Cosmetic Ingredients and Their Functions

Based on the ingredients provided and available information, here are the roles these components typically play in cosmetic formulations:

Solvents and Humectants

• Water: The primary solvent, forming the base of many formulations.
• Butylene Glycol (Product ID: 320): Used as a solvent and humectant, helping to draw moisture into the skin. It is considered gentler than Propylene Glycol.
• Dipropylene Glycol (Product ID: 488): Primarily used as a solvent, especially effective for dissolving fragrances and acting as a fixative to help scents last longer.
• Trehalose (Product ID: 197): A natural disaccharide that functions as a humectant, enhancing skin hydration and improving barrier function. It also offers protective effects against desiccation and oxidative stress.
• Sodium Hyaluronate / Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid (Product IDs: 105, 404): Different molecular sizes of Hyaluronic Acid. They are powerful humectants that hydrate the skin, with smaller molecules potentially penetrating deeper. Double Hyaluron Liquid (ID 404) is a liquid blend of nano and standard sizes for ease of use.
• Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice (Product ID: 76): Aloe Vera Extract, known for its soothing, anti-irritant, and moisturizing properties.

Thickeners and Gelling Agents

• Carbomer (Product ID: 651): A gelling agent used to increase viscosity and create gel textures. It requires neutralization with an alkali and is sensitive to electrolytes and low pH.
• Xanthan Gum (Product ID: 216): A natural thickener used to increase the viscosity of formulations, creating a gel texture. A clear gel type is available.
• PEG-90M: Typically functions as a binder, film former, and thickener in cosmetic products. Information for a specific product was not available.

Emulsifiers and Solubilizers

• PEG-20 Methyl Glucose Sesquistearate (Product ID: 6341): An oil-in-water emulsifier used to blend oil and water phases in a formulation.
• Polysorbate 20 (Product ID: 175): An emulsifier and solubilizer used to disperse oils and fragrances in water-based products.

Active Ingredients

• Niacinamide (Product ID: 74): Also known as Vitamin B3, it offers multiple skin benefits including reducing wrinkles, hyperpigmentation, redness, and oiliness, while also strengthening the skin barrier.
• Bisabolol (Product ID: 78): Derived from chamomile, it is known for its skin-soothing and anti-irritant properties. It can also help gently brighten skin by inhibiting melanin production.
• Retinol (ActiveRelease Retinal, Product ID: 6979): A Vitamin A derivative (specifically Retinaldehyde in an encapsulated form) recognized for its anti-aging effects, particularly in reducing the appearance of wrinkles. The encapsulated form helps improve stability and reduce irritation.
• Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate (Product ID: 1070): A derivative of licorice extract used to reduce inflammation and allergies, helping to strengthen the skin.
• Bifida Ferment Lysate (Product ID: 259): A repair activator derived from the fermentation of Bifida bacteria, shown to help repair skin DNA damaged by UVA light.
• Hydrolyzed Collagen (Collagen HP, Product ID: 7934): An ultra-miniature collagen combined with algae polysaccharide, found to enhance hydration and reduce wrinkles.
• Polysiphonia Elongata Extract: This is typically a red algae extract used for its potential moisturizing and antioxidant properties. Information for a specific product was not available.
• Tetrapeptide-26: Peptides are often used in cosmetics for their signaling properties, which can target various skin concerns like anti-aging or skin repair. Information for a specific product was not available.

Preservatives and Stabilizers

• Hydroxyacetophenone (Product ID: 4306): Functions as an antioxidant to maintain ingredient quality, has a soothing effect, and acts as a preservative booster.
• Phenoxyethanol (Product ID: 155): A widely used preservative effective against bacteria. It is often combined with other preservatives for broad-spectrum protection.
• Sodium Benzoate (part of Global Guard, Product ID: 879): A preservative component, often used in combination with Potassium Sorbate, particularly effective in formulations with a pH below 5.5.
• Potassium Sorbate (Product ID: 843, part of Global Guard ID 879): A preservative component, often used in combination with Sodium Benzoate.
• Disodium EDTA (Product ID: 184): A chelating agent that binds to metal ions in water, preventing them from interfering with the stability and effectiveness of the formulation.
• Caprylyl Glycol (Product ID: 744): Used as a preservative booster and solvent, derived from coconut.

pH Adjusters

• Citric Acid (Product ID: 153): A natural acid used to lower the pH of cosmetic formulations.
• Potassium Hydroxide: A strong alkali typically used to raise the pH of cosmetic formulations, often used to neutralize Carbomer gels. Information for a specific product was not available.

Other

• Fragrance: Added to provide a pleasant scent to the product.
• Maltodextrin (Product ID: 10895): While often used as a texture modifier in food, it can also be used in cosmetics as a film-former or stabilizer.