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Skincare
ingredients.
Look up what the substances in your cream actually do — from fragrance to hyaluronic acid. Sorted by function, not fear. We explain them all — including those we have chosen not to use.
90 ingredients and ingredient families
AllantoinAllantoin
A substance used in products to care for and protect the skin's surface.Often included in care for skin that feels dry or exposed.
Active ingredients
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Aloe veraAloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice
Juice from aloe leaves, typically with a high water content.Included in moisturising and conditioning formulations.
Humectants
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Argan oilArgania Spinosa Kernel Oil
A plant oil from the kernels of the argan tree.Provides glide and softens skin as part of the product's oil phase.
Emollient lipids
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AvobenzoneButyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane
An organic UV filter that absorbs UVA radiation.Included in sunscreens alongside other filters for combined protection.
UV filters
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Avocado oilPersea Gratissima Oil
A plant oil from avocado flesh.Gives a richer skin feel and softens the surface.
Emollient lipids
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Azelaic acidAzelaic Acid
A dicarboxylic acid found in both cosmetics and medicines.Used in products focused on blemishes and uneven skin tone.
Active ingredients
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Behenyl alcoholBehenyl Alcohol
A long-chain fatty alcohol.Provides firmness and a rich, soft skin feel.
Emollient lipids
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Benzyl alcoholBenzyl Alcohol
A substance that can be used as a preservative, solvent and fragrance ingredient.Serves several functions depending on the product's composition.
Preservatives
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Beta-glucanBeta-glucan
A polysaccharide that can come from sources including oats or yeast.Used to bind water and care for the skin's surface.
Humectants
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BetaineBetaine
A water-soluble substance that can be made from sources including sugar beet.Used as a humectant and to improve skin feel.
Humectants
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BeeswaxCera Alba
A wax from bees, used in balms, ointments and lip care.Provides firmness and forms a protective film on the surface.
Moisture-retaining ingredients
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Butylene glycolButylene Glycol
A substance used as a humectant and solvent.Helps with moisture, spreading and dissolving ingredients.
Humectants
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Caprylic/capric triglycerideCaprylic/capric triglyceride
A lipid made from glycerol and caprylic and capric acids.Provides glide and a relatively light skin feel.
Emollient lipids
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Caprylyl glycolCaprylyl glycol
A multifunctional ingredient with humectant properties.Binds moisture and can support the formulation's microbial protection.
Humectants
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CarbomerCarbomer
A polymer used to form gels and control thickness.Provides texture and helps keep the formulation uniform.
Texture and supporting ingredients
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CeramidesCeramide NP, Ceramide AP, Ceramide EOP
A group of lipids also found in the skin's stratum corneum.Included in formulations focused on the skin barrier's lipids.
Emollient lipids
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Cetearyl glucosideCetearyl glucoside
An emulsifier made from sugar and fatty alcohol.Helps keep water and oil mixed in a cream.
Emulsifiers
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Cetearyl alcoholCetearyl Alcohol
A mixture of cetyl and stearyl alcohol.Provides texture and helps stabilise creams.
Emollient lipids
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Cetyl alcoholCetyl Alcohol
A fatty alcohol with a waxy texture.Softens and gives creams more body and stability.
Emollient lipids
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CitralCitral
A fragrance mixture with citrus notes.Used to add scent to cosmetics.
Fragrance ingredients
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Citric acidCitric Acid
An organic acid often used to adjust pH.Helps the manufacturer adjust the product's acidity.
Texture and supporting ingredients
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Cocamidopropyl betaineCocamidopropyl betaine
An amphoteric surfactant found in many wash products.Contributes to foam and is used alongside other surfactants.
Cleansing agents
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Coco glucosideCoco-Glucoside
A surfactant made from sugar and fatty alcohols.Contributes to cleansing and foam in rinse-off products.
Cleansing agents
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Decyl glucosideDecyl glucoside
A sugar surfactant used in cleansers.Helps loosen oil and dirt so they can be rinsed away.
Cleansing agents
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Dehydroacetic acidDehydroacetic Acid
A preservative that can form part of combined systems.Contributes to protection against microbial growth.
Preservatives
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Denatured alcoholAlcohol Denat.
Ethanol with a denaturing agent added to make it undrinkable.Used as a solvent and gives a quick-drying feel.
Texture and supporting ingredients
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DimethiconeDimethicone
A silicone used in creams, make-up and barrier products.Provides glide and a film that can help limit water loss.
Moisture-retaining ingredients
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Disodium EDTADisodium EDTA
A chelating agent that binds metal ions.Helps with stability and can support the formulation's preservation system.
Texture and supporting ingredients
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Ethylhexyl triazoneEthylhexyl triazone
An organic UV filter that primarily absorbs UVB.Included in sun protection products with multiple filters.
UV filters
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EthylhexylglycerinEthylhexylglycerin
A multifunctional ingredient with properties including skin conditioning.Can support a preservation system and affect skin feel.
