Texture Enhancer | Cosmetic Ingredient Dictionary

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Rating	Ingredient
Good	maltooligosyl glucoside A carbohydrate polysaccharide that’s naturally-derived and then combined... Categories: Hydration, Film-Forming Agents, Emulsifiers, Film-Forming/Holding Agents, Texture Enhancer
Good	acacia senegal gum Herb that can have skin soothing properties, but is used primarily as a thickening agent. Categories: Texture Enhancer, Plant Extracts, Skin-Soothing
Good	acetyl glyceryl ricinoleate Used as an emollient and thickening agent in cosmetics. Categories: Texture Enhancer, Emollients
Good	acetylated castor oil Used as an emollient and thickening agent in cosmetics. Categories: Texture Enhancer, Emollients
Good	acetylated hydrogenated cottonseed glyceride Used as an emollient and thickening agent in cosmetics. Categories: Texture Enhancer, Emollients
Good	acetylated palm kernel glycerides Used as an emollient and thickening agent in cosmetics. Categories: Texture Enhancer, Emollients
Good	acrylate Categories: Texture Enhancer
Good	acrylates copolymer Categories: Texture Enhancer
Good	acrylates/C10-30 alkyl acrylate crosspolymer A synthetic ingredient used to enhance the texture of skincare and haircare products. Categories: Texture Enhancer
Good	acrylates/dimethicone copolymer A silicone-enhanced film-forming agent. Also functions as a binding agent so products adhere better... Categories: Silicones, Texture Enhancer
Good	acrylates/steareth-20 methacrylate copolymer A synthetic polymer that blends stearth-20 with one or more forms of methacrylic acid. Functions as... Categories: Texture Enhancer
Good	bis-diglyceryl polyacyladipate Can be extracted from chamomile or derived synthetically. It is an skin-soothing ingredient. Categories: Texture Enhancer, Emollients
Good	bis-PEG-18 methyl ether dimethyl silane A synthetic skin conditioning agent and surfactant belonging to the chemical class of siloxanes and... Categories: Silicones, Cleansing Agents, Texture Enhancer, Emollients
Good	bis-phenylpropyl dimethicone A synthetic, colorless, silicone-based polymer that... Categories: Silicones, Texture Enhancer
Average	bismuth oxychloride Also known as synthetic pearl, it’s the primary ingredient included in most powders that are referred to as... Categories: Texture Enhancer, Absorbent
Good	butyl acetate Solvent used in nail polish and many other products. Categories: Film-Forming Agents, Texture Enhancer
Good	butylene glycol Commonly-used ingredient that has multiple functions in cosmetics, including.... Categories: Texture Enhancer
Good	C12-15 alkyl benzoate Synthetic ingredient used as an emollient and texture enhancing agent in cosmetics. Categories: Texture Enhancer, Emollients
Good	C12-18 acid triglyceride Used as an emollient and thickening agent in cosmetics. Categories: Texture Enhancer, Emollients
Good	C13-14 isoparaffin A petroleum-derived ingredient whose wax-like texture functions as a thickening or gelling agent. Categories: Texture Enhancer
Good	C18-36 acid triglyceride Used as an emollient and thickening agent in cosmetics. Categories: Texture Enhancer, Emollients
Good	adipic acid/neopentyl glycol/trimellitic anhydride copolymer A synthetic polymer. Categories: Texture Enhancer
Good	agar Categories: Antioxidants, Plant Extracts, Emollients, Texture Enhancer
Good	Ahnfeltia concinna extract Categories: Antioxidants, Texture Enhancer, Plant Extracts, Emollients
Good	ahnfeltia extract Categories: Antioxidants, Emollients, Texture Enhancer, Plant Extracts
Good	Alaria esculenta Categories: Antioxidants, Emollients, Plant Extracts, Texture Enhancer
Poor	albumin Found in egg white, and can leave a film over skin. It can constrict skin temporarily, which can... Categories: Texture Enhancer
Best	algae Algae are very simple, chlorophyll-containing organisms in a family that includes more than 20,000... Categories: Antioxidants, Emollients, Texture Enhancer, Plant Extracts
