Rating | Ingredient |
---|---|
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. |
Best |
Butyrospermum parkii |
Best |
Buxus chinensis |
Best |
almond oilNon-volatile oil extracted from the seeds of almonds and used as an emollient.
Categories:
Emollients,
Skin-Replenishing
|
Best |
amino acidsAmino acids are fundamental constituents of all proteins found in the body.
Categories:
Antioxidants,
Skin-Replenishing
|
Good |
aspartic acid
Categories:
Antioxidants,
Skin-Replenishing
|
Best |
beta-sitosterolBeta-sitosterol is a fatty acid-type ingredient derived from plants, and is similar to cholesterol... |
Best |
canola oilPlant lipid that has skin restoring and soothing properties… |
Best |
carrot oilEmollient plant oil similar to other nonfragrant plant oils. |
Best |
egg yolkEgg yolk is mostly water and lipids (fats), especially cholesterol, which makes it a good emollient...
Categories:
Emollients,
Skin-Replenishing
|
Best |
eicosapentaenoic acidFatty acid derived from salmon oil; it is a good emollient and replenishing ingredient for skin.
Categories:
Skin-Replenishing,
Emollients
|
Best |
fatty acidSubstance typically found in plant and animal lipids (fat). Fatty acids include compounds such as... |
Best |
ceramide AP
Categories:
Skin-Replenishing
|
Best |
ceramide EOP
Categories:
Skin-Replenishing
|
Best |
ceramide NPOne of several types of ceramides.
Categories:
Skin-Replenishing
|
Best |
ceramide NS
Categories:
Skin-Replenishing
|
Best |
ceramidesCeramides 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.
Categories:
Skin-Restoring,
Skin-Replenishing
|
Good |
cetearyl octanoate |
Best |
cholesterolThe surface of skin depends on the stratum corneum lipid matrix, which...
Categories:
Emollients,
Skin-Replenishing
|
Best |
chondroitin sulfate
Categories:
Skin-Replenishing
|
Good |
cysteine
Categories:
Skin-Replenishing
|
Good |
cystine
Categories:
Skin-Replenishing
|
Good |
decylene glycolA synthetic glycol that functions as a skin-conditioning agent.
Categories:
Skin-Replenishing
|
Good |
dextranPolysaccharide that has water-binding properties for skin.
Categories:
Skin-Replenishing
|
Good |
fibronectinType of protein found in the skin....
Categories:
Skin-Replenishing
|
Good |
fructoseOften called fruit sugar, fructose is a type of sugar composed of glucose. It has water-binding...
Categories:
Skin-Replenishing
|
Best |
glucosamine HCLA form of glucosamine, an amino sugar that can be considered a skin-restorative...
Categories:
Skin-Soothing,
Skin-Replenishing
|
Good |
glucoseMonosaccharide that has water-binding properties for skin.
Categories:
Skin-Replenishing
|
Best |
glutamineCan help improve the function of skin...
Categories:
Skin-Replenishing
|
Best |
glycerinGlycerin, also called glycerol or glycerine, is present in all natural lipids (fats), whether animal or vegetable.
Categories:
Skin-Replenishing,
Skin-Restoring
|
Best |
glycerine
Categories:
Skin-Replenishing
|
Best |
glycerol
Categories:
Skin-Replenishing
|
Good |
isoleucine
Categories:
Antioxidants,
Skin-Replenishing
|
Best |
jojoba oilEmollient, non-fragrant oil (technically, a polyunsaturated wax) extracted from the seeds of a perennial shrub. |
Best |
jojoba waxSemi-solid portion of jojoba oil. |
Good |
lactobionatePolysaccharide that has water-binding properties for skin.
Categories:
Skin-Replenishing
|
Good |
lanolinEmollient, very thick substance derived from sheep. Lanolin has long been...
Categories:
Emollients,
Skin-Replenishing
|
Good |
lanolin alcoholEmollient derived from lanolin.
Categories:
Emollients,
Skin-Replenishing
|
Best |
lauric acidOne of several fatty acids found in coconut oil and other natural fats.
Categories:
Skin-Replenishing,
Cleansing Agents
|
Best |
lecithinPhospholipid found in egg yolks and may be plant or animal derived. It is widely used in...
