A
Acetone – a strong solvent most often found in nail polish remover
Acetyl Glucosamine – a type of amino acid sugar which has great water binding properties for skin and is effective for healing wounds when used in large concentrations
Acetyl Hexapeptide 3 – a synthetic peptide that is used in a range of cosmetic products, in particular those that claim to have a muscle relaxing effect
Active Ingredient – ingredients in a product that are considered to have an altering effect on the skin, these ingredients must be listed on the product label and are subject to approval by the FDA
Agar – an extract that is used as a thickening agent and comes from seaweed
AHA – alpha hydroxy acids, these can come from natural sources but almost 100% of alpha hydroxy acids in cosmetics are synthetic
Alkyloamides – ingredients that are primarily used to cause the foaming of shampoo and soap, they are represented on ingredient lists are DEA, TEA, and MEA
B
Balsam Peru – a fatty resin that can cause skin irritation and dermatitis when applied topically
Batyl Alcohol – an ingredient derived from glycerin that is used as a skin conditioning agent
Bentonite – a clay that is often used as an absorbent in cosmetics, bentonite can also be used to dry out oily skin
Benzalkonium Chloride – an antimicrobial that is used as a preservative in skin care products
Benzocaine – a common topical anesthetic
BHA – butilated hydroxyanisole, a very potent synthetic antioxidant
C
Calamine – a zinc carbonate used to reduce skin itching
Calcium Ascorbate – one of the various forms of vitamin C
Capsicum – a group of plants consisting primarily of peppers that are used to relieve muscle aches but are also known to cause allergic reactions
Carnitine – a naturally occuring amino acid
Carvone – an essential oil used for flavoring and fragrance in cosmetics
D
Decyl Glucoside – a mild detergent cleansing agent
Dextrin – a carbohydrate that is classified as a polysaccharide and is used an adhesive when combined with water
DHEA – a naturally occurring prohormone that will convert to male hormones when in the body, DHEA is a controversial ingredient
Dibutyl Phthalate – a common ingredient found in most synthetic fragrances and nail polishes
Diethanolamine – a colorless liquid solvent used as a lathering agent in skin and hair products
E
Ectoin – a cosmetic stabilizer and skin conditioning agent
Elastin – a component in skin flexibility, elastins derived from plant and animal sources are often found in cosmetics
Emollient – a wax like lubricating agent that have a softening effect on the skin
Ensulizole – a sunscreen agent that has been established by the FDA as the name to be used on sunscreen ingredient labels
Ester C – the trade name for a combination of vitamin C that mainly contains ascorbic acid
F
Ferulic Acid – a plant based antioxidant that has been shown to have sun protective benefits to skin
Folic Acid – part of the B Vitamin complex that works as an antioxidant when taken orally
Formaldehyde Releasing Preservative – a very common type of preservative found in many cosmetics
G
Gamma Linolenic Acid (GLA) – a fatty acid used in cosmetics that acts as an antioxidant and emollient
Gelatin – a protein derived from either plants or animals that acts as a thickening agent in cosmetics
Glycerin – an ingredient present in all natural fats, it can also be produced synthetically and acts as a humectant to prevent skin dryness
Glyceryl Ester – a large group of ingredients composed of oils and fats, primarily used as lubricants and emollients in cosmetics
H
Hemp Seed Oil – oil from the hemp plant often used in cosmetics as an emollient
Hexyl Laurate – a mixture of lauric acid and hexyl alcohol that is used as a skin conditioning agent
Hydrocortisone – an ingredient used in various products, hydrocortisone has anti inflammatory properties for skin
Hypoallergenic – a term used to imply that a product is non allergic but the term is not regulated by the FDA
I
Idebenone – a synthetic antioxidant
Isotretinoin – an anti acne drug derived from Vitamin A
K
Kinetin – a natural skin care ingredient that is said to reduce the signs of aging
L
Lactic Acid – an alpha hydroxy used in cosmetics can be natural but is normally synthetic
Lanolin – a very thick emollient derived from the glands of sheep
Limonene – a chemical constituent of fragrant natural ingredients
Liposomes – an ingredient used in cosmetics that helps to deliver other ingredients to the skin
M
Magnesium Ascorbyl Phosphate – a form of vitamin C that is effective as a skin antioxidant
Mallow – a thickening agent used in cosmetics that have a soothing effect on the skin
Menthyl Lactate – a derivative of menthol used as a fragrance and cooling agent in cosmetics
Mineral Oil – a clear odorless oil derived from petroleum
N
Neroli Oil – a fragrant plant oil that is often irritating to skin
Niacinamide – another name for niacin or vitamin B3
Nitrogen – used in cosmetics as a propellant
O
Octocrylene – a sunscreen agent that protects from UVB rays
Oleic Acid – a fatty acid used as a fattening agent and surfactant
P
Pantothenic Acid – another name for B5, said to be effective on acne
Parabens – a group of various preservatives widely used in cosmetics
Paraffin – a petroleum based substance used as a thickener in various cosmetics
Phenoxyethanol – a common preservative used in cosmetics that is considered less irritating than others
Phosphoric Acid – an ingredient used as a pH adjuster in skin care products and cosmetics
Plasticizing Agents – ingredients commonly used in face masks that place a thin layer of plastic over the skin
Polyquaterniums – a group of ingredients that are commonly used in hair care products due to their antistatic properties
Preservatives – substances used in cosmetics that help prevent microbial and bacterial contamination of products
Propylene Glycol – a humectant used in cosmetics
Q
Quercetin – a flavanoid pigment known to have antioxidant and anti inflammatory properties
R
Reducing Agent – a substance that has the ability to to break down the disulfide bonds of hair and is often used in hair straightening or hair waiving products
Resveratrol – a potent antioxidant that is abundant in red grapes and therefore red wine
Retinol – the name for an entire Vitamin A molecule
S
Salicylic Acid – a beta hydroxy acid that is contained in many acne products
Saponin – a group of naturally occurring carbohydrates found in plants that have potential as pharmaceutical agents
Silicone – a substance that is used extensively for wound healing and to help improve the appearance of scars
Slip Agent – a term used to describe various ingredients that are used to help other ingredients spread over and penetrate the skin
Sodium Benzoate – salt of benzoic acid that is used as a preservative
T
Tallow – a substance which is extracted from the fatty deposits of animals and is normally used to make scented soap and candles
Tannic Acid – a potent antioxidant that is thought to have some anti-carcinogenic properties
Thickening Agent – any substance that can be added to a cosmetic product as a lubricant, there are thousands of different thickening agents
W
Water Binding Agent – a wide range of ingredients that are added to cosmetic products to help the skin retain water or moisture
X
Xantham Gum – a commonly used thickening agent