Moisturizing cosmetic ingredients

Solvent and preservative booster. Helps reduce the dose of classic preservatives in the formula and slightly retains skin moisture.

Light synthetic emollient with a silky texture. Gives skin soft slip without a greasy film and does not clog pores.

Gel from aloe leaves containing polysaccharides, vitamins, and amino acids. Moisturizes, soothes irritated skin, and accelerates healing of minor injuries.

Branched polysaccharide from larch with prebiotic action. Feeds beneficial skin microbiota, forms a soft protective film and reinforces the barrier.

Oil from argania fruit kernels. Contains oleic and linoleic acids, tocopherols, and sterols. Moisturizes, softens, and supports the lipid barrier.

Collagen with enzymatically cleaved telopeptides at the molecule ends. Removing terminal regions lowers immunogenicity and eases protein handling in formulas.

Hyaluronic acid with acetyl groups on the molecule. Acetylation adds lipophilicity, improves skin affinity and extends moisture retention versus the regular form.

Polysaccharide from yeast, fungal, or oat cell walls. An immunomodulator and humectant that stimulates macrophages and accelerates wound healing.

Polysaccharide from sorbitol fermentation by Sphingomonas elodea. Forms a thin smooth film on skin, boosts surface smoothness, holds moisture and acts as a mild prebiotic.

Multifunctional solvent and humectant. Improves cosmetic formula texture and helps active ingredients penetrate the skin.

Occlusive emollient made of purified hydrocarbons. Reduces transepidermal water loss by nearly 99% and restores the skin barrier after damage.

The number one solvent in cosmetic formulas. Provides hydration of the upper stratum corneum but does not penetrate into deeper layers.

Natural polysaccharide that binds water up to 1000 times its own weight. Topical application creates a surface humectant effect without dermal penetration.

Fragmented hyaluronic acid with a mass <50 kDa. Penetrates the epidermis better than the high-molecular form, but at high concentrations may trigger a pro-inflammatory response.

Phospholipid from soy or sunflower raw materials, hydrogenated for greater stability. Works as an emulsifier and integrates into the skin lipid barrier.

Humectant, a urea relative. Attracts moisture into the stratum corneum and softens the skin without a drying effect.

Collagen fragments broken down to peptides and amino acids. Moisturize the skin surface but do not integrate into the dermis's own collagen. Marketing often exaggerates the effect.

The simplest trihydric alcohol and one of the most common humectants in cosmetics. Draws water from the environment and retains it in the stratum corneum.

Polyhydroxy acid (PHA) – a gentle AHA alternative. Its large molecular size slows penetration, reducing irritation. Also hydrates through hygroscopicity.

Light synthetic emollient from coconut fatty acids. Delivers a dry finish without stickiness, absorbs quickly.

Silicone polymer that forms a protective film on the skin to lock in moisture. Gives products a silky texture and does not penetrate the dermis.

Glycol with two propylene units. Dissolves fragrances and actives, holds water in the stratum corneum and reduces formula viscosity.

Light synthetic emollient with a dry finish. Dissolves pigments and oils, so it appears in makeup removers and primers.

Oil from fig seeds rich in linoleic and oleic acids. Softens skin and supports the lipid barrier without a heavy film.

Prebiotic polysaccharide from chicory root. Feeds beneficial skin microbiome bacteria and holds moisture.

Polyglutamic acid from fermented natto soy. Forms a hydrating film and holds water more efficiently than hyaluronic acid.

Blend of caprylic and capric acid glycerides from coconut oil. Light emollient, boosts penetration of oil-soluble actives.

Multifunctional ingredient that boosts preservatives and works as a mild humectant and conditioner. Often paired with phenoxyethanol.

Lightweight emollient derived from coconut or palm kernel oil. Non-comedogenic, absorbs quickly, and is used as a replacement for heavier oils.

Thick oil from castor seeds with high ricinoleic acid content. Gives shine to lipsticks and balms, softens lips and holds pigment on the surface.

Tropical oil high in lauric acid. Moisturizes well but is comedogenic and can clog pores when applied to the face.

Finely ground oat flour with anti-inflammatory, moisturizing, and barrier properties. FDA-approved as an OTC skin protectant. Avenanthramides are the active anti-inflammatory compounds.

Polyhydroxy acid (PHA) with antioxidant properties. Chelates iron ions, preventing oxidative stress. Its large molecule provides gentle exfoliation without irritation.

Fatty oil rich in oleic acid and unsaponifiable lipids. Softens dry skin and supports the lipid barrier.

Light fatty oil with a high share of linoleic acid. Suits oily and combination skin – absorbs faster than olive or avocado.

Liquid wax compositionally similar to human sebum. Absorbs quickly without leaving a greasy sheen. Suitable even for oily skin.

Solid plant butter from cocoa beans. Melts with skin warmth, gives a dense occlusive film and softens dry areas well.

Base plant oil from apricot kernels. Rich in oleic acid and vitamin E, softens dry skin.

Dense butter from mango kernels, close in properties to shea. Softens dry spots and suits rich creams and lip balms.

