Cosmetic Ingredients Glossary

Explore our comprehensive guide to cosmetic ingredients. Understand benefits and uses for informed skincare choices with our detailed glossary.


  • Acetyl Hexapeptide 8 (Argireline): A peptide that works by limiting the ability of neurotransmitters to activate movement in facial muscles, potentially reducing the appearance of wrinkles.
  • Acid Ascorbic (Vitamin C): A potent antioxidant, it helps to brighten skin, reduce signs of aging, and protect against environmental damage.
  • Aqua: Aqua is the Latin word for water. It is the main ingredient in many cosmetics and skincare products.
  • Aloe vera callus extract (aloe vera) - A natural plant extract that has a variety of benefits for the skin, including moisturizing, soothing, and wound healing.
  • Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice (Aloe Vera Juice): Derived from the leaves of the aloe vera plant. It's known for its soothing, hydrating, and anti-inflammatory properties.
  • Alcohol (natural origin): Alcohol is a colorless, volatile liquid that is used in a variety of products, including cosmetics, skincare, and food. It has a variety of properties, including cleansing, disinfecting, and preserving.
  • Arnica montana (arnica) - A flowering plant that has anti-inflammatory and pain-relieving properties. It is often used in topical products to treat bruises, muscle aches, and arthritis.
  • Artemisia absinthium extract (wormwood extract) - A concentrated form of wormwood that is used in topical products for the same purposes as the whole herb. - A bitter herb that has astringent, antiseptic, and anti-inflammatory properties. It is often used in topical products to treat acne, eczema, and psoriasis.
  • Artemisia abrotanum (southernwood) - A flowering plant that has anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, and insecticidal properties. It is often used in topical products to treat acne, eczema, and insect bites.
  • Achillea millefolium (yarrow) - A flowering plant that has anti-inflammatory, astringent, and wound-healing properties. It is often used in topical products to treat cuts, scrapes, and bruises.
  • Angelica archangelica (angelica) - A flowering plant that has anti-inflammatory, antiseptic, and carminative properties. It is often used in topical products to treat acne, eczema, and indigestion.
  • Beeswax: A natural wax produced by bees. It forms a protective barrier on the skin and helps to lock in moisture.
  • Bisabolol: An active plant extract from chamomile, known for its soothing, anti-inflammatory properties. Often used in products for sensitive skin.
  • Butylene Glycol: A humectant and texture enhancer in cosmetics. It helps to keep products from drying out and stabilizes formulas.
  • Butyrospermum Parkii Butter (Shea Butter): A natural fat obtained from the fruit of the Shea tree. It moisturizes and soothes skin, making it common in creams and lotions.
  • Calendula Officinalis Flower Extract: Extracted from marigold flowers, it's known for its anti-inflammatory and healing properties, often used in products for sensitive or irritated skin.
  • Carum carvi (caraway) - A flowering plant that has anti-inflammatory, digestive, and carminative properties. It is often used in topical products to treat acne, eczema, and indigestion.
  • Capsella bursa pastoris (lady's mantle) - A flowering plant that has anti-inflammatory, astringent, and wound-healing properties. It is often used in topical products to treat cuts, scrapes, and bruises.
  • Cetearyl Alcohol: A fatty alcohol used as an emulsifier and stabilizer in creams and lotions. It helps to blend ingredients together.
  • Cetearyl Glucoside: A surfactant derived from glucose and cetearyl alcohol, used as an emulsifier in cosmetics.
  • Cholesterol: Often derived from lanolin, it helps to stabilize emulsions and maintain skin barrier function.
  • Cinnamon (cinnamon) - A spice that has anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, and antifungal properties. It is often used in topical products to treat acne, eczema, and fungal infections.
  • Citric Acid: Used as a pH adjuster and mild exfoliant in skin care products. It helps to promote skin peeling and re-growth.
  • Citrus limon oil (lemon oil): Lemon oil is an essential oil that is extracted from lemons. It has a variety of properties, including cleansing, refreshing, and antiseptic.
  • Citrus Reticulata Peel Oil (Tangerine Oil): Often used for its refreshing scent and can have skin-soothing properties.
  • Coco-Caprylate/Caprate: A skin-conditioning agent derived from coconut. It's used as an emollient in skincare products.
  • Clay: Clay is a naturally occurring mineral that is used in a variety of products, including cosmetics, skincare, and construction. It has a variety of properties, including absorbing oil, cleansing the skin, and reducing inflammation.
