dextran

Polysaccharide that has water-binding properties for skin. Can be used to create a skin care product’s hydrogel structure.

collagen amino acids

Collagen amino acids are made from the hydrolylsis (breaking down with water) of protein...

cysteine

cystine

decylene glycol

Functions as a skin-conditioning agent that can help enhance the penetration of other ingredients.

carrot oil

Emollient plant oil similar to other nonfragrant plant oils.

ceramide AP

ceramide EOP

ceramide EOS

ceramide NG

ceramide NP

One of several types of ceramides.

ceramide NS

ceramides

Ceramides are naturally occurring, long chains of fats that are major components of skin’s outer layers. Adding them to a skincare product provides replenishing benefits.

cetearyl octanoate

cholesterol

Plays a key role in maintaining skin’s health, softness, and hydration.

chondroitin sulfate

aspartic acid

Amino acid that can help strengthen skin’s natural defence system, making it less likely to show signs of ageing from environmental damage.

canola oil

Plant lipid that has skin restoring and soothing properties…

caprooyl phytosphingosine

A mixture of fatty acids caproic acid and phytosphingosine.

caprooyl sphingosine

A mixture of fatty acids caproic acid and sphingosine.

beta-sitosterol

Beta-sitosterol is a fatty acid-type ingredient derived from plants, and is similar to cholesterol...

Butyrospermum parkii

Buxus chinensis

calcium PCA

Calcium PCA is the calcium salt of PCA (pyrrolidone carboxylic acid), which is a key component of skin’s natural moisturising factor, or NMF.

wheat protein

acetyl glucosamine

Antioxidant known to help fade discolourations and soothe skin. It also helps skin produce its own hyaluronic acid content naturally.

almond/borage/linseed/olive acids glycerides

A mixture of the fatty acid and triglyceride components of several non-fragrant plant oils, including almond, borage, linseed, and olive.

almond oil

Non-volatile oil extracted from the seeds of almonds and used as an emollient.

amino acids

Amino acids are fundamental constituents of all proteins found in the body.

egg yolk

Egg yolk is mostly water and lipids (fats), especially cholesterol, which makes it a good emollient...

eicosapentaenoic acid

Fatty acid derived from salmon oil; it is a good emollient and replenishing ingredient for skin.

Euterpe oleracea (acai) sterols

Euterpe oleracea (acai) sterols are the sterol portion derived from the acai plant.

vitamin F

Name sometimes used to represent essential fatty acids of linoleic acid and linolenic acid. These...

valine

sphingolipids

Sphingolipids are complex lipids (fats) that function as skin-replenishing and conditioning ingredients...

squalane

Squalane is a moisturising ingredient that’s also a source of skin-replenishing fatty acids and antioxidants.

squalene

Oil derived from shark liver or from plants (usually olives). It is a natural component...

stearates

isoleucine

natural moisturising factor (NMF)

One of the primary elements in keeping skin feeling and looking healthier…

sucrose

Monosaccharide that has hydrating properties for skin.

stearic acid

Fatty acid used as an emollient and emulsifier...

Olea europaea fruit oil

Olea europaea oil unsaponifiables

An unsaponifiable oil is the portion of a plant oil that is not broken down when the oil's fatty...

thiotaurine

Amino acid. Potentially, it can have antioxidant properties for skin...

threonine

jojoba oil

Emollient, non-fragrant oil (technically, a polyunsaturated wax) extracted from the seeds of a perennial shrub.

jojoba wax

Semi-solid portion of jojoba oil.

olive-oil/olive-fruit-oil

Emollient plant oil similar to many other non-fragrant plant oils. The concept of olive oil having...

tribehenin

A mixture of skin-replenishing glycerin and a fatty acid known as behenic acid that conditions skin and helps prevent moisture loss. May be plant-derived or synthetic.

trihydroxystearin

A mixture of glycerin and castor oil-derived fatty acids that is used in amounts between 1–7% as an emollient and thickening agent.

lactobionate

Polysaccharide that has water-binding properties for skin.

palm oil

Has emollient and antioxidant properties for skin.

palmitic acid

Blend of the fatty acid palmitic acid with several amino acids…

tryptophan

urea

Component of urine, although synthetic versions are used in cosmetics. In small amounts urea has...

lanolin

Emollient, very thick substance derived from sheep. Lanolin has long been...

lanolin alcohol

Emollient derived from lanolin.

fatty acid

Substance typically found in plant and animal lipids (fat). Fatty acids include compounds such as...

fibronectin

Type of protein found in the skin....

lauric acid

One of several fatty acids found in coconut oil and other natural fats.

PEG-12 glyceryl dimyristate

A skin-replenishing ingredient that is a polymer of ethylene oxide.