Best	algae extract Categories: Antioxidants, Emollients, Texture Enhancer, Plant Extracts
Good	algin Brown algae. Categories: Antioxidants, Texture Enhancer, Emollients, Plant Extracts
Average	alkyloamides Identified on skin-care product labels as DEA, triethanolamine (TEA), and monoethanolamine (MEA),... Categories: Texture Enhancer
Good	allyl methacrylates crosspolymer A synthetic, non-aqueous polymer whose chief function is film-forming agent. Categories: Texture Enhancer
Good	Althaea rosea Categories: Skin-Soothing, Texture Enhancer, Plant Extracts
Good	alumina Aluminum oxide, which is used as an abrasive, a thickening agent, and an absorbent in cosmetics. Categories: Texture Enhancer, Scrub Agents, Absorbent
Good	Aluminum hydroxide A synthetic ingredient that functions as an opacifying agent. Secondary uses... Categories: Texture Enhancer, Absorbent
Good	aluminum starch octenylsuccinate Powdery thickening agent, absorbent, and anticaking agent used in cosmetics. Categories: Texture Enhancer, Absorbent
Good	aluminum stearate The aluminum salt of stearic acid that functions as a thickening agent and helps stabilize products. Categories: Texture Enhancer
Good	ammonium acryloyldimethyltaurate/VP copolymer A synthetic polymer and film-forming agent that also serves to thicken cosmetic formulas... Categories: Texture Enhancer
Good	amodimethicone Categories: Silicones, Emollients, Texture Enhancer
Good	Anacystis nidulans extract Categories: Antioxidants, Plant Extracts, Texture Enhancer, Emollients
Good	arachidic acid Derived from peanut oil and used as an emollient and thickening agent in cosmetics. Categories: Texture Enhancer, Emollients
Good	arachidyl alcohol Waxy substance used as a thickening agent and emollient in cosmetics. Categories: Texture Enhancer, Emollients
Good	arachidyl propionate Waxy substance used as a thickening agent and emollient in cosmetics. Categories: Texture Enhancer, Emollients
Average	arrowroot Thickening agent; it has no known benefit for skin. Categories: Texture Enhancer
Good	artemia extract Categories: Antioxidants, Plant Extracts, Emollients, Texture Enhancer
Good	Ascophyllum nodosum Species of seaweed. Categories: Antioxidants, Emollients, Plant Extracts, Texture Enhancer
Best	ascorbyl methylsilanol pectinate Form of vitamin C that is considered stable and that functions as an antioxidant and thickening... Categories: Antioxidants, Texture Enhancer, Vitamins
Good	Asparagopsis armata extract Extract derived from seaweed. Categories: Antioxidants, Emollients, Plant Extracts, Texture Enhancer
Good	beeswax Substance made by bees to build the walls of their honeycomb. It is a thickening agent that has... Categories: Texture Enhancer, Emollients
Good	behenic acid Fatty acid used as a thickening agent and surfactant. Categories: Texture Enhancer, Cleansing Agents
Good	behentrimonium chloride Skin-conditioning agent and emulsifier. Categories: Texture Enhancer, Emollients
Good	behenyl alcohol Thickening agent used in cosmetics. It is not related to irritating forms of alcohol. Categories: Texture Enhancer
Good	candelilla wax Extract derived from candelilla plants; used as a thickening agent and emollient to give products... Categories: Plant Extracts, Emollients, Texture Enhancer
Best	caprylic/capric triglyceride Derived from coconut oil and glycerin, it’s considered an excellent emollient and skin-replenishing ingredient. Categories: Plant Extracts, Emollients, Texture Enhancer
Good	carbomer Group of thickening agents used primarily to create gel-like formulations. Categories: Texture Enhancer
Good	carbopol Categories: Texture Enhancer
Good	carnauba wax Natural, hard wax obtained from the leaves of palm trees. Used primarily as a thickening agent, but... Categories: Plant Extracts, Absorbent, Texture Enhancer
Good	carrageenan Seaweed gum used in cosmetics as a thickening agent with water-binding properties. Categories: Plant Extracts, Texture Enhancer
Good	Caulerpa taxifolia extract Categories: Antioxidants, Texture Enhancer, Emollients, Plant Extracts
