Rating: Good
Categories: Emollient, Texture-Enhancer, Cleansing-Agent
A gentle, plant-derived ingredient whose versatility lends itself to many types of cosmetics, including cleansers, sunscreens, hair care, and makeup.

Rating: Best
Categories: Antioxidant
Compounds of vitamin E that offer powerful antioxidant and soothing benefits. Can be naturally or synthetically derived.

Rating: Best
Categories: Antioxidant, Retinoids
Retinyl propionate is a vitamin A derivative that shares the same anti-aging benefits as classic retinol but with greater stability.

Rating: Best
Categories: Antioxidant, Preservative
A proven antioxidant that also helps to improve uneven skin tone, preserve skin’s firmness, and fade dark spots.

Rating: Good
Categories: Texture-Enhancer, Ph-Adjuster-Stabilizer, Polymer
This synthetic ingredient is used to enhance the texture of skin care and hair care products and has been ruled safe as used in cosmetics.

Rating: Good
Categories: Texture-Enhancer, Emollient, Emulsifier
This moisturizing ingredient can be either naturally or synthetically derived. It’s one of the longest-known fatty alcohols.

Rating: Best
Categories: Antioxidant, Humectant
Hydroxyacetophenone is a versatile humectant and preservative booster that also has skin-soothing properties.

Rating: Good
Categories: Preservative, Plant-Extracts
Conditions skin and hair and is a moisturizing ingredient in many skin care products. Because of its antibacterial action, it also is an effective cosmetics preservative.

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: Antioxidant

Rating: Good
Categories: Antioxidant
Lab-engineered antioxidant used in a variety of skin care and personal care products to improve formula and color stability while ensuring consistent efficacy of more fragile antioxidants.

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.