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.
Polyacrylic acid polymer
Carbomer is a crosslinked polyacrylic acid that swells in water to form a gel. It is used to thicken and stabilize formulas. No qualifying primary skin/topical study was found under the E1 rule, so this entry describes formulation role only.
A polymer used to gel and thicken.
Found in 39 of 339 products we track. Type mix from captured INCI records: Moisturizer (23), Sunscreen (5), Cleanser (4).
No saved reference for this ingredient yet.
Ingredients used to help skin and formulas hold water.
Glycerol; glycerine
Helps skin hold on to water.
Found in 114 of 339 products
1,3-Butanediol
Helps a formula hold water and feel less heavy.
Found in 63 of 339 products
Hyaluronic acid sodium salt
A hyaluronic-acid salt that attracts and holds water.
Found in 53 of 339 products
1,3-Propanediol
Helps a formula hold water and improves feel.
Found in 41 of 339 products
Provitamin B5
A provitamin B5 used to condition and soften skin.
Found in 38 of 339 products
1,2-Pentanediol
Helps a formula hold water; also supports preservation.
Found in 36 of 339 products
Low-molecular-weight hyaluronic acid
A smaller hyaluronic-acid form used for hydration.
Found in 14 of 339 products
Trimethylglycine
Helps skin and formulas retain water.
Found in 13 of 339 productsSkin-conditioning and barrier-related ingredients. Saved references are listed on each card; they do not show what this product does.
Hydrogenated squalene
A light emollient that softens and reduces water loss.
Found in 27 of 339 products
Ceramide 3
A skin-identical lipid used to support the barrier.
Found in 23 of 339 products
Glyoxyldiureide
A skin-conditioning agent used to soothe the look of irritation.
Found in 19 of 339 products
Shea butter
An emollient butter that softens and seals in moisture.
Found in 17 of 339 products
Cholesterol
A barrier lipid used alongside ceramides and fatty acids.
Found in 14 of 339 productsSingle-ingredient or small groups with a narrower evidence base. Each card keeps its own function label.
Vitamin E (alpha-tocopherol)
An antioxidant used to slow oil oxidation.
Found in 61 of 339 products
Vitamin E acetate
A stable vitamin E ester used as an antioxidant.
Found in 21 of 339 products
Green tea leaf extract
An antioxidant-rich botanical extract.
Found in 13 of 339 products
Vitamin B3; nicotinamide
A vitamin B3 form used for skin conditioning and tone.
Found in 34 of 339 products
CI 77891
A mineral UV filter and white pigment.
Found in 21 of 339 productsWater, preservatives, emulsifiers, thickeners and pH adjusters. These shape the formula; they are not the reason it was chosen.
Water
The main solvent that carries water-soluble ingredients.
Found in 130 of 339 products2-Phenoxyethanol
A preservative that helps keep formulas from spoiling.
Found in 63 of 339 products2-Ethylhexylglycerin
A preservative booster and skin-conditioning agent.
Found in 57 of 339 products1,2-Octanediol
A humectant that also boosts preservation.
Found in 49 of 339 productsHexane-1,2-diol
A solvent that also supports preservation.
Found in 44 of 339 products2-Hydroxypropane-1,2,3-tricarboxylic acid
A pH adjuster and chelating aid.
Found in 41 of 339 productsXanthan
A thickener that keeps emulsions steady.
Found in 40 of 339 productsPolydimethylsiloxane (PDMS)
A silicone that smooths and forms a light film.
Found in 40 of 339 productsPolyacrylic acid polymer
A polymer used to gel and thicken.
Found in 39 of 339 productsTable salt
A salt used to adjust thickness.
Found in 34 of 339 productsLye; caustic soda
A pH adjuster.
Found in 31 of 339 productsCetostearyl alcohol
A fatty alcohol used as an emollient and thickener.
Found in 31 of 339 productsMedium-chain triglycerides (MCT)
A light oil used as an emollient.
Found in 30 of 339 productsGlyceryl monostearate
An emulsifier and emollient.
Found in 30 of 339 productsDisodium edetate
A chelating agent that improves stability.
Found in 27 of 339 productsPemulen-type acrylic polymer
A polymer that thickens and stabilises emulsions.
Found in 24 of 339 productsSodium salt of benzoic acid
A preservative.
Found in 22 of 339 productsHydrogenated phosphatidylcholine mixture
An emulsifier and liposome-forming lipid.
Found in 21 of 339 productsSorbitan olive-oil fatty-acid ester
An emulsifier derived from olive oil.
Found in 19 of 339 productsTrisodium EDDS
A chelating agent.
Found in 19 of 339 productsCetearyl olive-oil fatty-acid ester
An emulsifier derived from olive oil.
Found in 18 of 339 productsTrometamol; Tris
A pH adjuster.
Found in 17 of 339 productsParfum
Adds scent; it is not a skincare active.
Found in 17 of 339 products1-Hexadecanol
A fatty alcohol used as an emollient and thickener.
Found in 17 of 339 productsOctadecanoic acid
A fatty acid used as an emulsifier and thickener.
Found in 16 of 339 productsSilicon dioxide
An absorbent powder that reduces shine and caking.
Found in 15 of 339 productsHexadecanoic acid
A fatty acid used as an emollient and emulsifier.
Found in 15 of 339 productsL-Arginine
An amino acid used to adjust pH and condition skin.
Found in 14 of 339 productsTween 20
A surfactant and emulsifier.
Found in 13 of 339 productsTween 60
A surfactant and emulsifier.
Found in 13 of 339 productsCoco-betaine
A mild surfactant used in cleansing formulas.
Found in 13 of 339 productsSorbitan ester of isostearic acid
An emulsifier.
Found in 13 of 339 products“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.
What an ingredient does, with sources and limits.
Polyacrylic acid polymer
Carbomer is a crosslinked polyacrylic acid that swells in water to form a gel. It is used to thicken and stabilize formulas. No qualifying primary skin/topical study was found under the E1 rule, so this entry describes formulation role only.
Ingredient studies do not establish finished-product efficacy.