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Naturally occurring mineral used as a thickener, absorbent, and abrasive in skin care products. Also known as aluminum oxide.
Salt that has absorbent properties.
Salt that has absorbent and abrasive properties.
It can sensitising to skin.
This powder derived from fossilized tree resin is used as a bulking agent and a physical exfoliant in skin care products.
Type of clay that is most famously used as an absorbent in oil-reducing face masks. Also functions as a thickener, emulsion stabiliser, and opacifying agent in cosmetic formulations.
A synthetic compound that adds slip, enhances texture, and can also thicken certain formulas.
Chalk; used as an absorbent in cosmetics.
Primarily carbon substance formed by charring organic material in absence of oxygen.
Natural, highly absorbent clay that also helps to thicken cosmetics, modify product slip, add opacity, and prevent makeup and skin care formulas from caking.
Natural, highly absorbent ingredient that also helps to thicken cosmetics, modify product slip, add opacity, and prevent makeup and skin care formulas from caking.
Starch obtained from corn and sometimes used as an absorbent in cosmetics instead of talc.
Mineral substance that is similar to kaolin (a clay).
This type of bandage helps lessen the duration of whitehead pimples.
Modified version of corn starch that delivers humectant (hydrating) properties. May also be used to adjust the opacity, viscosity & cohesiveness of the formula.
Illite is a mineral-sourced natural thickener that is sometimes referred to as French green clay.
Kaolin is a clay mineral known for its absorbent properties, particularly popular in facial masks aimed at reducing skin’s oil. Learn more at Paula’s Choice.
Earth mineral that has strong absorbent properties and some disinfecting properties.
Active ingredient in milk of magnesia. It is an absorbent and has disinfectant properties for skin.
This versatile plant-based sugar is used as an absorbent, stabilizer, film-forming agent, and skin softener in cosmetics
Versatile ingredient that can be used as a texture-enhancing ingredient, film former, and/or absorbent in cosmetic formulations. May also be used as “microspheres” to gently release potent active ingredients into skin.
Plays a variety of roles in cosmetic formulations including as an absorbent, emulsion stabiliser, slip modifier, scrub ingredient and viscosity-increasing agent. Can be “upcycled” as a by-product of agricultural industries or created synthetically.
A type of clay that is a mix of bentonite and fuller's earth, with the latter being a white to brown substance found in sediment.
Proven and supported by independent studies. Outstanding active ingredient for most skin types or concerns.
Necessary to improve a formula's texture, stability, or penetration.
Generally non-irritating but may have aesthetic, stability, or other issues that limit its usefulness.
There is a likelihood of irritation. Risk increases when combined with other problematic ingredients.
May cause irritation, inflammation, dryness, etc. May offer benefit in some capability but overall, proven to do more harm than good.
We couldn't find this in our ingredient dictionary. We log all missing ingredients and make continuous updates.
We have not yet rated this ingredient because we have not had a chance to review the research on it.