Clarifying Cleansing Foam (for all skin types)

DESCRIPTION

What It Does: Provides antimicrobial c12 fatty acid activity against p. acnes and skin pathogens alongside emollient conditioning.

Why It's Used: Antimicrobial emollient with documented anti-acne activity through p. acnes membrane disruption – the primary antimicrobial fatty acid in human breast milk and coconut oil.

How It Works: C12 chain length is optimal for antimicrobial fatty acid activity: long enough for membrane insertion but short enough for effective disruption. disrupts p. acnes lipid membrane. converts to monolaurin (antimicrobial monoglyceride) via skin esterases. low melting point (44°c) provides liquid-phase emolliency above skin temperature.

Typically Found In: Anti-acne products,antimicrobial skin care,coconut-based products

TECHNICAL DETAILS

Primary Category: Functional ingredient – c12 medium chain fatty acid

Secondary Functions: Barrier sealing,softening

Application Areas:

Facial Skincare

Body Care

Hair Care

Beard Care

Color Cosmetics (Makeup)

Dietary/Oral Supplements

Typical Concentration Range: 0.5%–10%

SOURCING & ETHICS

Vegan Status: Yes – from coconut (cocos nucifera)

Halal Status: Yes

Source Notes: Plant-derived, synthetic or animal-derived. verify source.

SKIN COMPATIBILITY

Irritancy Rating: 1/5 – very low

Comedogenicity Rating: 4/5 – moderate to high comedogenic potential

Sensitivity Concerns: Non-irritating.

Safe for Sensitive Skin: Yes

SAFETY & COMPATIBILITY

Safety Profile: Excellent safety profile. ewg score: 1.

Works Well With: Humectants,ceramides,actives as carrier

Avoid Combining With: No significant incompatibilities

SCIENTIFIC NOTE

Lauric acid's antimicrobial activity against p. acnes (ic50 ~1μg/ml) exceeds benzoyl peroxide's ic50 (~50μg/ml) by approximately 50-fold in in vitro studies, making it one of the most potent naturally occurring anti-p. acnes compounds. its high comedogenicity rating (4/5) presents the paradox of a powerful anti-acne active in a comedogenic vehicle – limiting its practical anti-acne formulation use.

Last Verified: Cosing database,nakatsuji et al. lauric acid anti-acne study,cir safety assessment

Primary Sources: 2026-03-12

DESCRIPTION

What It Does: Provides the universal solvent and vehicle for water-soluble actives and the continuous phase of all o/w emulsions.

Why It's Used: The most essential cosmetic ingredient — aqua (water) is listed first on virtually all water-containing cosmetic inci labels as the highest-concentration ingredient, serving as the foundation of the global cosmetics industry.

How It Works: Acts as solvent for all water-soluble ingredients (glycols, amino acids, water-soluble actives). forms the continuous external phase of o/w emulsions (lotions, creams, serums). provides aqueous environment for enzymatic and chemical reactions between actives. ph adjustment medium.

Typically Found In: Virtually all cosmetic products — the most universal cosmetic ingredient globally

TECHNICAL DETAILS

Primary Category: Functional ingredient – water

Secondary Functions: Skin conditioning

Application Areas:

Facial Skincare

Body Care

Hair Care

Beard Care

Color Cosmetics (Makeup)

Dietary/Oral Supplements

Typical Concentration Range: Varies widely — up to 95% in some toners and serums

SOURCING & ETHICS

Vegan Status: Yes – water (deionised/purified)

Halal Status: Yes

Source Notes: Cosmetic-grade water is purified (deionised, distilled, or ro filtered) to prevent mineral content interference with formulation stability. european pharmacopoeial water (aqua purificata ph. eur.) is the quality standard for pharmaceutical and high-end cosmetic formulations.

SKIN COMPATIBILITY

Irritancy Rating: 1/5 – non-irritant

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

Water's position as the first inci ingredient on most cosmetic labels reflects the regulatory requirement to list ingredients in descending concentration order — meaning water is the most abundant ingredient in the majority of cosmetic products. the fundamental role of water as the universal cosmetic solvent and vehicle makes it simultaneously the most important cosmetic ingredient and the one that requires the most sophisticated formulation chemistry to control — every emulsifier, thickener, preservative, and ph adjuster exists primarily to manage water's interaction with other ingredients in formulation.

Last Verified: Cosing database,eu cosmetics regulation 1223/2009 inci requirements,ph. eur. aqua purificata monograph

Primary Sources: 2026-03-12