  • Coriander (coriander) - A spice that has anti-inflammatory, antiseptic, and digestive properties. It is often used in topical products to treat acne, eczema, and indigestion.
  • Crithmum maritimum (rock samphire) - A flowering plant that has anti-inflammatory, astringent, and diuretic properties. It is often used in topical products to treat acne, eczema, and water retention.
  • Cupressus sempervirens (cypress) - A coniferous tree that has astringent, antiseptic, and anti-inflammatory properties. It is often used in topical products to treat acne, eczema, and wounds.
  • Decylene Glycol: A humectant and skin conditioning agent used in cosmetics for its moisture-retaining properties.
  • D-Limonene: A fragrance ingredient naturally occurring in the oil of citrus fruits, used for its citrus scent.
  • Eugenia caryophyllus (cloves) - A spice that has anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, and analgesic properties. It is often used in topical products to treat acne, eczema, and pain.
  • Equisetum arvense (horsetail) - A flowering plant that has anti-inflammatory, astringent, and diuretic properties. It is often used in topical products to treat acne, eczema, and water retention.
  • Eucalyptus globulus leaf oil (eucalyptus oil): Eucalyptus oil is an essential oil that is extracted from eucalyptus leaves. It has a variety of properties, including cleansing, refreshing, and antiseptic.
  • Filipendula ulmaria (meadowsweet) - A flowering plant that has anti-inflammatory, analgesic, and antipyretic properties. It is often used in topical products to treat acne, eczema, and pain.
  • Foeniculum vulgare oil (fennel oil): Fennel oil is an essential oil that is extracted from fennel seeds. It has a variety of properties, including cleansing, refreshing, and digestive.
  • Glycyrrhiza glabra (licorice) - A flowering plant that has anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, and wound-healing properties. It is often used in topical products to treat acne, eczema, and wounds.
  • Glycerin: A humectant that attracts water to the skin. It's used in many skincare products to help maintain moisture.
  • Glycerine (vegetable) - A plant-based humectant that helps to keep the skin hydrated. It is often used in topical products to moisturize the skin.Glycerin is a sweet, colorless, and odorless liquid that is used in a variety of products, including cosmetics, skincare, and food. It has a variety of properties, including moisturizing, soothing, and emollient.
  • Glyceryl Caprylate: A skin-conditioning agent and emulsifier made from glycerin. It helps to stabilize cosmetic formulas.
  • Glyceryl laurate (natural): Glyceryl laurate is a naturally occurring compound that is found in coconut oil. It has a variety of properties, including moisturizing, nourishing, and anti-inflammatory.
  • Hypericum perforatum (St. John's wort) - A flowering plant that has anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, and wound-healing properties. It is often used in topical products to treat acne, eczema, and wounds.
  • Lanolin: A natural fat obtained from sheep's wool. It is a potent moisturizer and emollient, often used in skin and lip care products.
  • Laurus nobilis (bay leaf) - A flowering plant that has anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, and antifungal properties. It is often used in topical products to treat acne, eczema, and fungal infections.
  • Lavandula Angustifolia Oil (Lavender Oil): Used for its fragrance and calming properties. It also has antiseptic and anti-inflammatory benefits.
  • Litsea Cubeba Oil (May Chang Oil): Essential oil known for its refreshing, uplifting fragrance, and it may have antiseptic and astringent properties.
  • Mentha piperita (peppermint) - A flowering plant that has anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, and analgesic properties. It is often used in topical products to treat acne, eczema, and pain.
  • Menthol (natural) - A naturally occurring compound that has cooling and analgesic properties.  It has a variety of properties, including refreshing, cooling, and stimulating. It is often used in topical products to treat acne, eczema, and pain.
  • Olive Squalane: Derived from olives, it is a hydrating ingredient that mimics the skin's natural oils, providing moisturization without a greasy feel.
  • Orange Oil: Essential oil derived from the peel of oranges, used for its refreshing scent and potential skin-soothing properties.
  • Oreganum Vulgare Leaf Oil (oregano oil): Oregano oil is an essential oil that is extracted from oregano leaves. It has a variety of properties, including antibacterial, antifungal, and antiviral.
  • Palmitoyl Oligopeptide & Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7 (Matrixyl 3000): Two peptides used together to stimulate collagen production and repair skin. They are known for their anti-aging benefits.
