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Ingredients

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.

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Soothing & barrier

Cholesterol

Cholesterol

Human study · 1 saved reference

Cholesterol is a sterol and one of the lipid components of the stratum corneum. The cited study tested a complete lipid mixture, so the result is not from cholesterol alone.

A barrier lipid used alongside ceramides and fatty acids.

Found in 14 of 339 products we track. Type mix from captured INCI records: Moisturizer (10), Cleanser (4), Sunscreen (2).

Saved references

FUNCTION

Hydrating

Ingredients used to help skin and formulas hold water.

Glycerin

Glycerin

Glycerol; glycerine

Helps skin hold on to water.

Human study1 saved reference
Found in 114 of 339 products
Butylene Glycol

Butylene Glycol

1,3-Butanediol

Helps a formula hold water and feel less heavy.

Human study1 saved reference
Found in 63 of 339 products
Sodium Hyaluronate

Sodium Hyaluronate

Hyaluronic acid sodium salt

A hyaluronic-acid salt that attracts and holds water.

Human study2 saved references
Found in 53 of 339 products
Propanediol

Propanediol

1,3-Propanediol

Helps a formula hold water and improves feel.

Human study1 saved reference
Found in 41 of 339 products
Panthenol

Panthenol

Provitamin B5

A provitamin B5 used to condition and soften skin.

Lab study1 saved reference
Found in 38 of 339 products
Pentylene Glycol

Pentylene Glycol

1,2-Pentanediol

Helps a formula hold water; also supports preservation.

Case report1 saved reference
Found in 36 of 339 products
Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid

Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid

Low-molecular-weight hyaluronic acid

A smaller hyaluronic-acid form used for hydration.

No saved referenceNo saved reference
Found in 14 of 339 products
Betaine

Betaine

Trimethylglycine

Helps skin and formulas retain water.

Lab study1 saved reference
Found in 13 of 339 products
FUNCTION

Soothing & barrier

Skin-conditioning and barrier-related ingredients. Saved references are listed on each card; they do not show what this product does.

Squalane

Squalane

Hydrogenated squalene

A light emollient that softens and reduces water loss.

Lab study1 saved reference
Found in 27 of 339 products
Ceramide NP

Ceramide NP

Ceramide 3

A skin-identical lipid used to support the barrier.

Human study1 saved reference
Found in 23 of 339 products
Allantoin

Allantoin

Glyoxyldiureide

A skin-conditioning agent used to soothe the look of irritation.

Human study2 saved references
Found in 19 of 339 products
Butyrospermum Parkii(Shea)Butter

Butyrospermum Parkii(Shea)Butter

Shea butter

An emollient butter that softens and seals in moisture.

Lab study1 saved reference
Found in 17 of 339 products
Cholesterol

Cholesterol

Cholesterol

A barrier lipid used alongside ceramides and fatty acids.

Human study1 saved reference
Found in 14 of 339 products
FUNCTION

More actives

Single-ingredient or small groups with a narrower evidence base. Each card keeps its own function label.

Tocopherol
Antioxidant

Tocopherol

Vitamin E (alpha-tocopherol)

An antioxidant used to slow oil oxidation.

Lab study1 saved reference
Found in 61 of 339 products
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant

Tocopheryl Acetate

Vitamin E acetate

A stable vitamin E ester used as an antioxidant.

Lab study1 saved reference
Found in 21 of 339 products
Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
Antioxidant

Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract

Green tea leaf extract

An antioxidant-rich botanical extract.

Human study1 saved reference
Found in 13 of 339 products
Niacinamide
Brightening

Niacinamide

Vitamin B3; nicotinamide

A vitamin B3 form used for skin conditioning and tone.

Human study1 saved reference
Found in 34 of 339 products
Titanium Dioxide
Sun protection

Titanium Dioxide

CI 77891

A mineral UV filter and white pigment.

Human study1 saved reference
Found in 21 of 339 products
Base & 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.

Human study1 saved reference
Found in 130 of 339 products

Phenoxyethanol

2-Phenoxyethanol

A preservative that helps keep formulas from spoiling.

Human study2 saved references
Found in 63 of 339 products

Ethylhexylglycerin

2-Ethylhexylglycerin

A preservative booster and skin-conditioning agent.

Human study1 saved reference
Found in 57 of 339 products

Caprylyl Glycol

1,2-Octanediol

A humectant that also boosts preservation.

Human study1 saved reference
Found in 49 of 339 products

1,2-Hexanediol

Hexane-1,2-diol

A solvent that also supports preservation.

Human study1 saved reference
Found in 44 of 339 products

Citric Acid

2-Hydroxypropane-1,2,3-tricarboxylic acid

A pH adjuster and chelating aid.

