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.
Disodium EDTA is a chelating agent that binds to metals and minerals in skincare formulations, helping to preserve product stability and extend shelf life. It's used in small amounts (typically under 2%) to prevent unwanted chemical reactions that could degrade the formula.
Benefits
Stabilizes cosmetic formulations by binding trace metals
Extends product shelf life and maintains efficacy
Allows other skincare ingredients to work more effectively
Potential concerns
May increase skin penetration of other ingredients by chelating calcium in the skin barrier—only a concern if combined with potentially harmful substances
Not absorbed through skin in normal use, but inhalation from sprays was identified as a theoretical concern in safety assessments
Science: The Cosmetic Ingredient Review Expert Panel confirmed safety in 2023 based on standard use concentrations. Clinical studies show no skin absorption; however, it can affect how other chemicals penetrate the skin, so formulators must account for this when combining with other actives.
Arginine is a naturally occurring amino acid that is a building block of proteins found in skin. In skincare products, it's used to support skin hydration and may help improve skin barrier function and elasticity.
Benefits
Supports natural skin hydration
Helps maintain skin barrier health
May improve skin firmness and elasticity
Science: Arginine is a naturally occurring amino acid in human skin with a strong safety profile. Research shows it is a normal metabolite excreted by skin and is used in clinical diagnostics, indicating its natural presence and compatibility with skin biology.
2-Hexanediol is a humectant and preservative booster commonly used in skincare products to help retain moisture and extend shelf life. It works by drawing water into the skin while also enhancing the effectiveness of other preservatives, allowing brands to use lower amounts of traditional preservatives.
Benefits
Hydrates and moisturizes skin by drawing in water
Helps preserve products with lower preservative levels
Works synergistically with other skincare ingredients like niacinamide
Potential concerns
May cause cell viability concerns at concentrations above 1.0% in laboratory studies
Limited real-world safety data in humans at typical skincare concentrations (usually 2-5%)
Potential environmental concern if released into water systems
Science: While 2-hexanediol is widely used as a preservative substitute for parabens, recent cytotoxicity studies raise questions about safety at concentrations commonly found in skincare products (>2%). However, these findings are from laboratory cell studies and may not directly translate to human skin application. Further human safety studies are needed to confirm real-world risk.
Carbomer is a thickening agent and stabilizer that gives skincare products their gel-like texture. It helps create a smooth, spreadable consistency and can hold active ingredients in place on the skin for better absorption.
Benefits
Creates a smooth, easy-to-apply gel texture
Helps stabilize and thicken formulations
Can improve how long active ingredients stay on the skin
Allows better delivery of beneficial compounds into deeper skin layers
Potential concerns
Can occasionally cause irritation or sensitivity in very reactive skin types
Requires proper pH adjustment in formulations (formulators use this, not consumers)
Science: Research shows carbomer is commonly used as a gel base in advanced skincare delivery systems, including those designed for anti-inflammatory and healing treatments. Studies indicate it effectively works with active ingredients like nanoparticles and botanical extracts to improve their penetration and efficacy on skin.
Betaine is a naturally occurring compound found in plants like sugar beets and rice that helps skin retain moisture. In skincare products, it works as a humectant to draw water into the skin and maintain hydration.
Benefits
Hydrates and moisturizes skin
Helps skin retain water
May have anti-inflammatory properties
Generally non-irritating and well-tolerated
Science: Research indicates betaine (particularly in combination with polyhexanide) is nontoxic and well-tolerated in topical applications. Studies on rice-derived betaine show it is safe, non-irritating, and hypoallergenic, with potential anti-inflammatory and moisturizing benefits for skin.
Polyglyceryl-10 Laurate is a gentle, plant-derived emulsifier and solubilizer that helps blend water and oil-based ingredients together in skincare formulas. It also helps deliver other active ingredients more effectively into the skin by improving their stability and absorption.
Benefits
Helps dissolve and stabilize hard-to-mix ingredients like plant extracts and oils
Improves the effectiveness of active ingredients through better delivery
Mild and well-tolerated by most skin types
Enables creation of lightweight, non-greasy formulations
Science: Research shows polyglyceryl-10 laurate effectively solubilizes botanical extracts and encapsulates unstable active ingredients like bakuchiol, improving their stability in aqueous formulations without compromising their beneficial properties.
Allantoin is a naturally derived compound that helps calm and soothe irritated skin. It works by promoting healing and reducing inflammation, making it a popular choice in products designed for sensitive or reactive skin.
Benefits
Reduces skin inflammation and irritation
Supports the skin barrier function
Promotes gentle healing of compromised skin
Well-tolerated by sensitive skin types
Science: Allantoin ranks among the top three most-used active ingredients in pharmacy-grade sensitive skin products, alongside niacinamide and oat extract. Scientific evidence supports its anti-inflammatory mechanism and barrier-supporting action, though clinical studies specifically testing it on sensitive skin volunteers remain limited.
Hyaluronic acid is a naturally occurring molecule found in your skin that acts like a sponge, holding water to keep skin hydrated and plump. In skincare products, it helps improve skin moisture, reduce the appearance of fine lines, and support overall skin texture and firmness.
Benefits
Boosts skin hydration and moisture retention
Helps reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles
Supports skin firmness and elasticity
Well-tolerated and safe for most skin types
May enhance effects of other anti-aging treatments
Science: Multiple clinical studies confirm hyaluronic acid is highly effective and well-tolerated for improving skin hydration and signs of aging. Research shows it works as an effective standalone treatment and also enhances results when combined with other anti-aging procedures, with benefits sustained over extended use periods.
Arbutin is a naturally derived compound made from hydroquinone and sugar that works to reduce skin pigmentation and even out skin tone. It helps prevent melanin (the pigment that causes dark spots) from forming, making it useful for treating dark patches, discoloration, and uneven complexion.
Benefits
Helps fade dark spots and hyperpigmentation
Evens out skin tone over time
Has antioxidant properties that may protect skin from environmental damage
Gentler alternative to some other skin-lightening ingredients
Potential concerns
Can cause dermatitis or skin irritation in rare cases
May break down into hydroquinone during storage or use, which is a stronger (and regulated) ingredient—look for stabilized formulas
Results are gradual and require consistent use; not effective for everyone
Can make skin more sun-sensitive, so daily SPF is essential
Science: Research over the past 30+ years confirms arbutin reduces melanin production and has antioxidant benefits, though newer alternatives like thiamidol and tranexamic acid are increasingly preferred for melasma due to superior safety profiles. Stability and formulation quality are important—products should be stabilized to prevent breakdown into hydroquinone, and combining arbutin with other ingredients or professional treatments (like laser) can improve results.
Hydroxyethylcellulose (HEC) is a thickening and gelling agent derived from cellulose, a natural plant material. In skincare products, it creates a smooth texture, helps bind ingredients together, and improves how products feel and spread on skin.
Benefits
Creates a smooth, even texture in gels and creams
Helps products spread easily without feeling heavy
Non-ionic, meaning it works well with most other skincare ingredients
Biocompatible and generally well-tolerated by skin
Science: HEC is documented as biocompatible, biodegradable, nontoxic, and water-soluble in peer-reviewed literature. It is widely used in cosmetic and pharmaceutical formulations as a gelling and thickening agent with a strong safety profile in topical applications.