Oil with an optimal omega-6/omega-3 ratio (3:1). Contains no THC. Absorbs well, does not clog pores, and strengthens the lipid barrier.

Fatty oil from sweet almond kernels. Gives a mild slip and softens the skin, though people with a nut allergy may react.

Plant butter from shea tree nuts. Rich in fatty acids and unsaponifiables with anti-inflammatory properties. Intensely softens skin and restores the barrier.

Oil from rosehip seeds, rich in linoleic and alpha-linolenic acids plus trace amounts of trans-retinoic acid. Used for scars and pigmentation.

Bee honey as a cosmetic ingredient. Works as a humectant and delivers a mild antibacterial effect via hydrogen peroxide and low pH.

Multifunctional glycol that works as a solvent, humectant and penetration enhancer for active ingredients. Better tolerated than propylene glycol.

Purified cosmetic-grade liquid hydrocarbon oil. Works as a mild occlusive, reduces moisture loss and tolerates the skin as well as petrolatum.

AHA with dual action: acid exfoliation and moisturization via hygroscopicity. Gentler than glycolic acid.

A natural moisturizing factor (NMF) present in the stratum corneum. Low concentrations moisturize; high concentrations act as a keratolytic. The gold standard for hyperkeratosis and xerosis.

Snail secretion filtrate containing glycoproteins, hyaluronic acid, glycolic acid, and antimicrobial peptides. Popular in Korean skincare for hydration and regeneration.

Sodium salt of pyrrolidone carboxylic acid – the primary component of the natural moisturizing factor (NMF). Attracts and retains moisture in the stratum corneum.

Crosslinked high-molecular-weight hyaluronic acid that stays longer on the skin surface. Provides prolonged moisturizing compared to regular sodium hyaluronate.

Oil with a high oleic acid share. Nourishes dry skin, but on a damaged barrier and in atopic dermatitis it may worsen irritation.

Alcohol analogue of pantothenic acid. Penetrates skin and converts to pantothenic acid, required for coenzyme A synthesis. Accelerates healing and reduces irritation.

Five-carbon glycol. Works as a humectant and preservative booster: suppresses microbial growth and reduces the preservative load of the formula.

Plant oil high in linoleic acid. Restores the lipid barrier in xerosis. Recommended as a base oil for newborns instead of olive oil.

Biopolymer of gamma-glutamic acid produced by fermentation. Retains moisture 4–5 times more effectively than hyaluronic acid due to its large molecular network.

Plant-derived humectant from corn. Works as a humectant and penetration booster for other actives, replaces propylene glycol in Korean formulas.

Dihydric alcohol that functions as a humectant and penetration enhancer. At high concentrations, it can irritate sensitive skin.

Hydrogenated form of squalene, a natural component of sebum. A lightweight emollient that does not clog pores and restores the lipid barrier.

Unsaturated hydrocarbon and a natural sebum component. Unlike squalane, it is unstable and oxidizes rapidly, limiting its use in pure form.

Six-carbon sugar alcohol of natural origin. Pulls water into the stratum corneum, softens skin and stabilizes emulsions thanks to high hygroscopicity.

Saturated fatty acid derived from plant and animal fats. In cosmetics, it functions as an emulsifier, thickener, and co-emollient.

Stable ester form of vitamin E. Skin enzymes release active tocopherol. Less allergenic than pure tocopherol and more shelf-stable.

Fat-soluble antioxidant and primary lipid antioxidant of the stratum corneum. Stabilizes cell membranes and enhances photoprotection when combined with vitamin C.

Disaccharide of two glucose molecules, synthesized by microorganisms and plants under stress. Protects cell membranes from dehydration and holds water in skin.

Fermented rice filtrate with amino acids and B vitamins. A traditional Japanese cosmetics component, related to sake and koji.

Fermentation product of Galactomyces fungi. Contains vitamins, organic acids, and enzymes. Popular in Asian skincare (Missha First Treatment Essence).

Yeast fermentation product containing amino acids, vitamins, and minerals. The core ingredient in SK-II Pitera. Moisturizes and evens skin texture.

Lipids constituting approximately 50% of the stratum corneum. Ceramide deficiency is a key factor in the pathogenesis of atopic dermatitis and xerosis.

A blend of cetyl and stearyl fatty alcohols. Emulsifier and thickener that gives creams a stable, rich texture. Not to be confused with drying alcohols like ethanol.

Fatty alcohol that acts as an emollient and thickener. Softens skin and stabilizes emulsions. Safe for skin contact.

Texture emollient: gives creams a silky feel and helps spread pigments in decorative cosmetics. Tolerated well by skin.

Volatile silicone that evaporates quickly from the skin surface, leaving a smooth, non-greasy film. Used as a solvent and carrier for active ingredients.

«Snow mushroom» extract popular in Korean skincare. Polysaccharides in the composition hold water and work as a hyaluronic-acid alternative with smaller molecules.

Brown algae extract rich in alginates, iodine and minerals. In cosmetics it works as a humectant and conditioning ingredient.