Rating: Good
Categories: Humectant, Solvent, Preservative
This water-binding ingredient works well in cosmetics as a hydrating ingredient, solvent, and texture enhancer. It has been deemed safe for use in skin care products.

Rating: Good
Categories: Plant-Extracts, Emollient, Texture-Enhancer
Acts as an emollient, emulsifying agent, and solubility-enhancing ingredient to improve the aesthetics and performance of a formula. Imparts a soft feel on skin and minimizes moisture loss.

Rating: Good
Categories: Preservative
Safe preservative known to be well-tolerated by skin; offers wide spectrum protection against unwanted microbials in a formula.

Rating: Best
Categories: Plant-Extracts, Antioxidant
Soothing ingredient with significant skin-calming properties. Can be derived from plants (such as chamomile) or made synthetically.

Rating: Good
Categories: Humectant
Mannitol is a plant-derived or lab-made sugar that works in skin care to bind moisture and condition.

Rating: Average
Categories: Ph-Adjuster-Stabilizer
Also known as lye, this ingredient is highly alkaline, meaning it is on the basic side of the pH range (its pH is naturally 13). It is used in small amounts in cosmetics (such as cleansers and exfoliants) adjust their pH.

Rating: Good
Categories: Chelating-Agent, Humectant
This synthetically derived ingredient binds to metal ions to increase the stability of skin care formulas. It also serves as a humectant, meaning it helps skin retain moisture.

Rating: Good
Categories: Humectant
This skin-softening synthetic glycol aids slip, softens skin, and can help enhance a cosmetic’s preservation system.

Rating: Best
Categories: Antioxidant, Plant-Extracts
Superstar antioxidant that defends skin from environmental assault + sun damage, while also helping stabilize other antioxidants in a formula. Also helps contribute to more even skin tone.

Rating: Good
Categories: Chelating-Agent
Synthetic salt form of the antioxidant phytic acid. Acts as a stabilizer and chelating agent to keep metals such as iron and copper from binding to water in the formula.

Rating: Best
Categories: Antioxidant
One of four forms of vitamin E. It can be naturally or synthetically derived. Regardless of its origin, tocopherol has potent oil-soluble antioxidant properties and can help defend skin from pollution and environmental stressors.

Rating: Good
Categories: Texture-Enhancer, Ph-Adjuster-Stabilizer
Synthetic powder ingredient that works particularly well to create an elegant consistency while simultaneously stabilizing several bio-active ingredients in a single formula.

Rating: Best
Categories: Humectant, Solvent
Also known as pro-vitamin B5. Humectant that increases hydration substantially by attracting/retaining moisture. Can also play a role in visibly reducing facial redness triggered by sensitivity.

Rating: Best
Categories: Peptides
Anti-aging peptide proven to visibly impact wrinkles, firmness, and rough texture for smoother, younger-looking skin.

Rating: Best
Categories: Antioxidant
Potent, mushroom-derived antioxidant that boosts skin’s environmental defenses and ability to look younger in multiple ways.

Rating: Best
Categories: Humectant, Antioxidant
The more bio-available, salt form of hyaluronic acid. I’s considered an excellent moisturizer, helping skin retain water so it looks and feels smoother.

Rating: Good
Categories: Ph-Adjuster-Stabilizer, Chelating-Agent
Ingredient used in skin care products to adjust a formula's pH. In the right concentration/formula, it can also exfoliate skin.

Rating: Best
Categories: Peptides
Tridecapeptide-1 is a synthetic peptide that has a documented wrinkle-smoothing effect that works within minutes.