Good	cellulose Primary fiber component of plants. Used in cosmetics as a thickening agent and to bind other... Categories: Plant Extracts, Texture Enhancer
Good	Cellulose gum Any of various fibrous substances derived from plants. Cellulose gum is a natural ingredient.. Categories: Plant Extracts, Texture Enhancer
Best	cephalin Phospholipid. Categories: Texture Enhancer, Emollients
Good	Cera alba See beeswax... Categories: Texture Enhancer
Good	disodium glyceryl phosphate Used as an emollient and thickening agent in cosmetics. Categories: Texture Enhancer, Emollients
Good	docosahexaenoic acid Categories: Texture Enhancer, Emollients
Average	ethyl hexanediol A synthetic, viscous alcohol that functions as a solvent and can also be... Categories: Texture Enhancer
Good	ethylhexyl palmitate A mixture of a fatty alcohol and palmitic acid that functions as an emollient. Categories: Emollients, Texture Enhancer
Good	ethylhexyl stearate Categories: Thickeners/Emulsifiers, Texture Enhancer, Emollients
Good	Euphorbia cerifera wax Categories: Plant Extracts, Emollients, Texture Enhancer, Thickeners/Emulsifiers
Best	fatty acid Substance typically found in plant and animal lipids (fat). Fatty acids include compounds such as... Categories: Thickeners/Emulsifiers, Emollients, Texture Enhancer, Skin-Replenishing
Good	fatty alcohol Made from fatty acids; fatty alcohols are used in cosmetics as thickening agents and emollients.... Categories: Thickeners/Emulsifiers, Texture Enhancer, Emollients
Good	ceresin Derived from clay, ceresin is a waxy ingredient used as a thickening agent in cosmetics. It can be... Categories: Texture Enhancer
Good	ceteareth-20 Fatty alcohol that is used to thicken cosmetics and keep ingredients mixed together and stable. Categories: Texture Enhancer
Good	cetearyl alcohol Fatty alcohol used as an emollient, emulsifier, thickener, and carrying agent for other... Categories: Texture Enhancer, Emollients
Good	cetearyl ethylhexanoate Oil-like liquid that functions as an emollient to prevent skin from losing moisture. Also... Categories: Texture Enhancer, Emollients
Good	cetearyl glucoside A blend of cetearyl alcohol and glucose that functions as an emulsifier. Categories: Texture Enhancer
Good	cetearyl octanoate Categories: Texture Enhancer, Skin-Replenishing, Emollients
Good	cetyl esters Synthetic wax used in cosmetics as a thickening agent and emollient. Categories: Texture Enhancer, Emollients
Good	cetyl hydroxyethylcellulose A mixture of cetyl alcohol and Hydroxyethylcellulose. It functions as thickener and stabilizing... Categories: Texture Enhancer, Emollients
Good	cetyl PEG/PPG-10/1-dimethicone Silicone that functions as a skin-conditioning agent and emulsifier. Categories: Texture Enhancer, Silicones
Good	chlorella Categories: Antioxidants, Texture Enhancer, Emollients, Plant Extracts
Average	cocamide DEA and MEA Both cocamide DEA (diethanolamine) and MEA (monoethanolamine) are widely used ingredients to thicken the water phase of cosmetics, keep ingredients blended, and boost foaming properties... Categories: Texture Enhancer, Cleansing Agents
Good	cocoglycerides Used as an emollient and thickening agent in cosmetics. Categories: Texture Enhancer, Emollients
Good	Codium tomentosum extract Categories: Antioxidants, Plant Extracts, Texture Enhancer, Emollients
Good	Copernicia cerifera wax Categories: Plant Extracts, Texture Enhancer, Absorbent
Good	Corallina officinalis extract Categories: Antioxidants, Plant Extracts, Emollients, Texture Enhancer
Good	Cyamopsis tetragonoloba Categories: Plant Extracts, Texture Enhancer
Good	DEA oleth-10 phosphate Used as an emulsifying agent, which is a group of ingredients essential to most cosmetic... Categories: Texture Enhancer
Good	dextrin Carbohydrate that is classified as a polysaccharide. It is used as an adhesive when mixed with... Categories: Texture Enhancer
Good	di-PPG-3 myristyl ether adipate Derivative of myristyl alcohol (a fatty alcohol) and adipic acid (a buffering and neutralizing... Categories: Texture Enhancer
