Hydrating Cleanser

DESCRIPTION

What It Does: Provides gentle, low-irritation cleansing particularly suitable for eye area and baby products.

Why It's Used: Baby wash and eye-area cleanser primary surfactant for minimum-irritation cleansing at sensitive skin and eye contact areas.

How It Works: Amphoteric structure with lower cationicity than capb reduces positive charge-mediated protein binding. very low eye irritation in draize test. conditioning activity via residual cationic character interaction with keratin.

Typically Found In: Baby washes,eye makeup removers,gentle eye-area cleansers

TECHNICAL DETAILS

Primary Category: Functional ingredient – amphoteric mild surfactant

Secondary Functions: Skin conditioning

Application Areas:

Facial Skincare

Body Care

Hair Care

Beard Care

Color Cosmetics (Makeup)

Dietary/Oral Supplements

Typical Concentration Range: 2%–15%

SOURCING & ETHICS

Vegan Status: Yes – from coconut fatty acids

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

Eye irritation testing (draize rabbit eye test and human volunteer eye sting test) demonstrates disodium cocoamphodiacetate has among the lowest irritation scores of any commercial surfactant, making it the preferred primary surfactant for 'no-more-tears' baby shampoo formulations and eye-area cleansers.

Last Verified: Cosing database,cir safety assessment

Primary Sources: 2026-03-12

DESCRIPTION

What It Does: Glycerin pulls water from the environment and deeper skin layers into the outer skin layer (epidermis), boosting moisture levels and keeping skin soft, smooth, and plump.

Why It's Used: It is used in virtually every moisturizer, serum, and cleanser because it is highly effective at hydrating skin, is well-tolerated by all skin types, and enhances the texture and spreadability of formulations.

How It Works: As a humectant, glycerin forms hydrogen bonds with water molecules, trapping them in the skin. it also reinforces the skin barrier by integrating into lipid structures between skin cells.

Typically Found In: Moisturizers,serums,cleansers,toners,sheet masks,sunscreens,body lotions,shampoos,conditioners

TECHNICAL DETAILS

Primary Category: Humectant

Secondary Functions: Skin barrier support,emollient,solvent

Application Areas:

Facial Skincare

Body Care

Hair Care

Beard Care

Color Cosmetics (Makeup)

Dietary/Oral Supplements

Typical Concentration Range: 1%–30% (typical: 3–10%)

SOURCING & ETHICS

Vegan Status: Yes – plant-derived (coconut, soy, palm) or synthetic

Halal Status: Yes – when plant-derived or synthetic; verify source with supplier

Source Notes: Derived from plant oils via hydrolysis or saponification; synthetic versions also available. palm-derived glycerin carries sustainability concerns.

SKIN COMPATIBILITY

Irritancy Rating: 1/5 – very low; non-irritating at all standard concentrations

Comedogenicity Rating: 0/5 – non-comedogenic

Sensitivity Concerns: Extremely rare allergic reactions; generally safe for all skin types including sensitive and baby skin

Safe for Sensitive Skin: Yes

SAFETY & COMPATIBILITY

Safety Profile: Widely recognized as safe. ewg hazard score: 1. no significant concerns for irritation, sensitization, or toxicity at typical concentrations (up to 50%).

Works Well With: Hyaluronic acid,ceramides,niacinamide,panthenol,urea,peptides,retinol,ahas/bhas

Avoid Combining With: No known incompatibilities at standard concentrations

SCIENTIFIC NOTE

Glycerin is an endogenous skin component found naturally in the stratum corneum. aquaporin-3 channels in keratinocytes facilitate glycerin transport, making it integral to natural skin hydration pathways.

Last Verified: Cosing database,cir safety assessment,ewg skin deep,inci decoder

Primary Sources: 2026-03-12

DESCRIPTION

What It Does: Provides o/w emulsification with emolliency and skin feel improvement from a natural glycerol ester.

