Alphabetical Cosmetic Ingredient Dictionary from Paula Begoun, the Cosmetics Cop
Rating | Ingredient |
---|---|
Good |
D&CAccording to the FDA, D&C is an identification that indicates a coloring agent has been approved as...
Categories:
Coloring Agents/Pigments
|
Good |
D&C colorsGeneral term for a wide group of color additives that are approved for use in drugs and cosmetics...
Categories:
Coloring Agents/Pigments
|
Poor |
daisy flower extractThere is no research showing this extract has any benefit for skin. Also known as tansy, it can...
Categories:
Plant Extracts
|
Best |
d-alpha-tocopherolAntioxidant that's considered the most optimal form of vitamin E.
Categories:
Antioxidants,
Vitamins
|
Poor |
Daucus carotaAlso known as wild carrot. It can have antioxidant properties, but applied topically it can cause...
Categories:
Antioxidants,
Plant Extracts
|
Good |
DEA oleth-10 phosphateUsed as an emulsifying agent, which is a group of ingredients essential to most cosmetic...
Categories:
Texture Enhancer
|
Best |
decarboxy carnosine HCL
Categories:
Skin-Soothing,
Skin-Restoring
|
Good |
decylene glycolA synthetic glycol that functions as a skin-conditioning agent.
Categories:
Skin-Replenishing
|
Good |
decyl glucosideUsed as a gentle detergent cleansing agent.
Categories:
Cleansing Agents
|
Good |
decyl oleateA skin-conditioning agent derived from the esters of decyl alcohol and oleic acid.
Categories:
Emollients
|
Good |
dehydroacetic acidA synthetic preservative uses in amounts of 0.6% or less. Sometimes its salt form (known as sodium...
Categories:
Preservatives
|
Average |
dehydroepiandrosterone
Categories:
Uncategorized
|
Good |
deionized/demineralized waterFiltered water used in cosmetics. All water used in cosmetic formulations goes through this process...
Categories:
Uncategorized
|
poor |
denatured alcoholDenatured alcohol is a drying alcohol that weakens skin. If denatured alcohol is listed as the fifth ingredient or higher, it is of considerable risk for sensitising skin.
Categories:
Sensitizing
|
Average |
deoxyribonucleic acid
Categories:
Uncategorized
|
Good |
detergent cleansing agent
Categories:
Cleansing Agents
|
Average |
deuterium oxide
Categories:
Uncategorized
|
Good |
dextranPolysaccharide that has water-binding properties for skin.
Categories:
Skin-Replenishing
|
Good |
dextrinCarbohydrate that is classified as a polysaccharide. It is used as an adhesive when mixed with...
Categories:
Texture Enhancer
|
Good |
DHA
Categories:
Uncategorized
|
Average |
diatomaceous earthLight-colored porous rock composed of the skeletons of minute sea creatures called diatoms....
Categories:
Scrub Agents
|
Average |
diazolidinyl ureaWater-soluble preservative.
Categories:
Preservatives
|
Average |
dibutyl phthalateAlso known as DBP, it is a common ingredient in nail polish and most synthetic fragrances sold...
Categories:
Uncategorized
|
Good |
dicaprylyl carbonateAn emollient ingredient that may be derived from synthetic or animal sources. It spreads easily and...
Categories:
Emollients
|
Good |
dicetyl phosphateA mix of portions from cetyl alcohol and phosphoric acid that functions as surfactant and emulsifier.
Categories:
Cleansing Agents
|
Good |
diethylhexyl carbonateA synthetic oil-like ester that functions as a skin-conditioning agent and emollient. Also used in...
Categories:
Emollients
|
Good |
diethylhexyl malateEmollient and skin-conditioning agent derived from the solvent ethyl hexanediol.
Categories:
Emollients
|
Good |
diethylhexyl syringylidenemalonateAn ester that functions as an antioxidant and helps defend cosmetics products from chemical or physical deterioration...
Categories:
Antioxidants
|
Best |
diheptyl succinate
Categories:
Texture Enhancer
|
Good |
dihydrocholeth-30A synthetic ingredient that functions as an emulsifier...
Categories:
Cleansing Agents
|
Good |
dihydroxyacetoneIngredient present in all self-tanners that affects the color of skin. Derived from sugar, it...
Categories:
Uncategorized
|
Good |
diisopropyl adipateUsed as a film-forming agent, emollient, and skin-conditioning agent.
Categories:
Texture Enhancer,
Emollients
|
Good |
diisopropyl dimer dilinoleateA synthetic ester that functions as a skin-conditioning agent and emollient.
Categories:
Emollients
|
Good |
diisostearoyl trimethylolpropane siloxy silicateEmollient in the silicone family.
Categories:
Silicones,
Emollients
|
Good |
diisostearyl dimer dilinoleateA synthetic ester that functions as an emollient and skin-conditioning agent. May be animal-derived.
Categories:
Emollients
|
Good |
diisostearyl malateDiisostearyl malate is an ester that functions as an emollient...
