HoliFrog
Shasta AHA Acid Wash
Clogged pores, rough texture, a zit or two (or five), overall dullness, or just simply a look of blah can all be treated with proper exfoliation. HoliFrog mixed smoothing and brightening acids to penetrate into your skin while you wash. Soothing non-fragrant botanicals reduce irritation and keep skin nice and hydrated.
For all skin types, but especially nice for treating breakouts, congestion, large pores, dullness, and rough texture.
Benefits
- Clears away pore-clogging debris and dull dead skin with a pH of 4.
- A targeted acid blend exfoliates to reveal brighter, smoother skin with smaller-looking pores.
- Ideal for adult acne. This gentle wash reduces breakouts without stripping your skin of precious moisture.
- A light, non-foaming formula that rinses away easily.
Key ingredients
Glycolic, mandelic, lactic, tartaric, and citric acids: A blend of AHA acids of different sizes and properties to sweep away dead skin, clear out clogged pores, reduce inflamed breakouts, and smooth pores.
Glycolic: The most researched type of alpha hydroxy acid. It acts as an exfoliant to help shed dead skin to renew the skin’s surface. It visibly softens signs of aging from sun damage.
Mandelic: This form of AHA is an especially large molecule, so it does not penetrate the skin deeply. Therefore, it exfoliates at a lower risk of irritation.
Lactic: A large molecule AHA that exfoliates on the surface of the skin by breaking down the material that holds dead skin together; it helps to brighten an uneven skin tone and is an effective alternative for sensitive skin types.
Tartaric: This AHA, which has antioxidant properties, comes from fermented grapes and is added to glycolic or lactic acid to strengthen their sloughing. Its primary benefit is to regulate the formula’s pH.
Citric: This AHA is derived from citrus fruits and functions to keep other acids in a safe pH range. It eliminates irritating impurities on the skin by grabbing onto them so they cannot enter the skin.
Australian Caviar Lime Extract: Fruit acid gently brightens and smooths skin.
Tamanu Oil: A nut oil native to the south Pacific that helps the skin heal and regenerate itself.
Rosehip Oil: Chock full of vitamins, antioxidants, and fatty acids to hydrate the skin and protect it from environmental damage.
Aloe Vera: Offsets potential irritation from the acids by calming the skin and reducing redness.
Full ingredient list
- Massage on damp skin in slow circular motions. Take your time, it’s sinking in. Rinse and pat dry. Use whenever skin feels rough – or if you’ve recently sinned.
- Warning: External use only. Avoid contact with eyes.
Tip: If you cleanse twice a day, we recommend alternating Shasta AHA Acid Wash with Tashmoo Water Lily Nourishing Milky Wash to strengthen your skin’s barrier and soothe any inflammation. The less inflamed your skin is, the better it will react to exfoliating acids.
The HoliWash Cycle
Washing your face isn’t rocket science, but you can mess it up if you don’t let your cleanser work the way it’s supposed to. There’s a proper time and place for it and that’s one-to-two minutes and at the sink. (FYI, in-shower face-washers, washing your face in the shower usually runs most of the cleanser off your face quicker than it needs to work properly.)
The 1-Minute AM (morning) Wash
Whether you’re an early bird or a sleepy bird, washing your face every morning is important. Your morning cleanse preps your skin so you can layer up your skincare products and makeup for the day. A full 60 seconds may feel like an excessive amount of time to push suds around your face, but that gives the formula’s actives a proper amount of time to get intimate with those pores. Think of it like a face wash sandwich: 30 seconds to dislodge any dirt and emulsify sebum, 30 seconds for the formula to penetrate pores, and in between you’ve got a very nice mini facial massage in the morning. Your skin deserves it.
The 2-Minute PM (evening) Wash
After your day is done and before your head hits the pillow, pencil in washing your face. This is the big wash because now there are greater obstacles in the form of dirt, sweat, oil, sunscreen, makeup, environmental pollutants, and anything else that may have met your face throughout the day to remove. You’re tired, you just want to go to bed — but you also want nice skin and nothing sabotages a good skincare routine like piling products on top of pre-clogged pores. This is where double-cleansing comes in. Take one minute with a hardworking yet gentle oil-based wash to emulsify and whisk off surface grime and makeup, so you can effectively remove all aforementioned offenders. For the encore, massage a follow-up wash around your face for another minute to oust any clingy residue as well as nourish your skin with its own formula’s actives. Your pores can sleep easier at night, knowing that all of yesterday’s gunk is out of them.
Benefits
- Clears away pore-clogging debris and dull dead skin with a pH of 4.
- A targeted acid blend exfoliates to reveal brighter, smoother skin with smaller-looking pores.
- Ideal for adult acne. This gentle wash reduces breakouts without stripping your skin of precious moisture.
- A light, non-foaming formula that rinses away easily.
Key ingredients
Glycolic, mandelic, lactic, tartaric, and citric acids: A blend of AHA acids of different sizes and properties to sweep away dead skin, clear out clogged pores, reduce inflamed breakouts, and smooth pores.
Glycolic: The most researched type of alpha hydroxy acid. It acts as an exfoliant to help shed dead skin to renew the skin’s surface. It visibly softens signs of aging from sun damage.
Mandelic: This form of AHA is an especially large molecule, so it does not penetrate the skin deeply. Therefore, it exfoliates at a lower risk of irritation.
Lactic: A large molecule AHA that exfoliates on the surface of the skin by breaking down the material that holds dead skin together; it helps to brighten an uneven skin tone and is an effective alternative for sensitive skin types.
Tartaric: This AHA, which has antioxidant properties, comes from fermented grapes and is added to glycolic or lactic acid to strengthen their sloughing. Its primary benefit is to regulate the formula’s pH.
Citric: This AHA is derived from citrus fruits and functions to keep other acids in a safe pH range. It eliminates irritating impurities on the skin by grabbing onto them so they cannot enter the skin.
Australian Caviar Lime Extract: Fruit acid gently brightens and smooths skin.
Tamanu Oil: A nut oil native to the south Pacific that helps the skin heal and regenerate itself.
Rosehip Oil: Chock full of vitamins, antioxidants, and fatty acids to hydrate the skin and protect it from environmental damage.
Aloe Vera: Offsets potential irritation from the acids by calming the skin and reducing redness.
Full ingredient list
Sodium Ricinoleate
Purpose(s): Emulsifying
Cleansing
A vegetable oil coming from the Ricinus Communis plant. It contains nice fatty acids and helps the absorption of other ingredients.
Emulsifying
Ingredients that bind other ingredients who normally don't like to mix, say oil and water.
Cleansing
Ingredients that are both water and oil loving, so they are often used in cleansers or products that spread bubbles.
Colophonium
Aka: Rosin
Purpose(s): Emulsifying
Viscosity controlling
A sticky substance coming from pine and spruce trees and often used in formulas because of its stickiness. If you have a rosin allergy or very sensitive skin be careful with this ingredient.
Emulsifying
Ingredients that bind other ingredients who normally don't like to mix, say oil and water.
Viscosity controlling
These ingredients help to thicken the texture of a product.
Styrene DVB Copolymer
Purpose(s): Viscosity controlling
A synthetic polymer that's mostly used because of its film forming effects as it produces a continuous film on skin, hair or nails.
Viscosity controlling
These ingredients help to thicken the texture of a product.
PEG 20 Oleate
Purpose(s): Emulsifying
A synthetic white polymer that enhances the mixture of the formula.
Emulsifying
Ingredients that bind other ingredients who normally don't like to mix, say oil and water.
Methyl Chloro-Isothiazolinone
Purpose(s): Preservative
MCI, short for Methylchloroisothiazolinone (sounds like a word from Mary Poppins) is a preservative with antibacterial effects. However, if you have very sensitive skin this one may cause irritation.
Preservative
Ingredients that preserve the formula. They are not the most skin friendly, but they are only used in tiny amounts and without it your product will quickly expire.
Methyl Isothiazolinone
Purpose(s): Preservative
A preservative that's also great against bacteria. However, if you have very sensitive skin this one may cause irritation.
Preservative
Ingredients that preserve the formula. They are not the most skin friendly, but they are only used in tiny amounts and without it your product will quickly expire.
Vitis Vinifera Grape Fruit Extract
Aka: Grape Fruit Extract
Purpose(s): Antioxidant
Soothing
Moisturizer
A grape extract that contains many antioxidants and is also soothing and very moisturizing.
Antioxidant
A good ingredient that helps your skin fight against collagen-damaging free radicals that try to age your skin.
Soothing
Soothing ingredients lighten discomfort of the skin, are anti-inflammatory, slow down the skin's aging process and help with common sensitive skin discomforts (e.g. acne, rosacea).
Moisturizer
These ingredients help your skin to retain water so your skin feels hydrated and moisturized.
Eugenol
Purpose(s): Perfuming
A fragrant oil with spicy scent. Be careful with very sensitive skin as this one may cause skin allergies.
Perfuming
Gives the product a nice smell. No magic.
Styrax Tonkinensis Resin Extract
Aka: Benzoin Resin
Purpose(s): Perfuming
A fragrant ingredient with a nice vanilla smell. As with all perfuming ingredients, be careful with sensitive skin.
Perfuming
Gives the product a nice smell. No magic.
Commiphora Myrrha Resin Extract
Aka: Myrrh
Purpose(s): Antibacterial
An antibacterial ingredient that smells like balsamic. It's a disinfectant and is also believed to help skin with acne.
Antibacterial
These ingredients prevent the spread of bacteria, fungi and viruses on your skin.
Melissa Officinalis Balm Mint Leaf Oil
Aka: Balm Mint Leaf Oil
Purpose(s): Antioxidant
Perfuming
Antibacterial
An essential oil derived from lemon balm leaves with a citrus smell. It is antibacterial and contains antioxidants. However, it also has many fragrant parts, so with sensitive skin be careful.
Antioxidant
A good ingredient that helps your skin fight against collagen-damaging free radicals that try to age your skin.
Perfuming
Gives the product a nice smell. No magic.
Antibacterial
These ingredients prevent the spread of bacteria, fungi and viruses on your skin.
Potassium Alum
Aka: Potash Alum
Purpose(s): Astringent
A toning ingredient that contracts the skin. It's also often used in deodorants and aftershave products.
Astringent
These ingredients cause contraction of the skin. In skincare astringents (or toners) are often used to tone the skin and make it firm by tightening the pores.
Citrus Aurantium Amara
Aka: Bitter Orange Flower Water
Purpose(s): Perfuming
This water coming from the flowers of bitter orange has a very nice sweet smell. Flower waters are watered down essentials oils from the same plant. As with all floral water, be careful when you have sensitive skin.
Perfuming
Gives the product a nice smell. No magic.
Parfum
Aka: Fragrance
Purpose(s): Perfuming
Gives the product a nice smell. In skincare products it can be made out of tens of chemicals, so if you want to know exactly which ones then this umbrella ingredient will leave you guessing. Also, when you have sensitive skin you should be careful with perfuming ingredients, even natural types.
Perfuming
Gives the product a nice smell. No magic.
C13-14 Isoparaffin
Purpose(s): Viscosity controlling
Emollient
Solvent
This emollient, coming from petroleum, is usually paired with other thickening ingredients (Polyacrylamide and Laurent-7) to create nice, non-sticky gel formulas.
Viscosity controlling
These ingredients help to thicken the texture of a product.
Emollient
A good ingredient that makes your skin feel soft and oh so smooth.
Solvent
Ingredients that absorb other ingredients in the composition of the product.
Hydrolyzed Soy Protein
Purpose(s): Moisturizer
This ingredient helps the skin to hold its moisture and water levels and smoothes the skin to minimize the appearance of fine lines.
Moisturizer
These ingredients help your skin to retain water so your skin feels hydrated and moisturized.
Aloe Barbadensis
Aka: Aloe Vera
Purpose(s): Moisturizer
Soothing
The magic plant! Aloe Vera contains antioxidants, enzymes, Vitamins A and C, and it is highly anti-inflammatory. It can help treat burns, acne and dry skin.
