who has dry or flaky skin you probably will know of the bene...
C12-15 alkyl benzoate is a synthetic ingredient that is used as an emollient and texture enhancing a...
C13-14 isoparaffin is a petroleum-derived ingredient that is used in cosmetics and personal care pro...
Caffeine is being increasingly used in cosmetics and skin care products due to its high biological a...
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride is an emollient, dispersing agent, and thickener that is used in a vari...
What Is Caprylyl Glycol? Caprylyl glycol is a skincare ingredient that is used in many different pro...
Caramel is a natural coloring agent used to provide a brown color in cosmetics and personal care pro...
Carbomer is the trade name for polyacrylic acid (PAA), a group of synthetic high molecular weight po...
Ceramides and Their Importance to Skin Care One of the most important factors in shopping for skin c...
Ceteareth-12 is a synthetic compound that functions as an emulsifier and wetting agent in a variety...
Ceteareth-20 is a synthetic compound that functions as an emulsifier and surfactant in a variety of...
Cetearyl alcohol is a fatty alcohol used as an emollient, emulsion stabilizer, surfactant, opacifyin...
What is Cetyl Alcohol? Cetyl alcohol is a fatty alcohol that functions as an emollient, emulsifier,...
Cetyl ethylhexanoate is a synthetic ingredient that is used in a variety of cosmetics and personal c...
Quinoa is a flowering plant that is part of the genus Chenopodium. It is grown as a grain crop prima...
Chlorphenesin is a synthetic preservative that is used in a variety of cosmetics and personal care p...
Cholesterol is an organic molecule that is added to cosmetics and skin care products for its functio...
Citral is a naturally derived ingredient that is added to cosmetics and personal care products as a...
What is Citric Acid? Citric acid may be an ingredient that you are familiar with but may not be a sk...
Citronellol is a naturally derived ingredient that is added to cosmetics and personal care products...
Cucumis sativus (cucumber) fruit extract is used in cosmetics and personal care products due to its...
Pumpkin seed extract is a hydrolyzed protein fraction obtained from the Cucurbita pepo (pumpkin) see...
What Is Cyclohexasiloxane? Cyclohexasiloxane is a common ingredient in skincare and body care produc...
What Are Cyclomethicones? Cyclomethicones are clear, odorless liquids utilized in skincare products...
What Is Cyclopentasiloxane? Cyclopentasiloxane is a common ingredient in skincare and body care prod...
Decyl oleate is an ingredient used to formulate a variety of cosmetics and personal care products, f...
What Is Dimethicone? Dimethicone or polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) is a silicone used in skincare, body...
Dimethicone crosspolymer is a silicone derivative that functions as a skin and hair conditioning age...
What Is Dimethiconol? Dimethiconol is a type of silicone that is used in skincare and hair care prod...
Dipalmitoyl hydroxyproline is a naturally derived ingredient often found in anti-aging skin and lip...
What Is Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate? Dipotassium glycyrrhizate is an ingredient derived from licorice...
Dipropylene glycol is a type of alcohol that is used in cosmetics and personal care products as a so...
What is EDTA? EDTA or ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid is a common ingredient in skincare and body ca...
Ethoxydiglycol is a cosmetic grade solvent that is used in various skin and hair care products to di...
Why Is Ethylhexyl Palmitate Used In Skincare? Ethylhexyl palmitate is an ingredient that is used to...
Ethylhexylglycerin is an ingredient that is found in many skincare and cosmetic formulations. Ethylh...
Ethylparaben is a preservative that is used in the formulation of cosmetics and personal care produc...
Ferulic Acid in Skin Care Ferulic Acid is found naturally in the leaves and seeds of most plants. It...
Marigold (Calendula officinalis) Flower Extract Calendula officinalis, also known as pot marigold, i...
Pyrus Malus (Apple) Fruit Extract Pyrus malus is the name given to apple-derived ingredients used in...
Persea gratissima (Avocado) Oil Unsaponifiables Persea gratissima is a flowering tree that produces...
What is Geraniol? Geraniol is a naturally derived fragrance that is derived from plants such as rose...
Ginkgo biloba leaf extract is a botanical ingredient that is used in skin care products due to its p...
