Skincare Glossary

Do you ever hear people talking about the wonderful properties that are in their skincare products?  Do you ever hear folks explain processes and have no idea what they are talking about?  We decided to put information in here that can arm you with some knowledge.

Think of it like skincare flashcards—tap or click to flip and learn something new.

Humectants & Emollients
Humectants
Pulls moisture into the skin
Humectants attract water from the air or deeper skin layers to keep your skin hydrated and soft. Examples: Glycerin, Propanediol, Sodium Lactate, Hyaluronic Acid, Aloe Vera, Honey Quat
Emollients
Make skin feel smooth and soft.

They fill in little cracks and dry spots in your skin, giving it that silky, healthy feel. Examples: Lanolin, Coco-Caprylate, Ethylhexyl Palmitate, Medium Chain Triglycerides

Occlusives & Emulsifiers

Occlusives
Seal in moisture
Occlusives create a protective layer on the skin to lock in hydration and protect from dryness Examples: Beeswax, Carnauba Wax, Shea Butter, Castor Oil

Emulsifiers

Help oil and water mix

They keep your lotions and creams from separating by holding water and oil together in a smooth blend. Examples: BTMS-50, Ritamulse, Glyceryl Stearate (and) PEG-100 Stearate, PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil

Actives & Surfactants

Actives

Target specific skin concerns

These ingredients are added for a specific function, like brightening, firming, or calming the skin. Examples: Allantoin, Caffeine, Colloidal Oats, Panthenol, Tocopherol, AHA Enzyme, Wakame Bioferment

Surfactants

Help cleanse the skin

Surfactants lift dirt and oil so water can wash it away. Used in foaming cleansers and body washes. Examples: Caprylyl/Capryl Glucoside, Decyl Glucoside, Coco-Glucoside (and) Glyceryl Oleate (Lamesoft® PO 65), Laureth-4 (and) MIPA-Laureth Sulfate (and) Propylene Glycol. (LUMOROL K 5229), Sodium Cocoyl Isethionate (SCI)

Thickeners & Botanicals

Thickeners

Adds body and thickening

Ingredients that increase the viscosity of a formula, giving it a richer, creamier texture without affecting its performance. Examples: C10-18 Triglycerides (Butter Pearls), Cetearyl Alcohol, Cetyl Alcohol, Guar Quat, Stearic Acid, Xanthan Gum, PEG-150 Pentaerythrityl Tetrastearate (and) PEG-6 Caprylic/Capric Glycerides (and) Water (Liquid Crothix)

Botanicals

Plant powered ingredients

Extracted from herbs, flowers, roots, and fruits, botanicals are rich in vitamins, antioxidants, and other nutrients that support skin health. Examples: Witch Hazel, Calendula, Chamomile, Cucumber Hydrosol, Rosehip Seed Oil, Neroli Hydrosol

Solubilizers, Preservatives, pH Adjusters and Antioxidants

These are the more technical, behind-the-scenes heroes—ingredients that keep your products safe, stable, and effective. They help prevent spoilage, stop oils from going rancid, maintain shelf life, and ensure everything stays balanced and skin-friendly.

  • Solubilizers
    Help blend small amounts of oils or fragrance into water-based formulas so they stay mixed and clear.  An example of this is Polysorbate 80.
  • Preservatives
    Protect products from mold, bacteria, and yeast, keeping them safe and effective over time.  Examples of these are Propylene Glycol (and) Diazolidinyl Urea (and) Iodopropynyl Butylcarbamate  (Liquid Germall Plus), Phenoxyethanol [and] Caprylyl Glycol (Optiphen), Propylene Glycol, Diazolidinyl Urea, Methylparaben, Propylparaben (Germaben II).
  • pH Adjusters
    Used to balance a formula’s pH so it stays stable, gentle, and skin-friendly.  Examples of these are Citric Acid, L-Arginine, Sodium Hydroxide, Lactic Acid.
  • Antioxidants
    Support skin health and extend product shelf life by fighting off damage from free radicals and oxidation.  Examples of these are Tocopherol (Vitamin E), Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract (Green Tea Extract), Mauritia Flexuosa (Buriti) Fruit Oil (Buriti Oil).
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