Rating: Good
Categories: Emollient, Texture-Enhancer
Undecane is an emollient that is used to create lightweight, smooth glide formula bases for skin care/makeup products. Learn more at Paula’s Choice.

Rating: Best
Categories: Humectant, Texture-Enhancer, Solvent
A naturally occurring substance in skin that helps retain moisture. It is used in skin care products to help defend against dryness.

Rating: Good
Categories: Emollient, Solvent, Texture-Enhancer
Emollient that is used to create lightweight, smooth glide formula bases, touted for its quick absorbency and non-greasy finish. Can be derived from okra and other natural sources.

Rating: Good
Categories: Texture-Enhancer, Film-Forming-Agent, Polymer
A synthetic polymer and film-forming agent that also serves as a thickening agent in cosmetics products.

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: Good
Categories: Cleansing-Agent, Emulsifier, Polymer
This ester is a skin-softening emulsifier and surfactant that’s been ruled safe as used in cosmetics.

Rating: Good
Categories: Emulsifier, Emollient, Cleansing-Agent
An emulsifier (aka the substance that keeps water and oil together in a formula) with emollient benefits for skin.

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

Rating: Good
Categories: Solvent, Texture-Enhancer
Improves ingredient absorption while adding moisturizing properties for skin. Can also be used to support the stability of a formula.

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

Rating: Best
Categories: Peptides
This peptide blends four amino acids with a fatty acid to enhance penetration, where it goes to work quieting factors in skin that trigger irritation and damage to skin’s supportive elements.

Rating: Best
Categories: Peptides, Humectant
One of several peptides used in skin care products, this ingredient has skin-restoring and water-binding properties, helping it improve both the look and feel of skin.

Rating: Best
Categories: Peptides
A highly targeted multi-peptide that helps skin's supportive elements resist further damage while working to repair visible signs of aging.

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: 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: Good
Categories: Cleansing-Agent, Emulsifier
This emulsifier and cleansing agent has been ruled safe as used in cosmetics.

Rating: Best
Categories: Antioxidant, Plant-Extracts
This citrus-derived ingredient has antioxidant and skin-firming benefits.

Rating: Best
Categories: Humectant, Antioxidant
Plant extract with antioxidant and soothing properties. May also help with eye-area concerns related to puffiness.

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: Good
Categories: Texture-Enhancer, Cleansing-Agent, Emulsifier
This naturally derived ingredient is produced from the fermentation of simple sugars, and acts as a thickening agent, texture enhancer, and emulsion stabilizer in cosmetics.

Rating: Good
Categories: Emollient, Emulsifier, Cleansing-Agent
An emollient, emulsifier and wetting agent in cosmetics that can also help support preservatives and in certain formulas aid cleansing.

Rating: Good
Categories: Antioxidant, Humectant
A ferment extract of marine bacteria known to improve and maintain hydration as well as promote youthful-looking skin

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.