  • Panax Ginseng Root Extract: Known for its rejuvenating and energizing properties. It's often used in skin care for its anti-aging benefits and ability to enhance skin health.
  • Propolis extract: Propolis is a resinous substance that bees collect from trees and plants. It has a variety of properties, including antibacterial, antifungal, and antiviral.
  • Potassium Sorbate: A preservative used to extend the shelf life of cosmetics by preventing mold and bacterial growth.
  • Phenoxyethanol: A preservative used in cosmetics to prevent microbial growth and extend the product's shelf life.
  • Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis Oil (Sweet Almond Oil): A nourishing oil, rich in vitamins E and A. It's used for its softening and moisturizing properties.
  • Prunus Armeniaca Kernel Oil (Apricot Kernel Oil): Extracted from apricot kernels, this oil is rich in vitamins and moisturizes the skin without leaving it greasy.
  • Propanediol: A natural alternative to propylene glycol, used as a humectant. It enhances the absorption of ingredients in the skin.
  • Pseudoalteromonas Ferment Extract: A skin-conditioning agent derived from bacterial fermentation, known for its hydrating and regenerating properties.
  • Rosa Mosqueta Oil (Rosehip Oil): Derived from the seeds of rose bushes, it's known for its hydrating properties and is rich in essential fatty acids and antioxidants.
  • Rosmarinus officinalis leaf oil (rosemary oil): Rosemary oil is an essential oil that is extracted from rosemary leaves. It has a variety of properties, including cleansing, refreshing, and stimulating. An antioxidant and anti-inflammatory agent, often used for its natural preservative properties.
  • Rubus Idaeus (Raspberry) Seed Extract: An antioxidant-rich ingredient that provides UV protection and anti-aging benefits.
  • Saccharide Isomerate: A hydrating agent that binds to the skin's natural moisturizing factors, providing long-lasting hydration.
  • Salicylic Acid: A beta hydroxy acid (BHA) used for exfoliating, it helps to clear pores and reduce acne.
  • Sesamum Indicum Seed Oil (sesame oil): Sesame oil is a vegetable oil that is extracted from sesame seeds. It has a variety of properties, including moisturizing, nourishing, and anti-inflammatory.
  • Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil (Jojoba Oil): A natural oil that closely mimics human sebum, making it effective for skin hydration and balancing oil production.
  • Squalane: A highly-refined moisturizing oil compatible with skin's natural sebum. It helps to keep the skin hydrated.
  • Sodium Benzoate: A preservative that prevents the growth of bacteria, yeast, and fungi in cosmetics.
  • Sodium Bicarbonate: Sodium bicarbonate, also known as baking soda, is a white powder that is used in baking, cleaning, and personal care products. It is a mild abrasive that can help to remove dirt and grime, and it also has anti-fungal and antibacterial properties.
  • Sodium Lactate (natural): Sodium lactate is a naturally occurring compound that is found in milk. It has a variety of properties, including moisturizing, soothing, and emollient.
  • Sodium Chloride (salt): Sodium chloride is a mineral that is found in salt. It is used in a variety of products, including cosmetics, skincare, and food. It has a variety of properties, including absorbing oil, cleansing the skin, and reducing inflammation.
  • Sodium Myrystoil Glutamate (natural origin): Sodium myristoyl glutamate is a naturally occurring compound that is found in coconut oil. It has a variety of properties, including moisturizing, nourishing, and anti-inflammatory.
  • Sodium Salicylate: A salt of salicylic acid, used primarily as a preservative and potential acne treatment in cosmetics.
  • Tocopherol (Vitamin E): An antioxidant that helps protect the skin from free radicals and environmental damage.
  • Thymus sepillum extract (thyme extract): Thyme extract is an extract that is made from thyme leaves. It has a variety of properties, including antibacterial, antifungal, and antiviral.
  • Ubiquinone (Coenzyme Q10): A vitamin-like, fat-soluble substance present in all human cells. It's known for its skin-soothing and antioxidant properties.
  • Xanthan (natural origin): Xanthan is a naturally occurring polysaccharide that is used in a variety of products, including cosmetics, skincare, and food. It has a variety of properties, including thickening, stabilizing, and emulsifying.
  • Vitis Vinifera Seed Oil (Grape Seed Oil): A light oil, high in linoleic acid and antioxidants. It is known for its nourishing and protective properties for the skin.
  • Zeolite: Zeolite is a naturally occurring mineral that has a variety of properties, including absorbing oil, cleansing, and detoxifying.