Acrylates Copolymer

A polymer or chain of natural molecules linked together naturally or synthetically, i.e. rubber tree sap becomes latex. Synthetic form is less irritating, causes fewer allergic reactions and is still made from renewable resources.

Often used in hair sprays and masks for their stickiness or tack.

Acrylates/C-10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer

A thickener specially designed for surfactant or foaming systems like bath gels.

Allantoin

Derived from the herb Comfrey.

Encourages cell regeneration (speeds up the natural replacement of body cells).

Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice

The filtered liquid from the pulpy leaves of the Aloe Vera plant.

Naturally antiseptic, encourages cell regeneration while calming skin irritations. Mild, natural sun screen benefits.

Aniba Rosaeodora Oil

Rosewood Essential Oil from bark of the Rosewood Tree. Rich in linalool with smaller amounts of terpineol, nerol, geraniol.

Aromatherapeutic benefits include tonic effect for entire body, an immune system stimulant and cell regenerator. Pleasant warm odor.

Bentonite

Mineral rich Green Clay usually generated from the natural alteration of volcanic ash.

Detoxifies, lifts impurities from skin, and adsorbs excess sebum.

C12-13 Pareth-23, C12-13 Pareth-3

Synthetic emulsifying wax created from oils.

Emulsifier ~helps blend water and oil.
A suspension agent keeping solids suspended within an emulsion

C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate

Often called Gum Benzoin. A skin-friendly form of Sodium Benzoate or Benzoic Acid derived from the balsamic resin from the bark of several species of trees in the genus Styrax.

Used in Indian incense and as a preservative for aromatic and medicinal compounds.

Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride

A fatty anti-oxidant made from mixing coconut oil and vegetable glycerin

Used to keep oils fresh and from turning rancid

Caprylyl Glycol

A moisturizing wetting agent used as a base for antimicrobial preservatives. Coconut oil derived.

Protects skin while helping preservation system dispersion.

Carnosine

A small peptide that contains two amino acids, beta-alanine and histidine. Occurs naturally in the body and may be derived from animal or vegetable proteins.

Boosts immunity and reduces inflammation.
Promotes wound healing, protects against radiation damage. (note: Skin Nutrition uses only plant based proteins-peptides)

Ceramide 2

Extracted from plants and yeast, ceramides are fatty acids found naturally in human skin.

Encourages cell regeneration especially collagen growth which can support sagging skin.

Cetearyl Ethylhexanoate

A coconut fatty alcohol humectant. Mis-labeled on some “natural”  products: a coconut extract

Closely resembling skin oil, this humectant is very spreadable. Adds luster to hair and soft supple feel to skin.

Cholecalciferol

Vitamin D3 (vegetable source)

Works with Vitamin A to synergistically offer the best free radical protection, and to promote the growth of new epidermal and collagen cells.

Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Flower Oil

Neroli Essential Oil from orange flower blossoms.

Encourages healthy cell renewal. Aromatherapy: reduces anxiety; calming effects.

Cetearyl Olivate

Olive Oil derived.

Acts as an emulsifier to blend oil and water ingredients

Chamomilla Recutita (Matricaria) Flower Oil

Chamomile Oil

Skin soothing essential oil also known for its calming properties.

Cocamidopropyl Betaine

A semi synthetic foamer derived from coconut.

Mild, soap-free cleanser.

Cucumis Sativus Fruit Extract

Cucumber Extract

Cooling and refreshing to the skin; shown to be moisture-binding and moisture-regulating with skin softening properties.

Cyclomethicone
Cyclopentasiloxane
Dimethicone Crosspolymer
Divinyldimethicone/ Dimethicone Copolymer

Silicones synthetically made from common sand and oxygen molecules.

Inert “oils” that help spread actives on the skin.

With molecules too large for your skin to absorb, they evaporate, leaving behind the actives.

Disodium Cocoamphodiacetate

Extremely mild amphoteric surfactant (soap free cleanser); does not strip skin or hair of their needed oils.

Gentle foaming cleanser. Less drying than soap.

Disodium EDTA

A chelating compound commonly referred to as EDTA.

A stabilizer in cosmetics and food that keeps products fresh, allowing for lower anti-microbial use.

Ethylhexylglycerin

Derived from vegetable glycerin; natural deodorizer and skin conditioner.

Boosts preservative efficacy, while adding humectancy and a pleasant skin-feel to formulations.