Texture and supporting ingredients
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GeraniolGeraniol
A fragrance ingredient with a rose-like scent.Used as part of fragrance and may occur in plant oils.
Fragrance ingredients
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GluconolactoneGluconolactone
A polyhydroxy acid, also called PHA.Used for moisture binding and exfoliating care.
Active ingredients
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GlycerinGlycerin
A water-soluble humectant, also known as glycerol.Helps the stratum corneum attract and retain water.
Humectants
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Glyceryl stearateGlyceryl stearate
An ester of glycerol and stearic acid.Helps blend and stabilise water and oil phases and can soften skin.
Emulsifiers
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Glycolic acidGlycolic Acid
An alpha-hydroxy acid, often abbreviated to AHA.Used for chemical exfoliation of the skin's surface.
Active ingredients
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Hyaluronic acidHyaluronic Acid, Sodium Hyaluronate
A water-binding substance available in several forms and molecular sizes.Used to bind water and moisturise the skin's surface.
Humectants
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Rosehip oilRosa Canina Seed Oil
A plant oil from rosehip seeds.Used as an emollient oil in face and body care.
Emollient lipids
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Jojoba oilSimmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil
A liquid plant wax consisting mainly of wax esters.Softens skin and makes a balm easy to spread.
Emollient lipids
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Cocoa butterTheobroma Cacao Seed Butter
A solid plant fat from cocoa beans.Provides firmness and a rich, emollient texture.
Emollient lipids
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Potassium sorbatePotassium Sorbate
A salt of sorbic acid.Used in preservation systems, including against yeast and mould.
Preservatives
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CaffeineCaffeine
A substance found in sources including coffee and tea.Used in cosmetics, often in care for the eye area.
Active ingredients
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Coconut oilCocos Nucifera Oil
A plant oil from coconut flesh.Softens and contributes to a rich texture.
Emollient lipids
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CholesterolCholesterol
A lipid also found in the skin barrier.Often included alongside ceramides and fatty acids in barrier care.
Emollient lipids
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LanolinLanolin
A waxy lipid extracted from sheep's wool.Forms a moisture-retaining layer and is used in products including ointments.
Moisture-retaining ingredients
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Lavender oilLavandula Angustifolia Oil
An essential oil from lavender.Provides scent and contains several different fragrance ingredients.
Fragrance ingredients
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LecithinLecithin
A mixture of phospholipids from sources including soya or sunflower.Used for emulsification and to influence the product's oil phase.
Emulsifiers
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LimoneneLimonene
A fragrance ingredient with a citrus-like scent.Contributes to the product's scent and may come from essential oils or other sources.
Fragrance ingredients
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LinaloolLinalool
A fragrance ingredient with a floral scent.Included in fragrance blends and also found in various essential oils.
Fragrance ingredients
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Linoleic acidLinoleic Acid
A polyunsaturated omega-6 fatty acid found in various plant oils.Included in skincare lipids and relevant to the skin's lipid environment.
Emollient lipids
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Almond oilPrunus Amygdalus Dulcis Oil
A plant oil from sweet almonds.Softens and is used as a fat base in products including body care.
Emollient lipids
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Mandelic acidMandelic Acid
An alpha-hydroxy acid used in exfoliating skincare.Helps loosen cells in the outermost skin layer in suitable formulations.
Active ingredients
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Mineral oilParaffinum Liquidum
A refined oil used as a cosmetic fat base.Softens and helps limit moisture loss.
Moisture-retaining ingredients
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Lactic acidLactic Acid
An alpha-hydroxy acid used for both moisture binding and pH regulation.Can be used for exfoliation or pH adjustment depending on the formulation.
Active ingredients
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Sodium benzoateSodium Benzoate
A salt of benzoic acid used for preservation.Helps provide microbial protection in suitable formulations.
Preservatives
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Sodium hydroxideSodium Hydroxide
An alkaline substance used, among other things, to adjust pH.Adjusts acidity and is used in soap production.
Texture and supporting ingredients
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NiacinamideNiacinamide
A form of vitamin B3, also called nicotinamide.Used in care focused on barrier function and skin appearance.
Active ingredients
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Oleic acidOleic Acid
A monounsaturated fatty acid found in sources including olive oil and tallow.Included in fat bases and can affect spreading and skin feel.
Emollient lipids
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Olive oilOlea Europaea Fruit Oil
An oil from the fruit of the olive tree.Used for softening and as part of the product's oil phase.
Emollient lipids
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Palmitic acidPalmitic Acid
A saturated fatty acid found in many natural fats.Used for texture and softening, and part of various fat bases.
Emollient lipids
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PanthenolPanthenol
Provitamin B5, used in moisturising care and hair products.Binds water and contributes to a soft skin feel.