Human study1 saved reference
Found in 41 of 339 products

Xanthan Gum

Xanthan

A thickener that keeps emulsions steady.

Lab study1 saved reference
Found in 40 of 339 products

Dimethicone

Polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS)

A silicone that smooths and forms a light film.

Lab study1 saved reference
Found in 40 of 339 products

Carbomer

Polyacrylic acid polymer

A polymer used to gel and thicken.

No saved referenceNo saved reference
Found in 39 of 339 products

Sodium Chloride

Table salt

A salt used to adjust thickness.

Human study1 saved reference
Found in 34 of 339 products

Sodium Hydroxide

Lye; caustic soda

A pH adjuster.

No saved referenceNo saved reference
Found in 31 of 339 products

Cetearyl Alcohol

Cetostearyl alcohol

A fatty alcohol used as an emollient and thickener.

Case report1 saved reference
Found in 31 of 339 products

Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride

Medium-chain triglycerides (MCT)

A light oil used as an emollient.

Human study1 saved reference
Found in 30 of 339 products

Glyceryl Stearate

Glyceryl monostearate

An emulsifier and emollient.

Human study1 saved reference
Found in 30 of 339 products

Disodium EDTA

Disodium edetate

A chelating agent that improves stability.

Lab study1 saved reference
Found in 27 of 339 products

Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer

Pemulen-type acrylic polymer

A polymer that thickens and stabilises emulsions.

Human study1 saved reference
Found in 24 of 339 products

Sodium Benzoate

Sodium salt of benzoic acid

A preservative.

Lab study1 saved reference
Found in 22 of 339 products

Hydrogenated Lecithin

Hydrogenated phosphatidylcholine mixture

An emulsifier and liposome-forming lipid.

Lab study1 saved reference
Found in 21 of 339 products

Sorbitan Olivate

Sorbitan olive-oil fatty-acid ester

An emulsifier derived from olive oil.

No saved referenceNo saved reference
Found in 19 of 339 products

Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate

Trisodium EDDS

A chelating agent.

No saved referenceNo saved reference
Found in 19 of 339 products

Cetearyl Olivate

Cetearyl olive-oil fatty-acid ester

An emulsifier derived from olive oil.

No saved referenceNo saved reference
Found in 18 of 339 products

Tromethamine

Trometamol; Tris

A pH adjuster.

No saved referenceNo saved reference
Found in 17 of 339 products

Fragrance

Parfum

Adds scent; it is not a skincare active.

No saved referenceNo saved reference
Found in 17 of 339 products

Cetyl Alcohol

1-Hexadecanol

A fatty alcohol used as an emollient and thickener.

Lab study1 saved reference
Found in 17 of 339 products

Stearic Acid

Octadecanoic acid

A fatty acid used as an emulsifier and thickener.

No saved referenceNo saved reference
Found in 16 of 339 products

Silica

Silicon dioxide

An absorbent powder that reduces shine and caking.

Lab study1 saved reference
Found in 15 of 339 products

Palmitic Acid

Hexadecanoic acid

A fatty acid used as an emollient and emulsifier.

No saved referenceNo saved reference
Found in 15 of 339 products

Arginine

L-Arginine

An amino acid used to adjust pH and condition skin.

Human study1 saved reference
Found in 14 of 339 products

Polysorbate 20

Tween 20

A surfactant and emulsifier.

Lab study1 saved reference
Found in 13 of 339 products

Polysorbate 60

Tween 60

A surfactant and emulsifier.

Lab study1 saved reference
Found in 13 of 339 products

Coco-Betaine

Coco-betaine

A mild surfactant used in cleansing formulas.

Case report1 saved reference
Found in 13 of 339 products

Sorbitan Isostearate

Sorbitan ester of isostearic acid

An emulsifier.

No saved referenceNo saved reference
Found in 13 of 339 products

How 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.

Saved references

Ingredient evidence does not establish the effectiveness of a finished product.
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REVUEI

Ingredients

What an ingredient does, with sources and limits.

All ingredients

Cholesterol

Cholesterol

Cholesterol is a sterol and one of the lipid components of the stratum corneum. The cited study tested a complete lipid mixture, so the result is not from cholesterol alone.

Human study · 1 saved reference

Repair of acetone- and sodium lauryl sulphate-damaged human skin barrier function using topically applied emulsions containing barrier lipids.

Human volunteer study with topically applied lipid emulsions · 2002

The emulsion contained a complete lipid mixture, so the result is not from cholesterol alone.

Read reference

Ingredient studies do not establish finished-product efficacy.

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Independent consumer review analysis. Not medical advice.