Ingredient dictionary

Can be sensitising when applied to skin. Most well known for use in calamine.

A powdered version of the mineral iron. A natural ingredient, it's used as an opacifying agent in cosmetics.

This rendered animal fat has moisturizing properties but also has the potential to irritate skin.

This synthetic ingredient helps diffuse light and add pearlescence to cosmetics.

Barium sulfate is an inorganic salt that occurs in nature.

A mineral wax used as a texture enhancer in cosmetics, especially to add stability to lipsticks and stick foundations and keep them blended.

This ester functions as a humectant, opacifier, and solvent in cosmetics.

A mineral wax used as a texture enhancer in cosmetics, especially to add stability to lipsticks and stick foundations and keep them blended.

A mixture of fatty acids derived from palm oil. Used as a cleansing agent, emulsifier, or to add opacity to cosmetic products.

This fatty acid is found naturally in skin and is the most common fatty acid found in animals, plants, and microorganisms. It has many functions in cosmetics, including as a cleansing agent and emollient.

Synthetic compound as an emollient and thickening agent.

The list of inactive ingredients is the part of an over-the-counter Drug Facts label required by regulatory agencies in the United States on such products as sunscreens and anti-blemish products that contain benzoyl peroxide or salicylic acid.

Plays various roles depending on the formula, including opacifying agent, skin-conditioning occlusive, and viscosity-increasing agent (texture enhancer).

Mineral-derived ingredient that is most often used to lend opacity to a formula. Can also function as a bulking agent.

This type of synthetic polymer helps improve a product’s viscosity.

This synthetic polymer is one of several types of polymers that can be used to make hydrocolloid bandages.