Alphabetical Cosmetic Ingredient Dictionary from Paula Begoun, the Cosmetics Cop

D&C

According to the FDA, D&C is an identification that indicates a coloring agent has been approved as...

D&C colors

General term for a wide group of color additives that are approved for use in drugs and cosmetics...

daisy flower extract

There is no research showing this extract has any benefit for skin. Also known as tansy, it can...

d-alpha-tocopherol

Antioxidant that's considered the most optimal form of vitamin E.

Daucus carota

Also known as wild carrot. It can have antioxidant properties, but applied topically it can cause...

DEA oleth-10 phosphate

Used as an emulsifying agent, which is a group of ingredients essential to most cosmetic...

decarboxy carnosine HCL

decylene glycol

A synthetic glycol that functions as a skin-conditioning agent.

decyl glucoside

Used as a gentle detergent cleansing agent.

decyl oleate

A skin-conditioning agent derived from the esters of decyl alcohol and oleic acid.

dehydroacetic acid

A synthetic preservative uses in amounts of 0.6% or less. Sometimes its salt form (known as sodium...

dehydroepiandrosterone

deionized/demineralized water

Filtered water used in cosmetics. All water used in cosmetic formulations goes through this process...

denatured alcohol

Denatured 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.

deoxyribonucleic acid

detergent cleansing agent

deuterium oxide

dextran

Polysaccharide that has water-binding properties for skin.

dextrin

Carbohydrate that is classified as a polysaccharide. It is used as an adhesive when mixed with...

DHA

diatomaceous earth

Light-colored porous rock composed of the skeletons of minute sea creatures called diatoms....

diazolidinyl urea

Water-soluble preservative.

dibutyl phthalate

Also known as DBP, it is a common ingredient in nail polish and most synthetic fragrances sold...

dicaprylyl carbonate

An emollient ingredient that may be derived from synthetic or animal sources. It spreads easily and...

dicetyl phosphate

A mix of portions from cetyl alcohol and phosphoric acid that functions as surfactant and emulsifier.

diethylhexyl carbonate

A synthetic oil-like ester that functions as a skin-conditioning agent and emollient. Also used in...

diethylhexyl malate

Emollient and skin-conditioning agent derived from the solvent ethyl hexanediol.

diethylhexyl syringylidenemalonate

An ester that functions as an antioxidant and helps defend cosmetics products from chemical or physical deterioration...

diheptyl succinate

dihydrocholeth-30

A synthetic ingredient that functions as an emulsifier...

dihydroxyacetone

Ingredient present in all self-tanners that affects the color of skin. Derived from sugar, it...

diisopropyl adipate

Used as a film-forming agent, emollient, and skin-conditioning agent.

diisopropyl dimer dilinoleate

A synthetic ester that functions as a skin-conditioning agent and emollient.

diisostearoyl trimethylolpropane siloxy silicate

Emollient in the silicone family.

diisostearyl dimer dilinoleate

A synthetic ester that functions as an emollient and skin-conditioning agent. May be animal-derived.

diisostearyl malate

Diisostearyl malate is an ester that functions as an emollient...

diisostearyl polyglyceryl-3 dimer dilinoleate

Diisostearyl polyglyceryl-3 dimer dilinoleate is an emollient blend of fatty acids often used in cosmetics to enhance coverage.

dimer dilinoleyl dimer dilinoleate

A mixture of fatty acids and a fatty alcohol. This synthetic ingredient...

dimethicone

A type of silicone, dimethicone is one of the most frequently used emollient ingredients in moisturizers due to its gentleness...

dimethicone/PEG-10/15 crosspolymer

A mixture of the silicone dimethicone with PEG-10 and PEG-15.

dimethicone/vinyl dimethicone crosspolymer

dimethicone copolyol

dimethicone crosspolymer

Silicone derivative used as a stabilizing or suspending agent or as a thickener.

dimethiconol

dimethyl capramide

Functions as a stabilizer and solvent in cosmetics.

dimethyl ether

Colorless gas used as a propellant in aerosol products. It is potentially harmful if inhaled…

dimethyl isosorbide

A solvent derived from the sugar sorbitol...

dimethyl MEA

Dioscorea villosa extract

dipentaerythrityl hexacaprylate/hexacaprate

Mixture of fatty acids used as an emollient and thickening agent.

dipotassium glycyrrhizate

dipotassium glycyrrhizinate

dipotassium phosphate

A synthetic salt that helps to adjust and maintain the pH of water-based and...

di-PPG-3 myristyl ether adipate

Derivative of myristyl alcohol (a fatty alcohol) and adipic acid (a buffering and neutralizing...

dipropylene glycol

A synthetic slip agent and texture enhancer.

disodium cocoamphodiacetate

Mild detergent cleansing agent.

disodium cocoyl glutamate

A cleansing agent derived from coconut.

disodium diglyceryl phosphate

Used as an emollient and thickening agent in cosmetics.

disodium EDTA

Short for disodium ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid. Used as a chelating agent...

disodium glyceryl phosphate

Used as an emollient and thickening agent in cosmetics.

disodium lauraminopropionate

A mild surfactant.

disodium lauriminodipropionate tocopheryl phosphates

A complex mixture of esters formed from a blend of tocopherol phosphates with lauriminodipropionic...

disodium rutinyl disulfate

A water-soluble derivative of the bioflavinoid rutin...

disteardimonium hectorite

Used as a suspending agent, often with pigments.

DMAE

DMDM hydantoin

Formaldehyde-releasing preservative...

docosahexaenoic acid

dog rose

dogwood

There is a small amount of research showing that dogwood has antioxidant and soothing...

Dromiceius oil

dulse

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...

durian

A tropical fruit that contains high levels of antioxidants such as caffeic acid and quercetin

Durvillaea antarctica extract

Extract derived from a species of algae (Durvillea antarctica).