Categories:
Emollients,
Skin-Replenishing
|
Good |
glycine
Categories:
Skin-Replenishing
|
Good |
glycogenPolysaccharide that has water-binding properties for skin.
Categories:
Skin-Replenishing,
Hydration
|
Best |
glycolipidType of lipid composed of sugar (monosaccharide) and fat (lipid) that forms an important component... |
Best |
glycosaminoglycansAlso known as mucopolysaccharides; these are a fundamental component of skin and are...
Categories:
Skin-Replenishing,
Skin-Restoring
|
Best |
glycosphingolipid
Categories:
Skin-Replenishing
|
Best |
hyaluronic acidComponent of skin that is used in skincare products as a good restorative ingredient.... |
Good |
hydrogenated palm glyceridesPalm glycerides are the fatty acid component of palm oil. When a plant oil is hydrogenated, it is... |
Best |
hydrolyzed glycosaminoglycansA skin-restorative ingredient that has been hydrolyzed, which is a chemical process involving the...
Categories:
Skin-Replenishing,
Skin-Softening
|
Best |
inositolMajor component of lecithin that may have water-binding properties for skin. It is not a vitamin,...
Categories:
Skin-Replenishing
|
Good |
leucineAmino acid.
Categories:
Skin-Replenishing
|
Best |
lipidWide range of ingredients found in plants, animals, and human skin. Lipids include fatty acids,... |
Good |
lysineAmino acid.
Categories:
Antioxidants,
Skin-Replenishing
|
Good |
PEG-75 shea butter glyceridesAn emulsifying and skin replenishing agent derived from glycerides (fatty acids)...
Categories:
Skin-Replenishing
|
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 |
phenylalanine
Categories:
Antioxidants,
Skin-Replenishing
|
Best |
phosphatidylcholineActive ingredient in lecithin… |
Best |
phosphatidylethanolamine
Categories:
Emollients,
Skin-Replenishing
|
Best |
phospholipidType of lipid (fat) composed of glycerol, fatty acids, and phosphate. Phospholipids are essential...
Categories:
Emollients,
Skin-Replenishing
|
Best |
phytosphingosineLong-chain, complex fatty alcohol that functions as a water-binding agent and also has preservative... |
Best |
phytosterolsPhytosterols are naturally occurring, cholesterol-like molecules found in all plant foods. |
Best |
Mangifera indica (mango) seed butterMore commonly known as mango butter, this ingredient is a very good plant-based... |
Good |
melibioseSaccharide that can have good water-binding properties.
Categories:
Skin-Replenishing
|
Good |
methionine
Categories:
Antioxidants,
Skin-Replenishing
|
Good |
milk protein
Categories:
Emollients,
Skin-Replenishing
|
Best |
mucopolysaccharideAlso known as glycosaminoglycans. This is a large class of ingredients that includes hyaluronic...
Categories:
Skin-Replenishing
|
Average |
N-acetyl-L tyrosine
Categories:
Antioxidants,
Skin-Replenishing
|
Good |
NaPCA
Categories:
Skin-Replenishing
|
Best |
natural moisturising factor (NMF)One of the primary elements in keeping skin feeling and looking healthier…
Categories:
Skin-Replenishing
|
Good |
Olea europaea fruit oil |
Best |
Olea europaea oil unsaponifiablesAn unsaponifiable oil is the portion of a plant oil that is not broken down when the oil's fatty... |
Good |
olive-oil/olive-fruit-oilEmollient plant oil similar to many other non-fragrant plant oils. The concept of olive oil having... |
Best |
palm oilHas emollient and antioxidant properties for skin. |
Good |
palmitic acidBlend of the fatty acid palmitic acid with several amino acids… |
Best |
polysaccharideNatural component of skin that can be a good water-binding agent and potentially have antioxidant...
Categories:
Antioxidants,
Skin-Replenishing
|
Good |
proline
Categories:
Antioxidants,
Skin-Replenishing
|
Best |
pumpkin seed extractType of squash that is a very good source of antioxidant cartenoids. Pumpkin seed oil and extract... |
Good |
sodium dilauramidoglutamide lysineA plant-derived ingredient that helps replenish skin and hair...
Categories:
Emulsifiers,
Skin-Replenishing
|
Best |
sodium hyaluronateThe salt form of skin-replenishing ingredient hyaluronic acid. |
Best |
sodium hyaluronate crosspolymerA modified form of skin-replenishing hyaluronic acid attached to a polymer structure |
Best |
sodium PCAPCA (pyrrolidone carboxylic acid) is a natural component of skin that is also a very good...
