Dimethicone is a silicone-based ingredient that forms a smooth, protective layer on your skin. It helps lock in moisture, creates a soft feel, and is commonly used in moisturizers and primers to improve product texture and skin hydration.
Benefits
Improves skin hydration by creating a moisture-barrier layer
Provides a smooth, silky feel to products and on skin
Well-tolerated by sensitive and atopic (eczema-prone) skin
Non-greasy alternative to heavier oils
Science: Clinical studies demonstrate dimethicone is safe and well-tolerated in children with atopic dermatitis from 12 months of age. Research shows moisturizers containing dimethicone effectively improve skin hydration in mild-to-moderate atopic dermatitis patients over 14 days.
Glycerin is a naturally derived humectant—a ingredient that draws moisture from the air into your skin. It's one of the most widely used and well-studied moisturizing agents in skincare, helping skin feel softer and more hydrated.
Benefits
Attracts and retains moisture in the skin
Improves skin hydration and softness
Helps strengthen skin barrier function
Suitable for most skin types, including sensitive skin
Science: The Cosmetic Ingredient Review Expert Panel concluded glycerin is safe as used in cosmetics across all concentrations. Research shows glycerin effectively improves skin hydration and is well-tolerated with minimal irritation risk. It is also referenced in clinical guidelines for managing inflammatory skin conditions and maintaining skin integrity.
Caprylyl glycol is a preservative and skin-conditioning ingredient derived from coconut oil. It helps prevent bacterial and mold growth in skincare products while also providing mild hydrating and humectant benefits to the skin.
Benefits
Helps preserve product freshness and prevent contamination
Provides gentle humectant properties to help retain skin moisture
Often used as a gentler alternative to traditional preservatives
Potential concerns
Rare cases of allergic contact dermatitis have been reported in sensitive individuals
May cause irritation in those with known sensitivity to glycols
Science: A 200-subject repeat patch test study found no delayed hypersensitivity reactions to caprylyl glycol at typical use concentrations. However, isolated case reports of allergic contact dermatitis exist, suggesting it can act as an allergen in susceptible individuals. It is widely used in infant and sensitive-skin formulations as a preservative alternative.
Citric acid is a naturally occurring organic acid commonly used in skincare products as an exfoliant and pH balancer. It belongs to a group of ingredients called alpha-hydroxy acids (AHAs) that help remove dead skin cells from the surface.
Benefits
Gentle exfoliation to improve skin texture and appearance
Helps reduce the appearance of keratosis and acne
Balances product pH to maintain skin compatibility
Potential concerns
Can cause irritation, redness, or sensitivity in some users, especially with prolonged or frequent use
May increase sun sensitivity — sunscreen use is recommended when using AHA products
Not suitable for very sensitive or compromised skin without caution
Science: Citric acid is an established AHA used in cosmetics for superficial peeling and skin appearance improvement, though research emphasizes that caution should be exercised due to potential adverse reactions. It is widely produced industrially and well-established in skincare formulations.
Sodium citrate is a salt derived from citric acid that acts as a pH buffer and preservative in skincare products. It helps stabilize formulations and maintain skin compatibility by regulating acidity levels.
Benefits
Helps maintain optimal pH balance in skincare formulas
Preservative that extends product shelf life
Gentle and well-tolerated by most skin types
Science: Sodium citrate is recognized as safe for topical use in cosmetics and has a long history of food and pharmaceutical applications. The research provided relates to its use as an anticoagulant in medical settings and as a buffering agent in sports nutrition, demonstrating its established safety profile across multiple industries.
Potassium sorbate is a preservative used in skincare products to prevent the growth of mold, yeast, and some bacteria, helping extend shelf life. It's a salt derived from sorbic acid and is commonly used as a gentler alternative to stronger chemical preservatives.
Benefits
Prevents microbial contamination and mold growth
Generally considered milder than some other preservatives like benzalkonium chloride
Allows products to remain effective longer without refrigeration
Potential concerns
May cause irritation or allergic contact dermatitis in sensitive individuals
Not suitable for preservative-free formulations
Limited effectiveness against some bacteria compared to stronger preservatives
Science: Clinical research suggests potassium sorbate is less damaging to delicate tissues than benzalkonium chloride, making it a preferred alternative preservative in sensitive applications like eye products. However, peer-reviewed safety data specific to topical skincare use in the general population is limited.
Phenoxyethanol is a preservative that prevents bacteria, yeast, and mold from growing in skincare products, helping them stay fresh and safe to use. It has been used safely in cosmetics for decades and is effective at very low concentrations.
Benefits
Prevents microbial contamination and product spoilage
Broad-spectrum antimicrobial activity against bacteria and yeast
Minimal impact on beneficial skin bacteria when used at approved levels
Potential concerns
Rare allergic contact dermatitis in sensitive individuals
May cause irritation if used in products at concentrations above 1%
Science: The European Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety considers phenoxyethanol safe for all consumers, including children, at concentrations up to 1%. Adverse effects observed in animal studies required exposure levels approximately 200 times higher than those in cosmetic products, and it is classified as one of the most well-tolerated preservatives in cosmetics.
Sodium chloride is common table salt, used in skincare products as a texture modifier, preservative, and to help balance formulations. In small amounts, it's generally well-tolerated by skin.
