Ingredient Deep Dive

Allantoin is a soothing ingredient commonly used for its calming and protective properties. Allantoin helps reduce irritation, smooth the skin, and promote skin healing. Allantoin is added to formulations to soothe inflammation and support barrier repair.

Aloe Vera Leaf Juice is rich in vitamins, enzymes, and amino acids that hydrate the skin. It is known for its anti-inflammatory and healing properties. Aloe Vera Leaf
Juice is added to formulations to soothe inflammation, reduce redness, and support
skin regeneration.

Betaine is a humectant—an ingredient that attracts water and maintain the skin’s water balance. Naturally derived from sugar beets, betaine hydrates the skin and protects against environmental stressors. Betaine also helps reduce the potential for skin irritation. Betaine is added to formulations to improve hydration, moisture retention, and improve overall skin feel.

Behentrimonium Methosulfate is an emulsifier—it helps blend oil and water together. Behentrimonium Methosulfate does not contain sulfates and is not drying or irritating to the skin—instead, it smooths 
and conditions the skin and hair. Behentrimonium Methosulfate is added to formulations to thicken, provide slip, smooth the skin, improve texture, and enhance moisturization.

Butylene glycol is a humectant—an ingredient that draws moisture into the skin. Butylene glycol improves the spreadability and absorption of products. Butylene glycol
is added to a formulation to hydrate, reduce tackiness, and enhance the penetration of other ingredients.

C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate is an emollient ester—an ingredient that softens and smooths the skin. It improves the look of skin by filling in the gaps between cells. In addition, it improves skin hydration, restores the skin’s natural lipid balance, and prevents water loss. C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate is added to formulations to reduce the greasiness associated with oil-based ingredients, improve the spreadability of a product, and add a dry-touch feel to products.

Caprylic/Capric Triglycerides are an emollient—an ingredient that help soften and smooth the skin. Derived from coconut oil and glycerin, it is lightweight and easily
absorbed into the skin. Caprylic/Capric Triglycerides are added to formulations
to improve skin feel, enhance product spreadability, and lock in moisture.

Cetyl alcohol is a fatty alcohol, not to be confused with typical drying alcohols. It helps soften and smooth the skin while providing additional stability. Cetyl alcohol is added to formulations to improve skin feel, enhance richness, and to stabilize
emulsions. 

Cocamidopropyl Betaine is a mild surfactant derived from coconut oil, commonly used in personal care products for its skin-friendly properties. Cocamidopropyl betaine gently removes dirt and excess oil without stripping the skin. In addition, cocamidopropyl betaine functions as a thickener and foam enhancer in products like shower gels and body washes, which creates a rich, creamy lather that leaves skin feeling soft and refreshed.

Coco glucoside is a mild surfactant derived from coconuts. It gently cleanses without stripping the skin, making it ideal for sensitive and dry skin types. Coco glucoside is added to formulations because of its gentle cleansing and ability to create a creamy lather.

Dimethicone is an emollient—softening ingredient—that forms a protective barrier on the skin that helps seal in moisture and fill fine lines and rough patches for a smoother appearance. Dimethicone is added to formulations to enhance glide, improve softness, and reduce tackiness.

Ethylhexyl Palmitate is a lightweight emollient—an ingredient that softens the skin. It is derived from palm oil and is used for its silky, non-greasy feel. It is added to formulations to help reduce the tackiness in products, soften and smooth the skin, and improve the spreadability of formulations.

Glycerin is a powerful humectant—an ingredient that draws moisture into the skin. Glycerin is added to formulations to help support the skin's protective barrier, improve hydration and water balance, and to protect against irritation.

Glyceryl Stearate and PEG-100 Stearate, though often listed separately in the ingredient list, are emulsifiers—ingredients that help blend oil and water in formulations. They are added to formulations to ensure product stability while also providing mild conditioning properties to emulsions like lotions and creams.

Centella Asiatica, also known as Cica, is a botanical extract known for its skin repairing and soothing properties. Centella Asiatica is rich in centellosides, which support collagen production, calm inflammation, and promote wound healing. Centella is added to skincare formulations to help firm the skin, reduce redness, and improve the appearance of scars or stretch marks.

Grapeseed oil is a lightweight emollient—rich in antioxidants like vitamin E and linoleic acid, which help nourish and protect the skin. It absorbs quickly without clogging pores and supports the skin barrier. Grapeseed oil is added to formulations to moisturize, soften, and deliver antioxidant benefits.

Sunflower oil is an emollient—an ingredient that soften the skin and helps maintain hydration. Sunflower oil is rich in linoleic and oleic acids, which help reduce inflammation, protects the skin, prevent water loss, and help strengthen the skin's natural barrier. Sunflower oil is added as part of the oil phase in formulations to help moisturize, nourish, and soften the skin.

Isopropyl Myristate is an emollient—an ingredient that softens the skin. It is added to formulations to help improve the spreadability, absorption, and feel of products. In addition, Isopropyl myristate helps oils absorb more quickly into the skin, allowing for non-greasy applications.

Jojoba oil is a wax ester that closely resembles the skin's natural oil, making it an effective emollient and skin conditioner. Jojoba oil soothe irritation, balance oil production, and support skin barrier repair. Jojoba oil is added to skincare products to moisturize, soften, and protect the skin without leaving a greasy residue.

Sodium Cocoyl Isethionate is a gentle surfactant derived from coconuts. It is often
used in baby care products because of its rich, creamy lather and mildness. It is used in formulations for its ability to cleanse effectively without stripping the skin of its natural oils, making it ideal for dry and sensitive skin.

Mango Seed Butter is a rich emollient derived from the kernel of the mango fruit. It is known for its deeply nourishing and skin-softening properties. Mango butter is rich in amino acids, antioxidants, and fatty acids that help soothe dry, irritated skin and support barrier repair. Mango seed butter is added to formulations to add lightweight moisturization with the added benefits of skin barrier repair and improved skin elasticity.

Niacinamide is a multi-functional active known for its ability to strengthen the skin barrier, even the skin tone, and regulate oil production. Niacinamide also helps minimize the appearance of pores, improve skin texture, reduce redness, and boost collagen production. Niacinamide is added to formulations to support overall skin health and appearance.

Olive Oil PEG-7 Esters are water-soluble esters derived from olive oil that serve multiple functions in cosmetic formulations. They act as emollients, co-emulsifiers, and gentle cleansing agents. In cleansing products, they help boost foam, improve skin hydration, and prevent over-stripping, which minimizes dryness and irritation. In non-cleansing products, they improve product texture, boost skin hydration, and soften the skin.

Panthenol, also known as pro-vitamin B5, is a powerful humectant and soothing agent that draws moisture into the skin while supporting the natural production of lipids—essential for maintaining a strong, healthy skin barrier. It offers anti-inflammatory and protective benefits, helping to calm irritation and reduce the sensitivity caused by other ingredients. Panthenol also supports the production of collagen, which may improve skin elasticity and tone. Panthenol is added to formulations to moisturize, calm irritation, and promote barrier repair.

Propanediol is a humectant and a solvent—an ingredient that draws moisture into the skin. It is known to enhance the absorption of other skincare ingredients, enhance the spreadability of a product, and counteract the tackiness of other humectants in a formulation. Propanediol is added to formulations to hydrate the skin and boost the efficacy of preservatives.

Shea Butter is a rich emollient extracted from the seeds of the shea tree. This antioxidant-rich butter is known for its deep moisturizing and soothing properties. Shea butter is added to formulations to nourish dry skin, improve healing, and lock in moisture.