Categories:
Skin-Replenishing
|
Best |
sphingolipidsSphingolipids are complex lipids (fats) that function as skin-replenishing and conditioning ingredients...
Categories:
Skin-Restoring,
Skin-Replenishing
|
Best |
squalaneSqualane is a moisturising ingredient that’s also a source of skin-replenishing fatty acids and antioxidants. |
Best |
squaleneOil derived from shark liver or from plants (usually olives). It is a natural component... |
Good |
stearates |
Good |
stearic acidFatty acid used as an emollient and emulsifier... |
Good |
sucroseMonosaccharide that has hydrating properties for skin.
Categories:
Skin-Replenishing,
Hydration
|
Good |
saccharide isomerateGood water-binding agent and emollient for skin.
Categories:
Emollients,
Skin-Replenishing
|
Best |
saccharides
Categories:
Skin-Replenishing
|
Average |
Saccharomyces cerevisiaeSaccharomyces, from the Latin, literally means “sugar fungus,” and is the scientific name for the...
Categories:
Skin-Replenishing
|
Best |
Sclerocarya birreaMore commonly known as marula oil, Sclerocarya birrea oil is a non-fragrant plant oil that's a rich source...
Categories:
Emollients,
Skin-Replenishing
|
Good |
serine
Categories:
Antioxidants,
Skin-Replenishing
|
Best |
Simmondsia chinensis |
Best |
skin-replenishing ingredientsThese are skincare ingredients that help enrich skin’s surface, drenching it with revitalizing hydration and keeping it there.
Categories:
Skin-Replenishing
|
Best |
sodium chondroitin sulfateDerived from natural mucopolysaccharides, it functions as a skin-softening agent and helps...
Categories:
Skin-Replenishing
|
Good |
thiotaurineAmino acid. Potentially, it can have antioxidant properties for skin...
Categories:
Antioxidants,
Skin-Replenishing
|
Good |
threonine
Categories:
Antioxidants,
Skin-Replenishing
|
Good |
tribeheninAlso known as glyceryl tribehenate, a skin-conditioning agent that is a mixture of glycerin and... |
Good |
trihydroxystearinMixture of glycerin and fatty acids that is used as an emollient and thickening agent. |
Good |
tryptophan
Categories:
Antioxidants,
Skin-Replenishing
|
Good |
ureaComponent of urine, although synthetic versions are used in cosmetics. In small amounts urea has... |
Good |
valine
Categories:
Antioxidants,
Skin-Replenishing
|
Best |
vitamin FName sometimes used to represent essential fatty acids of linoleic acid and linolenic acid. These... |
Good |
wheat protein
Categories:
Skin-Replenishing
|
Good |
PEG-12 glyceryl dimyristateA skin-replenishing ingredient that is a polymer of ethylene oxide.
Categories:
Hydration,
Skin-Replenishing
|
Best |
caprooyl phytosphingosineA mixture of fatty acids caproic acid and phytosphingosine.
Categories:
Skin-Replenishing,
Skin-Restoring
|
Best |
caprooyl sphingosineA mixture of fatty acids caproic acid and sphingosine.
Categories:
Skin-Replenishing,
Skin-Restoring
|
Best |
ceramide EOS
Categories:
Skin-Replenishing
|
Best |
ceramide NG
Categories:
Skin-Replenishing
|
Best |
Salvia hispanica (chia) seed oilNon-fragrant plant oil whose seeds are a rich source of fatty acids... |
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 |
Euterpe oleracea (acai) sterolsEuterpe oleracea (acai) sterols are the sterol portion derived from the acai plant. |
Best |
glucosylceramidesGlucosylceramides are responsible for the healthy formation and appearance of skin’s upper layers.
Categories:
Skin-Restoring,
Skin-Replenishing
|
Best |
phytoceramidesPhytoceramides are plant-derived ceramides.
Categories:
Skin-Restoring,
Skin-Replenishing
|
Best |
phytosphingosine phosphatePhytosphingosine phosphate is a large mix of esters derived from phytosphingosine and phosphoric acid.
Categories:
Skin-Restoring,
Skin-Replenishing
|
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
|
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
|
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!