What is Gluconolactone? Gluconolactone is an acid, used in skincare formulations to help increase sk...
Glycerin is ubiquitous in the skin care industry. It can be found in nearly all water based moisturi...
What Is Glyceryl Stearate? Glyceryl stearate is a naturally derived fatty acid that is used as a thi...
What Is Glycine? Glycine is an amino acid that is primarily used in anti-aging skincare products bec...
Helianthus annuus (sunflower) seed oil is used in a variety of cosmetics and personal care products...
Hexylene glycol functions as a surfactant, emulsifier, and a viscosity-reducing agent in many differ...
Hordeum vulgare, commonly known as barley, is a member of the grass family, grown in temperate clima...
Aesculus hippocastanum is a large, deciduous tree commonly known as horse chestnut. Fruit from this...
Hydrogenated lecithin is an ingredient that functions as an emollient, emulsifier, and penetration e...
What Is Hydrogenated Polyisobutene? When reading skincare ingredient labels, it’s easy to become con...
What Is Hydroxyethylcellulose? Hydroxyethylcellulose is an ingredient that you may not have heard of...
What Is Idebenone? Idebenone is a synthetic analog for Coenzyme Q10 that is used in skincare formula...
Consumers looking for the best face cream for wrinkles may eventually come across a product called I...
What Is Inositol? Inositol, also known as rice water, is used in skincare and haircare products for...
Iron oxides are synthetic ingredients that function as colorants in cosmetics and personal care prod...
In today's world of mass production and consumption of skin care products, ingredients like isobutyl...
Isodecyl neopentanoate is a synthetic ingredient that is used in cosmetics and personal care product...
What Is Isododecane? Isododecane is a common ingredient found in cosmetics, skincare, and body care....
Isononyl isononanoate is a synthetic ingredient used in cosmetics and personal care products as an e...
What Is Isopropyl Myristate? Isopropyl myristate is an ingredient that you may have unknowingly used...
What Is Kaolin Clay? Kaolin clay is a natural clay that is used in skincare and cosmetic formulation...
What is L-ascorbic Acid? Most people know vitamin C for its benefits when fighting the common cold...
Laureth-4 is a synthetic polymer that is used in many different cosmetics and personal care products...
Laureth-7 is a synthetic compound that functions as an emulsifier and surfactant in a variety of cos...
Lauryl PEG-9 polydimethylsiloxyethyl dimethicone is a type of silicone polymer that is used in cosme...
Lecithin describes a natural substance made up of fatty acids that functions as an emollient, emulsi...
What Is Limonene? Limonene is a naturally-occurring ingredient that is found in citrus fruits such a...
What Is Linalool? Linalool is a naturally derived ingredient from essential oils that is used in ski...
Linoleic acid is a fatty acid that functions as an emollient and thickening agent in cosmetics and p...
What is Liquid Paraffin? Liquid paraffin, also known as paraffinum liquidum, is a very highly refine...
Magnesium aluminum silicate is a complex silicate refined from naturally occurring minerals. It is u...
Magnesium ascorbyl phosphate is a form of vitamin C that is used in skin care products for its abili...
What Is Magnesium Gluconate? Magnesium gluconate is an ingredient that is often used in body washes,...
What Is Magnesium Sulfate? Magnesium sulfate is a natural ingredient that is used in cosmetics and s...
What Is Maltodextrin? Maltodextrin is a plant-based sugar that is used in cosmetics and skincare pro...
Chlorella Vulgaris Extract Chlorella vulgaris is a green eukaryotic microalgae that was first discov...
Do you know the benefits of using skin care products that contain Matrixyl 3000? Matrixyl 3000 is a...
Menthol is a naturally occurring organic compound that is used in cosmetics and personal care produc...
What Is Methylparaben? Methylparaben is a type of paraben. Parabens are a class of chemicals that ar...
Methylsilanol mannuronate is an organic silanol that is used in cosmetics and personal care products...
What Is Mica? Mica refers to a group of silicate minerals that are ground down into a fine powder to...
What Is Mineral Oil? Mineral oil in skincare and cosmetic formulations has always been met with cont...