PEG-75 shea butter glycerides

A form of shea butter where select fatty acids are combined with polyethylene glycol to create a lighter moisturizing agent with mild cleansing properties.

saccharide isomerate

Water-binding agent and emollient, particularly helpful for dry skin. Research indicates it has an affinity for soothing and strengthening skin’s barrier, while delivering long-lasting hydration.

saccharides

Saccharomyces cerevisiae

Saccharomyces, from the Latin, literally means “sugar fungus,” and is the scientific name for the...

fructose

A natural sugar that occurs in many fruits as well as in honey. Acts as a flavouring agent and humectant in cosmetics and is also a prebiotic.

lecithin

Beneficial properties include emolliency (think skin softening), water-binding (to boost hydration), and emulsifying (to help water + oil ingredients mesh in a formula). Can also be used to encapsulate ingredients for improved dermal delivery.

Persea gratissima (avocado) oil

Persea gratisima is the Latin name for avocado, and the oil from this fruit is an excellent source of skin-replenishing fatty acids

glucosamine HCL

A form of glucosamine, an amino sugar that can be considered a skin-restorative...

leucine

Amino acid.

lipid

Wide range of ingredients found in plants, animals, and human skin. Lipids include fatty acids,...

phenylalanine

phosphatidylcholine

Active ingredient in lecithin…

phosphatidylethanolamine

phospholipid

Type of lipid (fat) composed of glycerol, fatty acids, and phosphate. Phospholipids are essential...

Salvia hispanica (chia) seed oil

Non-fragrant plant oil whose seeds are a rich source of fatty acids...

glucose

Glucose is a natural sugar that’s often obtained for cosmetics via the breakdown of various natural starches, which are also carbohydrates. Helps bind moisture to skin, adds flavour to lip products, and is part of many saccharides that work as prebiotics.

glucosylceramides

Glucosylceramides are responsible for the healthy formation and appearance of skin’s upper layers.

glutamine

Can help improve the function of skin...

glycerin

A naturally occurring substance in skin that helps retain moisture. It is used in skin care products to help defend against dryness.

glycerine

glycerol

phytoceramides

Phytoceramides are plant-derived ceramides.

phytosphingosine

Long-chain, complex fatty alcohol that functions as a water-binding agent and also has preservative...

phytosphingosine phosphate

Phytosphingosine phosphate is a large mix of esters derived from phytosphingosine and phosphoric acid.

phytosterols

Phytosterols are naturally occurring, cholesterol-like molecules found in all plant foods.

Sclerocarya birrea

More commonly known as marula oil, Sclerocarya birrea oil is a non-fragrant plant oil that's a rich source...

serine

glycine

glycogen

Polysaccharide that has water-binding properties for skin.

glycolipid

Type of lipid composed of sugar (monosaccharide) and fat (lipid) that forms an important component...

lysine

Amino acid.

magnesium PCA

Magnesium PCA is the magnesium salt of PCA (pyrrolidone carboxylic acid), which is part of skin’s intercellular matrix.

glycosaminoglycans

Also known as mucopolysaccharides; these are a fundamental component of skin and are...

glycosphingolipid

Mangifera indica (mango) seed butter

More commonly known as mango butter, this ingredient is a very good plant-based...

polysaccharide

Natural component of skin that can be a good water-binding agent and potentially have antioxidant...

Simmondsia chinensis (jojoba) seed oil

skin-replenishing ingredients

These are skincare ingredients that help enrich skin’s surface, drenching it with revitalizing hydration and keeping it there.

melibiose

Saccharide that can have good water-binding properties.

potassium PCA

Potassium PCA is the potassium salt of PCA (pyrrolidone carboxylic acid), a substance that’s a natural part of skin’s intercellular matrix.

proline

sodium chondroitin sulfate

Derived from natural mucopolysaccharides, it functions as a skin-softening agent and helps...

methionine

sodium dilauramidoglutamide lysine

Plant-derived ingredient that helps skin rejuvenate, while also functioning as a surfactant and emulsifier to keep the formula from separating. Its ceramide-like structure has a high affinity for skin.

sodium hyaluronate

The salt form of hyaluronic acid. Like its sister ingredient, it’s considered an excellent moisturizer, helping skin retain water so it looks and feels smoother. It is more bioavailable than hyaluronic acid, meaning it is more readily absorbed by skin.

sodium hyaluronate crosspolymer

A modified form of skin-replenishing hyaluronic acid attached to a polymer structure

hyaluronic acid

Component of skin that is used in skincare products as a good restorative ingredient....

hydrogenated palm glycerides

Palm glycerides are the fatty acid component of palm oil. When a plant oil is hydrogenated, it is...

milk protein

mucopolysaccharide

Also known as glycosaminoglycans. This is a large class of ingredients that includes hyaluronic...

pumpkin seed extract

Type of squash that is a very good source of antioxidant cartenoids. Pumpkin seed oil and extract...

sodium PCA

PCA (pyrrolidone carboxylic acid) is a natural component of skin that is also a very good...

hydrolyzed glycosaminoglycans

A skin-restorative ingredient that has been hydrolyzed, which is a chemical process involving the...

N-acetyl-L tyrosine

NaPCA

inositol

Major component of lecithin whose relation to glycerin means it may have water-binding properties for skin.