SkinAtlas
The library

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.

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366 ingredients in Other — page 10 of 16

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Other
Polyacrylate-13

A polyacrylate polymer used as an emulsifier and rheology modifier in cosmetic formulations, typically found in a self-emulsifying blend with polyisobutene and polysorbate 20 (Sepinov EMT 10).

emulsifyingviscosity-increasingfilm-forming
✓ stabilizes oil-in-water emulsions✓ improves product texture✓ provides smooth skin feel
Other
Polyacrylic Acid

A linear homopolymer of acrylic acid used as a thickener and film-forming agent in cosmetics; unlike Carbomer it is uncrosslinked, resulting in different rheological behavior.

thickenerfilm-forming agentemulsion stabilizer
✓ Provides viscosity and gel-like texture in aqueous formulas✓ Improves emulsion stability✓ Forms a light film that can enhance ingredient delivery
⚠ May cause mild irritation at high concentrations or very low pH; generally well-tolerated at cosmetic use levels
Other
Polydiethyleneglycol Adipate/IPDI Copolymer

Polydiethyleneglycol Adipate/IPDI Copolymer is a polyurethane formed by the reaction of diethylene glycol adipate (a polyester diol) with isophorone diisocyanate (IPDI, a cycloaliphatic diisocyanate). In cosmetics it is used as a polymeric film-former and texture agent in cleansing balm formulations, contributing to the product's viscosity and texture without requiring excess hard waxes. The finished polyurethane is non-reactive and does not contain free isocyanate groups.

film-formingviscosity-controllingskin-conditioning
✓ Polyurethane copolymer synthesized from diethylene glycol adipate and isophorone diisocyanate (IPDI) that provides film-forming and texture-modifying properties in cleansing balm formulations✓ Contributes to the 'bouncy' or gel-like texture of cleansing balms without relying on waxes alone, allowing softer, easier-to-scoop textures✓ Non-stripping on skin — the polymer resides in the oil phase and rinses away with the emulsifier upon water contact
+ PEG-20 Glyceryl Triisostearate+ Synthetic Wax
Other
Polyester-1

Polyester-1 is a synthetic film-forming polymer used in cosmetics and color cosmetics to create a continuous film on the skin that improves product adherence and finish.

Film forming
✓ Creates a smooth, continuous film on skin✓ Improves product wear and staying power✓ Enhances coverage in color cosmetics
Other
Polyester-7

Polyester-7 is a synthetic polymer used in cosmetics as a viscosity-controlling and skin conditioning agent, contributing to the characteristic primer-like texture of certain sunscreen formulations.

Viscosity controllingSkin conditioning
✓ Controls product viscosity and texture✓ Contributes to lightweight, smooth skin feel in sunscreen formulations
Other
Polyether-1

A PEG/PPG-type polyether polymer used as a film-former or solubilizer to improve texture and spreadability in cosmetic formulations.

film-formersolubilizerconditioning agent
✓ Improves spreadability and sensory texture of formulations✓ Aids in solubilizing hydrophobic ingredients
⚠ No significant known risks at cosmetic use levels
Other
Polyethylene

A synthetic polymer wax used as a texture enhancer and film-former in cosmetics, including sunscreens and tinted products, to improve spreadability and skin feel.

film-formertexture-enhancerthickener
✓ Improves texture and spreadability of sunscreens and color cosmetics✓ Can provide a soft-focus, blurring effect
Other
Polyglyceryl-10 Behenate/Eicosanedioate
POLYGLYCERYL-10 BEHENATE/EICOSANEDIOATE

A polyglycerol ester of behenic acid and eicosanedioic acid. A gentle, plant-derived emulsifier. Used in Ishizawa's urea face cream.

emulsifierskin-conditioning
✓ Gentle emulsifier✓ Plant-derived
+ Glyceryl Stearate+ Behenyl Alcohol
Other
Polyglyceryl-10 Distearate

A diester of polyglyceryl-10 (decaglycerol) and stearic acid used as a mild nonionic emulsifier in cosmetic formulations; related to but distinct from Polyglyceryl-10 Laurate and other monoesters in the KB.

emulsifiersurfactantskin-conditioning
✓ Mild plant-derived nonionic emulsifier✓ Helps form stable oil-in-water emulsions✓ Well-tolerated by sensitive skin
Other
Polyglyceryl-10 Pentastearate
POLYGLYCERYL-10 PENTASTEARATE

A polyglycerol ester of stearic acid. A gentle, plant-derived emulsifier used in Matsuyama's Hadauru moisturizer.

emulsifierskin-conditioning
✓ Gentle, plant-derived emulsifier✓ Good skin compatibility
+ Glyceryl Stearate+ Behenyl Alcohol
Other
Polyglyceryl-2 Oleate
POLYGLYCERYL-2 OLEATE

A diglycerin monooleate ester used as a mild non-ionic emulsifier and dispersing agent in cosmetic formulas. Derived from renewable glycerol and oleic acid.

emulsifyingskin-conditioning
✓ Gentle, non-ionic emulsifier✓ Improves formula stability in oils and water-based blends
+ C12-20 Alkyl Glucoside+ Glycolipids
Other
Polyglyceryl-3 Polydimethylsiloxyethyl Dimethicone