Moisturizer
These ingredients help your skin to retain water so your skin feels hydrated and moisturized.
Soothing
Soothing ingredients lighten discomfort of the skin, are anti-inflammatory, slow down the skin's aging process and help with common sensitive skin discomforts (e.g. acne, rosacea).
Caprylyl Glycol
Purpose(s): Moisturizer
Emollient
Deodorant
This ingredient makes your skin feel nice and soft and can help with the effectiveness of preservatives.
Moisturizer
These ingredients help your skin to retain water so your skin feels hydrated and moisturized.
Emollient
A good ingredient that makes your skin feel soft and oh so smooth.
Deodorant
Ingredients that camouflage bad smell caused by sweating.
Tropolone
Purpose(s): Preservative
Expired quickly? Not with this ingredient. Besides preserving the formula, it's also believed to have antioxidant and antibacterial effects.
Preservative
Ingredients that preserve the formula. They are not the most skin friendly, but they are only used in tiny amounts and without it your product will quickly expire.
Steareth-10
Purpose(s): Emulsifying
Cleansing
This waxy ingredient is used in many different beauty products, mainly because it binds liquids in the formula together so it doesn't fall apart.
Emulsifying
Ingredients that bind other ingredients who normally don't like to mix, say oil and water.
Cleansing
Ingredients that are both water and oil loving, so they are often used in cleansers or products that spread bubbles.
Cera Alba
Aka: Beeswax
Purpose(s): Emollient
Viscosity controlling
This is the yellow, solid part produced by bees to build their honeycombs. It's normally used in formulas as an emollient and thickening agent and you can find it most often in lipsticks and balms.
Emollient
A good ingredient that makes your skin feel soft and oh so smooth.
Viscosity controlling
These ingredients help to thicken the texture of a product.
Cetyl Palmitate
Purpose(s): Emollient
In skincare this white and waxy ingredient gives body to the formula. You can find it in coconut or palm kernel oil.
Emollient
A good ingredient that makes your skin feel soft and oh so smooth.
Laureth-7
Purpose(s): Cleansing
Emulsifying
This ingredient, coming from a coconut oil-derived fatty alcohol, is usually paired with other thickening ingredients (C13-14 Isoparaffin and Polyacrylamide) to create nice, non-sticky gel formulas.
Cleansing
Ingredients that are both water and oil loving, so they are often used in cleansers or products that spread bubbles.
Emulsifying
Ingredients that bind other ingredients who normally don't like to mix, say oil and water.
Glyceryl Stearate
Purpose(s): Emulsifying
Emollient
This white, waxy biodegradable ingredient is commonly used as an emulsifier (mixes water an oil) and also makes your skin super smooth and soft.
Emulsifying
Ingredients that bind other ingredients who normally don't like to mix, say oil and water.
Emollient
A good ingredient that makes your skin feel soft and oh so smooth.
Polyacrylamide
Purpose(s): Viscosity controlling
This ingredient is usually paired with other thickening ingredients (C13-14 Isoparaffin and Laurent-7) to create nice, non-sticky gel formulas.
Viscosity controlling
These ingredients help to thicken the texture of a product.
Stearic Acid
Purpose(s): Emollient
Viscosity controlling
This is a multi-tasking fatty acid. It makes your skin feel oh so smooth, it gives more body to the cream itself and lastly it helps to stabilize mixtures of water and oil.
Emollient
A good ingredient that makes your skin feel soft and oh so smooth.
Viscosity controlling
These ingredients help to thicken the texture of a product.
Palmitic Acid
Purpose(s): Skin-identical ingredient
Emollient
Emulsifying
You can find this fatty acid naturally in your skin, how cool is that! In skincare it's mostly used to moisturize the skin and to create foam in cleansers, that's why it's a popular ingredient in shaving foams.
Skin-identical ingredient
Very good ingredients that are already in your skin or mimic those. For example, Glycerin and Hyaluronic Acid that keep your skin hydrated and Ceramides and Cholesterol that maintain a healthy skin barrier.
Emollient
A good ingredient that makes your skin feel soft and oh so smooth.
Emulsifying
Ingredients that bind other ingredients who normally don't like to mix, say oil and water.
Paraffinum Liquidum
Aka: Mineral Oil
Purpose(s): Emollient
Solvent
A bit of a controversial ingredient with both pros and cons. It's a great non-irritating moisturizer for sensitive and dry skin as it retains the water level in the skin. However, mineral oils don't nourish the skin like plant oils do. Some may criticize mineral oil for being linked to petrolatum and being comedogenic, however studies do not link any harmful effects to this ingredient.
Emollient
A good ingredient that makes your skin feel soft and oh so smooth.
Solvent
Ingredients that absorb other ingredients in the composition of the product.
Peg 6 Caprylic Glycerides
Aka: Peg-6 Caprylic/Capric Glycerides
Purpose(s): Emulsifying
Cleansing
Your skin loves water and so does this ingredient. This ingredient feels nice on your skin and it's popular in micellar cleansing waters.
Emulsifying
Ingredients that bind other ingredients who normally don't like to mix, say oil and water.
Cleansing
Ingredients that are both water and oil loving, so they are often used in cleansers or products that spread bubbles.
Fructooligosaccharides
Purpose(s): Moisturizer
A plant sugar that's a natural hydrator and very rich in prebiotics. Prebiotics keep the surface of the skin balanced, younger-looking and strong.
Moisturizer
These ingredients help your skin to retain water so your skin feels hydrated and moisturized.
Mannitol
Purpose(s): Moisturizer
Oehh sugar it is baby! This one keeps your skin hydrated and has water-binding effects.
Moisturizer
These ingredients help your skin to retain water so your skin feels hydrated and moisturized.
Xylitol
Purpose(s): Moisturizer
A sugar type that deeply balances and hydrates the skin and makes its protective barrier stronger.
Moisturizer
These ingredients help your skin to retain water so your skin feels hydrated and moisturized.
Rhamnose
Purpose(s): Moisturizer
A deoxy sugar that's a natural hydrator and very rich in prebiotics. Prebiotics keep the surface of the skin balanced, younger-looking and strong.
Moisturizer
These ingredients help your skin to retain water so your skin feels hydrated and moisturized.
Cucumis Sativus Cucumber Fruit Extract
Aka: Cucumber Fruit Extract
Purpose(s): Emollient
Soothing
Cleopatra used cucumber to treat her skin, so you know it's good for you. Cucumber softens and smoothes the skin and is non-irritating.
Emollient
A good ingredient that makes your skin feel soft and oh so smooth.
Soothing
Soothing ingredients lighten discomfort of the skin, are anti-inflammatory, slow down the skin's aging process and help with common sensitive skin discomforts (e.g. acne, rosacea).
Propylene Glycol
Purpose(s): Viscosity controlling
Moisturizer
Solvent
This ingredient mainly makes sure that the formula stays stable in low and high temperatures, but it's also used in formulas as a moisturizer and solvent.
Viscosity controlling
These ingredients help to thicken the texture of a product.
Moisturizer
These ingredients help your skin to retain water so your skin feels hydrated and moisturized.
Solvent
Ingredients that absorb other ingredients in the composition of the product.
Cetrimonium Bromide
Purpose(s): Antibacterial
Emulsifying
Cleansing
Good for problem skin because of its antibacterial and cleansing effects. It's also used in formulas as an emulsifier.
Antibacterial
These ingredients prevent the spread of bacteria, fungi and viruses on your skin.
Emulsifying
Ingredients that bind other ingredients who normally don't like to mix, say oil and water.
Cleansing
Ingredients that are both water and oil loving, so they are often used in cleansers or products that spread bubbles.
Disodium EDTA
Purpose(s): Chelating
Viscosity controlling
A commonly used ingredient to help the formula stay stable over time.
Chelating
These helper ingredients react to metal ions and are usually in a product to keep the formula stable.
Viscosity controlling
These ingredients help to thicken the texture of a product.
Maltodextrin
Purpose(s): Absorbent
Emulsion stabilising
This ingredient is normally derived from rice, potato or corn and added to skincare to keep skin matte and to keep the formula together.
Absorbent
These ingredients remove excess oil and water from your skin.
Emulsion stabilising
These helper ingredients keep the formula stable and prevent water and oil from separating over time.
Pentapeptide-48
Purpose(s): Cell-communicating ingredient
This peptide (consists of amino acids) ingredient is believed to stimulate cell renewal and elastin. It can help reduce the appearance of fine lines, resulting in more plump skin.
Cell-communicating ingredient
Ingredients that communicate to skin cells how to perform and do better.
1-2-Hexanediol
Purpose(s): Solvent
This ingredient makes the formula nice and soft and acts as a solvent for other ingredients to help stabilize it. It can also boost the antibacterial function of preservatives in the formula.
Solvent
Ingredients that absorb other ingredients in the composition of the product.
Kappaphycus Alvarezii Extract
Aka: Telosomyl
Purpose(s): Cell-communicating ingredient
A red algae extract rich in milk sugar that protects your DNA and is believed to stimulate cell life and delay aging of the skin.
Cell-communicating ingredient
Ingredients that communicate to skin cells how to perform and do better.
Hydrogenated Lecithin
Purpose(s): Emollient
Emulsifying
A chemically broken down version of Lecithin. Mostly found in formulas for coating and the stabilization of other ingredients.
Emollient
A good ingredient that makes your skin feel soft and oh so smooth.
Emulsifying
Ingredients that bind other ingredients who normally don't like to mix, say oil and water.
Phenethyl Alcohol
Purpose(s): Perfuming
If a product doesn't smell nice, this colorless ingredient that smells like roses is often added, so it can hide the bad-smelling parts in the formula. If you have sensitive skin, be careful with using fragrant ingredients.
Perfuming
Gives the product a nice smell. No magic.
Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Orange Peel Oil
Aka: Sweet Orange Peel Oil
Purpose(s): Perfuming
An essential oil derived from the rind of the sweet orange mostly used for its fragrance. If you have sensitive skin, be careful with using fragrant ingredients.
Perfuming
Gives the product a nice smell. No magic.
Citric Acid
Purpose(s): Buffering
Exfoliant
This ingredient is a type of AHA (Alpha Hydroxy Acid) that comes from the citrus fruit. It exfoliates by lifting dead skin cells, however this type is less potent than other AHA's like Glycolic and Lactic Acid. That's why it's normally used in formulas to adjust the pH value.
Buffering
Ingredients that create the right pH value for a formula.
Exfoliant
Good ingredients that remove dead skin cells to make skin soft and smooth.
Decyl Glucoside
Purpose(s): Cleansing
Emulsion stabilising
A sugar-derived gentle ingredient mostly used as a cleansing agent.
Cleansing
Ingredients that are both water and oil loving, so they are often used in cleansers or products that spread bubbles.
Emulsion stabilising
These helper ingredients keep the formula stable and prevent water and oil from separating over time.
Ethylhexyl Stearate
Purpose(s): Emollient
An oily liquid mostly used as an emollient to give your skin a nice and soft feel and to reduce any greasy texture caused by other more heavy oils.
Emollient
A good ingredient that makes your skin feel soft and oh so smooth.
Decylene Glycol
Purpose(s): Emollient
Viscosity controlling
This synthetic glycol is often used to enhance the sliding of the formula on your skin. Also, known for its effect to hold in moisture.
Emollient
A good ingredient that makes your skin feel soft and oh so smooth.
Viscosity controlling
These ingredients help to thicken the texture of a product.
Caesalpinia Spinosa Fruit Extract
Purpose(s): Emollient
This is the extract of the Caesalpinia Spinosa, Fabaceae fruit. It is commonly paired with Kappaphycus Alvarezii Extract in formulas to create a film over your skin to protect it against external factors.
Emollient
A good ingredient that makes your skin feel soft and oh so smooth.