Why It's Used: Standard cosmetic monoglyceride emulsifier – widely used for o/w cream formation with clean, natural-origin credentials and good sensory profile.

How It Works: Monoglyceride structure (one fatty acid + glycerol) provides amphiphilic hlb ~3-4 for o/w emulsification when combined with higher hlb co-emulsifiers. forms alpha-gel lamellar structure with water for emulsion stabilization. direct skin conditioning via fatty acid film.

Typically Found In: Creams,lotions,moisturizers – standard in o/w emulsions

TECHNICAL DETAILS

Primary Category: Functional ingredient – monoglyceride emulsifier

Secondary Functions: Barrier sealing,softening

Application Areas:

Facial Skincare

Body Care

Hair Care

Beard Care

Color Cosmetics (Makeup)

Dietary/Oral Supplements

Typical Concentration Range: 1%–10%

SOURCING & ETHICS

Vegan Status: Yes – from vegetable glycerol and stearic acid

Halal Status: Yes

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

SKIN COMPATIBILITY

Irritancy Rating: 1/5 – very low

Comedogenicity Rating: 1/5 – low; formulation-dependent

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

Glyceryl stearate's alpha-gel lamellar phase formation (distinguishable by x-ray crystallography from beta crystalline phase) provides superior emulsion stability compared to its beta crystalline form. the alpha-gel phase creates a viscoelastic network that resists droplet coalescence – the fundamental mechanism behind gms's long use as a reliable primary emulsifier.

Last Verified: Cosing database,cir safety assessment

Primary Sources: 2026-03-12

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

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

Last Verified: Cosing database,glycol distearate technical literature

Primary Sources: 2026-03-12

DESCRIPTION

What It Does: Provides barrier-relevant c16 saturated fatty acid emolliency and ceramide precursor activity.

Why It's Used: Barrier-relevant saturated fatty acid for formulations targeting the free fatty acid component of the stratum corneum barrier.

How It Works: C16 saturated chain provides solid waxy emolliency. ceramide backbone precursor for c16 ceramide synthesis. free fatty acid component of stratum corneum lamellar bodies (24% of barrier lipids). nmf component providing barrier conditioning.

Typically Found In: Barrier repair products,creams,emollient systems

TECHNICAL DETAILS

Primary Category: Functional ingredient – c16 saturated 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 palm, coconut, or other vegetable oils

Halal Status: Yes

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

SKIN COMPATIBILITY

Irritancy Rating: 1/5 – very low

Comedogenicity Rating: 2/5 – low

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

Palmitic acid is the most abundant fatty acid in human skin and one of the three most important free fatty acids in the stratum corneum lamellar body system (alongside linoleic and oleic acids). its abundance in human skin makes palmitic acid a uniquely skin-authentic emollient – not just coating skin but integrating into the barrier lipid structure.

Last Verified: Cosing database,cir safety assessment

Primary Sources: 2026-03-12

DESCRIPTION

What It Does: Provides high-hlb o/w emulsification as a co-emulsifier partner in standard cream formulations.

Why It's Used: Standard high-hlb co-emulsifier for gms/fatty alcohol/peg-100 stearate classic cream formulation systems.

How It Works: High peg chain length provides hlb ~18 for strong water-phase affinity. combined with low-hlb gms (hlb ~3) at appropriate ratio achieves target hlb for stable o/w emulsification. high hydrophilicity also provides solubilization of oil-soluble ingredients.

Typically Found In: Classic creams and lotions

TECHNICAL DETAILS

Primary Category: Functional ingredient – peg ester emulsifier

Secondary Functions: Skin conditioning

Application Areas:

Facial Skincare

Body Care

Hair Care

Beard Care

Color Cosmetics (Makeup)

Dietary/Oral Supplements

Typical Concentration Range: 0.5%–5%

SOURCING & ETHICS

Vegan Status: Conditional – peg from petroleum; stearate from vegetable

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: Eu cosmetics regulation: peg compounds may contain 1,4-dioxane impurity from peg manufacture. quality-grade peg-100 stearate should have <10ppm 1,4-dioxane.

