Rating | Ingredient |
---|---|
Good |
capryloyl glycine
A synthetic amino acid derivative that function as a conditioning agent or...
Categories:
Hydration
|
Good |
maltooligosyl glucoside
A carbohydrate polysaccharide that’s naturally-derived and then combined... |
Good |
collagen amino acids
Collagen amino acids are made from the hydrolylsis (breaking down with water) of protein...
Categories:
Hydration,
Skin-Replenishing
|
Best |
acetyl glucosamineAmino acid sugar and primary constituent of mucopolysaccharides and hyaluronic acid. |
Good |
acetyl tyrosineAn amino acid complex that functions as a skin-conditioning agent. There is no research proving it...
Categories:
Hydration
|
Good |
bifida ferment lysateA specific type of yeast obtained by the fermentation of Bifida...
Categories:
Miscellaneous,
Hydration
|
Best |
Chondrus crispus (algae) extractChondrus crispus, also known as red algae, is a type of seaweed that’s a rich source of many nutrients for skin. |
Best |
Fucus vesiculosus extractFucus vesiculosus extract, also known as bladderwrack, is a type of brown algae (seaweed) that is edible. |
Good |
galactoarabinanPolysaccharide extracted from the western larch tree. |
Good |
glutamic acidGlutamic acid is an amino acid that helps aid skin hydration.
Categories:
Hydration
|
Good |
glycogenPolysaccharide that has water-binding properties for skin.
Categories:
Skin-Replenishing,
Hydration
|
Good |
hydrolysed vegetable proteinThe protein portion of vegetables obtained by hydrolysis, which is the breakdown of a substance when it’s reacted with water. This natural ingredient conditions skin and hair.
Categories:
Miscellaneous,
Hydration
|
Best |
Persea gratissima (avocado) oilPersea gratisima is the Latin name for avocado, and the oil from this fruit is an excellent source of skin-replenishing fatty acids |
Good |
methylpropanediolGlycol that functions as a solvent. Methylpropanediol can enhance ingredients such as salicylic acid.
Categories:
Miscellaneous,
Hydration
|
Good |
sodium hydroxymethylglycinateDerived from amino acids and used as a skin- and hair-softening agent, and to a lesser extent as...
Categories:
Preservatives,
Hydration
|
Best |
sorbitolSorbitol is a type of sugar that can be created synthetically or derived from natural sources. |
Best |
squalaneSqualane is a moisturising ingredient that’s also a source of skin-replenishing fatty acids and antioxidants. |
Good |
sucroseMonosaccharide that has hydrating properties for skin.
Categories:
Skin-Replenishing,
Hydration
|
Good |
tamanu oilFrom a tree native to Polynesia. It is reputed to have wondrous skin-restoring properties, as well… |
Average |
thymus hydrolysateForm of animal thymus derived by acid, enzyme, or other methods of hydrolysis. It can have...
Categories:
Miscellaneous,
Hydration
|
Good |
trehalosePlant sugar that has hydrating properties for skin.
Categories:
Miscellaneous,
Hydration
|
Good |
tridecyl trimellitateSkin-softening agent and texture enhancer that can provide a cushiony, emollient feel. |
Best |
Undaria pinnatifida (algae) extractUndaria pinnatifida, also known as brown algae, is a type of seaweed that’s also edible. |
Good |
ureaComponent of urine, although synthetic versions are used in cosmetics. In small amounts urea has... |
Best |
vitamin B3 |
Best |
vitamin FName sometimes used to represent essential fatty acids of linoleic acid and linolenic acid. These... |
Good |
wheat amino acidsA blend of amino acids from wheat protein after it has been broken down via hydrolysis. Most often...
Categories:
Miscellaneous,
Hydration
|
Good |
xyloseForm of sugar. Similar to other sugars, xylose has hydrating properties for skin.
Categories:
Miscellaneous,
Hydration
|
Good |
sarcosine
A synthetic amino acid derivative that functions as a skin conditioning...
Categories:
Hydration
|
Good |
xylitylglucosideAn ingredient derived from two water-binding plant sugars, xylitol and glucose.
Categories:
Hydration
|
GOOD |
anhydroxylitolA natural, plant-derived ingredient that acts as a humectant to help skin absorb and retain moisture.
Categories:
Hydration
|
Good |
PCAPCA (which stands for pyrrolidone carboxylic acid), is an ingredient derived from amino acids that serves as a humectant and is part of the natural moisturizing factor.
Categories:
Hydration
|
Good |
PEG-12 glyceryl dimyristateA skin-replenishing ingredient that is a polymer of ethylene oxide.
Categories:
Hydration,
Skin-Replenishing
|
Best |
trimethylsiloxyamodimethiconeTrimethylsiloxyamodimethicone is a synthetic silicone-based polymer that functions as a conditioning agent, hydrating and smoothing skin’s surface due to its lightweight yet silky, non-greasy feel.
