Arctic Berry Enzyme Exfoliant

DESCRIPTION

What It Does: Delivers characteristic cosmetic function at recommended use concentration.

Why It's Used: Selected for functional contribution and formulation compatibility supported by cosmetic science and regulatory safety data.

How It Works: Works through the mechanism of its molecular class — physicochemical or biological interaction with skin proteins, lipids, or receptors as documented in peer-reviewed cosmetic literature.

Typically Found In: Skin care formulations

TECHNICAL DETAILS

Primary Category: Active ingredient – cosmetic active

Secondary Functions: Skin conditioning

Application Areas:

Facial Skincare

Body Care

Hair Care

Beard Care

Color Cosmetics (Makeup)

Dietary/Oral Supplements

Typical Concentration Range: 0.1%–10%

SOURCING & ETHICS

Vegan Status: Conditional

Halal Status: Yes

Source Notes: Commercially produced for cosmetic use. verify vegan/halal status with supplier.

SKIN COMPATIBILITY

Irritancy Rating: 1/5 – very low

Comedogenicity Rating: 0/5 – non-comedogenic

Sensitivity Concerns: Well-tolerated by most skin types.

Safe for Sensitive Skin: Yes

SAFETY & COMPATIBILITY

Safety Profile: Good safety profile at recommended concentrations. ewg score: 1–2.

Works Well With: Standard skincare actives

Avoid Combining With: No known significant incompatibilities

SCIENTIFIC NOTE

Algin has an established safety and efficacy profile within the cosmetic regulatory framework at standard use concentrations.

Last Verified: Cosing database,algin technical literature

Primary Sources: 2026-03-12

DESCRIPTION

What It Does: Provides transparent gel textures and thickening at very low concentrations via ph-responsive swelling.

Why It's Used: The most widely used gel thickener – provides crystal-clear, stable gels at concentrations as low as 0.1-0.5% with ph-controlled viscosity.

How It Works: Highly crosslinked polyacrylic acid remains tightly coiled at acidic ph. neutralization with naoh or triethanolamine ionizes carboxylic groups causing electrostatic repulsion that unfolds and swells the polymer coils, dramatically increasing viscosity. concentration-dependent thickening.

Typically Found In: Gels,serums,emulsions,sunscreens

TECHNICAL DETAILS

Primary Category: Functional ingredient – polyacrylic acid thickener

Secondary Functions: Skin conditioning

Application Areas:

Facial Skincare

Body Care

Hair Care

Beard Care

Color Cosmetics (Makeup)

Dietary/Oral Supplements

Typical Concentration Range: 0.1%–2%

SOURCING & ETHICS

Vegan Status: Yes – synthetic

Halal Status: Yes

Source Notes: Commercially produced for cosmetic use. verify vegan/halal status with supplier.

SKIN COMPATIBILITY

Irritancy Rating: 1/5 – very low

Comedogenicity Rating: 0/5 – non-comedogenic

Sensitivity Concerns: Well-tolerated by most skin types.

Safe for Sensitive Skin: Yes

SAFETY & COMPATIBILITY

Safety Profile: Good safety profile at recommended concentrations. ewg score: 1–2.

Works Well With: Standard skincare actives

Avoid Combining With: No known significant incompatibilities

SCIENTIFIC NOTE

Carbomer's ph-responsive swelling mechanism provides an elegant formulation control tool: a neutralized gel can be liquefied by ph reduction (adding acid) and re-thickened by reneutralization. this reversible rheology control allows two-phase products that mix on application without the need for mechanical emulsification.

Last Verified: Cosing database,cir safety assessment

Primary Sources: 2026-03-12

DESCRIPTION

What It Does: Builds aqueous viscosity through polymer chain entanglement above the overlap concentration, forms conditioning films on skin and hair, and stabilises suspensions through yield stress.

Why It's Used: Natural biopolymer thickeners provide elegant formulation sensory without the tight ph requirements of synthetic carbomers — preferred in shampoos and conditioners where broad ph tolerance and natural origin are both required.

How It Works: Polysaccharide chains above overlap concentration c* entangle forming a viscoelastic network — viscosity scales as c^4.7 above c*, providing steep concentration-viscosity dependence. chemical modification (hydroxypropyl, hydroxyethyl) increases water solubility and cold-processability of otherwise difficult-to-dissolve natural polysaccharides.

Typically Found In: Shampoos,conditioners,gels

TECHNICAL DETAILS

Primary Category: Active ingredient – cosmetic active

Secondary Functions: Skin conditioning

Application Areas:

Facial Skincare

Body Care

Hair Care

Beard Care

Color Cosmetics (Makeup)

Dietary/Oral Supplements

Typical Concentration Range: 0.1%–5%

SOURCING & ETHICS

Vegan Status: Yes

Halal Status: Yes

Source Notes: Commercially produced for cosmetic use. verify vegan/halal status with supplier.

SKIN COMPATIBILITY

Irritancy Rating: 1/5 – very low

Comedogenicity Rating: 0/5 – non-comedogenic

Sensitivity Concerns: Well-tolerated by most skin types.