Humectants
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ParabensMethylparaben, Ethylparaben, Propylparaben, Butylparaben
A family of preservatives with different permitted uses.Protects the product against microbial growth as part of a preservation system.
Preservatives
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FragranceParfum, Aroma
Collective terms for fragrance blends on the ingredient list.Gives the product scent or influences how the raw materials smell.
Fragrance ingredients
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PEG-100 stearatePEG-100 stearate
An emulsifier often used with other texturising ingredients.Helps form a stable mixture of oil and water.
Emulsifiers
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Pentylene glycolPentylene Glycol
A multifunctional ingredient in products including creams and serums.Binds moisture and can contribute to the formulation's microbial protection.
Humectants
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PeptidesPalmitoyl Pentapeptide-4 and others
A large group of compounds made up of short chains of amino acids.Different peptides are used for different skincare purposes.
Active ingredients
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PhenoxyethanolPhenoxyethanol
A preservative used in many cosmetic products.Helps protect the formulation against microorganisms.
Preservatives
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Polysorbate 20Polysorbate 20
A surfactant often used to solubilise small amounts of oil in water.Helps distribute ingredients such as fragrance in a water-containing formulation.
Emulsifiers
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Propylene glycolPropylene Glycol
A water-soluble compound with several functions in cosmetics.Binds moisture and acts as a solvent for other ingredients.
Humectants
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RetinalRetinal
A vitamin A compound, also called retinaldehyde.Used in cosmetic retinoid products focused on skin texture.
Active ingredients
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RetinolRetinol
A form of vitamin A belonging to the retinoids.Used in cosmetics focused on skin texture and visible signs of ageing.
Active ingredients
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Retinyl palmitateRetinyl palmitate
An ester of retinol and palmitic acid.A form of vitamin A used in cosmetic formulations.
Active ingredients
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Castor oilRicinus Communis Seed Oil
A viscous plant oil from castor seeds.Provides shine, glide and body, including in lip products.
Emollient lipids
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Salicylic acidSalicylic Acid
A beta-hydroxy acid, often abbreviated to BHA.Used in exfoliating products focused on clogged pores and uneven skin surface.
Active ingredients
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Shea butterButyrospermum Parkii Butter
A plant fat from shea nuts.Softens and adds body to creams and balms.
Emollient lipids
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Sodium laureth sulfateSodium laureth sulfate
An anionic surfactant, often abbreviated to SLES.Used for cleansing and foam in products including shower gel and shampoo.
Cleansing agents
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Sodium lauryl sulfateSodium lauryl sulfate
An anionic surfactant, often abbreviated to SLS.Loosens oil and dirt and produces foam.
Cleansing agents
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Sodium PCASodium PCA
The sodium salt of pyrrolidone carboxylic acid, related to the skin's natural moisturising factors.Helps retain water in the skin's stratum corneum.
Humectants
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Sunflower oilHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil
A plant oil from sunflower seeds.Provides lipids and softens the surface.
Emollient lipids
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SorbitolSorbitol
A sugar alcohol with water-binding properties.Helps retain moisture and affects product texture.
Humectants
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SqualaneSqualane
A stable lipid made from squalene.Provides glide and softens the surface without adding water.
Emollient lipids
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Stearic acidStearic Acid
A saturated fatty acid found in several plant and animal fats.Contributes to firmness and is used to stabilise and soften formulations.
Emollient lipids
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TallowTallow
Purified fat from cattle, used as the fat base in a balm.Softens the surface and helps limit water loss. It is not the same as the skin's own sebum.
Emollient lipids
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Titanium dioxideTitanium Dioxide
A mineral that can be used as a pigment and UV filter.Provides white colour or contributes to UV protection, depending on the product.
UV filters
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UreaUrea
A water-binding substance also found among the skin's natural moisturising factors.Binds water in the stratum corneum. At higher concentrations, it is also used for rough, thickened skin.
Humectants
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WaterAqua
Water is a common base in creams, serums and cleansers.Dissolves water-soluble ingredients and affects texture.
Texture and supporting ingredients
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Petroleum jellyPetrolatum
A semi-solid, refined lipid, also known as petroleum jelly.Forms a film that effectively helps limit water loss.
Moisture-retaining ingredients
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Vitamin CAscorbic Acid
Ascorbic acid is a form of vitamin C.Used as an antioxidant and in care focused on skin appearance.
Active ingredients
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Vitamin ETocopherol, Tocopheryl Acetate
A family of fat-soluble substances with antioxidant functions.Tocopherol is used, among other things, to protect the product's lipids from oxidation.
Active ingredients
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Xanthan gumXanthan Gum
A polysaccharide used as a thickener.Stabilises and provides structure in products including gels and creams.
Texture and supporting ingredients
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Zinc oxideZinc Oxide
A mineral substance that can be used as a UV filter in sunscreen.Contributes to sun protection in a tested sun care product.
UV filters
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The shortest ingredient list
Few ingredients.