Ingredient dictionary

Natural mixture of polyglycerin-3, candelilla wax, jojoba seed wax, and rice bran wax that helps oil + water-based ingredients stay blended together to avoid separation in the formula and increase stability.

A derivative of polyethylene glycol and non-drying behenyl alcohol that functions as an emulsifier and surfactant in skin care products. It can be synthetic or plant-derived.

A synthetic or plant-derived skin- and hair-conditioning agent and emulsifier.

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

This synthetic polymer serves as a film-forming, opacifying, viscosity-controlling and emulsifying agent in cosmetics.

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

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

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

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.

Used as an emulsifying agent, which is a group of ingredients essential to most cosmetic formulations.

Used in cosmetics as a thickening agent and emollient.

Dicetyl phosphate does double duty as a cleansing agent and emulsifier that helps control the thickness of liquids. Learn more at Paula’s Choice.    

A synthetic ingredient that functions as an emulsifier.

Diisostearyl polyglyceryl-3 dimer dilinoleate is an emollient blend of fatty acids often used in cosmetics to enhance coverage.