Good	diisopropyl adipate Used as a film-forming agent, emollient, and skin-conditioning agent. Categories: Texture Enhancer, Emollients
Good	dimer dilinoleyl dimer dilinoleate A mixture of fatty acids and a fatty alcohol. This synthetic ingredient... Categories: Emollients, Texture Enhancer
Good	dimethicone crosspolymer Silicone derivative used as a stabilizing or suspending agent or as a thickener. Categories: Texture Enhancer, Emollients, Silicones
Good	dimethicone/vinyl dimethicone crosspolymer Categories: Texture Enhancer, Silicones
Good	dipentaerythrityl hexacaprylate/hexacaprate Mixture of fatty acids used as an emollient and thickening agent. Categories: Texture Enhancer, Emollients
Good	dipropylene glycol A synthetic slip agent and texture enhancer. Categories: Texture Enhancer
Good	disodium diglyceryl phosphate Used as an emollient and thickening agent in cosmetics. Categories: Texture Enhancer, Emollients
Good	gellan gum A plant-derived, high-weight, polysaccharide texture enhancer that also... Categories: Texture Enhancer
Good	glyceryl polymethacrylate A blend of glycerin and polymethacrylic acid that functions as a film-forming agent. It has a... Categories: Thickeners/Emulsifiers, Film-Forming/Holding Agents, Texture Enhancer
Good	isododecane Hydrocarbon ingredient used as a solvent. Isododecane enhances the spreadability of products and... Categories: Miscellaneous, Texture Enhancer
Good	isohexadecane Used as a detergent cleansing agent, emulsifier, and thickening agent in cosmetics. Categories: Thickeners/Emulsifiers, Cleansing Agents, Texture Enhancer
Good	isoparaffin Categories: Thickeners/Emulsifiers, Texture Enhancer
Good	isopropyl lanolate Derived from lanolin, it is used in cosmetics as a thickening agent and emollient. Categories: Thickeners/Emulsifiers, Texture Enhancer, Emollients
Good	isopropyl myristate Texture enhancer and emollient as used in cosmetics. Categories: Texture Enhancer, Emollients
Good	isopropyl palmitate Texture enhancer and emollient as used in cosmetics. It can potentially be... Categories: Emollients, Texture Enhancer
Good	isopropyl titanium triisostearate A synthetic or animal-derived ingredient used as a surface treatment for cosmetic pigments... Categories: Emulsifiers, Texture Enhancer, Emollients
Good	isopropyl titanium triisostearte/triethoxycaprylylsilane crosspolymer A synthetic, silicone-enhanced polymer that occurs from combining isopropyl titanium triisostearate... Categories: Thickeners/Emulsifiers, Silicones, Texture Enhancer
Good	isostearamide DEA Used as a surfactant, water-binding agent, and thickening agent. Categories: Thickeners/Emulsifiers, Texture Enhancer, Cleansing Agents
Good	isostearic acid Fatty acid used as a binding agent and thickener. Categories: Thickeners/Emulsifiers, Texture Enhancer
Good	Japan wax Vegetable wax obtained from sumac berries, and used as a thickening agent and emollient in... Categories: Thickeners/Emulsifiers, Emollients, Texture Enhancer
Good	Laminaria digitata Categories: Antioxidants, Thickeners/Emulsifiers, Plant Extracts, Texture Enhancer
Good	Laminaria longicruris Categories: Antioxidants, Texture Enhancer, Plant Extracts, Thickeners/Emulsifiers, Emollients
Good	laureth-23 Derived from lauryl alcohol and used either as a surfactant or emulsifier (or, in many cases, as... Categories: Thickeners/Emulsifiers, Cleansing Agents, Texture Enhancer
Good	laureth-4 Derived from lauryl alcohol and used either as a surfactant or emulsifier (or, in many cases, as... Categories: Thickeners/Emulsifiers, Texture Enhancer, Cleansing Agents
Good	lauryl PEG-9 polydimethylsiloxyethyl dimethicone A silicone polymer that has multiple functions in cosmetic products, including skin/hair... Categories: Emulsifiers, Miscellaneous, Texture Enhancer, Thickeners/Emulsifiers
Good	guar hydroxypropyltrimonium chloride Categories: Thickeners/Emulsifiers, Texture Enhancer, Miscellaneous