Trideceth-6
Purpose(s): Emulsifying
Cleansing
A PEG (Polyethylene Glycol) that has binding effects, which means it makes sure that water and oil are mixed properly. Also, often used as a cleansing ingredient in formulas.
Emulsifying
Ingredients that bind other ingredients who normally don't like to mix, say oil and water.
Cleansing
Ingredients that are both water and oil loving, so they are often used in cleansers or products that spread bubbles.
Polymethylsilsesquioxane-Silica Crosspolymer
An innovative water-based silicone type that enhances texture, makes the formula soft and non-sticky and can act as a (temporary) filler for fine lines. It has the unique ability to absorb both oil and water.
Butryrosepermum Parkii Butter
Aka: Shea Butter
Purpose(s): Emollient
Shea Butter, we love it. It's a natural butter that comes from the seeds of the African Shea tree and is used in skincare as a magic moisturizer and emollient. But it does more than making your skin feel soft and smooth: It protects from external factors (e.g. UV rays) and is rich in antioxidants (e.g. Vitamin A, E, F).
Emollient
A good ingredient that makes your skin feel soft and oh so smooth.
Pentylene Glycol
Purpose(s): Solvent
Moisturizer
A silky multifunctional ingredient that's often used to make the formula feel nice on the skin and as a solvent.
Solvent
Ingredients that absorb other ingredients in the composition of the product.
Moisturizer
These ingredients help your skin to retain water so your skin feels hydrated and moisturized.
Bis-PEG-8 Dimethicone
Purpose(s): Cleansing
Emollient
This water-soluble silicone makes surfaces soft and smooth and reduces the tension on the surface, so formulas can be spread evenly.
Cleansing
Ingredients that are both water and oil loving, so they are often used in cleansers or products that spread bubbles.
Emollient
A good ingredient that makes your skin feel soft and oh so smooth.
Vitis vinifera (Grape) Seed Oil
Aka: Grape Seed Oil
Purpose(s): Antioxidant
Emollient
A nice plant oil derived from grape seeds. This lightweight oil makes your skin feel extremely smooth. Also, it's a great source of the antioxidants and skin-protector Vitamin E and lionoleic acid, a fatty acid that repairs the skin barrier.
Antioxidant
A good ingredient that helps your skin fight against collagen-damaging free radicals that try to age your skin.
Emollient
A good ingredient that makes your skin feel soft and oh so smooth.
Simmondsia Chinensis Jojoba Seed Oil
Aka: Jojoba Oil
Purpose(s): Emollient
Jojoba Oil is a lightweight oil derived from the seeds of the Simmondsia Chinensis bush that can originally be found in South-Western North America and North-Western Mexico. The oil is perfect for nourishing and moisturizing the skin so a must when you have dry skin.
Emollient
A good ingredient that makes your skin feel soft and oh so smooth.
Salvia sclarea Clary Sage Oil
Aka: Clary Sage Oil
Purpose(s): Astringent
Antibacterial
An antibacterial essential oil and astringent that soothes redness and post-shaving irritation. Also, a herb that's often used for its nice spicy, hay-like smell.
Astringent
These ingredients cause contraction of the skin. In skincare astringents (or toners) are often used to tone the skin and make it firm by tightening the pores.
Antibacterial
These ingredients prevent the spread of bacteria, fungi and viruses on your skin.
Citrus medica limonum Lemon peel Oil
Aka: Lemon Peel Oil
Purpose(s): Perfuming
This essential oil comes from the peel of the lemon and is usually used as a fragrant component. Be careful with exposure to the sun directly after applying lemon peel oil, because it can be slightly phototoxic and sensitive to sun light.
Perfuming
Gives the product a nice smell. No magic.
Mentha piperita Peppermint Oil
Aka: Peppermint Oil
Purpose(s): Perfuming
This essential oil comes from flowerly peppermint sprigs. It contains menthol which makes it refreshing and cooling, but it can be sensitive to the skin.
Perfuming
Gives the product a nice smell. No magic.
Cinnamomum camphora Camphor Bark Oil
Aka: Camphor Oil
Purpose(s): Antibacterial
Perfuming
This essential oil is derived from the Camphor wood (of the tree) and known for its antibacterial properties. Often used in cosmetics to relieve skin irritation and itchiness because of its cooling effects. Also, camphor has a nice calming and refreshing odor, so win-win.
Antibacterial
These ingredients prevent the spread of bacteria, fungi and viruses on your skin.
Perfuming
Gives the product a nice smell. No magic.
Cymbopogon schoenanthus Lemongrass Oil
Aka: Lemongrass Oil
Purpose(s): Soothing
Antibacterial
A great ingredient in hair products, as it will treat dry hair and heal damage. It helps your skin to produce more oil so it can coat and protect the strands. Lemongrass also has the ability to penetrate hair follicles, leaving them healthier and stronger. May be sensitive to the skin.
Soothing
Soothing ingredients lighten discomfort of the skin, are anti-inflammatory, slow down the skin's aging process and help with common sensitive skin discomforts (e.g. acne, rosacea).
Antibacterial
These ingredients prevent the spread of bacteria, fungi and viruses on your skin.
Melaleuca Alternifolia Tea Tree Leaf Oil
Aka: Tea Tree Oil
Purpose(s): Soothing
Anti-acne
Antibacterial
Legend goes that the medicinal benefits of this oil were so important, Australian soldiers even took it with them during World War II. Tea Tree Oil is known to be strongly antibacterial, antiviral and antifungal. In skincare it's mostly used to fight acne, as most studies show that it's highly effective against P.acnes: The bacteria that causes acne.
Soothing
Soothing ingredients lighten discomfort of the skin, are anti-inflammatory, slow down the skin's aging process and help with common sensitive skin discomforts (e.g. acne, rosacea).
Anti-acne
Good ingredients that fight acne. Most of the time they're also antibacertial and anti-inflammatory.
Antibacterial
These ingredients prevent the spread of bacteria, fungi and viruses on your skin.
Caprylic Triglyceride
Aka: Fractionated Coconut Oil
Purpose(s): Emollient
A rich fatty oil that deeply penetrates the hair follicles to eliminate dryness while speeding up the skin’s healing process and softening ingrown hairs, so they can easily slide out of the skin. Coconut oil is perfect for after shaving as it smoothly lubricates skin to help avoid razor burn and it's very soothing. And hey it also smells great!
Emollient
A good ingredient that makes your skin feel soft and oh so smooth.
Vitis vinifera Grape Seed Oil
Aka: Grape Seed Oil
Purpose(s): Antioxidant
Emollient
A nice plant oil derived from grape seeds. This lightweight oil makes your skin feel extremely smooth. Also, it's a great source of the antioxidants and skin-protector Vitamin E and lionoleic acid, a fatty acid that repairs the skin barrier.
Antioxidant
A good ingredient that helps your skin fight against collagen-damaging free radicals that try to age your skin.
Emollient
A good ingredient that makes your skin feel soft and oh so smooth.
Lavandula Angustifolia
Aka: Lavender Oil
Purpose(s): Soothing
Perfuming
There are many uses of Lavender oil, but in skincare it's mostly used to soothe irritated skin, reduce itching and swelling and moisturize the skin.
Soothing
Soothing ingredients lighten discomfort of the skin, are anti-inflammatory, slow down the skin's aging process and help with common sensitive skin discomforts (e.g. acne, rosacea).
Perfuming
Gives the product a nice smell. No magic.
Ricinus Communis Castor Seed Oil
Aka: Castor Oil
Purpose(s): Emollient
An oil with nice rich fatty acids that make it thicker and glossier than other oils. It's a very effective emollient that reduces skin moisture loss and forms a solid film when it's dry with water-binding properties. It also enhances the absorption of other ingredients.
Emollient
A good ingredient that makes your skin feel soft and oh so smooth.
D-alpha tocopherol
Aka: Vitamin E
Purpose(s): Antioxidant
The best fat-soluble antioxidant in our skin and therefore easy to absorb. It protects against UVB rays, makes skin smooth and is a super hero when it comes to protecting the skin cells against free-radicals that are out to destroy collagen (the protein that makes our skin nice, firm and plumped). The 'd' before alpha indicates that this product contains the natural form (instead of the synthetic derived Vitamin E). The 'alpha' indicates that this type of tocopherol is the most active one with the best antioxidant qualities.
Antioxidant
A good ingredient that helps your skin fight against collagen-damaging free radicals that try to age your skin.
Carthamus Tinctorius Safflower Seed Oil
Aka: Safflower Seed Oil
Purpose(s): Antioxidant
Emollient
This oil comes from the yellow safflower plant. Just like other plant derived oils, this one is full of nourishing and moisturizing fatty acids. It's also high in linoleic acid (which protects the skin barrier) and the super antioxidant Vitamin E. Very good for dry skin.
Antioxidant
A good ingredient that helps your skin fight against collagen-damaging free radicals that try to age your skin.
Emollient
A good ingredient that makes your skin feel soft and oh so smooth.
Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis Almond Oil
Aka: Sweet Almond Oil
Purpose(s): Emollient
This smoothing plant oil comes from almonds and is full of skin-nourishing fatty acids, Vitamin E and B. It's a nice common oil to have in skincare because of its great smoothing, softening and moisturizing effects.
Emollient
A good ingredient that makes your skin feel soft and oh so smooth.
α-Bisabolol chamomile
Aka: Alpha-Bisabolol
Purpose(s): Soothing
This clear, fluid oil is derived from chamomile and is often used in skincare because of its anti-inflammatory and soothing effects.
Soothing
Soothing ingredients lighten discomfort of the skin, are anti-inflammatory, slow down the skin's aging process and help with common sensitive skin discomforts (e.g. acne, rosacea).
Borago Officinalis Borage Seed Oil
Aka: Borage Seed Oil
Purpose(s): Soothing
Emollient
A perfect ingredient for when you have dry, sensitive, irritated and eczema prone skin. Derived from the borage plant, the richest plant source out there, containing the essential fatty acid: GLA, Gamma-Linolenic Acid. This acid is soothing and nourishing and repairs dry and irritated skin.
Soothing
Soothing ingredients lighten discomfort of the skin, are anti-inflammatory, slow down the skin's aging process and help with common sensitive skin discomforts (e.g. acne, rosacea).
Emollient
A good ingredient that makes your skin feel soft and oh so smooth.
Oenothera Biennis Evening Primrose Oil
Aka: Evening Primrose Oil
Purpose(s): Soothing
Emollient
It comes from the seeds of the yellow-flowered Evening Primrose plant. It's full of nourishing and moisturizing fatty acids and a rich source of linoleic acid (that repairs the skin barrier) and GLA (Gamma-Linolenic Acid, that repairs dry skin). It's often used because it's a perfect hydrating oil that reduces inflammation and irritation and helps with dry skin. To make it even more heoric: It stimulates skin cell regeneration.
Soothing
Soothing ingredients lighten discomfort of the skin, are anti-inflammatory, slow down the skin's aging process and help with common sensitive skin discomforts (e.g. acne, rosacea).
Emollient
A good ingredient that makes your skin feel soft and oh so smooth.
Calophyllum inophyllum Tamanu Seed Oil
Aka: Tamanu Oil
Purpose(s): Antioxidant
Emollient
Antibacterial
An antimicrobial oil derived from the tamanu nut that’s packed with moisturizing omega fatty acids and antioxidants to soften skin and promote new, healthy cell growth.
Antioxidant
A good ingredient that helps your skin fight against collagen-damaging free radicals that try to age your skin.
Emollient
A good ingredient that makes your skin feel soft and oh so smooth.
Antibacterial
These ingredients prevent the spread of bacteria, fungi and viruses on your skin.
Lavender Essential Oil
Aka: Lavender Oil
Purpose(s): Soothing
Perfuming
There are many uses of Lavender oil, but in skincare it's mostly used to soothe irritated skin, reduce itching and swelling and moisturize the skin.
Soothing
Soothing ingredients lighten discomfort of the skin, are anti-inflammatory, slow down the skin's aging process and help with common sensitive skin discomforts (e.g. acne, rosacea).
