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.
Isohexadecane is a synthetic ingredient used as a cleansing agent, skin-conditioning agent, and a te...
Stearyl alcohol is a natural fatty alcohol that is used as an emollient, emulsifier, and thickener i...
Acetyl glucosamine is a skin-replenishing ingredient that functions to reduce signs of aging through...
Acetyl Hexapeptide 8: Skin Care Uses and Side Effects Acetyl hexapeptide 8, which is also known as A...
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...
Adenosine is a natural ingredient used in cosmetics and personal care products that functions as a s...
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...
Allantoin-Based Products That May Benefit Your Skin There are a number of chemical compounds that ar...
Aloe Barbadensis leaf extract, commonly known as Aloe vera, has been used for centuries for its heal...
Alpha Hydroxy Acid: a Guide to AHA Skin Care While there are a number of ingredients in skin care pr...
Aminomethyl propanol is a synthetic ingredient that functions as a buffer to adjust the pH of cosmet...
Ammonium acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp copolymer is a synthetic polymer that is used in cosmetics and p...
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...
Avobenzone: Uses and Side Effects One of the more effective ways to take care of your skin is to pro...
Have you heard of azelaic acid? If you're like most consumers who are looking for the best skin care...
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...
Benzyl alcohol is an ingredient that is used in cosmetics and personal care products as a fragrance...
Betaine is a naturally derived ingredient that is added to skin and hair care products due to its ab...
BHT stands for butylated hydroxytoluene, an organic compound that is used in cosmetics and personal...
Bisabolol is a natural ingredient that is used in cosmetics and personal care products as a fragranc...
When reading skin care product ingredient lists, you may come across a chemical called butylene glyc...
Butylparaben is a preservative that is used in the formulation of cosmetics and personal care produc...
Butylphenyl methylpropional is a synthetic fragrance ingredient that is used in a variety of cosmeti...
Butyrospermum parkii (shea) butter is used in a variety of cosmetics and personal care products as a...
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...
Caprylyl glycol is a skin conditioning agent that adds moisturization and wetting properties to many...
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...
Cetyl alcohol is a fatty alcohol that functions as an emollient, emulsifier, thickener, and surfacta...
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...
Citric acid is a weak organic acid that is used in personal care products to adjust the acidity or p...
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...
Cyclohexasiloxane is a type of silicone that is used in cosmetics and personal care products as a so...
Understanding Cyclomethicone If you use new-age beauty products then chances are you will encounter...
Cyclopentasiloxane is one of the most common ingredients used in personal care products today. Synth...
Decyl oleate is an ingredient used to formulate a variety of cosmetics and personal care products, f...
Dimethicone: Product Uses and Side Effects Dimethicone, which is a silicone oil, is also known as po...
Dimethicone crosspolymer is a silicone derivative that functions as a skin and hair conditioning age...
Dimethiconol is a silicone polymer that is used in cosmetics and personal care products as a skin an...
Dipalmitoyl hydroxyproline is a naturally derived ingredient often found in anti-aging skin and lip...
Dipotassium glycyrrhizate is an ingredient derived from licorice root extract that functions as a sk...
Dipropylene glycol is a type of alcohol that is used in cosmetics and personal care products as a so...
Disodium EDTA is an ingredient used in shampoos, moisturizers, cleansers, and other personal care pr...
Ethoxydiglycol is a cosmetic grade solvent that is used in various skin and hair care products to di...
Ethylhexyl palmitate is an ingredient that functions as an emollient, solvent, pigment wetting agent...
Ethylhexylglycerin is a natural preservative derived from glycerin that also functions as a surfacta...
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...
Geraniol is a naturally derived ingredient that is added to cosmetics and personal care products as...
Ginkgo biloba leaf extract is a botanical ingredient that is used in skin care products due to its p...
Gluconolactone: Ingredient Overview When you're trying to fight the signs of aging, such as fine lin...
Glycerin is ubiquitous in the skin care industry. It can be found in nearly all water based moisturi...
Glyceryl stearate is a naturally derived fatty acid that is used as a thickener, lubricating agent,...
Glycine is an amino acid that is primarily used in anti-aging skin care products because of its abil...
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...
Hydrogenated Polyisobutene in Skin Care Products When reading skin care product ingredient labels it...
Hydroxyethylcellulose is a cellulose-derived polymer that is used in cosmetics and personal care pro...
The History, Uses, and Effectiveness of Idebenone There are many skin care ingredients that are syno...
Consumers looking for the best face cream for wrinkles may eventually come across a product called I...
Inositol is an ingredient used in cosmetics and personal care products as a humectant moisturizer, a...
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...
Isododecane: General Information and Side Effects It is important for those who use makeup products...
Isononyl isononanoate is a synthetic ingredient used in cosmetics and personal care products as an e...
You've probably used products with isopropyl myristate many times without even knowing about it. Mos...
Kaolin is a natural clay that is used in cosmetics and personal care products to cleanse and exfolia...
