What is in the bottle?
A plain-language guide to the ingredients in our captured product records. Function notes describe common uses; ingredient evidence does not establish the effectiveness of a finished product.
Search filters this page instantly. Check an ingredient list against the published matching rules.
Aqua
Water
Water is the main solvent in most of the formulas in this set. It carries water-soluble ingredients and gives liquids and gels their form. The cited study measured skin mechanics after water alone, not the moisturizing performance of a finished product.
The main solvent that carries water-soluble ingredients.
Found in 130 of 339 products we track. Type mix from captured INCI records: Cleanser (2), Moisturizer (1), Body wash (1).
Saved references
- Plasticising effect of water and glycerin on human skin in vivo. · In-vivo human study (n=23), water applied to forearm skin · 1999 · PubMed 9890375
The study measured skin mechanics after water application, not a finished product's moisturizing performance.
Hydrating
Ingredients used to help skin and formulas hold water.
Glycerin
Glycerol; glycerine
Helps skin hold on to water.
Found in 114 of 339 products
Butylene Glycol
1,3-Butanediol
Helps a formula hold water and feel less heavy.
Found in 63 of 339 products
Sodium Hyaluronate
Hyaluronic acid sodium salt
A hyaluronic-acid salt that attracts and holds water.
Found in 53 of 339 products
Propanediol
1,3-Propanediol
Helps a formula hold water and improves feel.
Found in 41 of 339 products
Panthenol
Provitamin B5
A provitamin B5 used to condition and soften skin.
Found in 38 of 339 products
Pentylene Glycol
1,2-Pentanediol
Helps a formula hold water; also supports preservation.
Found in 36 of 339 products
Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid
Low-molecular-weight hyaluronic acid
A smaller hyaluronic-acid form used for hydration.
Found in 14 of 339 products
Betaine
Trimethylglycine
Helps skin and formulas retain water.
Found in 13 of 339 productsSoothing & barrier
Skin-conditioning and barrier-related ingredients. Saved references are listed on each card; they do not show what this product does.
Squalane
Hydrogenated squalene
A light emollient that softens and reduces water loss.
Found in 27 of 339 products
Ceramide NP
Ceramide 3
A skin-identical lipid used to support the barrier.
Found in 23 of 339 products
Allantoin
Glyoxyldiureide
A skin-conditioning agent used to soothe the look of irritation.
Found in 19 of 339 products
Butyrospermum Parkii(Shea)Butter
Shea butter
An emollient butter that softens and seals in moisture.
Found in 17 of 339 products
Cholesterol
Cholesterol
A barrier lipid used alongside ceramides and fatty acids.
Found in 14 of 339 productsMore actives
Single-ingredient or small groups with a narrower evidence base. Each card keeps its own function label.
Tocopherol
Vitamin E (alpha-tocopherol)
An antioxidant used to slow oil oxidation.
Found in 61 of 339 products
Tocopheryl Acetate
Vitamin E acetate
A stable vitamin E ester used as an antioxidant.
Found in 21 of 339 products
Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
Green tea leaf extract
An antioxidant-rich botanical extract.
Found in 13 of 339 products
Niacinamide
Vitamin B3; nicotinamide
A vitamin B3 form used for skin conditioning and tone.
Found in 34 of 339 products
Titanium Dioxide
CI 77891
A mineral UV filter and white pigment.
Found in 21 of 339 productsBase & texture helpers (32)
Water, preservatives, emulsifiers, thickeners and pH adjusters. These shape the formula; they are not the reason it was chosen.
Aqua
Water
The main solvent that carries water-soluble ingredients.
Found in 130 of 339 productsPhenoxyethanol
2-Phenoxyethanol
A preservative that helps keep formulas from spoiling.
Found in 63 of 339 productsEthylhexylglycerin
2-Ethylhexylglycerin
A preservative booster and skin-conditioning agent.
Found in 57 of 339 productsCaprylyl Glycol
1,2-Octanediol
A humectant that also boosts preservation.
Found in 49 of 339 products1,2-Hexanediol
Hexane-1,2-diol
A solvent that also supports preservation.
Found in 44 of 339 productsCitric Acid
2-Hydroxypropane-1,2,3-tricarboxylic acid
A pH adjuster and chelating aid.
Found in 41 of 339 productsXanthan Gum
Xanthan
A thickener that keeps emulsions steady.
Found in 40 of 339 productsDimethicone
Polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS)
A silicone that smooths and forms a light film.
Found in 40 of 339 productsCarbomer
Polyacrylic acid polymer
A polymer used to gel and thicken.
Found in 39 of 339 productsSodium Chloride
Table salt
A salt used to adjust thickness.
Found in 34 of 339 productsSodium Hydroxide
Lye; caustic soda
A pH adjuster.
Found in 31 of 339 productsCetearyl Alcohol
Cetostearyl alcohol
A fatty alcohol used as an emollient and thickener.
Found in 31 of 339 productsCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Medium-chain triglycerides (MCT)
A light oil used as an emollient.
Found in 30 of 339 productsGlyceryl Stearate
Glyceryl monostearate
An emulsifier and emollient.
Found in 30 of 339 productsDisodium EDTA
Disodium edetate
A chelating agent that improves stability.
Found in 27 of 339 productsAcrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Pemulen-type acrylic polymer
A polymer that thickens and stabilises emulsions.
Found in 24 of 339 productsSodium Benzoate
Sodium salt of benzoic acid
A preservative.
Found in 22 of 339 productsHydrogenated Lecithin
Hydrogenated phosphatidylcholine mixture
An emulsifier and liposome-forming lipid.
Found in 21 of 339 productsSorbitan Olivate
Sorbitan olive-oil fatty-acid ester
An emulsifier derived from olive oil.
Found in 19 of 339 productsTrisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate
Trisodium EDDS
A chelating agent.
Found in 19 of 339 productsCetearyl Olivate
Cetearyl olive-oil fatty-acid ester
An emulsifier derived from olive oil.
Found in 18 of 339 productsTromethamine
Trometamol; Tris
A pH adjuster.
Found in 17 of 339 productsFragrance
Parfum
Adds scent; it is not a skincare active.
Found in 17 of 339 productsCetyl Alcohol
1-Hexadecanol
A fatty alcohol used as an emollient and thickener.
Found in 17 of 339 productsStearic Acid
Octadecanoic acid
A fatty acid used as an emulsifier and thickener.
Found in 16 of 339 productsSilica
Silicon dioxide
An absorbent powder that reduces shine and caking.
Found in 15 of 339 productsPalmitic Acid
Hexadecanoic acid
A fatty acid used as an emollient and emulsifier.
Found in 15 of 339 productsArginine
L-Arginine
An amino acid used to adjust pH and condition skin.
Found in 14 of 339 productsPolysorbate 20
Tween 20
A surfactant and emulsifier.
Found in 13 of 339 productsPolysorbate 60
Tween 60
A surfactant and emulsifier.
Found in 13 of 339 productsCoco-Betaine
Coco-betaine
A mild surfactant used in cleansing formulas.
Found in 13 of 339 productsSorbitan Isostearate
Sorbitan ester of isostearic acid
An emulsifier.
Found in 13 of 339 productsHow to read this guide
“Found in” uses the count saved in the ingredient record; the type mix comes from the captured INCI lists we hold. Evidence labels describe the saved study type, not how strong the evidence is. A saved reference can be small, indirect or about a different formulation.
Ingredient evidence does not establish the effectiveness of a finished product. Check the full ingredient list on the package you choose.