Deionized Water (Aqua), Purified and deionized water. Usually the main solvent in cosmetic products.
Styrene/Acrylates Copolymer, Synthetic ingredient made from a chain of polymers and monomers that consist of styrene, methacrylic acid, and an ester. Used as a film former. It gives products a great feel and makes the skin smooth. Safe as it cannot penetrate the skin. However, it does pose a contamination risk if it doesn’t come from a reputable source.
Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Gentle and non-irritating cleansing ingredient used in face and body washes. It also acts as a foam booster and surfactant.
Lauryl Glucoside, Mild cleansing agent and surfactant.
PEG-7 Glyceryl Cocoate, Emollient, surfactant, and emulsifier that’s partially derived from coconut. It helps soften and smooth skin and provides deep hydration, making it a useful addition to moisturizers.
Peg-120 Methyl Glucose Dioleate, Cleansing agent and texture enhancer. It creates a thin layer on the skin forming a barrier. It protects the skin from moisture loss and increases its water retention capacity thereby making it softer and healthier. No safety concerns, as its high molecular weight makes it impenetrable to healthy skin.
Curcuma Longa (Turmeric) Root, Source of the spice turmeric. It contains curcumin, an antioxidant pigment. Research has shown that curcumin promotes healthier, normalized skin. In vivo, turmeric and its derivatives interrupt signaling in surface cells that trigger signs of irritation. Therefore, it helps calm skin and reduces acne-related redness by modulating pathways to restore a more even appearance.
Zingiber Officinale (Ginger) Extract, Contains the biologically active component called gingerol that has potent anti-inflammatory, soothing and antioxidant activity. Furthermore, ginger also contains moisturizing polysaccharides, amino acids, and sugars, and it is also well known to increase blood circulation and have a toning effect.
Sodium Hyaluronate (Hyaluronic Acid), The sodium form of hyaluronic acid (HA). Most of the time in cosmetics, the terms are used interchangeably as sodium hyaluronate disassociates into a hyaluronic acid molecule and a sodium atom in solution. The benefit of using the sodium form is that it is far more stable and easier to formulate. HA occurs naturally in your skin and acts as a sponge helping the skin to hold onto water to become plump and elastic. It can bind up to 1000 times its weight in water, making it an unbeatable hydrating agent. It is therefore often used as a staple in moisturizing products together with glycerin.
Organic Aloe Barbadensis Leaf, Potent moisturizer and has several anti-inflammatory (salicylates, polysaccharides, magnesium lactate, and C-glucosyl chromone) as well as some antibacterial components. Helps wound healing and skin regeneration.
Melaleuca Alternifolia (Tea Tree) oil, One of the best-known essential oils in skincare. It is a very complex chemical mixture consisting of about 100 components, the major ones being terpinene-4-ol (40%), γ-Terpinene (23%) and α-Terpinene (10%). They are the reason for the strong antibacterial, antiviral and antifungal effects. This makes it a well-established anti-acne ingredient because research shows that a 5% tea tree oil gel is about as effective against the acne-causing bacteria called P. acnes as a 5% Benzoyl Peroxide lotion (the standard topical acne medication). Tea tree oil also possesses anti-inflammatory and skin-soothing properties.
Allantoin, Seldomly mentioned compound in the skincare community even though it is one of the safest and most effective allrounders to exist. It has keratolytic, moisturizing, soothing, skin-protecting and anti-inflammatory properties. Allantoin also promotes the renewal of epidermal cells and accelerates wound healing. It dissolves the intercellular cement that holds the cornified cells together, helping the natural desquamation (the process of old, damaged skin cells falling off) of the stratum corneum and increasing skin smoothness. This also ensures that pores do not get clogged, therefore preventing acne. The moisturizing effect results from its ability to increase the water content bound to the intercellular matrix. It also forms complexes and neutralizes many irritants and sensitizing agents and is, therefore, a great addition to all kinds of skincare products. It also occurs naturally in the human body as a byproduct of urea.
Disodium EDTA, Salt of ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (commonly known as EDTA). It is a chelating agent, meaning it prevents ingredients in a formula from binding with trace elements (mainly minerals) that can be present in water or other ingredients. This action enhances the stability of cosmetics formulas and synergizes with preservatives since EDTA ingredients bond with mineral ions that microorganisms need to survive. For these purposes, disodium EDTA is very safe as it is non-irritating, non-carcinogenic and cannot penetrate the skin.
C. Indicum (Golden Chamomile) Extract, Soothing and anti-inflammatory properties when applied to the skin. Golden chamomile has a strong anti-redness effect due to its unique mix of soothing compounds, mainly the flavonoid compounds luteolin and acacetin-7-O-rutinoside.
Phenoxyethanol Organic compound that is germicidal and therefore used as a preservative. Phenoxyethanol occurs naturally such as in green tea. It is a safe and gentle replacement for parabens, which are used frequently in skincare but have been found to be irritating, possibly carcinogenic, and interfering with your hormone receptors (so-called endocrine disruptors).
