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.
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.
Xanthan gum is a natural thickener derived from fermented bacteria that helps give skincare products a smooth, gel-like texture. It stabilizes formulas and prevents ingredients from separating, while also helping products spread evenly on skin.
Benefits
Creates smooth, pleasant texture
Stabilizes emulsions and prevents separation
Improves product spreadability and application
Science: Xanthan gum is an FDA-approved, anionic polysaccharide with a long history of safe use across food, pharmaceutical, and cosmetic industries since 1969. Its performance as a thickener and stabilizer is well-established in scientific literature, with no notable skin irritation concerns reported.
Lactobacillus Ferment is a byproduct created when beneficial Lactobacillus bacteria are fermented and then processed. It's used in skincare for its potential to support skin balance and calm irritation, particularly in sensitive skin formulations.
Benefits
May help soothe sensitive or reactive skin
Supports a balanced skin microbiome
Can reduce sensations of scalp discomfort and sensitivity
Potential concerns
Limited effectiveness against certain microorganisms (notably Candida albicans in preservative testing)
Rare allergic reactions possible in sensitive individuals
Science: Research shows that Lactobacillus ferment complexes can meaningfully modulate scalp microbiome composition and alleviate sensitive scalp symptoms in clinical studies. However, peer-reviewed evidence is currently limited to specialized applications (scalp health), and broader efficacy data for general facial skincare remains sparse.
Cetearyl glucoside is a natural, plant-derived emulsifier made from fatty alcohols and glucose. It helps bind water and oil together in skincare products to create smooth, stable creams and lotions.
Benefits
Creates stable emulsions with a smooth texture
Naturally derived and considered skin-friendly
Gentle alternative to synthetic emulsifiers
Potential concerns
Rare cases of allergic contact dermatitis reported in sensitive individuals
May affect how active ingredients penetrate the skin depending on formulation
Science: Research shows cetearyl glucoside forms stable emulsions with complex internal structures that can influence how sunscreen and other actives penetrate skin. One case of allergic contact dermatitis was documented, though such reactions appear uncommon.
Sorbitan Olivate is an emulsifier derived from sorbitol (a natural sugar alcohol) and olive oil fatty acids. It helps mix oil and water-based ingredients together in skincare formulations, creating stable, smooth products.
Benefits
Stabilizes product texture and prevents separation of oils and water
Derived from natural olive oil, aligning with plant-based ingredient preferences
Allows for creation of lighter, more elegant formulations
Potential concerns
Generally mild skin irritant in some individuals; minimal irritation in most clinical studies
Rare allergic contact dermatitis reported in fewer than 1% of sensitive individuals
May cause greater irritation when combined with fragrance components
Science: The Cosmetic Ingredient Review Expert Panel concluded Sorbitan Olivate is safe for cosmetic use at concentrations typically below 10%. Clinical studies show it is generally a minimal to mild skin irritant and nonsensitizing in the general population, though rare allergic reactions have been documented in individuals with contact dermatitis.
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.
Sweet almond oil is a natural oil extracted from almond kernels. It's commonly used in skincare products as a moisturizer and emollient to soften and hydrate the skin.
Benefits
Moisturizes and softens skin
Gentle emollient suitable for most skin types
Contains vitamin E and fatty acids that nourish skin
Potential concerns
May cause allergic reactions in people with tree nut allergies
Can clog pores in acne-prone individuals
May leave a greasy residue on sensitive skin
Science: Limited peer-reviewed data available for this ingredient. Almond oil is widely used in traditional skincare and cosmetics, with general recognition as safe for topical use, though individual tolerance varies.
