Ingredient library
Every ingredient SkinAtlas knows about — all 2178 of them. What each one does, what it works well with, and what to watch for.
A succinic acid ester of sorbitan palmitate used as a mild emulsifier and skin-conditioning agent in moisturizers and milky lotions.
A partial ester of sorbitol and isostearic acid (1.5 moles of fatty acid per sorbitol). Used as a W/O emulsifier, particularly in sunscreen formulas and heavy creams where silicone compatibility is needed.
A stable, lightweight emollient that mimics skin's own lipids.
The unsaturated C30 triterpene precursor to squalane, present in human sebum and plant oils such as olive oil; highly susceptible to peroxidation, which distinguishes it from its stable, fully saturated counterpart squalane.
A saturated C18 fatty acid used as an emollient, emulsifier and thickener that gives creams a rich texture.
An ester of stearic acid and inulin (a plant polysaccharide from chicory) used as a natural, plant-derived emollient and film-former.
A long-chain (C18) fatty alcohol that softens skin, stabilizes emulsions, and adds body to creams; not drying like volatile alcohols.
The ester of stearyl alcohol (C18) and behenic acid (C22), producing a waxy solid at room temperature. Functions primarily as a rich emollient and emulsion stabilizer in cream formulations. The long C22 chain of behenic acid contributes to the characteristic dense, smooth texture without the tackiness of shorter-chain emollients.
A dimethicone functionalized with stearyl (C18) groups. Provides conditioning and emollient properties with a smooth, dry feel. Used in Ishizawa's urea face cream.
A mixture of sucrose esters of coconut fatty acids used as a mild emollient, emulsifier, and gentle surfactant in skin care products; well-tolerated and considered skin-friendly.
A sucrose ester of stearic acid (diester form). A gentle, plant-derived non-ionic emulsifier and emollient. Used in elegant creams and lotions.
A sugar-derived emulsifier and emollient with a soft, conditioning finish.
A sucrose ester of stearic acid used as a nonionic emulsifier and skin-conditioning agent. Derived from sugar and vegetable fatty acids; gentle and suitable for sensitive skin formulas.
A sucrose ester formed from stearic acid and acetic acid providing emollient and occlusive properties, used in lip products and rich skin creams.
A linoleic-acid-rich plant oil that softens skin and supports the barrier without heaviness.
A synthetic C14 alpha-olefin hydrocarbon used as a lightweight emollient and spreading agent in sunscreens and color cosmetics.
A natural fat extracted from cacao seeds (Theobroma cacao) used as a rich emollient and occlusive ingredient in lip balms, body butters, and moisturizers.
Butter pressed from the seeds of Theobroma grandiflorum (Cupuaçu), an Amazonian relative of cacao. Highly emollient; absorbs faster than shea or cocoa butter due to its unique fatty acid profile.
The full triglyceride ester of glycerol and behenic acid (C22:0), a long-chain saturated fatty acid. Solid at room temperature, providing thickening and emollient properties in anhydrous formulations including lip balms, treatments, and body butters. Derived from plant oils (rapeseed, peanut) rich in behenic acid.
A lightweight volatile hydrocarbon emollient that provides a silky skin feel and is used as a sustainable alternative to cyclomethicone (often combined with undecane as Cetiol Ultimate).
The ester of tridecyl alcohol and stearic acid; a low-viscosity, non-greasy emollient used in premium moisturizer formulas to improve spread and skin feel.
A synthetic triester of trimellitic acid and tridecyl alcohol that functions as a rich, hydrophobic emollient and pigment dispersant in skin and lip formulations.
A triglyceride ester of glycerol and 2-ethylhexanoic acid used as a lightweight, dry-feel emollient and solvent in serums, lotions, and toners.
A hydroxylated castor-oil-derived triglyceride used as an oil-phase thickener and emollient that gives creams and lip products a smooth, stable texture.