Good	gums Substances that have water-binding properties, but that are used primarily as thickening agents in... Categories: Plant Extracts, Film-Forming/Holding Agents, Texture Enhancer
Good	Haslea ostrearia extract Extract derived from a water plant also known as blue algae. In pure concentrations this extract... Categories: Antioxidants, Emollients, Texture Enhancer, Thickeners/Emulsifiers, Plant Extracts
Good	hydrogenated coco-glyceride Used as an emollient and thickening agent in cosmetics. Categories: Thickeners/Emulsifiers, Texture Enhancer, Emollients
Good	hydrogenated didecene Skin-conditioning agent derived from didecene, which is a hydrocarbon. Hydrocarbons are organic... Categories: Thickeners/Emulsifiers, Texture Enhancer
Good	hydrogenated vegetable glycerides citrate A hydrogenated blend of vegetable glycerides that functions chiefly as an emollient and emulsifier in cosmetics... Categories: Emollients, Emulsifiers, Texture Enhancer
Good	hydrolyzed wheat protein Protein fraction from wheat that has been hydrolyzed, which is a chemical process involving the... Categories: Plant Extracts, Film-Forming/Holding Agents, Texture Enhancer
Good	hydroxyethyl acrylate/sodium acryloyl dimethyl taurate copolymer A polymer that functions as a stabilizer, thickening agent, and opacifying agent. Categories: Thickeners/Emulsifiers, Texture Enhancer
Good	hydroxyethylcellulose Plant-derived thickening agent typically used as a binding agent or emulsifier. Also used (most... Categories: Plant Extracts, Film-Forming/Holding Agents, Texture Enhancer, Thickeners/Emulsifiers
Good	Irish moss extract Type of red algae. Categories: Antioxidants, Thickeners/Emulsifiers, Plant Extracts, Emollients, Texture Enhancer
Good	lithium magnesium sodium silicate Synthetic silica-based clay composed of lithium, sodium, and magnesium. Used as a thickening agent... Categories: Thickeners/Emulsifiers, Texture Enhancer, Absorbent
Good	locust bean Categories: Plant Extracts, Texture Enhancer, Thickeners/Emulsifiers, Film-Forming/Holding Agents
Good	magnesium stearate Used as a thickening agent in cosmetics. Categories: Thickeners/Emulsifiers, Texture Enhancer
Good	magnesium sulfate Commonly known as Epsom salt, a magnesium salt used as a texture enhancer. Categories: Texture Enhancer
Good	pectin Natural substance found in plants, especially apples, and used in cosmetics as an emulsifier and... Categories: Plant Extracts, Texture Enhancer, Emollients
Good	PEG-150 distearate Categories: Texture Enhancer
Good	PEG-32 Peg-32 also functions as an emulsifier, which is a type of ingredient that keeps unlike substances... Categories: Texture Enhancer
Good	PEG-40 hydrogenated castor oil Emollient ingredient that is a mixture of polyethylene glycol (PEG) with castor oil. Categories: Plant Extracts, Emollients, Texture Enhancer
Good	pentaerythrityl tetraisostearate A non-aqueous ester that functions as a thickener and binding agent... Categories: Texture Enhancer
Good	pentaerythrityl tetraoctanoate Synthetic compound as an emollient and thickening agent. Categories: Texture Enhancer, Emollients
Good	pentylene glycol A synthetic skin-replenishing agent and solvent. Categories: Texture Enhancer
Average	plasticizing agents Ingredients that place a thin layer of plastic over the skin. Typically these are used in facial... Categories: Texture Enhancer
Good	polyacrylamide Categories: Texture Enhancer
Good	polyacrylate-17 Categories: Texture Enhancer
Best	mallow Can be used as a texture enhancer in cosmetics and may have soothing... Categories: Skin-Soothing, Texture Enhancer, Plant Extracts
Best	marshmallow A flowering plant native to Africa that has soothing effects... Categories: Skin-Soothing, Plant Extracts, Texture Enhancer
Good	Mastocarpus stellatus Categories: Antioxidants, Texture Enhancer, Plant Extracts, Emollients
Good	methylsilanol mannuronate Categories: Silicones, Emollients, Texture Enhancer
Good	methylsilanol PEG-7 glyceryl cocoate A glyceryl ester used as an emollient and texture enhancer in cosmetics. Categories: Silicones, Emollients, Texture Enhancer