What Is Myristyl Myristate? Myristyl myristate is used in a variety of cosmetics and skincare produc...
What Is Niacinamide? Niacinamide is one of those ingredients that stands out for the benefits it can...
What Is Octinoxate? Octinoxate is used in sunscreen formulations as a chemical UV absorber. Octinox...
What Is Octocrylene? Octocrylene is an ingredient used in sunscreens for its ability to absorb UV ra...
Oenothera biennis (evening primrose) is a flowering plant that is native to North America. Indigenou...
What is Palmitic Acid? Palmitic acid is a fatty acid that is used in skincare and cosmetic formulati...
What Are Palmitoyl Oligopeptides? Many skincare blogs and reference websites provide confusing infor...
What Are Palmitoyl Oligopeptides? Many skincare blogs and reference websites provide confusing infor...
What Are Palmitoyl Oligopeptides? Many skincare blogs and reference websites provide confusing infor...
What Is Panthenol? Panthenol is a common ingredient that is found in a number of hair and skin produ...
Peg-10 dimethicone is a type of silicone that is used in hair and skin care products as a conditioni...
Why is PEG 100 Stearate in My Skincare Product? PEG or polyethylene glycol stearate is an ingredient...
PEG-40 hydrogenated castor oil is a synthetic ingredient used in a variety of cosmetics and personal...
PEG-7 glyceryl cocoate is a synthetic polymer that functions as an emollient, surfactant, and emulsi...
PEG/PPG-18/18 dimethicone is a type of silicone that is used in hair and skin care products as a co-...
What is Pentylene Glycol? Pentylene glycol is part of the 1,2-glycol family of ingredients. The 1,2-...
Petrolatum is an ointment that is available as an over-the-counter (OTC) skin protectant, and is als...
What Is Phenoxyethanol? Phenoxyethanol is a skincare ingredient, primarily used as a preservative an...
Phenyl trimethicone is a type of silicone that is used in cosmetics and personal care products as a...
Phytosphingosine is a naturally occurring lipid that is used in cosmetics and personal care products...
The SK-II Facial Treatment Essence has seen more than 20 million bottles sold to date. With impressi...
Hydrolyzed Myrtus Communis Leaf Extract Myrtus communis, the common myrtle, is a species of flowerin...
Anthemis Nobilis Flower Oil Anthemis is a genus of aromatic flowering plants in the family Asteracea...
What Is Polyacrylamide? Polyacrylamide is a polymer that is used in a wide variety of cosmetics and...
What Is Polyethylene? Polyethylene is a synthetic ingredient that is used for a variety of purposes...
Polymethylsilsesquioxane is a type of silicone that is used in cosmetics and personal care products...
Polysilicone-11 is a synthetic cross-linked siloxane (a type of silicone) that functions as a film-f...
Polysorbate 20 is a surfactant, emulsifier, and fragrance ingredient that is used in a variety of co...
Polysorbate 60 is a synthetic ingredient that is used in cosmetics and personal care products as a s...
Polysorbate 80 is a synthetic ingredient that is used in cosmetics and personal care products as a s...
Potassium cetyl phosphate is the potassium salt of an organic phosphate ester that is used in a vari...
What Is Potassium Hydroxide? Potassium hydroxide is a highly alkaline ingredient that is used in sma...
What Is Potassium Sorbate? Potassium sorbate is a mild preservative that is used in skincare, cosme...
Proline is an amino acid that is primarily used in anti-aging skin care products because of its abil...
What Is Propanediol? Propanediol is a naturally derived ingredient that is used in cosmetics and sk...
Propyl gallate is an antioxidant that is used in cosmetics and personal care products as a preservat...
Propylene carbonate is a synthetic solvent that is used in cosmetics and personal care products to d...
What Is Propylparaben? Propylparaben is a preservative used in skincare and cosmetic formulations. P...
Retinaldehyde: Ingredient Uses and Side Effects It can be difficult to fight the signs of aging with...
What Is Retinyl Palmitate? Retinyl palmitate is a type of retinoid that is used in skincare products...
Althaea Officinalis (Marshmallow) Root Extract Althaea officinalis, also known as the common marshma...