Categories:
Emollients
|
Good |
diisostearyl polyglyceryl-3 dimer dilinoleateDiisostearyl polyglyceryl-3 dimer dilinoleate is an emollient blend of fatty acids often used in cosmetics to enhance coverage. |
Good |
dimer dilinoleyl dimer dilinoleateA mixture of fatty acids and a fatty alcohol. This synthetic ingredient...
Categories:
Emollients,
Texture Enhancer
|
Good |
dimethiconeA type of silicone, dimethicone is one of the most frequently used emollient ingredients in moisturizers due to its gentleness...
Categories:
Silicones,
Emollients
|
Good |
dimethicone/PEG-10/15 crosspolymerA mixture of the silicone dimethicone with PEG-10 and PEG-15.
Categories:
Silicones,
Emollients
|
Good |
dimethicone/vinyl dimethicone crosspolymer
Categories:
Texture Enhancer,
Silicones
|
Good |
dimethicone copolyol
Categories:
Silicones,
Emollients
|
Good |
dimethicone crosspolymerSilicone derivative used as a stabilizing or suspending agent or as a thickener. |
Good |
dimethiconol
Categories:
Silicones,
Emollients
|
Good |
dimethyl capramideFunctions as a stabilizer and solvent in cosmetics.
Categories:
Uncategorized
|
Poor |
dimethyl etherColorless gas used as a propellant in aerosol products. It is potentially harmful if inhaled…
Categories:
Uncategorized
|
Good |
dimethyl isosorbideA solvent derived from the sugar sorbitol...
Categories:
Uncategorized
|
Average |
dimethyl MEA
Categories:
Skin-Restoring
|
Average |
Dioscorea villosa extract
Categories:
Plant Extracts
|
Good |
dipentaerythrityl hexacaprylate/hexacaprateMixture of fatty acids used as an emollient and thickening agent.
Categories:
Texture Enhancer,
Emollients
|
Best |
dipeptide-2Dipeptide-2 is a small, less complex synthetic peptide made up of the amino acids tryptophan and valine.
Categories:
Skin-Restoring
|
Best |
dipotassium glycyrrhizate
Categories:
Skin-Soothing,
Plant Extracts
|
Best |
dipotassium glycyrrhizinate
Categories:
Skin-Soothing,
Plant Extracts
|
Good |
dipotassium phosphate
A synthetic salt that helps to adjust and maintain the pH of water-based and...
Categories:
Miscellaneous
|
Good |
di-PPG-3 myristyl ether adipateDerivative of myristyl alcohol (a fatty alcohol) and adipic acid (a buffering and neutralizing...
Categories:
Texture Enhancer
|
Good |
dipropylene glycolA synthetic slip agent and texture enhancer.
Categories:
Texture Enhancer
|
Good |
disodium cocoamphodiacetateMild detergent cleansing agent.
Categories:
Cleansing Agents
|
Good |
disodium cocoyl glutamateA cleansing agent derived from coconut.
Categories:
Cleansing Agents
|
Good |
disodium diglyceryl phosphateUsed as an emollient and thickening agent in cosmetics.
Categories:
Texture Enhancer,
Emollients
|
Good |
disodium EDTAShort for disodium ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid. Used as a chelating agent...
Categories:
Uncategorized
|
Good |
disodium glyceryl phosphateUsed as an emollient and thickening agent in cosmetics.
Categories:
Texture Enhancer,
Emollients
|
Good |
disodium lauraminopropionateA mild surfactant.
Categories:
Cleansing Agents
|
Good |
disodium lauriminodipropionate tocopheryl phosphatesA complex mixture of esters formed from a blend of tocopherol phosphates with lauriminodipropionic...
Categories:
Uncategorized
|
Good |
disodium rutinyl disulfateA water-soluble derivative of the bioflavinoid rutin...
Categories:
Antioxidants
|
Good |
disteardimonium hectoriteUsed as a suspending agent, often with pigments.
Categories:
Uncategorized
|
Average |
DMAE
Categories:
Skin-Restoring
|
Average |
DMDM hydantoinFormaldehyde-releasing preservative...
Categories:
Preservatives
|
Good |
docosahexaenoic acid
Categories:
Texture Enhancer,
Emollients
|
Good |
dog rose
Categories:
Plant Extracts
|
Good |
dogwoodThere is a small amount of research showing that dogwood has antioxidant and soothing... |
Good |
Dromiceius oil
Categories:
Emollients
|
Good |
dulse |
Best |
Dunaliella salina extract
A type of micro-algae that’s known for being adaptable and able to survive even in harsh natural conditions. It’s a rich source...
Categories:
Plant Extracts,
Antioxidants
|
Good |
durianA tropical fruit that contains high levels of antioxidants such as caffeic acid and quercetin
Categories:
Antioxidants,
Plant Extracts
|
Good |
Durvillaea antarctica extractExtract derived from a species of algae (Durvillea antarctica). |
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!