Good	microcrystalline wax Plastic-type, highly refined wax derived from petroleum. Used as a thickener and to give products a... Categories: Thickeners/Emulsifiers, Texture Enhancer
Good	Microcystis aeruginosa Latin name for spirulina. Categories: Antioxidants, Texture Enhancer, Plant Extracts, Emollients
Good	montan wax A type of natural wax derived from lignite, which is a type of coal that’s made from wood. Most... Categories: Texture Enhancer
Good	myristyl myristate Used in cosmetics as a texture enhancer and emollient. Categories: Texture Enhancer, Emollients
Good	neopentyl glycol dicaprylate/dicaprate Used as an emollient and texture enhancer. Categories: Texture Enhancer, Emollients
Good	neopentyl glycol diheptanoate Mixture of texture-enhancing ingredient neopentyl glycol and grape-derived fatty acid heptanoic acid... Categories: Texture Enhancer, Skin-Softening
Good	nylon-12 Powder substance that is used as an absorbent and texture enhancer... Categories: Texture Enhancer, Absorbent
Good	octyl palmitate Used in cosmetics as a texture enhancer and emollient. Categories: Texture Enhancer, Emollients
Good	octyl stearate Used in cosmetics as a texture enhancer and emollient. Categories: Texture Enhancer, Emollients
Good	octyldodecanol Opacifying agent, used primarily as a texture enhancer in moisturizers because of its lubricating and emollient properties. Categories: Texture Enhancer, Emollients
Good	octyldodecyl myristate Mixture of octyldodecanol (thickener) and myristic acid that forms a new compound used as a... Categories: Texture Enhancer, Skin-Softening, Emollients
Best	oleic acid Oleic acid is a natural, monounsaturated omega-9 fatty acid that’s found in many plants. Categories: Cleansing Agents, Texture Enhancer
Good	oleth-10 A form of fatty alcohol that functions as a texture enhancer and cleansing agent. Categories: Texture Enhancer, Cleansing Agents
Good	ozokerite Mineral that is used as a texture enhancer in cosmetics, especially in lipsticks and stick... Categories: Texture Enhancer
Good	paraffin Waxy, petroleum-based substance used as a thickener in cosmetics. Categories: Texture Enhancer
Good	polybutene Polymer derived from mineral oil and used as a thickener and lubricant. Categories: Texture Enhancer
Good	polyethylene glycol Also listed as PEG on ingredient labels, polyethylene glycol is an ingredient that self-proclaimed... Categories: Texture Enhancer, Scrub Agents
Good	polyglucuronic acid Categories: Texture Enhancer
Good	polyglycerol monostearate Used as an emollient and thickening agent in cosmetics. Categories: Texture Enhancer, Emollients
Good	polyglyceryl 2 triisostearate A mixture of the fatty acid Isostearic acid and a form of glycerin that functions as a... Categories: Texture Enhancer, Emollients
Good	polyglyceryl-3 beeswax The ester of fatty acids from beeswax and polyglycerin-3 that functions as a surfactant and... Categories: Texture Enhancer, Cleansing Agents
Good	polyglyceryl-3 methylglucose distearate Categories: Texture Enhancer, Emollients
Good	polyglyceryl methacrylate Categories: Texture Enhancer
Good	polyisobutene A polymer of the hydrocarbon isobutylene obtained from petroleum oil. It functions as a thickening... Categories: Texture Enhancer
Good	polymethylsilsesquioxane A polymer formed from the condensation and hydrolysis of the silicone methyltrimethoxysilane. Categories: Silicones, Emollients, Texture Enhancer
Good	polyquaternium-10 Categories: Texture Enhancer
Good	polyquaterniums Group of ingredients used primarily in hair-care products for their antistatic and film-forming... Categories: Texture Enhancer
Good	polysilicone-11 Specialized, synthetic crosslinked siloxane that functions as a film-forming agent and polymer. Categories: Silicones, Texture Enhancer
Average	polyvinyl alcohol A synthetic polymer of vinyl alcohol that functions in cosmetics as a gel-based thickener, film-forming, and binding agent. Categories: Texture Enhancer