What Is Rosehip Oil? Rosehip oil is derived from the rose hips of the Rosa species. Rosehip oil is k...
Saccharomyces lysate extract is a type of yeast that is used in cosmetics and skin care products for...
Salicylic acid is a beta-hydroxy acid that is commonly used in skin care products, particularly anti...
SD alcohol 40 is a type of denatured alcohol used in cosmetics and personal care products as an anti...
Vitis Vinifera Seed Extract Vitis vinifera seed extract, also known as grape seed extract, is a bota...
Silica is a mineral that is used in a wide variety of cosmetics and skin care products due to its mu...
Sodium benzoate is a preservative used in cosmetic and skin care products that also functions as a c...
Sodium chloride, more commonly known as table salt, functions as a binder, oral care agent, flavorin...
Sodium citrate is used in cosmetics and personal care products primarily to control the pH level, as...
Sodium dehydroacetate is a preservative that is used in the formulation of cosmetics and personal ca...
What Is Sodium Hyaluronate? Sodium hyaluronate is the water-soluble sodium salt form of hyaluronic a...
What Is Sodium Hydroxide? Sodium hydroxide is a highly alkaline ingredient that is used in small amo...
Sodium lactate is a multifunctional ingredient that is commonly used in cosmetics and personal care...
Sodium Laurel Sulfate in Skin Care Have you ever seen sodium laurel sulfate on the ingredient label...
Sodium lauroyl lactylate is a naturally-derived ingredient that is used in cosmetics and personal ca...
What Is Sodium Metabisulfite? Sodium metabisulfite is an antioxidant-based preservative that is used...
What Is Sodium PCA? Sodium PCA is a naturally occurring hydrating ingredient. Sodium PCA is a humect...
Sodium polyacrylate is a synthetic polymer used in cosmetics and personal care products as a thicken...
What is Sodium RNA? Sodium RNA is the sodium salt of ribonucleic acid or RNA. It is a relatively new...
What Is Sodium Sulfite? Sodium sulfite is an antioxidant-based preservative that is used in cosmeti...
Sorbic acid is a preservative that is used in a variety of cosmetics and personal care products in o...
What Is Sorbitol? Sorbitol is a sugar alcohol that is used in skincare as a hydrating and moisturizi...
What Is Squalane? Squalane is a lighter weight derivative of squalene that is better for acne and co...
Steareth-20 is a synthetic compound that functions as a cleansing agent, a surfactant, and an emulsi...
Stearic acid is a saturated fatty acid with an 18 carbon chain that is used in a variety of cosmetic...
Sucrose, also known as common table sugar, is used in cosmetics and personal care products due to it...
What Is Syn-ake? Syn-ake is a patented anti-aging ingredient developed by the Swedish company, Penta...
What is Tepezcohuite? Tepezcohuite, also known by the name mimosa tenuiflore, is a bark tree native...
What is EDTA? EDTA or ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid is a common ingredient in skincare and body ca...
Tocopherols are a class of naturally occurring chemical compounds that exhibit vitamin E activity an...
Tocopheryl acetate is a form of vitamin E used in skin care products due to its powerful antioxidant...
What Is Trehalose? Trehalose is a type of sugar that is used in cosmetics and skincare formulations...
Why Is Triethanolamine In My Skincare Product? Triethanolamine might not be an ingredient you’ve hea...
Tromethamine is a synthetic ingredient that is used in a variety of cosmetics and personal care prod...
In recent years there has been a definite increase in consumers interested in what’s in their cosmet...
Urea is a naturally occurring humectant found within the skin that can be synthetically produced for...
Consumers struggling with aging skin and looking to turn back the hands of time may eventually come...
When you see “water\aqua\eau” on a product’s ingredient label, it simply means water. Manufacturers...
Witch Hazel 101 Witch hazel is made from the bark and leaves of the witch hazel shrub. This North Am...
What is Xanthan Gum? Xanthan gum is an ingredient often used in food to help to bind and improve tex...
Zinc gluconate is a combination of zinc with a form of glucose that is primarily used in skin care p...
How Zinc Oxide Benefits Skin Zinc oxide is a chemical compound that is thought to have been used in...