L-Ascorbic Acid Overview L-ascorbic acid is more commonly known as vitamin C. Although many people k...
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...
Limonene is a compound naturally found in citrus fruits that is used as a fragrance in cosmetics and...
Linalool is a naturally derived ingredient that is added to cosmetics and personal care products as...
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...
Magnesium gluconate is an ingredient used in skin care products that delivers the important essentia...
Magnesium sulfate is a natural ingredient that is used in cosmetics and personal care products as an...
Maltodextrin is a plant-based sugar that is used in cosmetics and personal care products as a moistu...
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...
If you've purchased a product that has methylparaben in the ingredient list, you may have some conce...
Methylsilanol mannuronate is an organic silanol that is used in cosmetics and personal care products...
Mica refers to a group of silicate minerals that can be ground down into a fine powder for use in co...
Consumers interested in using mineral oil for skin care will inevitably come across negative informa...
Myristyl myristate is used in a variety of cosmetics and personal care products as an emollient, tex...
The Facts Behind Niacinamide Creams Niacinamide is a form of vitamin B3 that forms when the body abs...
Octinoxate: Uses, Benefits, and Dangers Octinoxate is an ingredient that is common to many different...
Octocrylene Overview Octocrylene is a chemical compound often used as an additive in sun screen, and...
Oenothera biennis (evening primrose) is a flowering plant that is native to North America. Indigenou...
Palmitic acid is a fatty acid that functions as a surfactant, emulsifier, opacifying agent, and emol...
Palmitoyl Oligopeptide: History, Skin Care Uses, and Side Effects Palmitoyl oligopeptide is a blend...
Overview of Palmitoyl tetrapeptide-7 Palmitoyl tetrapeptide-7 is a type of synthetic peptide compoun...
Palmitoyl Tripeptide-5: What Can It Do for Your Skin? One of the most effective ways to choose anti-...
Panthenol: Overview, Uses, and Misconceptions Panthenol is a common ingredient that is found in a nu...
Peg-10 dimethicone is a type of silicone that is used in hair and skin care products as a conditioni...
When it comes to evaluating skin care chemicals to find the best ingredients for skin care, PEG 100...
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-...
Consumers looking for ways to treat dry, flaky skin may come across a synthetic ingredient called pe...
Petrolatum is an ointment that is available as an over-the-counter (OTC) skin protectant, and is als...
Phenoxyethanol Overview Phenoxyethanol is glycol ether used as a preservative in cosmetic products a...
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...
Polyacrylamide is a polymer that is used in a wide variety of cosmetics and personal care products d...
Polyethylene is a synthetic ingredient that is used for a variety of purposes in cosmetics and perso...
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...
Potassium hydroxide is a highly alkaline ingredient that is used in small amounts in cosmetics and p...
Potassium sorbate is a mild preservative that is used in a variety of cosmetics and personal care pr...
Proline is an amino acid that is primarily used in anti-aging skin care products because of its abil...
Propanediol is a naturally derived ingredient that is used in cosmetics and personal care products a...
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 that is used in the formulation of cosmetics...
Retinaldehyde: Ingredient Uses and Side Effects It can be difficult to fight the signs of aging with...
Retinyl palmitate is a type of retinoid that is used in skin care products due to its ability to imp...
Althaea Officinalis (Marshmallow) Root Extract Althaea officinalis, also known as the common marshma...
Are you Hip to Rose Hip Oil? Rose hip oil for skin care has become a popular idea recently because i...
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...
Sodium hyaluronate is the water-soluble sodium salt form of hyaluronic acid, a natural substance fou...
Sodium hydroxide is a highly alkaline ingredient that is used in small amounts in cosmetics and pers...
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...
Sodium metabisulfite is an antioxidant preservative that is used in cosmetics and personal care prod...
Sodium PCA is a naturally occuring humectant that functions as a hydrating agent and a skin-replenis...
Sodium polyacrylate is a synthetic polymer used in cosmetics and personal care products as a thicken...
Sodium RNA is the sodium salt of ribonucleic acid (RNA) that is used in cosmetics and personal care...
Sodium sulfite is an antioxidant preservative that is used in cosmetics and personal care products t...
Sorbic acid is a preservative that is used in a variety of cosmetics and personal care products in o...
Sorbitol is a sugar alcohol that functions as a humectant moisturizer, thickening agent, fragrance i...
The Uses of Squalane for Skin Care Many beauty and skin care experts have lauded the effects of squa...
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...
Syn-ake: Product Overview and Side Effects Syn-ake is a topical anti-aging treatment that was develo...
Have you heard about Tepezcohuite? It's a skin care ingredient that's only beginning to make headway...
Included in many hair and skin care products as a preservative, Tetrasodium EDTA has become a common...
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...
Trehalose is a type of sugar that is used in cosmetics and personal care products as a moisturizer,...
Triethanolamine: Uses and Safety Information Triethanolamine is an organic compound that is comprise...
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...
Xanthan gum is a natural polysaccharide that is added to cosmetics and personal care products as a b...
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...