Geranium Maculatum Oil

Geranium Essential Oil

Aromatherapy: balances energy. Pleasant, herbaceous odor.

Glucose

A simple Sugar

Used by cells as a source of metabolic energy.

Glucose Oxidase

A Sugar enzyme

Part of a safe, natural preservative system newly used in natural or organic skincare products that want to avoid parabens or other questionably safe preservatives (see Lactoperoxidase).

Glycerin

A sugar alcohol bi-product from making soap. Vegetable soap makes vegetable glycerin.

A natural humectant and moisture magnet.

Hespiridin Methyl Chalcone

A Peptide (see) that occurs naturally in the body and derived from animal or vegetable proteins.

Increases circulation and helps capillaries remove the excess fluid that may cause puffiness around the eye area.

Hexylene Glycol

Synthetic moisture magnet and wetting agent.

Medium for many botanical extracts.

Hydrolyzed Sesame Protein

Solid form of Soy Protein from vegetable seed oil.

Strengthens hair and dermal layer.

Hydrolyzed Wheat Protein

Solid form of Wheat Protein from vegetable seed oil.

Strengthens hair and dermal layer.

Iron Oxides

A mineral pigment.

Used in mineral make-up for color and in sunscreens to block (reflect) UVA-UVB rays.

Isohexadecane

Synthetic emulsifier and thickening agent.

Used to keep water and oil in an emulsion from separating. Also prevents moisture from evaporating from skin.

Isononyl Isononanoate

An emollient ester.

Used in water-proof sunscreens.

Isopropyl Titanium Triisostearate /Triethoxycaprylylsilane Crosspolymer

Titanium Dioxide with Dimethicone (see)

UVA-UVB mineral screen.

Kaolin

Natural Clay like mineral (silicate of aluminum)

Absorbs excess skin oil. Used in face & body muds and masks.

Kojic Dipalmitate

Kojic Acid – mushroom extract

Used to prevent age spots – prevents melanin clusters from forming.

Isononyl Isononanoate

An emollient ester.

Used in water-proof sunscreens.

Lactoperoxidase

An enzyme found in milk.

Part of a natural preservative system. See Glucose Oxidase.

Lavandula Angustifolia Oil

Lavender Essential Oil

Aromatherapy: calming, balancing; promotes healing. Pleasant, clean odor.

Mauritia Flexuosa Fruit Oil

Buriti Oil from the Ité Palm

Maintains skin moisture – high in antioxidant Vitamin C.

Mica

Mica. A naturally occurring mineral with reflective qualities. Often found in mineral makeup.

Earth mineral used to give products sparkle and shine.

Modified Starch

Vegetable food starch modified by heat, roll or freeze drying. Not genetically modified.

Thickener

Olea Europaea Oil

Olive Oil

Skin friendly oil rich in naturally antioxidant polyphenols.

Palmitoyl Oligopeptide

See Peptide

Enhances the production of collagen.

Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-3

Panthenol

Vitamin B5

Adds essential moisture to skin creating plumping effects.

PEG/PPG-18/18, Alumina

Aluminum oxide mineral suspended in dimethicone.

UVA-UVB physical Sunscreen

PEG-100 Stearate

Synthetic “starch”

Thickening agent.

Peg-45 Palm Kernal Glycerides

Palm fat & Palm oil

Moisturizing emulsifier.

Pentylene Glycol

Palm and Coconut Oil based moisturizer

Helps our skin retain more moisture for continuous hydration.

Persea Gratissima Oil

Avocado Oil pressed from the pulp ~ a rich and extremely deep penetrating oil rich in vitamins A, D and E, lecithin, as well as potassium.

A deep penetrating oil useful in moisturizing dehydrated or undernourished skin.

PG-Propyl Methylsilanediol

Hydrolyzed Silk Protein

Strengthens hair and dermal layer.

Phenoxyethanol

Non-toxic preservative.

Keeps product fresh without more irritating preservatives. . Formaldehyde and Paraben-free.

Polyethylene

Plastic exfoliating beads.

Rounded scrubbing particles that don’t tear skin with rough edges.

Polyhydroxystearic Acid

Water in oil emulsifier.

Disperses active ingredients within a base formula.

Polymethylsilsesquioxane

Synthetic film former.

Keeps sunscreens and make-up from wearing off.