Good	polyvinylpyrrolidone Usually listed on ingredient labels as PVP or PVP copolymer, it is one of the primary ingredients... Categories: Texture Enhancer
Good	PPG-12 buteth-16 Versatile ingredient composed of several non-volatile alcohols. Functions as a skin-conditioning... Categories: Texture Enhancer, Cleansing Agents
Good	PPG-12/SMDI copolymer A copolymer that serves as a film-forming agent... Categories: Texture Enhancer
Good	PPG-2 myristyl ether propionate Mixture of glycols and fatty alcohols used as a skin-conditioning agent and, in some cases, as a... Categories: Texture Enhancer
Good	propylene carbonate Liquid used as a solvent and film-forming agent. Categories: Texture Enhancer
Good	propylene glycol Along with other glycols and glycerol, propylene glycol is a humectant (hydrating) and delivery ingredient... Categories: Texture Enhancer
Good	propylene glycol isostearate A mixture of propylene glycol and isostearic acid. See both. This ingredient is used as an... Categories: Texture Enhancer, Emollients
Good	propylene glycol stearate Mixture of propylene glycol and stearic acid used as a skin-conditioning agent and emulsifier. Categories: Texture Enhancer
Good	pullulan Glucan gum produced by black yeast that contains polysaccharides, which makes it a good... Categories: Antioxidants, Texture Enhancer
Best	pumpkin seed extract Type of squash that is a very good source of antioxidant cartenoids. Pumpkin seed oil and extract... Categories: Antioxidants, Skin-Replenishing, Texture Enhancer, Emollients
Good	PVM/MA decadiene crosspolymer Synthetic polymer used as a film-forming and thickening agent. Categories: Texture Enhancer
Good	PVP Categories: Texture Enhancer
Good	PVP copolymer Categories: Texture Enhancer
Good	PVP/dimethylaminoethylmethacrylate Polymer formed from PVP (polyvinylpyrrolidone) and the film-forming agent dimethylaminomethacrylate. Categories: Texture Enhancer
Poor	Pyrus cydonia Categories: Plant Extracts, Texture Enhancer
Best	Pyrus malus (apple) fruit extract Pyrus malus (apple) fruit extract is a species of apple; the fruit is a tremendous source of polyphenolic antioxidants. Categories: Skin-Restoring, Plant Extracts, Texture Enhancer
Good	quaternium-18 hectorite Used as a suspending agent and also has emulsifying properties. Categories: Texture Enhancer
Poor	quince seed Used as a thickening agent in cosmetics, but also has skin-constricting properties... Categories: Plant Extracts, Texture Enhancer
Good	Solanum tuberosum extract Extract that is more commonly known as potato starch. Used as a thickening agent and texture enhancer in cosmetics. Categories: Thickeners/Emulsifiers, Texture Enhancer
Good	stearyl stearate A plant-based wax prepared with natural fatty acids combined with synthetic fatty alcohols. Categories: Emollients, Texture Enhancer
Good	synthetic wax A wax derived from a mixture of various oils. It functions as a binding and stabilizing agent. Categories: Miscellaneous, Texture Enhancer
Best	red algae Categories: Antioxidants, Texture Enhancer, Emollients, Plant Extracts
Good	ricinoleate Glyceryl triester used in cosmetics as a thickening agent and emollient. Categories: Texture Enhancer
Good	tragacanth Natural gum used as a thickener in cosmetics. Categories: Thickeners/Emulsifiers, Texture Enhancer
Good	tridecyl trimellitate Used as a skin-conditioning agent and thickening agent. Categories: Thickeners/Emulsifiers, Texture Enhancer, Hydration, Skin-Softening
Good	vinyl dimethicone/methicone silsesquioxane crosspolymer Blend of silicone polymers that functions as a thickening agent and texture enhancer. Categories: Thickeners, Silicones, Texture Enhancer
Good	VP/hexadecene copolymer Synthetic polymer. Categories: Film-Forming/Holding Agents, Texture Enhancer
Good	wheat germ glycerides Used as emollient and texture enhancer in cosmetics. Categories: Thickeners/Emulsifiers, Emollients, Texture Enhancer
Good	xanthan gum Used as a thickening agent. Categories: Thickeners/Emulsifiers, Texture Enhancer