Perfuming
Gives the product a nice smell. No magic.
Linalool
Aka: Linalol
Purpose(s): Perfuming
A common perfuming ingredient found in a lot of natural oils and plants. It may oxidize on air and become allergenic (on very sensitive skin).
Perfuming
Gives the product a nice smell. No magic.
Geraniol
Aka: Rhodinol
Purpose(s): Perfuming
A common perfuming ingredient that smells like rose. It may oxidize on air and become allergenic (on very sensitive skin).
Perfuming
Gives the product a nice smell. No magic.
Water
Aka: H2O
Purpose(s): Solvent
The most common skincare ingredient out there: water! Water is mainly used as a solvent for ingredients that don't like to dissolve in oils. Once water is inside the skin it hydrates, but putting water for too long on the skin it may cause dryness (think about your long hot baths).
Solvent
Ingredients that absorb other ingredients in the composition of the product.
Sodium Phytate
Purpose(s): Chelating
This helper ingredient keeps the product stable over time, without any structure or color changes. How? It neutralizes metal ions in the formula to prevent the worsening of the ingredients.
Chelating
These helper ingredients react to metal ions and are usually in a product to keep the formula stable.
Alcohol
Aka: Ethanol
Purpose(s): Astringent
Solvent
Viscosity controlling
Alcohol is a pretty controversial ingredient. It has many instant benefits: It's a great solvent, astringent, absorption enhancer, antibacterial and it makes formulas light. That's why it's a popular ingredient in oily products and toners. However, alcohol can also be drying, so watch out with sensitive skin and don't use skincare products where alcohol is the main ingredient.
Astringent
These ingredients cause contraction of the skin. In skincare astringents (or toners) are often used to tone the skin and make it firm by tightening the pores.
Solvent
Ingredients that absorb other ingredients in the composition of the product.
Viscosity controlling
These ingredients help to thicken the texture of a product.
Xanthan Gum
Purpose(s): Viscosity controlling
Emulsion stabilising
This natural ingredient is one of the most common thickeners and emulsion stabilizers. It makes the formula more gel-like and sticky.
Viscosity controlling
These ingredients help to thicken the texture of a product.
Emulsion stabilising
These helper ingredients keep the formula stable and prevent water and oil from separating over time.
Magnesium Aluminum Silicate
Purpose(s): Viscosity controlling
Absorbent
This ingredient is a clay mineral that's used to thicken and stabilize skincare formulas. It also gives a nice creamy feel without stickiness.
Viscosity controlling
These ingredients help to thicken the texture of a product.
Absorbent
These ingredients remove excess oil and water from your skin.
Glycerin
Aka: Glycerol
Purpose(s): Skin-identical ingredient
Moisturizer
This natural moisturizer is a super star. It can be naturally found in our skin and its use in skincare is super common. Aside from a moisturizer it keeps the stuff between our cells healthy. Glycerin is also a super ingredient for treating dry skin.
Skin-identical ingredient
Very good ingredients that are already in your skin or mimic those. For example, Glycerin and Hyaluronic Acid that keep your skin hydrated and Ceramides and Cholesterol that maintain a healthy skin barrier.
Moisturizer
These helper ingredients keep the formula stable and prevent water and oil from separating over time.
Gluconolactone
Purpose(s): Chelating
Exfoliant
You want this. It's a PHA (Plyhydroxy Acid) that exfoliates skin removing dead skin cells and making the surface super smooth. It provides anti-aging benefits and improves skin thickness. Also, it's a great moisturizer and helps to repair skin damage. This all without irritating the skin.
Chelating
These helper ingredients react to metal ions and are usually in a product to keep the formula stable.
Exfoliant
Good ingredients that remove dead skin cells to make skin soft and smooth.
Sodium Benzoate
Purpose(s): Preservative
It's a preservative which means it helps to make the products stay good over time. In this case the preservative works best against fungi.
Preservative
Ingredients that preserve the formula. They are not the most skin friendly, but they are only used in tiny amounts and without it your product will quickly expire.
Calcium Gluconate
Aka: Calcium
Purpose(s): Moisturizer
It's an important body mineral and is often used in skincare for its skin-soothing and moisturizing effects.
Moisturizer
These ingredients help your skin to retain water so your skin feels hydrated and moisturized.
Sodium Hyaluronate 1 pct
Purpose(s): Skin-identical ingredient
Moisturizer
This is the salt version of the famous hydrating super star Hyaluronic Acid and they do pretty much the same. Sodium Hyaluronate acts as a sponge helping the skin to hold onto water, looking firm, plump and elastic.
Skin-identical ingredient
Very good ingredients that are already in your skin or mimic those. For example, Glycerin and Hyaluronic Acid that keep your skin hydrated and Ceramides and Cholesterol that maintain a healthy skin barrier.
Moisturizer
These ingredients help your skin to retain water so your skin feels hydrated and moisturized.
Cetearyl Olivate
Purpose(s): Emulsifying
This is a natural component derived from Cetearyl Alcohol and the fatty acids of Olive Oil. It's often coupled with Sorbitan Olivate. The two together help water and oil blend.
Emulsifying
Ingredients that bind other ingredients who normally don't like to mix, say oil and water.
Sorbitan Olivate
Purpose(s): Emulsifying
This is a natural component derived from Sorbitol and the fatty acids of Olive Oil. It's often coupled with Cetearyl Olivate. The two together help water and oil blend.
Emulsifying
Ingredients that bind other ingredients who normally don't like to mix, say oil and water.
Glyceryl Stearate SE
Purpose(s): Emulsifying
This is an oily ingredient that can magically blend with water all by itself. That's what the SE in the name stands for: self-emulsifying.
Emulsifying
Ingredients that bind other ingredients who normally don't like to mix, say oil and water.
Stearyl Alcohol
Purpose(s): Emollient
Viscosity controlling
Emulsion stabilising
This is a multitasker ingredient: 1) Emollient to give your skin a nice and smooth feel 2) Stabilizes oil-water mixes 3) Gives body to the formula and 4) Fatty kind of alcohol, aka the good soothing type of alcohol that doesn't dry out and irritate te skin.
Emollient
A good ingredient that makes your skin feel soft and oh so smooth.
Viscosity controlling
These ingredients help to thicken the texture of a product.
Emulsion stabilising
These helper ingredients keep the formula stable and prevent water and oil from separating over time.
Helianthus Annuus Sunflower Seed Wax
Aka: Sunflower Wax
Purpose(s): Viscosity controlling
Emulsion stabilising
This is a hard wax coming from the sunflower. It is used in skincare to stabilize products and give them body and it's a great ingredient for dry skin.
Viscosity controlling
These ingredients help to thicken the texture of a product.
Emulsion stabilising
These helper ingredients keep the formula stable and prevent water and oil from separating over time.
Octyl Palmitate
Purpose(s): Emollient
A populair emollient that is used to give the formula its richness and a mild feel when you rub it out.
Emollient
A good ingredient that makes your skin feel soft and oh so smooth.
Diethyl Ether
Aka: Ether
Purpose(s): Solvent
This colorless liquid is often used in cosmetics as a solvent. Studies show that this ingredient may annoy skin.
Solvent
Ingredients that absorb other ingredients in the composition of the product.
Oleyl Erucate
Purpose(s): Emollient
A vegetable-based emollient that makes your skin soft and smooth. It has a rich feel to it, very Jojoba Oil like.
Emollient
A good ingredient that makes your skin feel soft and oh so smooth.
Olive Squalane
Purpose(s): Skin-identical ingredient
Emollient
Squalane is hot and we know why. First of all, it's a nice and stable oily liquid with a long shelf life (the length of time for which an item remains usable). Second, it's a super moisturizer that makes your skin smooth. And last but not least, it's for every skin type (e.g. it's perfect for skin with acne).
Skin-identical ingredient
Very good ingredients that are already in your skin or mimic those. For example, Glycerin and Hyaluronic Acid that keep your skin hydrated and Ceramides and Cholesterol that maintain a healthy skin barrier.
Emollient
A good ingredient that makes your skin feel soft and oh so smooth.
Butyrospermum Parkii
Aka: Shea Butter
Purpose(s): Emollient
Shea Butter, we love it. It's a natural butter that comes from the seeds of the African Shea tree and is used in skincare as a magic moisturizer and emollient. But it does more than making your skin feel soft and smooth: It protects from external factors (e.g. UV rays) and is rich in antioxidants (e.g. Vitamin A, E, F).
Emollient
A good ingredient that makes your skin feel soft and oh so smooth.
Tapioca Starch
Purpose(s): Viscosity controlling
A soft, white powder and often a replacement for talc in body powders. It has great oil absorbing qualities and gives formulas more richness.
Viscosity controlling
These ingredients help to thicken the texture of a product.
Glycerin
Aka: Glycerol
Purpose(s): Skin-identical ingredient
Moisturizer
This natural moisturizer is a super star. It can be naturally found in our skin and its use in skincare is super common. Aside from a moisturizer it keeps the stuff between our cells healthy. Glycerin is also a super ingredient for treating dry skin.
Skin-identical ingredient
Very good ingredients that are already in your skin or mimic those. For example, Glycerin and Hyaluronic Acid that keep your skin hydrated and Ceramides and Cholesterol that maintain a healthy skin barrier.
Moisturizer
These ingredients help your skin to retain water so your skin feels hydrated and moisturized.
Ascorbic Acid
Aka: Vitamin C
Purpose(s): Antioxidant
Skin Brightening
The Beyoncé under the ingredients. It boosts the skins own collagen production and fades pigmentation and brown spots. It's a very good ingredient combined with antioxidant Vitamin E. Please note: Ascorbic Acid can oxidize quickly when it comes into contact with light or air so close that jar/tube quickly after use.
Antioxidant
A good ingredient that helps your skin fight against collagen-damaging free radicals that try to age your skin.
Skin Brightening
Ingredients that help fade brown spots and pigmentation caused by sun damage.
Oryzanol
Purpose(s): Antioxidant
Derived from rice bran oil, this natural ingredient has strong antioxidant effects.
Antioxidant
A good ingredient that helps your skin fight against collagen-damaging free radicals that try to age your skin.
Citrus Nobilis Peel Oil
Aka: Mandarin Orange Oil
Purpose(s): Perfuming
This oil from the peel of the mandarin orange is a great fragrant ingredient, that has antioxidant effects as well. It smells nice, but keep in mind citrus ingredients may irritate sensitive skin.
Perfuming
Gives the product a nice smell. No magic.
Polymethylsilsesquioxane
Purpose(s): Emollient
A silicone type texture enhancer that makes the formula soft and acts as a (temporary) filler for fine lines.
Emollient
A good ingredient that makes your skin feel soft and oh so smooth.
Sodium Hyaluronate
Purpose(s): Skin-identical ingredient
Moisturizer
This natural ingredient is one of the most common thickeners and emulsion stabilizers. It makes the formula more gel-like and sticky.
Skin-identical ingredient
Very good ingredients that are already in your skin or mimic those. For example, Glycerin and Hyaluronic Acid that keep your skin hydrated and Ceramides and Cholesterol that maintain a healthy skin barrier.
Moisturizer
These ingredients help your skin to retain water so your skin feels hydrated and moisturized.
Jasminum Officinale Flower Extract
Aka: Jasmin Oil
Purpose(s): Perfuming
Jasmin extract is mostly used for perfuming, but it can also be used for its antibacterial effects in the treatments of skin infections (like psoriasis).
Perfuming
Gives the product a nice smell. No magic.
Lavandula Hybrida Flower Oil
Aka: Lavender extract
Purpose(s): Emollient
Mostly used for its lavender floral smell, but this extract can also help with reducing stretch marks or other skin issues.
Emollient
A good ingredient that makes your skin feel soft and oh so smooth.
Benzyl Benzoate
Purpose(s): Solvent
Perfuming
Antibacterial
A fragrant ingredient with a sweet balsamic smell and antibacterial effects that can be used as a solvent as well. Be careful with sensitive skin as it can cause irritation.