Prunus Amygdalus

Sweet Almond Oil

Pressed from the edible nut kernels, sweet almond oil is an excellent skin-softening oil. It is a mild, lightweight oil, rich in unsaturated fats and essential fatty acids which are easily absorbed into the skin.

Pyridoxine HCI

Vitamin B6

Helps regulate water and hormone balance at the cellular level.

Retinyl Palmitate

Vitamin A

Regulates cell growth to increase skin elasticity and “plumpness.”

Rose Canina Fruit Extract

Rose Hip Extract

High in vitamins A and C and has a strengthening effect on capillaries and connective tissue Roe Hip extracts are antiseptic, anti-inflammatory and astringent and have been used to soothe and heal irritated chapped skin.

Silica

Mineral found in sandstone and clay

Thickener

Silybum Marianum Extract

Milk Thistle Seed Extract

Antioxidant – helps fight free radical damage.

Simmondsia Chinensis Oil

Jojoba Oil

Antioxidant rich and similar to body’s own sebum. A deep moisturizer and gentle protectant.

Sodium Acrylate/Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer

Dimethicone (see)

Moisturizing carrier in extracts.

Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate

Stable Vitamin C; water soluble

Antioxidant and skin brightener. Builds collagen.

Sodium Chloride

Table Salt

Detoxifying exfoliant. Thickener in foaming products.

Sodium Polyacrylate

Salt as a water crystal

Can absorb 200-300 times its weight in water to provide “continuous” hydration in a moisturizer.

Sodium Polystyrene Sulfonate

Resin that replaces sodium with potassium

Helps skin balance minerals and reduce puffiness.

Sodium Trideceth Sulfate

A sodium salt of sulfated tridecyl alcohol.

Mild cleansing agent with wetting and moisturizing properties.

Sorbeth-30 Tetraoleate

A Sugar based emulsifier.

Helps oil mix with water in an emulsion or an oil based cleanser be rinsed away with water.

Squalane

A natural oil similar to our skin’s sebum. Sources include shark livers and olives (our source).

Skin softening moisturizer.

Steareth-20, Dipeptide-2

Peptide (see)

Double peptide used in face and eye creams to increase effectiveness of active ingredients.

Stearyl Glycyrrhetinate

Glycyrrhizic Acid from Licorice Root

Anti-inflammatory - soothes skin

Sorbitan Olivate

Olive Oil derived emulsifier

Non ionic, not ethoxylated, PEG-free, self-emulsifying system derived from olive oil.

Tamarindus Indica Seed Extract

Extract from Tamarind Seed. A replenishable vegetable source of hyaluronic acid

Deeply moisturizing. Allows cells to hold more water and water-soluble liquids for up to 30 hours.

Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate

Vitamin C

A very stable, oil soluble Vitamin C ester antioxidant that prevents free radical damage.

Titanium Dioxide

Mineral

Used as natural UVA-UVB sun block and in mineral makeup.

Tocopheryl Acetate

Vitamin E

The skin-usable form of Vitamin E. Antioxidant prevents inflammation. Protects skin’s natural lipids (moisture).

Tribehenin

Triglyceride. Triester of glycerin and aliphatic acid.

Waterproof skin conditioning agent.

Triethanolamine

Synthetic made from ammonia. Used in minute levels to keep bio-activity in some natural extracts. Often not even listed on labels that list “extracts” as a whole vs breaking apart technical names of all components,

Buffer, controls or stabilizes pH.

Triethoxycaprylylsilane

Coconut oil binder

Used in forming tablets and dispersing pigments in color cosmetics or sunscreens.

Trisiloxane

Dry oil (see dimethicone)

Used to disperse pigments in sunscreens and makeup. Enhances slip and reduces tackiness.

Vegetable Carmine

Natural red pigment (not from beetles)

Used to color food and cosmetics.

Vitis Vinifera

Grape Seed Extract

High in antioxidants. Helps promote the regrowth of connective tissues, and to encourage faster, stronger healing with less scarring.

VP/Polycarbamyl Polyglycol Ester

Starch-like organic compound

Used to temporarily tighten and lift skin.

Water

Water

Filtered to deionize and passed under UV lights to kill bacteria.

Xanthan Gum

Corn Sugar mold

Thickener for food and cosmetics.

Zea Mays (Corn) Oil

Corn Kernel Oil

Used as base for Vitamin D3.