Ingredients
-
Butylene glycol is a humectant—a type of ingredient that draws water into the skin and helps it stay hydrated. It's a small, lightweight molecule commonly used in moisturizers to improve hydration without leaving a heavy feel on the skin.
Benefits
- Increases skin hydration and moisture retention
- Lightweight and absorbs quickly
- Helps other active ingredients penetrate the skin more effectively
Science: Research demonstrates that butylene glycol, when combined with other humectants (like glycerin and hyaluronic acid) and occlusive ingredients in moisturizers, significantly improves skin hydration in both healthy skin and compromised skin conditions such as atopic dermatitis. It is recognized as a safe, effective humectant in dermatological formulations.
Analyze Ingredient Further→ -
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.
Analyze Ingredient Further→ -
Sodium hyaluronate is the salt form of hyaluronic acid, a naturally occurring substance found in your skin that acts like a moisture magnet. In skincare products, it absorbs water from the environment and binds it to your skin, helping to hydrate and plump the skin's surface.
Benefits
- Delivers intense hydration to the skin
- Helps reduce the appearance of fine lines by improving skin moisture
- Supports skin barrier function
- Suitable for all skin types, including sensitive and oily skin
Potential concerns
- In very dry climates with low humidity, it may draw moisture from deeper skin layers if not sealed with an occlusive product
- Rare allergic reactions are possible but extremely uncommon
Science: While the provided research focuses on intra-articular injections for joint health (showing good safety and efficacy), hyaluronic acid and its salt form are well-established in dermatology for topical hydration. The molecule's safety profile is well-documented across decades of use in medical and cosmetic applications, with severe adverse reactions being extremely rare.
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→ -
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.
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→ -
Propanediol is a lightweight humectant—a molecule that draws water into the skin to keep it hydrated. It's also used in cosmetic formulations as a solvent and preservative booster, helping products stay stable and feel smooth on the skin.
Benefits
- Hydrates and moisturizes the skin
- Improves product texture and spreadability
- Helps preserve formulations naturally
Science: Propanediol can be produced through bio-based fermentation (from glycerol using microorganisms), making it an environmentally friendly alternative to traditional chemical synthesis. It is widely recognized as safe in cosmetic and food applications, with established use as both a humectant and preservative enhancer.
Analyze Ingredient Further→ -
Lecithin is a naturally derived ingredient that acts as an emulsifier and skin conditioner in skincare products. It helps blend water and oil-based ingredients together and can improve the texture and feel of creams and lotions on your skin.
Benefits
- Helps create smooth, blended formulations
- Conditions and softens skin
- Improves product texture and spreadability
Science: The Cosmetic Ingredient Review Expert Panel concluded that lecithin and related phosphoglycerides are safe for use in cosmetics at concentrations up to 50%, based on comprehensive safety assessment. While lecithin can have physiological effects when ingested, these effects are not reproduced through topical skin application.
Analyze Ingredient Further→ -
Limonene is a natural fragrance compound found in citrus oils and other plants. It's used in skincare products primarily to provide a fresh, lemon-like scent and may have mild preservative properties.
Benefits
- Provides natural fragrance
- May help preserve products
- Derived from natural plant sources
Potential concerns
- Can cause skin irritation or allergic contact dermatitis in sensitive individuals
- May oxidize over time, potentially becoming more irritating
- Inhalation of high concentrations may pose concerns; use caution with products prone to aerosolization
Science: Limonene is a widely used fragrance component in cosmetics derived from essential oils. However, research indicates that monoterpenes like limonene can exhibit hepatotoxic properties and penetrate skin readily; while cosmetic concentrations are typically low, individuals with sensitive skin or fragrance allergies should exercise caution.
Analyze Ingredient Further→ -
Sodium phytate is a naturally derived ingredient that acts as a chelating agent, binding to minerals and metals on the skin's surface. In skincare, it's primarily studied for its potential brightening and clarifying properties, though research in this area remains limited.
Benefits
- May help brighten skin appearance
- Potential mild exfoliating or clarifying effect
- Naturally derived ingredient
Potential concerns
- Very limited safety data in skincare applications
- Chelating agents can potentially disrupt skin barrier minerals if used excessively
- Most research focuses on dental use rather than facial skincare
Science: Available research on sodium phytate focuses primarily on dental whitening toothpaste rather than skincare products. One 2025 clinical trial showed modest whitening effects in toothpaste formulations over 3-4 weeks, but efficacy plateaued. Peer-reviewed safety and efficacy data specifically for facial skincare use is limited.
Analyze Ingredient Further→ -
Water is the primary ingredient in most skincare products, serving as a base that dissolves and carries other active ingredients. It hydrates the skin surface and helps other beneficial compounds penetrate effectively.
Benefits
- Hydrates and plumps the skin
- Helps deliver other skincare ingredients
- Essential solvent for product formulation
Science: Water is a fundamental component of skin physiology and cosmetic formulations. No safety concerns exist for topical application; it is non-irritating and universally safe for all skin types.
Analyze Ingredient Further→ -
Parfum is a mixture of fragrant compounds used to add pleasant scent to skincare products. It's typically composed of essential oils, aromatic chemicals, and solvents blended together to create a specific fragrance profile.
Benefits
- Improves sensory experience and enjoyment of using the product
- Can enhance perceived product quality and appeal
Potential concerns
- May cause allergic contact dermatitis or sensitization, especially in those with fragrance sensitivity
- Can irritate sensitive or compromised skin barriers
- Potential photosensitivity concerns with certain fragrance ingredients when exposed to sunlight
Science: Limited peer-reviewed data available for this ingredient. Fragrance is a known allergen and irritant in some individuals; regulatory bodies like the EU require disclosure of 26 specific allergenic fragrance components when present above threshold levels.
Analyze Ingredient Further→ -
Sodium Acrylates Copolymer is a synthetic polymer that acts as a thickener and film-former in skincare products. It helps create a smooth texture, improve product consistency, and can form a light protective layer on the skin's surface.
Benefits
- Improves product texture and spreadability
- Creates a light, breathable film on skin
- Helps stabilize formulations
Science: Limited peer-reviewed data available for this ingredient. It is listed as safe by regulatory bodies (FDA, EU) and has a long history of use in cosmetics with low sensitization potential.
Analyze Ingredient Further→ -
Analysis not yet available for this ingredient.
-
Hydrogenated starch hydrolysate is a sugar derivative made by breaking down and processing starch. In skincare products, it acts as a humectant and skin conditioning agent, helping to retain moisture and improve the feel of formulations.
Benefits
- Helps skin retain moisture
- Improves product texture and spreadability
- Gentle humectant suitable for sensitive skin
Potential concerns
- May cause mild ocular irritation if product contacts eyes directly
- Risk appears to be minimal when properly formulated and combined with other soothing ingredients
Science: Recent research on baby bath products found that hydrogenated starch hydrolysate, when combined with panthenol and Tween-28, significantly reduced the irritation potential of surfactants in animal models. The ingredient itself showed low irritation concern, though its safety profile can be influenced by manufacturing processes and formulation combinations.
Analyze Ingredient Further→ -
Analysis not yet available for this ingredient.
Edit this product
Edit Ingredients