Categories:
Hydration,
Texture Enhancer
|
Best |
tripeptide-29Tripeptide-29 is a synthetic peptide consisting of amino acids glycine and proline plus hydroxyproline (an amino acid derivative) shown to improve uneven texture and the look of fine lines.
Categories:
Skin-Restoring,
Hydration
|
Good |
zinc gluconateZinc gluconate is the zinc salt of gluconic acid produced from glucose that functions as a preservative.
Categories:
Preservatives,
Hydration
|
Good |
magnesium aspartateMagnesium aspartate is the magnesium salt of aspartic acid that plays a role in maintaining proteins in skin.
Categories:
Skin-Softening,
Hydration
|
Best |
almond/borage/linseed/olive acids glyceridesA mixture of the fatty acid and triglyceride components of several non-fragrant plant oils, including almond, borage, linseed, and olive. |
Best |
hydrolyzed pumpkin seedcakeHydrolyzed pumpkin seedcake is a plant-derived ingredient that protects skin from moisture loss and supports firmness.
Categories:
Plant Extracts,
Hydration
|
Best |
glycoproteinsGlycoproteins are a type of peptide naturally present in skin's surface that works with other ingredients to reinforce skin's barrier strength.
Categories:
Skin-Restoring,
Hydration
|
Good |
polyglyceryl-10 dioleatePolyglyceryl-10 dioleate is a mixture of the fatty acid esters of oleic acid and a polymer, polyglycerin-10, which functions as a hydrator and emulsifier.
Categories:
Emulsifiers,
Hydration
|
Good |
cocoyl prolineA blend of coconut acid with the amino acid proline. This synthetic or plant-derived ingredient helps to soften skin and condition hair.
Categories:
Hydration
|
Good |
betaineBetaine is an ingredient that works to balance skin’s hydration.
Categories:
Hydration
|
Best |
lysine HCILysine HCI plays a role in keeping skin hydrated and helping it look smooth and youthful.
Categories:
Hydration
|
Best |
Coccinia indica (ivy gourd) fruit extractIvy gourd is a fruit that acts as a natural skin-conditioning agent. |
Good |
coco-caprylateCoco-caprylate is the mixture of esters that occur when the fatty alcohols derived from coconut alcohol reacts with the fatty acid caprylic acid.
Categories:
Emollients,
Hydration
|
Best |
Thermus thermophillus fermentThermus thermophillus ferment is the natural result from the fermentation of Thermus thermophilus, a bacterium that can live thousands of feet below the ocean’s surface. |
Best |
magnesium PCAMagnesium PCA is the magnesium salt of PCA (pyrrolidone carboxylic acid), which is part of skin’s intercellular matrix.
Categories:
Hydration,
Skin-Replenishing
|
Best |
calcium PCACalcium PCA is the calcium salt of PCA (pyrrolidone carboxylic acid), which is a key component of skin’s natural moisturising factor, or NMF.
Categories:
Hydration,
Skin-Replenishing
|
Good |
behenyl behenateBehenyl behenate is the wax-like ester of the fatty acid behenic acid and fatty alcohol behenyl alcohol.
Categories:
Hydration,
Emollients
|
Best |
potassium PCAPotassium PCA is the potassium salt of PCA (pyrrolidone carboxylic acid), a substance that’s a natural part of skin’s intercellular matrix.
Categories:
Skin-Replenishing,
Hydration
|
Best |
Pelvetia canaliculata (algae) extractPelvetia canaliculata is a type of brown seaweed also known as Channeled wrack. |
Good |
sodium stearoyl glutamateSodium stearoyl glutamate is a synthetic or animal-derived ingredient that is added to cosmetics to condition skin or work as an emulsifier.
Categories:
Emulsifiers,
Hydration
|
Best |
glucomannanGlucomannan is prebiotic sugar that combines the simples sugars mannose with glucose.
Categories:
Hydration
|
Best |
Lactobacillus fermentLactobacillus ferment is a lab-created, non-living probiotic ingredient made by fermentation of the microorganism Lactobacillus.
Categories:
Hydration
|
Good |
sodium palmitoyl sarcosinateSodium palmitoyl sarcosinate is the salt of palmitoyl sarcosinate, which is derived from the amino acid derivative sarcosine.
Categories:
Cleansing Agents,
Hydration
|
Good |
hydroxyacetophenoneHydroxyacetophenone is a synthetic antioxidant and skin-conditioning ingredient.
Categories:
Antioxidants,
Hydration
|
Best |
Lactobacillus/rye flour fermentLactobacillus/rye flour ferment is a non-living probiotic made by fermenting rye flour with the microorganism Lactobacillus that’s used to create sourdough bread.
Categories:
Hydration
|
Best |
hydrolysed rhodophycea (red algae) extractHydrolysed rhodophycea is a type of red algae that, like most other types used in skin care products, helps improve skin’s hydration. |
Best |
palmitoyl prolinePalmitoyl proline combines fatty acid palmitic acid with the amino acid proline.
Categories:
Skin-Softening,
Hydration
|
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!