Ingredient Glossary

Skincare Ingredient Glossary

Your quick reference guide to common skincare ingredients. Use Ctrl+F (or Cmd+F) to search for specific ingredients.

Ingredient What it does What it's good for
Acacia Senegal Gum Natural polysaccharide thickener and film former (gum). Adds texture and stabilises creams and gels; good for product viscosity and skin film protection.
Ananas Sativus (Pineapple) Fruit Extract Fruit enzyme/extract containing bromelain, mild exfoliant and antioxidant. Gentle chemical exfoliation, smoothing, brightening; useful in blemish-prone or textured skin formulations.
Aqua Solvent (water) and main vehicle in formulations. Dissolves water‑soluble ingredients and hydrates skin; base for serums/creams.
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice Soothing, hydrating botanical juice with calming properties. Calming irritated or sensitive skin, providing hydration and anti‑inflammatory benefits.
Anona/Carica Papaya (Carica Papaya) Fruit Extract Enzymatic exfoliant (papain) and antioxidant plant extract. Gentle exfoliation, smoothing, brightening and reducing build-up for dull skin.
Benzoic Acid Preservative and pH adjuster. Inhibits microbial growth to protect product shelf life.
Benzyl Alcohol Preservative/solvent with antimicrobial properties and sometimes fragrance component. Used in preservation systems to help keep formulations microbiologically safe.
Beta-Glucan Polysaccharide with soothing, barrier-support and humectant properties. Calming sensitised skin, improving moisture retention and supporting skin repair.
Butyrospermum Parkii (Shea) Butter Emollient and occlusive; rich in fatty acids. Nourishing dry skin, restoring barrier function and adding richness to creams.
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride Lightweight emollient derived from coconut oil and glycerin. Provides non-greasy moisturisation, improves spreadability, good for all skin types including oily.
Carica Papaya Fruit Extract See Papaya (duplicate of Carica Papaya). (Included above.)
Centella Asiatica (Gotu Kola) Extract Botanical extract with wound‑healing, calming and collagen‑support effects. Calming redness, supporting repair and useful in sensitive/blemish-prone skin.
Cetearyl Alcohol Fatty alcohol (emulsifier/stabiliser) that thickens and conditions skin. Stabilises emulsions and gives creamy texture while being non‑drying.
Cetearyl Olivate Emulsifier (from olive) that helps form stable oil/water blends. Gentle emulsification for smooth textures; good for sensitive skin formulations.
Ceteareth-20 Polyoxyethylene emulsifier and solubiliser. Helps mix oil and water phases; builds stable creams and lotions.
Cetyl Alcohol Fatty alcohol that thickens and stabilises emulsions and conditions skin. Improves texture and gives a velvety feel in creams and cleansers.
Davidsonia Jerseyana (Davidson Plum) Fruit Extract Native fruit extract, antioxidant and possible brightening agent. Antioxidant protection and marketing-friendly native botanical for brightening/skin health.
Glycerin Humectant that attracts and binds water to the skin. Hydration for all skin types; improves skin feel and helps other actives perform.
Ganoderma Lucidum (Reishi mushroom) Extract Mushroom extract with antioxidant and modulating (anti‑inflammatory) properties. Calming, antioxidant support and helps reduce redness/sensitivity.
Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Seed Oil Emollient oil rich in linoleic acid and vitamin E. Lightweight moisturisation, barrier support, good for acne‑prone skin if high linoleic.
Magnesium Ascorbyl Phosphate (Vitamin C) Stable, water‑soluble vitamin C derivative (antioxidant, brightening). Brightening, antioxidant protection, improves skin tone and collagen support.
Niacinamide (Vitamin B3) Multi‑functional active: barrier support, sebum regulation, brightening, anti‑inflammatory. Reducing redness, balancing oil, improving texture and hyperpigmentation.
Potassium Stearate Soap/cleansing agent and emulsifier (salt of stearic acid). Used in cleansers to help foam and remove oils; mild surfactant.
Propanediol Solvent, humectant, skin conditioning agent and penetration enhancer. Improves texture, hydration and helps other actives penetrate; good solvent alternative to propylene glycol.
Prunus Armeniaca (Apricot) Kernel Oil Light emollient oil rich in oleic/linoleic acids. Lightweight moisturisation; good for dry to normal skin and for sensory-friendly textures.
Salix Alba (White Willow) Bark Extract Source of salicin (natural salicylic acid precursor), mild exfoliant and anti‑inflammatory. Good for oily/blemish‑prone skin, gentle exfoliation and calming.
Sodium Hyaluronate Salt form of hyaluronic acid; humectant that binds water. Deep hydration, plumping fine lines and improving skin moisture.
Sodium PCA Natural component of NMF; humectant and moisture binder. Excellent hydration and skin water balance support.
Sorbitan Caprylate Emulsifier and surfactant (non‑ionic). Stabilises emulsions and helps solubilise ingredients gently.
Sorbitan Olivate Emulsifier from olive derivatives; gentle on skin. Forms stable, skin‑friendly emulsions and improves texture.
Sorbitan Stearate Emulsifier and co‑emulsifier. Helps form and stabilise creams and lotions.
Sorbic Acid Preservative (broad‑spectrum against yeasts and moulds). Extends shelf life by preventing fungal growth.
Stearic Acid Fatty acid used as thickener and emulsifier. Stabilises creams, helps cleansing formulations and adds body.
Tocopherol (Vitamin E) Antioxidant and skin-conditioning vitamin. Protects oils from rancidity, provides topical antioxidant benefits and skin conditioning.
Terminalia Ferdinandiana (Kakadu Plum) Fruit Extract Extremely high natural vitamin C antioxidant extract. Brightening, antioxidant protection, effective topical vitamin C source.
Withania Somnifera (Ashwagandha) Root Extract Adaptogenic botanical with antioxidant and calming properties. Soothing, antioxidant support and marketing-friendly adaptogen for stressed skin.
Xanthan Gum Natural polysaccharide thickener and stabiliser. Thickens gels/serums, stabilises suspensions and improves spreadability.

Note: Always patch test new ingredients and introduce one at a time. Consult with a dermatologist for specific skin concerns.