Ingredient dictionary

The primary role of this sugar- and palm-derived ingredient is emulsifier, helping to keep the oil and water phases of cosmetics from separating.

An emulsifier, meaning it helps keep unlike ingredients (such as oil and water) from separating in an emulsion.

A natural polysaccharide derived from soil bacteria. Not widely used in cosmetics, but can help enhance texture and help emulsify.

Fatty alcohol-derived surfactant, emulsifier, and stabilising ingredient that’s been ruled safe as it is used in cosmetics.

Fatty alcohol-derived emulsifier that helps water & oil-based ingredients stay mixed in both water- and oil-based solutions.

This derivative of sorbitol functions as a surfactant and emulsifier in skin care products.

Emulisifier/thickener that enhances the texture and stabilises the formula.

This surfactant and emulsifying agent is often used in oil-based cleansers.

Stabilises the water phase of formulas that contain hydrating ingredients. Works via its interaction with proteins and starches, where it can also help modify a product’s texture.

Cleansing/emulsifying agent that can also be used to adjust the viscosity and stiffness of cosmetic formulations. It might contribute to a pore-clogging residue on skin.

This synthetic ingredient is used as an emulsifier and pH adjuster in cosmetics.

Used in cosmetics as a thickening agent and emollient.

This skin conditioning ingredient also works to emulsify cosmetic formulas, ensuring oil and water mixtures don’t separate.

Glycerin-based ingredient that functions as an emulsifying agent and surfactant.

This potassium salt of stearic acid is used as an emulsifier in cosmetics, helping keep oil and water formulas from separating.

This versatile moisturizing ingredient can be an emollient, emulsifier, or secondary cleansing agent in cosmetics.

Texture-enhancing ingredient that works to emulsify formulations so they’re cohesive and smooth.

An emulsifier (aka the substance that keeps water and oil together in a formula) with emollient benefits for skin.

This moisturizing ingredient keeps products blended and can improve texture aesthetics, leaving a silky-smooth feel.

An emulsifier used to improve stability and sensory aesthetics of creams, lotions and other types of cosmetics.

Polyglyceryl-10 dioleate is a mixture of the fatty acid esters of oleic acid and a polymer, polyglycerin-10, which functions as a hydrator and emulsifier.

Polyglyceryl-10 caprylate/caprate is a single ester created from polymers and glycerine used in skin care as an emulsifier or solvent.

PEG-32 also functions as an emulsifier, which is a type of ingredient that keeps unlike substances from separating.