Best	xylitol Xylitol is a sugar alcohol that may be plant-derived or synthetic (Paula’s Choice uses the former). Categories: Thickeners/Emulsifiers, Texture Enhancer, Slip Agents
Good	zinc stearate The zinc salt of stearic acid. It has multiple functions in cosmetics, including serving as the... Categories: Thickeners/Emulsifiers, Coloring Agents/Pigments, Slip Agents, Texture Enhancer
Good	methyl gluceth-20 benzoate A synthetic ester and emollient used to improve product spreadability. Methyl... Categories: Texture Enhancer, Emollients
Good	tapioca starch A natural thickener and texture enhancer derived from the roots of Manihot... Categories: Thickeners, Texture Enhancer
Good	polyacrylate crosspolymer A synthetic polymer that functions to protect skin's surface, thicken products, and help keep cosmetic... Categories: Film-Forming Agents, Texture Enhancer
Good	hectorite A type of clay used in cosmetics that enhances texture by imparting a smooth, silky feel. Categories: Texture Enhancer
Good	capryloyl glycerin/sebacic acid copolymer A naturally-derived (coconut and castor oil) or synthetic ingredient... Categories: Film-Forming/Holding Agents, Texture Enhancer
Good	ceteareth-25 A fatty alcohol that functions as an emulsifier and surfactant in cosmetics. Categories: Emulsifiers, Texture Enhancer
Best	diheptyl succinate Categories: Texture Enhancer
Best	glyceryl behenate An ester emollient of fatty acid behenic acid... Categories: Emollients, Texture Enhancer
Best	lauryl laurate An ester of lauryl alcohol and lauric acid... Categories: Emollients, Texture Enhancer
Good	sodium stearoyl lactylate A synthetic or animal-derived ingredient... Categories: Emulsifiers, Texture Enhancer
Best	trimethylsiloxyamodimethicone Trimethylsiloxyamodimethicone 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
Good	sodium acrylates copolymer Sodium acrylates copolymer is a synthetic, acrylic-based polymer that functions in cosmetics as a texture enhancer, binder, and film-forming agent. Categories: Film-Forming Agents, Texture Enhancer
Good	polyglyceryl-10 caprylate/caprate Polyglyceryl-10 caprylate/caprate is a single ester created from polymers and glycerin used in skin care as an emulsifier or solvent. Categories: Cleansing Agents, Thickeners/Emulsifiers, Texture Enhancer
Best	hydrolyzed algae extract The hydrolyzed form of algae extract, and a rich source of polysaccharides for skin. Categories: Emollients, Antioxidants, Plant Extracts, Texture Enhancer
Good	Ahnfeltiopsis concinna extract Ahnfeltiopsis concinna extract is a type of red algae with calming and hydrating properties for skin. Categories: Emollients, Antioxidants, Plant Extracts, Texture Enhancer
Good	cetearyl olivate Cetearyl olivate is an ester of cetearyl alcohol and fatty acids from olive oil. Categories: Slip Agents, Emulsifiers, Texture Enhancer
Good	sodium polyacrylate starch Sodium polyacrylate starch is a mixture of a natural starch combined with a synthetic acrylate polymer. Categories: Absorbent, Thickeners/Emulsifiers, Texture Enhancer
Good	ceteareth-6 olivate Ceteareth-6 olivate is the ester of a fatty alcohol and fatty acids from olive oil. Categories: Emollients, Emulsifiers, Texture Enhancer
Good	silica silylate Silica silylate works as a binder, thickening agent, and emollient in cosmetics. Categories: Emollients, Thickeners/Emulsifiers, Texture Enhancer
Good	calcium aluminum borosilicate Calcium aluminum borosilicate is a mineral-derived thickening agent often used in powders. Categories: Thickeners/Emulsifiers, Texture Enhancer
Good	synthetic fluorophlogopite Synthetic fluorophlogopite is a synthetic mineral material used in cosmetics to add bulk and to thicken emulsions. Categories: Thickeners, Texture Enhancer
Good	PEG-75 stearate PEG-75 stearate is an ester blend of polyethylene glycol and stearic acid. Categories: Cleansing Agents, Emulsifiers, Texture Enhancer

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!