Works Well With: Standard skincare actives

Avoid Combining With: No known significant incompatibilities

SCIENTIFIC NOTE

Peg-100 stearate's hlb value of ~18 paired with gms's hlb of ~3 provides the classic 'required hlb matching' for emulsification of common cosmetic oils. when combined at approximately a 1:3 gms:peg-100 ratio, the blended hlb (~7) matches the required hlb of most mineral and vegetable oils, providing the theoretical basis for one of the most widely used cream formulation systems.

Last Verified: Cosing database,cir safety assessment

Primary Sources: 2026-03-12

DESCRIPTION

What It Does: Provides excellent foaming cleansing with skin-conditioning isethionate chemistry and minimal irritation.

Why It's Used: Superior mild cleansing for sensitive skin and baby products – provides the foaming performance consumers expect with dramatically reduced irritation vs sls.

How It Works: Isethionate headgroup (2-hydroxy ethane sulfonate) reduces protein binding and denaturing vs sulfate. coconut fatty acid chain provides micelle formation. skin conditioning from the isethionate's hydroxyl group. very low irritation zein test score.

Typically Found In: Gentle cleansers,baby products,sensitive skin bars,shampoos

TECHNICAL DETAILS

Primary Category: Functional ingredient – isethionate surfactant

Secondary Functions: Skin conditioning

Application Areas:

Facial Skincare

Body Care

Hair Care

Beard Care

Color Cosmetics (Makeup)

Dietary/Oral Supplements

Typical Concentration Range: 2%–20%

SOURCING & ETHICS

Vegan Status: Yes – from coconut fatty acids + isethionate (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

Sci's exceptional mildness is demonstrated by its near-zero protein denaturation in zein testing (a standard measure of surfactant aggressiveness). by comparison, sodium lauryl sulfate denatures 90% of zein protein at equivalent concentrations, while sci denatures <5%, explaining the dramatic difference in skin and eye irritation between the two surfactants.

Last Verified: Cosing database,ananthapadmanabhan et al. surfactant skin irritation review

Primary Sources: 2026-03-12

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

Sodium methyl cocoyl taurate has an established safety and efficacy profile within the cosmetic regulatory framework at standard use concentrations.

Last Verified: Cosing database,sodium methyl cocoyl taurate technical literature

Primary Sources: 2026-03-12

DESCRIPTION

What It Does: Provides fatty acid thickening and emolliency with soap-forming emulsification when neutralized.

Why It's Used: Classic cosmetic fatty acid used in virtually all cream and lotion formulations for thickening, emolliency, and opacification.

How It Works: Forms metal soaps (sodium stearate, potassium stearate) on reaction with alkalis for self-emulsification. crystallizes in lamellar networks for thickening. waxy solid provides opacification. low-viscosity melt above 69°c for easy processing.

Typically Found In: Creams,soaps,cleansers,emulsions – foundational ingredient

TECHNICAL DETAILS

Primary Category: Functional ingredient – c18 saturated 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: 1%–15%

SOURCING & ETHICS

Vegan Status: Yes – from vegetable (palm, shea, soy stearin)

Halal Status: Yes

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

SKIN COMPATIBILITY

Irritancy Rating: 1/5 – very low

Comedogenicity Rating: 2/5 – low

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

Stearic acid's dual role as both an emulsifier precursor (when saponified to sodium stearate soap) and an emollient (as unmodified fatty acid) is unique among cosmetic fatty acids. in soap-based cleansers, stearic acid is intentionally partially saponified to create a balanced system: excess stearic acid provides skin-conditioning emolliency while the sodium stearate provides surfactancy – the chemical basis for 'superfatted' soaps.

Last Verified: Cosing database,cir safety assessment

Primary Sources: 2026-03-12