Solvent
Ingredients that absorb other ingredients in the composition of the product.
Perfuming
Gives the product a nice smell. No magic.
Antibacterial
These ingredients prevent the spread of bacteria, fungi and viruses on your skin.
Limonene
Purpose(s): Perfuming
Solvent
Deodorant
Mainly used as a fragrant ingredient because of its pleasant smell. As with all perfuming ingredients, be careful with sensitive skin.
Perfuming
Gives the product a nice smell. No magic.
Solvent
Ingredients that absorb other ingredients in the composition of the product.
Deodorant
Ingredients that camouflage bad smell caused by sweating.
Squalane
Purpose(s): Skin-identical ingredient
Emollient
Squalane is hot and we know why. First of all, it's a nice and stable oily liquid with a long shelf life (the length of time for which an item remains usable). Second, it's a super moisturizer that makes your skin smooth. And last but not least, it's for every skin type (e.g. it's perfect for skin with acne).
Skin-identical ingredient
Very good ingredients that are already in your skin or mimic those. For example, Glycerin and Hyaluronic Acid that keep your skin hydrated and Ceramides and Cholesterol that maintain a healthy skin barrier.
Emollient
A good ingredient that makes your skin feel soft and oh so smooth.
Cetearyl Alcohol
Purpose(s): Emollient
Viscosity controlling
This fatty alcohol (the good type that is non-drying) softens skin and hair and is often used to thicken and stabilize skincare products.
Emollient
A good ingredient that makes your skin feel soft and oh so smooth.
Viscosity controlling
These ingredients help to thicken the texture of a product.
Cetyl Phosphate
Purpose(s): Emulsifying
Cleansing
A beige powder that helps oil and water mix nicely, often used in skincare products and sunscreen formulas.
Emulsifying
Ingredients that bind other ingredients who normally don't like to mix, say oil and water.
Cleansing
Ingredients that are both water and oil loving, so they are often used in cleansers or products that spread bubbles.
Glycine Soja Oil
Aka: Soybean Oil
Purpose(s): Emollient
An ingredient derived from the soybean. It's rich in protein, minerals and vitamins (especially Vitamin E). Mostly used in bath oil and soaps as it's moisturizing and skin firming.
Emollient
A good ingredient that makes your skin feel soft and oh so smooth.
Arginine
Purpose(s): Skin-identical ingredient
This acid is one of the primary building blocks of hair keratin and skin collagen. It's a natural moisturizer and hydrator and also helps to speed up wound healing.
Skin-identical ingredient
Very good ingredients that are already in your skin or mimic those. For example, Glycerin and Hyaluronic Acid that keep your skin hydrated and Ceramides and Cholesterol that maintain a healthy skin barrier.
Myristyl Myristate
Purpose(s): Emollient
A waxy emollient that leaves skin velvety smooth and also gives body to the formula. If you are prone to acne, be careful as it may clog pores.
Emollient
A good ingredient that makes your skin feel soft and oh so smooth.
Phenoxyethanol
Purpose(s): Preservative
A safe and gentle preservative that can be used in many skincare formulas. (as it works on a wide range of pH levels).
Preservative
Ingredients that preserve the formula. They are not the most skin friendly, but they are only used in tiny amounts and without it your product will quickly expire.
Carbomer
Purpose(s): Viscosity controlling
A very commonly used molecule that turns a liquid into a nice non-sticky gel formula.
Viscosity controlling
These ingredients help to thicken the texture of a product.
Palm Oil Aminopropanediol Esters
Aka: Safflower Oil / Ω6 Ceramide
Purpose(s): Soothing
Moisturizer
A very good ingredient when your skin is damaged as it has great barrier repairing effects and soothes skin.
Soothing
Soothing ingredients lighten discomfort of the skin, are anti-inflammatory, slow down the skin's aging process and help with common sensitive skin discomforts (e.g. acne, rosacea).
Moisturizer
These ingredients help your skin to retain water so your skin feels hydrated and moisturized.
Benzoic Acid
Purpose(s): Preservative
A preservative that is gentle on the skin and doesn't irritate. Usually it's mixed with other preservatives.
Preservative
Ingredients that preserve the formula. They are not the most skin friendly, but they are only used in tiny amounts and without it your product will quickly expire.
Glyceryl Laurate
Purpose(s): Emollient
Emulsifying
Derived from glycerin, this acid works as an emulsifier and emollient - making the skin soft and smooth.
Emollient
A good ingredient that makes your skin feel soft and oh so smooth.
Emulsifying
Ingredients that bind other ingredients who normally don't like to mix, say oil and water.
Tocopherol
Aka: Vitamin E
Purpose(s): Antioxidant
The best fat-soluble antioxidant in our skin and therefore easy to absorb. It protects against UVB rays, makes skin smooth and is a super hero when it comes to protecting the skin cells against free-radicals that are out to destroy collagen (the protein that makes our skin nice, firm and plumped). The 'd' before alpha indicates that this product contains the natural form (instead of the synthetic derived Vitamin E). The 'alpha' indicates that this type of tocopherol is the most active one with the best antioxidant qualities.
Antioxidant
A good ingredient that helps your skin fight against collagen-damaging free radicals that try to age your skin.
Cananga Odorata Flower Oil
Aka: Ylang Ylang Essential Oil
Purpose(s): Perfuming
A fragrant ingredient with a nice smell, relaxing and calming. As with all perfuming ingredients, be careful with sensitive skin.
Perfuming
Gives the product a nice smell. No magic.
Pelargonium Graveolens Flower Oil
Aka: Rose Geranium Flower Essential Oil
Purpose(s): Perfuming
An essential oil coming from the flowers of Rose Geranium and mostly used for its nice smell. As with all perfuming ingredients, be careful with sensitive skin.
Perfuming
Gives the product a nice smell. No magic.
Dehydroacetic Acid
Aka: Geogard 111A
Purpose(s): Preservative
A preservative ingredient that keeps the formula in tact and also fights fungi and bacteria.
Preservative
Ingredients that preserve the formula. They are not the most skin friendly, but they are only used in tiny amounts and without it your product will quickly expire.
Rosa Damascena Flower Extract
Purpose(s): Perfuming
A fragrant ingredient derived from pink rose. It has skin-soothing and antixodidant effects and the smell is very relaxing. As with all perfuming ingredients, be careful with sensitive skin.
Perfuming
Gives the product a nice smell. No magic.
Benzyl Salicylate
Purpose(s): Solvent
Perfuming
Antibacterial
A fragrant ingredient with a sweet balsamic smell and antibacterial effects that can also be used as a solvent. Be careful with sensitive skin as it can cause irritation.
Solvent
Ingredients that absorb other ingredients in the composition of the product.
Perfuming
Gives the product a nice smell. No magic.
Antibacterial
These ingredients prevent the spread of bacteria, fungi and viruses on your skin.
Citronellol
Purpose(s): Perfuming
A very common rosy fragrant ingredient. As with all perfuming ingredients, be careful with sensitive skin.
Perfuming
Gives the product a nice smell. No magic.
Farnesol
Purpose(s): Perfuming
A mix of essential oils that are used to improve the smell of cosmetic products. As with all perfuming ingredients, be careful with sensitive skin.
Perfuming
Gives the product a nice smell. No magic.
Phospholipids
Purpose(s): Skin-identical ingredient
Emollient
A type of fatty acid that can be found in cells. It's usually used in skincare as an emollient and skin-identical ingredient.
Skin-identical ingredient
Very good ingredients that are already in your skin or mimic those. For example, Glycerin and Hyaluronic Acid that keep your skin hydrated and Ceramides and Cholesterol that maintain a healthy skin barrier.
Emollient
A good ingredient that makes your skin feel soft and oh so smooth.
Leuconostoc Ferment Filtrate
Aka: Fermented Radish Root
Purpose(s): Antibacterial
Preservative
This natural preservative is derived from radishes fermented with a bacteria with which they make kimchi (yes, the Korean dish). It also has antibacterial effects.
Antibacterial
These ingredients prevent the spread of bacteria, fungi and viruses on your skin.
Preservative
Ingredients that preserve the formula. They are not the most skin friendly, but they are only used in tiny amounts and without it your product will quickly expire.
Retinol
Aka: Vitamin A
Purpose(s): Cell-communicating ingredient
Bye bye fine lines. This is the ingredient to use for anti-aging effects: It de-wrinkles and makes skin smoother and more firm. It's also a good ingredient to use when you have acne since it reduces the production of sebum.
Cell-communicating ingredient
Ingredients that communicate to skin cells how to perform and do better.
EDTA
Aka: EthyleneDiamineTetraacetic Acid
Purpose(s): Chelating
A chelating ingredient that can stick to metal ions (usually in water) and make them more gentle in the formula.
Chelating
These helper ingredients react to metal ions and are usually in a product to keep the formula stable.
Ethylhexylglycerin
Purpose(s): Preservative
A natural preservative that boosts the success of phenoxyethanol (other preservative). And bonus: It feels nice on your skin.
Preservative
Ingredients that preserve the formula. They are not the most skin friendly, but they are only used in tiny amounts and without it your product will quickly expire.
Propanediol
Aka: Zemea
Purpose(s): Solvent
Moisturizer
An Ecocert approved natural moisturizer and solvent coming from corn sugar.
Solvent
Ingredients that absorb other ingredients in the composition of the product.
Moisturizer
These ingredients help your skin to retain water so your skin feels hydrated and moisturized.
Alcohol Denat
Purpose(s): Antibacterial
Solvent
Astringent
" This one is a multitasker with a lot of good purposes, but it's debated that alcohol can be drying for sensitive skin so we recommend to test a sample on your hand first. "
Antibacterial
These ingredients prevent the spread of bacteria, fungi and viruses on your skin.
Solvent
Ingredients that absorb other ingredients in the composition of the product.
Astringent
These ingredients cause contraction of the skin. In skincare astringents (or toners) are often used to tone the skin and make it firm by tightening the pores.
Lactic Acid
Aka: AHA (Alpha Hydroxy Acid)
Purpose(s): Exfoliant
Moisturizer
Only love. This is a very popular AHA (Alpha Hydroxy Acid) which exfoliates, hydrates, improves firmness and reduces fine lines and hyperpigmentation.
Exfoliant
Good ingredients that remove dead skin cells to make skin soft and smooth.
Moisturizer
These ingredients help your skin to retain water so your skin feels hydrated and moisturized.
Azelaic Acid
Purpose(s): Anti-acne
Soothing
Buffering
This can be your skin changer. A great ingredient if you have acne or rosacea: It's antibacterial, regulates sebum production in pores and helps with melasma.
Anti-acne
Good ingredients that fight acne. Most of the time they're also antibacterial and anti-inflammatory.
Soothing
Soothing ingredients lighten discomfort of the skin, are anti-inflammatory, slow down the skin's aging process and help with common sensitive skin discomforts (e.g. acne, rosacea).
Buffering
Ingredients that create the right pH value for a formula.
Salicylic Acid
Aka: BHA (Beta Hydroxy Acid)
Purpose(s): Exfoliant
Anti-acne
Soothing
A must if you have problem and oily skin: It exfoliates deeply (also in the pores), treats blackheads, large pores and is great in combination with Azelaic Acid and Benzoyl Peroxide for the treatment of acne.
Exfoliant
Good ingredients that remove dead skin cells to make skin soft and smooth.
Anti-acne
Good ingredients that fight acne. Most of the time they're also antibacertial and anti-inflammatory.
Soothing
Soothing ingredients lighten discomfort of the skin, are anti-inflammatory, slow down the skin's aging process and help with common sensitive skin discomforts (e.g. acne, rosacea).
Sodium Lactate
Purpose(s): Buffering
Moisturizer
This is the natural Ecocert approved sodium version of Lactic Acid. Great for moisturizing and also a good buffering ingredient.
Buffering
Ingredients that create the right pH value for a formula.