A polyglycerin-modified silicone (KF-6105 type) that acts as an emulsifier for water-in-silicone or water-in-oil formulations, providing a light, non-greasy skin-conditioning effect.

silicone emulsifierskin-conditioning
✓ Enables water-in-silicone emulsions for lightweight feel✓ Conditions and smooths skin
Other
Polyglyceryl-4 Lauryl Ether
POLYGLYCERYL-4 LAURYL ETHER

A polyglycerol ether of lauryl alcohol. A mild, non-ionic surfactant and emulsifier used in gentle skincare formulations. Good skin compatibility.

emulsifiersurfactant
✓ Gentle, non-ionic surfactant/emulsifier✓ Skin-friendly
+ Glycerin+ Cetearyl Alcohol
Other
Polyglyceryl-6 Octastearate

A polyglycerol ester of stearic acid used as an emulsifier to stabilize water-in-oil or oil-in-water emulsions. Derived from renewable polyglycerol and fatty acids; a functional excipient with no direct skin-benefit role.

emulsifierstabilizer
Other
Polygonum Multiflorum Root Extract

A root extract of Polygonum multiflorum (he shou wu/fo-ti) containing stilbene glycosides and anthraquinones, used in K-beauty and traditional East Asian cosmetics for antioxidant skin conditioning; note: the oral form has documented hepatotoxicity.

skin-conditioningantioxidant
✓ Contains stilbene glycosides and anthraquinones with antioxidant activity✓ Traditionally used in East Asian formulations for conditioning
⚠ Associated with hepatotoxicity when consumed orally; topical safety data limited⚠ Anthraquinone content (emodin, chrysophanol) may be irritating at higher concentrations
Other
Polyhydroxystearic Acid

A polymeric hydroxystearic acid used in sunscreens and color cosmetics as a dispersant for mineral UV filter pigments, reducing white cast and improving application feel.

dispersantemulsifier
✓ Disperses mineral UV filters (TiO2, ZnO) evenly in oil-based systems✓ Improves texture and skin feel of mineral sunscreens✓ Reduces whitening effect of mineral filters
Other
Polyisoprene

A synthetic rubber elastomer that gives hydrocolloid and acne patches their stretch and adhesion properties.

film-formingadhesive
✓ Provides elasticity and skin-adhesive properties in pimple patch substrates✓ Helps patches conform to facial contours
⚠ Derived from natural rubber latex — may cause reactions in those with latex sensitivity
Other
Polymethyl Methacrylate
POLYMETHYL METHACRYLATE

A synthetic acrylic polymer used as spherical microspheres to create soft-focus optical effects, absorb sebum, and improve the texture of creams and sunscreens.

texture-enhancingabsorbentfilm-forming
✓ Soft-focus blurring effect on skin✓ Oil absorption✓ Smooth, velvety texture
+ Silica+ Dimethicone
Other
Polymethylsilsesquioxane

A fine silicone resin powder used to create soft-focus blurring effects, absorb oil, and improve the texture of sunscreens, primers, and creams.

film-formertexture-agent
✓ Creates a soft-focus, blurring effect on skin✓ Absorbs oil and reduces shine✓ Improves product texture and spreadability
Other
Polyoxyethylene Polyoxypropylene Decyl Tetradecyl Ether
PEG/PPG DECYL TETRADECYL ETHER

A polyoxyethylene-polyoxypropylene ether of a long-chain fatty alcohol (C14/C10). Functions as a mild nonionic emulsifier and solubilizer.

emulsifiersolubilizer
✓ Nonionic PEG-PPG block copolymer used to solubilize oils and active ingredients in aqueous formulas✓ Low-irritation emulsifier often used in Japanese sensitive-skin products
Other
Polypropylsilsesquioxane

A silicone resin formed from propylsilsesquioxane units, used in cosmetics as a film former and texture-enhancing agent; chemically distinct from polymethylsilsesquioxane (which uses methyl groups) though both are T-resin silicones.

Film formerTexture agentEmollient
✓ Creates a smooth, silky skin feel✓ Film-forming properties improve wear and longevity✓ Soft-focus effect on skin imperfections
Other
Polyquaternium-10

A cationic polymer derived from hydroxyethylcellulose quaternized with trimethylammonium groups, widely used as a conditioning and film-forming agent in hair and skin care.

Hair conditioning agentSkin-conditioningFilm-formingAntistatic
✓ Provides conditioning and smoothing effect on hair and skin✓ Imparts antistatic properties✓ Forms a light protective film on skin surface
⚠ Potential for build-up with repeated use in rinse-off products⚠ Generally considered low irritation risk at cosmetic concentrations
Other
Polyquaternium-22

A cationic copolymer of acrylamide and dimethyl diallyl ammonium chloride used as an antistatic conditioning and film-forming agent in skin and hair care formulations.

AntistaticFilm-formingSkin conditioningHair conditioning
✓ Improves slip and feel on skin and hair✓ Provides antistatic conditioning✓ Film-former that enhances texture
⚠ Generally well tolerated at cosmetic use levels
Other
Polyquaternium-39

A cationic polymer used as a film-former and skin conditioner in facial cleansers and moisturizers, providing a soft after-feel.

film-formerskin-conditioningantistatic
✓ Imparts a smooth, soft feel to skin✓ Provides mild antistatic conditioning✓ Compatible with anionic and nonionic surfactant systems
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