👎 0
Ingredients
-
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.
Analyze Ingredient Further→ -
Hexylene glycol is a lightweight humectant and preservative booster used in skincare products to help retain moisture and improve product stability. It also enhances the penetration of other active ingredients into the skin.
Benefits
- Helps skin retain moisture
- Improves product texture and spreadability
- Enhances effectiveness of preservative systems
Potential concerns
- May cause mild irritation or redness in sensitive individuals (occurs in roughly 3% of eczema-prone skin)
- Potential for delayed allergic contact reactions in susceptible people, though this is uncommon
- Less irritating than propylene glycol under occlusion, but still worth avoiding if you have known sensitivities to glycols
Science: A 1989 study found hexylene glycol caused visible skin reactions in 2.8% of eczema patients at high concentrations (30-50%), with potential for delayed allergic sensitization in rare cases. It was less irritating than propylene glycol. One case report mentions hexylene glycol as a potential allergen in medical formulations, though reactions are uncommon at typical cosmetic concentrations.
Analyze Ingredient Further→ -
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.
Analyze Ingredient Further→ -
Sodium benzoate is a preservative used in skincare products to prevent bacterial and fungal growth, extending shelf life. It's a salt derived from benzoic acid and is one of the most widely used preservatives in cosmetics, skincare, and food products.
Benefits
- Prevents microbial contamination and extends product shelf life
- Generally effective at low concentrations (0.1-0.5%)
- Approved for cosmetic use by major regulatory bodies
Potential concerns
- Can cause allergic contact dermatitis in sensitive individuals; identified as an allergen in medical hand cleansers
- Recent research suggests long-term oral intake may affect bone health and increase osteoporosis risk, though topical skincare exposure is minimal
Science: Sodium benzoate is well-established as a safe preservative in cosmetics at typical use levels. However, emerging research indicates that chronic systemic intake may interfere with bone metabolism through the FGF2/p38/RUNX2 pathway. For topical skincare use, the exposure and absorption are minimal compared to dietary intake, but individuals with known sensitivities should avoid it.
Analyze Ingredient Further→ -
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.
Analyze Ingredient Further→ -
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.
Analyze Ingredient Further→ -
Sodium Hydroxide is a strong alkaline chemical used in skincare products primarily as a pH buffer to neutralize acids and adjust the product's pH to safe levels for skin. It is not an active skincare ingredient and appears only in trace amounts in finished products.
Potential concerns
- In concentrated form, sodium hydroxide is caustic and can cause severe chemical burns; however, in cosmetic products it is diluted and pH-buffered to safe levels
- Undiluted or highly concentrated sodium hydroxide should never contact skin directly
Science: The provided research discusses sodium hydroxide only in a specialized medical context (10% solution for surgical cauterization of ingrown toenails), which is not relevant to cosmetic skincare use. In properly formulated skincare products, sodium hydroxide is used in minimal concentrations solely for pH adjustment and is considered safe by regulatory bodies including the FDA and EU.
Analyze Ingredient Further→ -
Coco-Betaine is a mild, plant-derived surfactant (cleansing agent) made from coconut oil. It helps cleanse skin and hair by removing oil and dirt, and is often used in gentle formulations because it's less irritating than harsher surfactants.
Benefits
- Gentle cleansing action suitable for sensitive skin
- Plant-derived and considered a more sustainable ingredient
- Can be used in formulations designed for delicate skin types
Potential concerns
- Rare but documented cases of allergic contact dermatitis in sensitive individuals
- May cause irritation or allergic reactions in people with surfactant sensitivities
Science: Coco-Betaine is recognized as a mild surfactant with good biocompatibility and has been successfully used in eco-friendly formulations. However, isolated case reports document allergic contact dermatitis in susceptible individuals, suggesting it is not universally hypoallergenic despite its gentle reputation.
Analyze Ingredient Further→ -
This is a gentle emulsifier and skin-conditioning agent made by combining a natural sugar (glucose) with oils and a polymer. It helps blend oil and water in formulas while leaving skin feeling soft and moisturized.
Benefits
- Helps stabilize product texture
- Provides mild moisturizing effect
- Allows even distribution of oils in water-based products
Science: Limited peer-reviewed data available for this ingredient. It is derived from naturally-sourced materials (glucose and plant oils) and is considered a mild, non-irritating emulsifier suitable for sensitive skin formulations.
Analyze Ingredient Further→ -
Analysis not yet available for this ingredient.
-
Analysis not yet available for this ingredient.
-
Zinc PCA is a zinc salt derived from pyrrolidone carboxylic acid, a naturally occurring compound found in healthy skin. It helps regulate sebum production and has antimicrobial properties, making it particularly useful in products designed to address oily skin, dandruff, and seborrheic dermatitis.
Benefits
- Helps reduce excess oil and sebum production
- Supports scalp and skin health in seborrheic dermatitis
- May help reduce itching, flaking, and redness associated with dandruff and scalp conditions
- Generally well-tolerated with antimicrobial properties
Science: Clinical studies show Zinc PCA in combination formulations effectively reduces symptoms of seborrheic dermatitis on both face and scalp, including improvements in dandruff, itching, erythema, and scaling. Research indicates excellent tolerability with no reported adverse effects in tested populations.
Analyze Ingredient Further→ -
PEG-8 is a humectant and emulsifier derived from polyethylene glycol. In skincare products, it helps bind water to the skin and stabilize formulations by keeping oils and water mixed together smoothly.
Benefits
- Helps retain moisture in the skin
- Improves product texture and stability
- Enables even distribution of active ingredients
Science: PEG-8 has been used safely in topical formulations for decades. Research shows it effectively functions as an emulsifier in oil-in-water systems and helps control the release and penetration of active ingredients through skin.
Analyze Ingredient Further→ -
Sodium Laureth Sulfate (SLES) is a cleansing agent that helps remove oil and dirt from skin and hair. It's a mild surfactant commonly used in shampoos, body washes, and facial cleansers to create lather and improve product effectiveness.
Benefits
- Effective at removing oils and impurities
- Creates satisfying lather in cleansing products
- Milder than some alternative surfactants
Potential concerns
- Can be drying or irritating to sensitive skin with prolonged contact
- May cause contact dermatitis in individuals with sensitive skin
- Higher occupational exposure risk for hairdressers; consumer exposure generally considered acceptable
Science: Limited peer-reviewed data specifically addresses SLES safety in consumer skincare products. A systematic review of hair cosmetic ingredients noted that while current safety standards consider typical consumer exposure acceptable, the irritant potential of surfactants like SLES warrants attention in sensitive populations. Research confirms SLES is effective at cleansing, though individual sensitivity varies.
Analyze Ingredient Further→
Edit this product
Edit Ingredients