Moisturizer
These ingredients help your skin to retain water so your skin feels hydrated and moisturized.
Lactobionic Acid
Aka: PHA (Poly Hydroxy Acid)
Purpose(s): Exfoliant
Buffering
A must try! The sister of Gluconolactone, also a PHA and referred to as ‘the next generation AHA’. It has all the pros of an AHA without causing any irritation. It exfoliates, moisturizes and protects the skin.
Exfoliant
Good ingredients that remove dead skin cells to make skin soft and smooth.
Buffering
Ingredients that create the right pH value for a formula.
Phytic Acid
Purpose(s): Skin Brightening
Chelating
Not really an acid, more of a plant extract with antioxidant effects. Usually used in a formula to keep it stable.
Skin Brightening
Ingredients that help fade brown spots and pigmentation caused by sun damage.
Chelating
These helper ingredients react to metal ions and are usually in a product to keep the formula stable.
Benzyl Alcohol
Purpose(s): Preservative
Perfuming
Solvent
A good gentle preservative coming from fruits and tea.
Preservative
Ingredients that preserve the formula. They are not the most skin friendly, but they are only used in tiny amounts and without it your product will quickly expire.
Perfuming
Gives the product a nice smell. No magic.
Solvent
Ingredients that absorb other ingredients in the composition of the product.
Cetearyl Glucoside
Purpose(s): Emulsifying
Cleansing
An emulsifier ingredient coming from coconut and corn sugar. Its liquid crystal structure supports the skin's natural oil and moisture balance. It will make your skin super soft and smooth.
Emulsifying
Ingredients that bind other ingredients who normally don't like to mix, say oil and water.
Cleansing
Ingredients that are both water and oil loving, so they are often used in cleansers or products that spread bubbles.
Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Oil
Aka: Rosemary Leaf Oil
Purpose(s): Antioxidant
Antibacterial
An essential oil coming from the rosemary herb and a great antioxidant with antibacterial effects. Sensitive skin? Be careful with this ingredient.
Antioxidant
A good ingredient that helps your skin fight against collagen-damaging free radicals that try to age your skin.
Antibacterial
These ingredients prevent the spread of bacteria, fungi and viruses on your skin.
Anthemis Nobilis Flower Oil
Aka: Roman Chamomile Flower Oil
Purpose(s): Soothing
An essential oil coming from chamomile with soothing effects.
Soothing
Soothing ingredients lighten discomfort of the skin, are anti-inflammatory, slow down the skin's aging process and help with common sensitive skin discomforts (e.g. acne, rosacea).
Bentonite
Purpose(s): Viscosity controlling
Absorbent
Emulsion stabilising
This ingredient helps clear bacteria and draws toxins out of skin and pores. It can also help to calm skin infections, soothe skin allergies like psoriasis and eczema.
Viscosity controlling
These ingredients help to thicken the texture of a product.
Absorbent
These ingredients remove excess oil and water from your skin.
Emulsion stabilising
These helper ingredients keep the formula stable and prevent water and oil from separating over time.
Kaolin
Aka: Clay
Purpose(s): Scrub
Colorant
Absorbent
A clay type that cleanses and exfoliates your skin and removes dead skin cells.
Scrub
Small bulky parts in scrubs that exfoliate and polish your skin.
Colorant
Gives a nice color to the formula.
Absorbent
These ingredients remove excess oil and water from your skin.
Behenyl Alcohol
Purpose(s): Emollient
Viscosity controlling
Emulsion stabilising
Used as a thickener and emulsifier to help mix oil and water.
Emollient
A good ingredient that makes your skin feel soft and oh so smooth.
Viscosity controlling
These ingredients help to thicken the texture of a product.
Emulsion stabilising
These helper ingredients keep the formula stable and prevent water and oil from separating over time.
Citrus Aurantium Bergamia Fruit Oil
Aka: Bergamot Fruit Oil
Purpose(s): Perfuming
An essential oil coming from the Bergamot Orange, commonly used for its scent.
Perfuming
Gives the product a nice smell. No magic.
Hydrogenated Castor Oil
Purpose(s): Emollient
Emulsifying
Viscosity controlling
A chemical version of Castor Oil which is mostly used for its soothing, moisturizing and emulsifying properties.
Emollient
A good ingredient that makes your skin feel soft and oh so smooth.
Emulsifying
Ingredients that bind other ingredients who normally don't like to mix, say oil and water.
Viscosity controlling
These ingredients help to thicken the texture of a product.
Sodium Hydroxide
Aka: lye
Purpose(s): Buffering
Often used to hold the pH of a product.
Buffering
Ingredients that create the right pH value for a formula.
Sodium Hydroxide
Aka: lye
Purpose(s): Buffering
Often used to hold the pH of a product.
Buffering
Ingredients that create the right pH value for a formula.
Protease
Purpose(s): Enzyme
Anti-Acne
Exfoliant
An protein-digesting enzyme that also exfoliates, promotes cell regeneration, and minimizes skin imperfections.
Enzyme
Biological molecules (mostly proteins) that speed up the rate of chemical reactions within cells.
Anti-Acne
Good ingredients that fight acne. Most of the time they're also antibacertial and anti-inflammatory.
Exfoliant
Good ingredients that remove dead skin cells to make skin soft and smooth.
Subtilisin
Purpose(s): Enzyme
An enzyme that stimulates the breakdown of proteins to help dissolve dead skin cells.
Enzyme
Biological molecules (mostly proteins) that speed up the rate of chemical reactions within cells.
Mentha Piperita Oil
Aka: Peppermint Oil
Purpose(s): Perfuming
This essential oil comes from flowerly peppermint sprigs. It contains menthol which makes it refreshing and cooling, but it can be sensitive to the skin.
Perfuming
Gives the product a nice smell. No magic.
Citral
Purpose(s): Perfuming
Mostly used as a fragrance ingredient. It is synthetic and can cause skin irritations, so it is best to avoid this component if you have a sensitive skin.
Perfuming
Gives the product a nice smell. No magic.
Mica
Aka: CI 77019
Mica powder reflects light from the face because of its glittering or shimmering properties. It can also create the illusion of a smoother, softer and more radiant skin tone.
Iron Oxide
Aka: CI 77491
Purpose(s): Colorant
A very common red colorant.
Colorant
Gives a nice color to the formula.
Titanium Dioxide
Aka: CI 77891
Purpose(s): Colorant
A very common white colorant.
Colorant
Gives a nice color to the formula.
Perfluorohexane
Aka: Part of Fiflow blends
Purpose(s): Solvent
Ingredient built up of fluorine and carbon, mainly used as a solvent.
Solvent
Ingredients that absorb other ingredients in the composition of the product.
Perfluorodecalin
Aka: Part of Fiflow blends
Purpose(s): Solvent
Ingredient built up of fluorine and carbon, mainly used as a solvent.
Solvent
Ingredients that absorb other ingredients in the composition of the product.
Perfluoroperhydrophenanthrene
Aka: Part of Fiflow blends
Purpose(s): Solvent
Ingredient built up of fluorine and carbon, mainly used as a solvent.
Solvent
Ingredients that absorb other ingredients in the composition of the product.
Oxygen
Purpose(s): Antibacterial
Emollient
It's antibacterial and stimulates collagen production. It is also good to strengthen the elasticity of the skin.
Antibacterial
These ingredients prevent the spread of bacteria, fungi and viruses on your skin.
Emollient
A good ingredient that makes your skin feel soft and oh so smooth.
Pullulan
Purpose(s): Antioxidant
Viscosity controlling
Mostly used as a thickner and antioxidant in anti-aging products, because of its ability to instantly tighten the skin.
Antioxidant
A good ingredient that helps your skin fight against collagen-damaging free radicals that try to age your skin.
Viscosity controlling
These ingredients help to thicken the texture of a product.
Perfluorodimethylcyclohexane
Purpose(s): Solvent
Ingredient built up of fluorine and carbon, mainly used as a solvent.
Solvent
Ingredients that absorb other ingredients in the composition of the product.
Palmaria Palmata Extract
Purpose(s): Antioxidant
Emolient
An antioxidant and emollient that helps to improve blood and lymph circulation to promote brighter skin.
Antioxidant
A good ingredient that helps your skin fight against collagen-damaging free radicals that try to age your skin.
Emolient
A good ingredient that makes your skin feel soft and oh so smooth.
Synthetic Sapphire
Purpose(s): Colorant
A coloring ingredient.
Colorant
Gives a nice color to the formula.
Synthetic Fluorphlogopite
Aka: Synthetic Mica
Purpose(s): Colorant
A synthetic version of Mica used for its shimmering and filler properties to enhance skin tone.
Colorant
Gives a nice color to the formula.
Rosa Centifolia Flower Water
Moisturizes dry skin, cleanses your pores, reduces redness and can be used to get rid of acne.
Polyacrylic Acid
Purpose(s): Viscosity controlling
Emulsion stabilising
A texture enhancer that helps bind the ingredients and prevents the formula from seperating.
Viscosity controlling
These ingredients help to thicken the texture of a product.
Emulsion stabilising
These helper ingredients keep the formula stable and prevent water and oil from separating over time.
Sodium Dehydroacetate
Aka: Geogard 111S
Purpose(s): Preservative
Used in products to extend their shelf life.
Preservative
Ingredients that preserve the formula. They are not the most skin friendly, but they are only used in tiny amounts and without it your product will quickly expire.
Potassium Sorbate
Purpose(s): Preservative
Used in products to extend their shelf life.
Preservative
Used in products to extend their shelf life.
Tetrasodium EDTA
Purpose(s): Chelating
Used to keep the formula stable for a longer time.
Chelating
These helper ingredients react to metal ions and are usually in a product to keep the formula stable.
Ethyl Acetate
Aka: Cyclohexane
Purpose(s): Perfuming
Solvent
A colorless liquid with a sweet smell frequently often used in nail polish removers and as a solvent.
Perfuming
Gives the product a nice smell. No magic.
Solvent
Ingredients that absorb other ingredients in the composition of the product.
Acrylic Acid
Aka: Glyceryl Acrylate
Purpose(s): Viscosity controlling
Emollient
A thickening ingredient that also hydrates by drawing water to the skin.
Viscosity controlling
These ingredients help to thicken the texture of a product.
Emollient
A good ingredient that makes your skin feel soft and oh so smooth.
Red 40
Aka: CI 16035
Purpose(s): Coloring
A very common red colorant.
Coloring
Gives a nice color to the formula.
Yellow 5
Aka: CI 19140
Purpose(s): Coloring
A very common yellow colorant.
Coloring
Gives a nice color to the formula.
Blue 1
Aka: CI 42090
Purpose(s): Coloring
A very common blue colorant.
Coloring
Gives a nice color to the formula.
Sodium Polyacrylate
Purpose(s): Viscosity controlling
Emulsion stabilising
This product has major water binding abilities. In cosmetics it is mostly used as a thickner or an emulsifier.
Viscosity controlling
These ingredients help to thicken the texture of a product.
Emulsion stabilising
These helper ingredients keep the formula stable and prevent water and oil from separating over time.
Butylene Glycol
Purpose(s): Moisturizer
Solvent
Helps the product to absorb faster into the skin. Often used in products to improve the way a formula feels on the skin.
Moisturizer
These ingredients help your skin to retain water so your skin feels hydrated and moisturized.
Solvent
Ingredients that absorb other ingredients in the composition of the product.
Hydrolyzed Collagen
Purpose(s): Emollient
Moisturizer
Super hero! It enhances the appearance of dry and damaged skin by restoring flexibility and improves skin smoothness, elasticity, moisture, and slows down the formation of wrinkles and fine lines.
Emollient
A good ingredient that makes your skin feel soft and oh so smooth.
Moisturizer
These ingredients help your skin to retain water so your skin feels hydrated and moisturized.
Caffeine
Purpose(s): Antioxidant
As nice as your morning coffee. On your skin it has soothing and antioxidant properties. By narrowing blood vessels and calming the skin, caffeine can temporarily reduce under-eye bags, winning! It can also wake up tired eyes by reducing the appearance of dark circles.
