Ingredient library
Every ingredient SkinAtlas knows about — all 2402 of them. What each one does, what it works well with, and what to watch for.
A synthetic polyamide (nylon) powder used as a film-former and texture agent that imparts a smooth, soft-focus finish and helps control shine in sunscreens and color cosmetics.
Extract from the flowers of Nymphaea alba (European white water lily). Contains flavonoids, alkaloids, and polyphenols with soothing and antioxidant properties. Used in K-beauty as a calming botanical particularly in sensitive-skin and essence formulas.
A synthetic phenol derivative (4-isopropyl-3-methylphenol) used as a broad-spectrum cosmetic preservative with antibacterial and antifungal activity; permitted up to 0.1% in the EU.
An extract from the flowers and leaves of Ocimum basilicum (sweet basil) containing flavonoids, rosmarinic acid, and essential oil components with antioxidant and skin-conditioning properties.
Whole-plant extract from Ocimum basilicum (sweet basil). Contains rosmarinic acid, linalool, eugenol, and flavonoids. Used in multi-botanical serum blends for its antioxidant and mild antimicrobial properties.
An essential oil steam-distilled from Ocimum basilicum (sweet basil) leaves and flowers, used in cosmetics as a fragrance ingredient; some chemotypes are high in estragole (methyl chavicol), which has EFSA-identified genotoxicity concerns and is subject to IFRA concentration restrictions.
An extract of holy basil (tulsi) leaves rich in antioxidant and soothing compounds.
A naturally derived dicarboxylic acid (C18 unsaturated) produced by bioconversion of oleic acid; used in premium skincare as a mild skin-brightening and antimicrobial active.
1,8-Octanediol is a straight-chain C8 aliphatic diol used as a humectant and multifunctional preservative booster with inherent antimicrobial properties, distinct from 1,2-octanediol (caprylyl glycol).
A classic UVB-absorbing chemical sunscreen filter that also helps dissolve other filters.
A chemical UV filter often used to stabilize avobenzone.
A branched-chain fatty alcohol ester used as an emollient and co-solvent that provides a rich but non-sticky skin feel.
A nonionic surfactant used to solubilize oils into water-based formulas.
An ester of octyldodecanol and myristic acid. One of the lightest, most elegant esters used in skincare. Provides excellent spreadability and a dry, silky skin feel without greasiness.
An ester of octyldodecanol and neopentanoic acid used as a lightweight emollient, common in sunscreen and color cosmetic formulas.
An ester of octyldodecanol and pyrrolidone carboxylic acid (PCA) used as a rich emollient and skin-conditioning agent that combines the lubricating properties of a fatty ester with the moisturizing moiety of PCA.
An extract from evening primrose flowers with antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, distinct from the GLA-rich seed oil.
Extract from the flowers, leaves, and stems of Oenothera biennis (evening primrose). Complements the oil (from seeds) with water-soluble phenolic antioxidants.
A GLA-rich evening primrose oil that softens and calms dry, sensitive skin.
An extract from the seeds of Oenothera biennis (evening primrose), distinct from the GLA-rich expressed seed oil, used for antioxidant and skin-conditioning properties.
An oil-soluble fraction of Coix lacryma-jobi ma-yuen (Job's Tears) seed extract, distinct from the water-soluble form. Contains lipid-soluble bioactives including sterols and ceramide-analogous lipids.
A polyphenol-rich aqueous extract from olive fruit, distinct from olive oil. Delivers hydroxytyrosol and oleuropein — potent antioxidants that protect against UV-induced oxidative damage and calm inflammation.
Olive fruit oil, a rich emollient high in oleic acid and antioxidants.
Oil extracted from the husk/pomace of Olea europaea (olive) fruit after pressing. Similar fatty acid profile to olive fruit oil (primarily oleic acid) but with a lighter texture.