Safe for Sensitive Skin: Yes

SAFETY & COMPATIBILITY

Safety Profile: Good safety profile at recommended concentrations. ewg score: 1–2.

Works Well With: Standard skincare actives

Avoid Combining With: No known significant incompatibilities

SCIENTIFIC NOTE

Biopolymer thickeners are sensitive to electrolyte concentration — high salt levels screen polymer charge interactions reducing viscosity. formulation salt content must be accounted for when selecting polymer concentration for target viscosity.

Last Verified: Cosing database,hydroxypropyl starch phosphate biopolymer thickener review

Primary Sources: 2026-03-12

DESCRIPTION

What It Does: Gently digests dead keratin proteins for enzymatic exfoliation without acid irritation.

Why It's Used: Gentle enzymatic exfoliant for acid-sensitive skin types requiring exfoliation without ph-dependent aha/bha irritation.

How It Works: Cysteine protease specifically cleaves peptide bonds in keratin proteins at neutral ph, dissolving corneocyte protein bridges without requiring acidic ph. activity is ph- and temperature-dependent (optimal ph 6.5, 37°c). also gently solubilizes sebum plugs.

Typically Found In: Enzyme peels,gentle exfoliants,sensitive skin exfoliants,brightening masks

TECHNICAL DETAILS

Primary Category: Active ingredient – enzyme

Secondary Functions: Protein-specific exfoliation,neutral-ph keratolysis

Application Areas:

Facial Skincare

Body Care

Hair Care

Beard Care

Color Cosmetics (Makeup)

Dietary/Oral Supplements

Typical Concentration Range: 1%–10% (active enzyme)

SOURCING & ETHICS

Vegan Status: Yes – from carica papaya latex

Halal Status: Yes

Source Notes: Plant-derived (papaya, pineapple) or fermentation-derived.

SKIN COMPATIBILITY

Irritancy Rating: 2/5 – low to moderate; potential sensitization with repeated exposure

Comedogenicity Rating: 0/5 – non-comedogenic

Sensitivity Concerns: Patch test recommended; potential for enzymatic sensitization.

Safe for Sensitive Skin: Use with caution – potential sensitization

SAFETY & COMPATIBILITY

Safety Profile: Latex allergy cross-reactivity possible. avoid high concentrations on compromised skin.

Works Well With: Ahas (synergistic),hyaluronic acid,ceramides

Avoid Combining With: High concentrations on sensitive or compromised skin

SCIENTIFIC NOTE

Papain's specificity for peptide bonds at hydrophobic residues (leu, phe, val) in keratin provides preferential digestion of the abundant hydrophobic corneocyte proteins, causing selective dissolution of corneocyte protein bridges without disrupting the non-protein lipid matrix of the stratum corneum.

Last Verified: Cosing database,cir safety assessment,enzyme exfoliant review literature

Primary Sources: 2026-03-12

DESCRIPTION

What It Does: Provides deodorant activity through alkaline ph inhibition of odour bacteria and direct neutralisation of acid odour compounds.

Why It's Used: The most recognised natural deodorant ingredient with the simplest, cleanest formula and dual antibacterial/neutralisation mechanism.

How It Works: Nahco₃ + h⁺ → na⁺ + h₂o + co₂ (acid neutralisation). maintains skin surface ph 7–8 inhibiting odour bacteria optimal at ph 4.5–6.5. directly neutralises acidic vocs (propionic acid, isovaleric acid).

Typically Found In: Natural deodorant sticks,clean beauty deodorant

TECHNICAL DETAILS

Primary Category: Functional/active – baking soda deodorant/buffer

Secondary Functions: Skin conditioning

Application Areas:

Facial Skincare

Body Care

Hair Care

Beard Care

Color Cosmetics (Makeup)

Dietary/Oral Supplements

Typical Concentration Range: 1%–20%

SOURCING & ETHICS

Vegan Status: Yes – natural or synthetic mineral

Halal Status: Yes

Source Notes: Commercially produced for cosmetic use. verify vegan/halal status with supplier.

SKIN COMPATIBILITY

Irritancy Rating: 1/5 – very low

Comedogenicity Rating: 0/5 – non-comedogenic

Sensitivity Concerns: Well-tolerated by most skin types.

Safe for Sensitive Skin: Yes

SAFETY & COMPATIBILITY

Safety Profile: Skin irritation common at high concentrations (>10%). can cause contact dermatitis in underarm skin at ph 8–9.

Works Well With: Standard skincare actives

Avoid Combining With: No known significant incompatibilities

SCIENTIFIC NOTE

Sodium bicarbonate's contact dermatitis risk in natural deodorants arises from ph disruption: the underarm skin is naturally acidic (ph 4.5–5.5), and baking soda at typical concentrations creates ph 8–9, disrupting the acid mantle and causing irritant contact dermatitis in sensitive individuals.

Last Verified: Cosing database,cir safety assessment

Primary Sources: 2026-03-12