Antioxidant
A good ingredient that helps your skin fight against collagen-damaging free radicals that try to age your skin.
Vitamin C
Aka: Ascorbic Acid
Purpose(s): Antioxidant
Skin brightening
The Beyoncé under the ingredients. It boosts the skins own collagen production and fades pigmentation and brown spots. It's a very good ingredient combined with antioxidant Vitamin E. Please note: Ascorbic Acid can oxidize quickly when it comes into contact with light or air so close that jar/tube quickly after use.
Antioxidant
A good ingredient that helps your skin fight against collagen-damaging free radicals that try to age your skin.
Skin brightening
Ingredients that help fade brown spots and pigmentation caused by sun damage.
Vitamin E
Aka: Tocopherol
Purpose(s): Antioxidant
The best fat-soluble antioxidant in our skin and therefore easy to absorb. It protects against UVB rays, makes skin smooth and is a super hero when it comes to protecting the skin cells against free-radicals that are out to destroy collagen (the protein that makes our skin nice, firm and plumped). The 'd' before alpha indicates that this product contains the natural form (instead of the synthetic derived Vitamin E). The 'alpha' indicates that this type of tocopherol is the most active one with the best antioxidant qualities.
Antioxidant
A good ingredient that helps your skin fight against collagen-damaging free radicals that try to age your skin.
Avena Sativa Extract
Aka: Oat Kernel Extract, Colloidal Oatmeal
Purpose(s): Antioxidant
Soothing
Emollient
Used for its anti-inflammatory, moisturizing and soothing properties on the skin. May ease a variety of skin conditions including eczema, psoriasis, acne and dry skin.
Antioxidant
A good ingredient that helps your skin fight against collagen-damaging free radicals that try to age your skin.
Soothing
Soothing ingredients lighten discomfort of the skin, are anti-inflammatory, slow down the skin's aging process and help with common sensitive skin discomforts (e.g. acne, rosacea).
Emollient
A good ingredient that makes your skin feel soft and oh so smooth.
Aroma
Aka: Flavor
Purpose(s): Perfuming
Just another word for fragrance. Always be careful when you have very sensitive skin.
Perfuming
Gives the product a nice smell. No magic.
Aqua
Aka: Water, H2O
Purpose(s): Solvent
The most common skincare ingredient out there: water! Water is mainly used as a solvent for ingredients that don't like to dissolve in oils. Once water is inside the skin it hydrates, but putting water for too long on the skin it may cause dryness (think about your long hot baths).
Solvent
Ingredients that absorb other ingredients in the composition of the product.
Kassou Ekisu
Aka: Red Algae Extract
Purpose(s): Emollient
This extract is packed with vitamins and minerals from seaweed your skin will love. It softens, soothes and hydrates the skin.
Emollient
A good ingredient that makes your skin feel soft and oh so smooth.
Betaine
Purpose(s): Moisturizer
It helps the skin retain its moisture due to its molecular structure and ability to bond with hydrogen. This ingredient is also known for reducing the appearance of wrinkles.
Moisturizer
These ingredients help your skin to retain water so your skin feels hydrated and moisturized.
Aloe Yohjyu Matsu Ekisu
Purpose(s): Emollient
Moisturizer
This ingredient is good for dry, rough skin. It nourishes and moisturizes the skin.
Emollient
A good ingredient that makes your skin feel soft and oh so smooth.
Moisturizer
These ingredients help your skin to retain water so your skin feels hydrated and moisturized.
Rosa Rugosa Leaf Extract
Aka: Genus Rosa
Purpose(s): Perfuming
Extract from the Rosa Rubiginosa rose and used for it's nice smell.
Perfuming
Gives the product a nice smell. No magic.
Trehalose
Purpose(s): Moisturizer
A type of sugar found in plants. It is used in formulas as a moisturizer and it also has water binding properties.
Moisturizer
These ingredients help your skin to retain water so your skin feels hydrated and moisturized.
Hyaluronic Acid
Purpose(s): Skin-identical ingredient
Moisturizer
Super hero status! It's naturally in our skin and kind of like a sponge. It helps increase skin moisture and reduces the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. It also soothes redness and improves the skins elasticity, helping your skin to look healthy, young and glowy.
Skin-identical ingredient
Very good ingredients that are already in your skin or mimic those. For example, Glycerin and Hyaluronic Acid that keep your skin hydrated and Ceramides and Cholesterol that maintain a healthy skin barrier.
Moisturizer
These ingredients help your skin to retain water so your skin feels hydrated and moisturized.
Anthemis Nobilis Flower Extract
Aka: Roman Chamomile Flower Extract
Purpose(s): Soothing
This ingredient is commonly used to relieve inflammatory skin conditions and calm sensitive skin. It provides some antioxidant protection and can be used to soothe and moisturize.
Soothing
Soothing ingredients lighten discomfort of the skin, are anti-inflammatory, slow down the skin's aging process and help with common sensitive skin discomforts (e.g. acne, rosacea).
Butanediol
Purpose(s): Moisturizer
It helps the skin retain its moisture due to its molecular structure and ability to bond with hydrogen. This ingredient is also known for reducing the appearance of wrinkles.
Moisturizer
These ingredients help your skin to retain water so your skin feels hydrated and moisturized.
Ethyl Hexylglycerin
Purpose(s): Preservative
A natural preservative that boosts the success of phenoxyethanol (other preservative). And bonus: It feels nice on your skin.
Preservative
Ingredients that preserve the formula. They are not the most skin friendly, but they are only used in tiny amounts and without it your product will quickly expire.
Glyceryl Polymethacrylate
Purpose(s): Viscosity controlling
It creates a protective barrier on the skin that prevents water loss and keeps the skin nice and moisturized.
Viscosity controlling
These ingredients help to thicken the texture of a product.
Aloe Barbadensise Leaf Juice
Aka: Aloe Vera
Purpose(s): Soothing
Moisturizer
The magic plant! Aloe Vera contains antioxidants, enzymes, Vitamins A and C, and it is highly anti-inflammatory. It can help treat burns, acne and dry skin.
Soothing
Soothing ingredients lighten discomfort of the skin, are anti-inflammatory, slow down the skin's aging process and help with common sensitive skin discomforts (e.g. acne, rosacea).
Moisturizer
These ingredients help your skin to retain water so your skin feels hydrated and moisturized.
Bisabolol
Aka: Alpha-Bisabolol
Purpose(s): Soothing
This clear, fluid oil is derived from chamomile and is often used in skincare because of its anti-inflammatory and soothing effects.
Soothing
Soothing ingredients lighten discomfort of the skin, are anti-inflammatory, slow down the skin's aging process and help with common sensitive skin discomforts (e.g. acne, rosacea).
Hydroxyethylcellulose
Aka: HEC
Purpose(s): Viscosity controlling
Commonly used in the cosmetics and hair products because of its thickening properties.
Viscosity controlling
These ingredients help to thicken the texture of a product.
Triethanolamine
Purpose(s): Buffering
Mainly used to balance the overall pH of a product.
Buffering
Ingredients that create the right pH value for a formula.
Volcanic Soil
Purpose(s): Scrub
Absorbent
Its superpower is its ability to draw impurities away from the skin. Great to use on dry and oily skin and also pampers the acne-prone skin.
Scrub
Small bulky parts in scrubs that exfoliate and polish your skin.
Absorbent
These ingredients remove excess oil and water from your skin.
Macadamia Ternifolia Seed Oil
Aka: Macadamia Oil
Purpose(s): Emollient
Golden yellow oil coming from the Macadamia nut. It's full of nourishing fatty acids that keep skin soft and supple. Perfect for dry or chapped skin as it softens and moisturizes.
Emollient
A good ingredient that makes your skin feel soft and oh so smooth.
Dimethicone
Purpose(s): Emollient
One of the most common used silicones out there. It gives your skin a soft finish and gloss and creates a protective barrier to hold in moisture. Also used for filling up fine lines and wrinkles to make your skin look smooth and plump. That's why it's often used in primer products.
Emollient
A good ingredient that makes your skin feel soft and oh so smooth.
Trimethylsiloxysilicate
Purpose(s): Emollient
Who doesn't loves make-up that lasts? This solid silicone makes sure it does by creating a non-sticky protective film over your skin.
Emollient
A good ingredient that makes your skin feel soft and oh so smooth.
Glyceryl Behenate
Purpose(s): Emollient
Emulsifying
A vegetable, Ecocert trio combination of glycerin, behenic acid and di- and triglyceride that creates a very soft, non-sticky, waterfree gelly product. It also has emulsifying effects.
Emollient
A good ingredient that makes your skin feel soft and oh so smooth.
Emulsifying
Ingredients that bind other ingredients who normally don't like to mix, say oil and water.
Polysilicone-11
Purpose(s): Emollient
A rubber-like silicone type that creates a nice, non-sticky, powdery film on your skin to make it feel soft and smooth.
Emollient
A good ingredient that makes your skin feel soft and oh so smooth.
Acrylates Crosspolymer
Purpose(s): Absorbent
Emulsifying
Viscosity controlling
This ingredient is a thickener, texture enhancer, and emulsifier. In gels and emulsions it leaves a smooth and glossy feel.
Absorbent
These ingredients remove excess oil and water from your skin.
Emulsifying
Ingredients that bind other ingredients who normally don't like to mix, say oil and water.
Viscosity controlling
These ingredients help to thicken the texture of a product.
C10-18 Triglycerides
Purpose(s): Emollient
Solvent
This mix of solid and liquid oils is often used in skincare formulas, such as concealer, eye cream and sunscreen, as an emollient and solvent.
Emollient
A good ingredient that makes your skin feel soft and oh so smooth.
Solvent
Ingredients that absorb other ingredients in the composition of the product.
Hydrogenated Coco-Glycerides
Purpose(s): Emollient
Viscosity controlling
This solid, white, coconut derived fatty acid has a neutral smell and is often used as an emollient and to keep the consistency of a formula.
Emollient
A good ingredient that makes your skin feel soft and oh so smooth.
Viscosity controlling
These ingredients help to thicken the texture of a product.
Prunus Armeniaca Apricot Kernel Oil
Aka: Apricot Kernel Oil
Purpose(s): Emollient
Contains healthy fatty acids that keep skin smooth and hydrated and can even help manage skin conditions such as eczema or acne.
Emollient
A good ingredient that makes your skin feel soft and oh so smooth.
Olea Europaea Olive Fruit Oil
Aka: Olive Fruit Oil
Purpose(s): Antioxidant
Emollient
This olive plant oil really penetrates the skin preventing moisture loss and giving it a silky smooth softness.
Antioxidant
A good ingredient that helps your skin fight against collagen-damaging free radicals that try to age your skin.
Emollient
A good ingredient that makes your skin feel soft and oh so smooth.
Polysorbate 20
Purpose(s): emulsifying
cleansing
This ingredient helps to mix oil and water in the formula.
emulsifying
Ingredients that bind other ingredients who normally don't like to mix, say oil and water.
cleansing
Ingredients that are both water and oil loving, so they are often used in cleansers or products that spread bubbles.
Chitin
Purpose(s): Scrub
Soothing
Found in the outer skeletons of shrimp, lobster and crab. Studies show it can help restore and soothe skin.
Scrub
Small bulky parts in scrubs that exfoliate and polish your skin.
Soothing
Soothing ingredients lighten discomfort of the skin, are anti-inflammatory, slow down the skin's aging process and help with common sensitive skin discomforts (e.g. acne, rosacea).
Rubus Idaeus Raspberry Fruit Extract
Aka: Raspberry Extract
Purpose(s): Antioxidant
Soothing
This can do lots for your skin! It fights discolloration and loss of firmness and it helps the skin defend itself against UVB light. If you have very sensitive skin however, you might want to be careful with this ingredient.
Antioxidant
A good ingredient that helps your skin fight against collagen-damaging free radicals that try to age your skin.