Benefits
Helps preserve product stability
Can enhance skin hydration when used in appropriate concentrations
Improves product texture and consistency
Potential concerns
High concentrations may irritate sensitive or compromised skin
Excessive topical salt exposure can potentially disrupt skin barrier function
May cause dryness or tightness in some individuals
Science: Sodium chloride is a naturally occurring electrolyte essential to skin physiology. Research indicates the skin actively regulates sodium levels through complex mechanisms involving the endothelium, immune cells, and lymphatics; however, peer-reviewed data specifically addressing topical sodium chloride in cosmetic formulations at typical use levels is limited.
Chlorphenesin is a synthetic preservative used in skincare products to prevent bacterial and fungal growth, extending shelf life. It's a broad-spectrum antimicrobial agent that helps keep products safe from contamination during storage and use.
Benefits
Prevents microbial contamination in skincare formulations
Extends product shelf life
Allows formulas to remain stable without refrigeration
Potential concerns
May cause irritation to sensitive eyes and eye area when present in eye products
Degrades under UV exposure, potentially creating more harmful breakdown products
Limited long-term safety data in peer-reviewed literature
Science: Research shows chlorphenesin can be toxic to eye tissue cells at approved concentrations, particularly affecting meibomian glands. When exposed to sunlight, it breaks down into compounds like 4-chlorophenol that may be more ecotoxic than the original ingredient, though systemic absorption in skincare is typically minimal.
Chlorhexidine digluconate is an antimicrobial agent that kills bacteria and fungi on the skin. It's commonly used in rinse-off products like cleansers and mouthwashes, and occasionally in leave-on skincare formulations to help prevent infection and reduce microbial growth.
Benefits
Effective antimicrobial action against a broad range of bacteria and fungi
Can help reduce biofilm formation, making it useful for persistent skin infections
Well-established safety record in medical and dental applications
Potential concerns
Contact dermatitis and allergic sensitization possible in some individuals, particularly with prolonged or repeated skin contact
Can cause skin irritation, staining, or discoloration with extended use on intact skin
Not recommended for frequent use on healthy skin due to potential disruption of beneficial skin microbiota
Should be used in rinse-off rather than leave-on formats for facial skincare to minimize irritation risk
Science: Chlorhexidine digluconate demonstrates strong antimicrobial efficacy against pathogenic organisms including Candida albicans, and is particularly effective at disrupting established biofilms. However, contact dermatitis studies show a notable sensitization rate in patch testing, indicating allergic potential in susceptible populations.
Steareth-20 is a synthetic emulsifier derived from stearic acid (a fatty acid) that helps mix oil and water-based ingredients together in skincare formulas. It's commonly used to create stable, smooth textures in creams and lotions.
Benefits
Stabilizes emulsions to create smooth, consistent product texture
Allows oil and water ingredients to blend effectively
Generally gentler than some alternative detergents used in skincare
Potential concerns
May cause irritation in sensitive skin at high concentrations
Can affect cell viability in laboratory settings at elevated levels, though relevance to normal skincare use is unclear
Science: Research shows Steareth-20 has lower in vitro cytotoxicity compared to harsher detergents like sodium lauryl sulfate, requiring much higher concentrations (70% vs. 1%) to produce cell damage in lab studies. However, these laboratory findings use extreme concentrations not typical in finished skincare products, and actual safety in real-world use remains well-established through decades of cosmetic industry use.
Tripeptide-1 (also called palmitoyl tripeptide-1) is a peptide derived from amino acids that's designed to stimulate your skin's natural collagen and elastin production. It works by signaling your skin cells to boost the production of proteins that keep skin firm, elastic, and youthful-looking.
Benefits
Stimulates collagen and elastin production for improved firmness
Enhances skin elasticity and reduces the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles
Improves skin hydration and moisture retention
May help thicken the skin and improve overall skin texture
Science: Clinical trials demonstrate that tripeptide-1, when combined with complementary ingredients, significantly increases skin hydration (28%), elasticity (19%), and collagen production (55%) over 12 weeks with no reported safety concerns. Research also suggests time-coordinated application (nighttime) may optimize collagen fiber formation and skin quality improvements.
Biotin is a B-vitamin that plays a role in keratin production and cellular metabolism. While widely marketed for hair and nail health, it's typically used in skincare as a supplemental ingredient rather than a topical treatment, and evidence for its effectiveness in healthy individuals is limited.
Benefits
May support hair and nail strength in people with biotin deficiency
Involved in keratin synthesis, which is a structural protein in skin, hair, and nails
Generally well-tolerated with no known serious adverse effects
Potential concerns
No proven benefit for healthy individuals without biotin deficiency
May interfere with certain laboratory tests if taken as a supplement
Limited evidence for topical application effectiveness
Science: A 2017 systematic review found biotin supplementation only showed clinical improvements in cases of underlying biotin deficiency or specific nail/hair pathologies—not in healthy people. Most research involves oral supplementation rather than topical skincare use.
Chrysin is a natural flavonoid compound found in bee products like propolis and honey. In skincare, it's valued for its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, which may help protect skin from environmental damage and support a calmer, healthier complexion.
Benefits
Antioxidant protection against environmental stressors
Anti-inflammatory support to reduce skin irritation
May help with skin barrier health and skin protective effects
Potential concerns
Limited human clinical data — most research is in laboratory or animal studies
May cause sensitivity in individuals allergic to bee products
Science: Research shows chrysin has antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and skin-protective properties in controlled studies. However, most evidence comes from laboratory research rather than human clinical trials, so real-world skincare efficacy in typical concentrations remains largely unconfirmed.