Soothing
Soothing ingredients lighten discomfort of the skin, are anti-inflammatory, slow down the skin's aging process and help with common sensitive skin discomforts (e.g. acne, rosacea).
Mentha Piperita Peppermint Oil
Aka: Peppermint Oil
Purpose(s): Perfuming
This essential oil comes from flowerly peppermint sprigs. It contains menthol which makes it refreshing and cooling, but it can be sensitive to the skin.
Perfuming
Gives the product a nice smell. No magic.
Ethylhexylglycering
Purpose(s): Preservative
A natural preservative that boosts the success of phenoxyethanol (other preservative). And bonus: It feels nice on your skin.
Preservative
Ingredients that preserve the formula. They are not the most skin friendly, but they are only used in tiny amounts and without it your product will quickly expire.
Collagen
Purpose(s): Moisturizer
Your body produces less collagen as you get older, which results in fine lines and wrinkles. In skincare, collagen is normally fish derived and can amazingly improve skin elasticity, reduce wrinkles, and increase skin moisture.
Moisturizer
These ingredients help your skin to retain water so your skin feels hydrated and moisturized.
Macadamia Nut Oil
Aka: Macadamia Ternifolia Seed Oil
Purpose(s): Emollient
Golden yellow oil coming from the Macadamia nut. It's full of nourishing fatty acids that keep skin soft and supple. Perfect for dry or chapped skin as it softens and moisturizes.
Emollient
A good ingredient that makes your skin feel soft and oh so smooth.
Butandiol
Purpose(s): Solvent
Used in cosmetics to increase the skin penetration of a formula and as a solvent.
Solvent
Ingredients that absorb other ingredients in the composition of the product.
Aloe Vera
Aka: Aloe Barbadensise Leaf Juice
Purpose(s): Moisturizer
Soothing
Aloe Vera contains antioxidants, enzymes, Vitamins A and C, and it is highly anti-inflammatory. It can help treat burns, acne and dry skin.
Moisturizer
These ingredients help your skin to retain water so your skin feels hydrated and moisturized.
Soothing
Soothing ingredients lighten discomfort of the skin, are anti-inflammatory, slow down the skin's aging process and help with common sensitive skin discomforts (e.g. acne, rosacea).
Grape Seed Oil
Aka: Vitis Vinifera Grape Seed Oil
Purpose(s): Antioxidant
Emollient
A nice plant oil derived from grape seeds. This lightweight oil makes your skin feel extremely smooth. Also, it's a great source of the antioxidants and skin-protector Vitamin E and lionoleic acid, a fatty acid that repairs the skin barrier.
Antioxidant
A good ingredient that helps your skin fight against collagen-damaging free radicals that try to age your skin.
Emollient
A good ingredient that makes your skin feel soft and oh so smooth.
Licorice Root Extract
Purpose(s): Antioxidant
Soothing
Discoloration or pigmentation? This extract is the way to go. The ingredient also has shown to possess anti-inflammatory and soothing effects making it perfect for sensitive skin.
Antioxidant
A good ingredient that helps your skin fight against collagen-damaging free radicals that try to age your skin.
Soothing
Soothing ingredients lighten discomfort of the skin, are anti-inflammatory, slow down the skin's aging process and help with common sensitive skin discomforts (e.g. acne, rosacea).
Rose Flower Oil
Purpose(s): Perfuming
It can have soothing and antioxidant effects on the skin, however as with all perfuming ingredients, be careful with sensitive skin.
Perfuming
Gives the product a nice smell. No magic.
Rosemary Extract
Purpose(s): Antioxidant
This ingredient has antioxidant properties and works calming on this skin. Unlike Rosemary Oil, the extract version has a small chance of irritating sensitive skin because it doesn't contain much fragrance components.
Antioxidant
A good ingredient that helps your skin fight against collagen-damaging free radicals that try to age your skin.
Gold
Aka: Ci 77480
Purpose(s): Colorant
Used as a colorant, it makes skin glowy and youthful. But studies show it has many more benefits like increasing skin's elasticity, calming the skin and preventing premature aging.
Colorant
Gives a nice color to the formula.
Caprylhydroxamix Acid
Purpose(s): Chelating
Helps to preserve the product by neutralizing the metal ions in the formula.
Chelating
These helper ingredients react to metal ions and are usually in a product to keep the formula stable.
Deionized Water
Aka: H2O
Purpose(s): Solvent
The most common skincare ingredient out there: water! Water is mainly used as a solvent for ingredients that don't like to dissolve in oils. Once water is inside the skin it hydrates, but putting water for too long on the skin it may cause dryness (think about your long hot baths). Deionized water is water that has been treated to remove all ions.
Solvent
Ingredients that absorb other ingredients in the composition of the product.
Prunus Creases Bitter Cherry Extract
Purpose(s): Antioxidant
This antioxidant defends the skin from pollutants. It also has skin-calming benefits.
Antioxidant
A good ingredient that helps your skin fight against collagen-damaging free radicals that try to age your skin.
Erythorbic Acid
Aka: Vitamin C
Purpose(s): Antioxidant
This synthetic version of Ascorbic Acid aka Vitamin C has antioxidant properties and can also be used as a fragrant ingredient.
Antioxidant
A good ingredient that helps your skin fight against collagen-damaging free radicals that try to age your skin.
Caprylhydroxamic Acid
Purpose(s): Chelating
Helps to preserve the product by neutralizing the metal ions in the formula.
Chelating
These helper ingredients react to metal ions and are usually in a product to keep the formula stable.
Glyceryl Caprylate
Purpose(s): Emollient
Emulsifying
Mostly used as a stabilizer in formulas that contain both water and oil. It is produced from various vegetable oils and can also act as a humidifier to the skin.
Emollient
A good ingredient that makes your skin feel soft and oh so smooth.
Emulsifying
Ingredients that bind other ingredients who normally don't like to mix, say oil and water.
Diisostearyl Malate
Purpose(s): Emollient
This is an organic ester (derived from an acid) and mostly found in products for its moisturizing properties. It is therefore most commonly used in lipsticks.
Emollient
A good ingredient that makes your skin feel soft and oh so smooth.
Microcrystalline Wax
Purpose(s): Viscosity controlling
Emulsion stabilising
A type of wax used in formulas to bind the product and as a viscosity controller, but also believed to have moisturizing effects.
Viscosity controlling
These ingredients help to thicken the texture of a product.
Emulsion stabilising
These helper ingredients keep the formula stable and prevent water and oil from separating over time.
Butyrospermum Parkii Shea Butter
Aka: Shea Butter
Purpose(s): Emollient
Shea Butter, we love it. It's a natural butter that comes from the seeds of the African Shea tree and is used in skincare as a magic moisturizer and emollient. But it does more than making your skin feel soft and smooth: It protects from external factors (e.g. UV rays) and is rich in antioxidants (e.g. Vitamin A, E, F).
Emollient
A good ingredient that makes your skin feel soft and oh so smooth.
Euphorbia Cerifera Candelilla Wax
Aka: Candelilla Wax
Purpose(s): Emulsion stabilising
Viscosity controlling
Astringent
A vegetable wax that's used to stabilize the formula, give it more body and keep it nice and sticky. Because of its glossy finish it's great for lip products.
Emulsion stabilising
These helper ingredients keep the formula stable and prevent water and oil from separating over time.
Viscosity controlling
These ingredients help to thicken the texture of a product.
Astringent
These ingredients cause contraction of the skin. In skincare astringents (or toners) are often used to tone the skin and make it firm by tightening the pores.
Garcinia Indica Seed Butter
Aka: Kokum Butter
Purpose(s): Moisturizer
Very moisturizing and rich in essential fatty acids, which works wonders for dry and cracked skin or even scars and stretch marks. It also promotes elasticity of the skin and softens deeply.
Moisturizer
These ingredients help your skin to retain water so your skin feels hydrated and moisturized.
Silica
Purpose(s): Viscosity controlling
Absorbent
This is the white powdery component you find in glass and sand. It's often used in formulas because of its oil-absorbing qualities and to keep skin matte. Also used in cosmetics to thicken the formula.
Viscosity controlling
These ingredients help to thicken the texture of a product.
Absorbent
These ingredients remove excess oil and water from your skin.
Copernicia Cerifera Carnauba Wax
Aka: Carnauba Wax
Purpose(s): Emollient
A vegetable wax coming from the tree of a Brazilian tropical palm, the Copernica Cerifera. It's perfect for thickening skin care products and when used in cosmetics, it gives the product a smooth application and glossy finish. When applied to the skin it works as an emollient to soften the skin.
Emollient
A good ingredient that makes your skin feel soft and oh so smooth.
Moringa Oleifera Seed Oil
Aka: Moringa Seed Oil
Purpose(s): Emollient
The oil coming from the seeds of the Moringa tree. It's rich in fatty acids and is a good moisturizer.
Emollient
A good ingredient that makes your skin feel soft and oh so smooth.
Vanillin
Purpose(s): Antioxidant
Derived from vanilla and is commonly used as a flavoring agent. However, when applied to the skin, it can have great anti-aging and antioxidant benefits.
Antioxidant
A good ingredient that helps your skin fight against collagen-damaging free radicals that try to age your skin.
Gossypium Herbaceum Cotton Seed Oil
Aka: Cotton Seed Oil
Purpose(s): Antioxidant
A good and affordable antioxidant, commonly used in cleansers. It has beneficial effects on the skin and does not have a strong smell.
Antioxidant
A good ingredient that helps your skin fight against collagen-damaging free radicals that try to age your skin.
Aleurites Moluccana Kukui Seed Oil
Aka: Kukui Nut Oil
Purpose(s): Emollient
Soothing
Traditionally used by the Hawaiians to soothe sunburn and a very nice moisturizer with rich fatty acids that is absorbed very well by the skin. It also has soothing and wound healing benefits.
Emollient
A good ingredient that makes your skin feel soft and oh so smooth.
Soothing
Soothing ingredients lighten discomfort of the skin, are anti-inflammatory, slow down the skin's aging process and help with common sensitive skin discomforts (e.g. acne, rosacea).
Mentha Spicata Spearmint Oil
Aka: Spearmint Oil
Purpose(s): Perfuming
Spearmint oil has a lot of beneficial properties for the skin like soothing and relieving itchiness. However, you might want to be careful with this ingredient when having sensitive skin, just like with all mineral oils.
Perfuming
Gives the product a nice smell. No magic.
Tocopheryl Acetate
Aka: Vitamin E
Purpose(s): Antioxidant
The best fat-soluble antioxidant in our skin and therefore easy to absorb. It protects against UVB rays, makes skin smooth and is a super hero when it comes to protecting the skin cells against free-radicals that are out to destroy collagen (the protein that makes our skin nice, firm and plumped). The 'd' before alpha indicates that this product contains the natural form (instead of the synthetic derived Vitamin E). The 'alpha' indicates that this type of tocopherol is the most active one with the best antioxidant qualities.
Antioxidant
A good ingredient that helps your skin fight against collagen-damaging free radicals that try to age your skin.
Ascorbyl Palmitate
Aka: Form of Vitamin C
Purpose(s): Antioxidant
A form of Vitamin C, however not the most effective one. Commonly used in formulas because of its antioxidant effects and studies show it can also stimulate collagen production.
Antioxidant
A good ingredient that helps your skin fight against collagen-damaging free radicals that try to age your skin.
Rosa Damascena Flower Oil
Aka: Damask Rose Flower Oil
Purpose(s): Antioxidant
Perfuming
Antibacterial
This ingredient is mostly used as a fragrance in cosmetics, inhaling this flowers' scent can have relaxing properties and the petals calm your skin. However, if you have a sensitive skin be careful with using fragrant ingredients.
Antioxidant
A good ingredient that helps your skin fight against collagen-damaging free radicals that try to age your skin.
Perfuming
Gives the product a nice smell. No magic.
Antibacterial
These ingredients prevent the spread of bacteria, fungi and viruses on your skin.