Mentholatum Lipcare Water Color 01 Super Me Charming Red 3G

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

1-2-hexanediol has an established safety and efficacy profile within the cosmetic regulatory framework at standard use concentrations.

Last Verified: Cosing database,1-2-hexanediol technical literature

Primary Sources: 2026-03-12

DESCRIPTION

What It Does: Provides natural wax structure and emolliency for cosmetic texture and lip balm applications.

Why It's Used: The original cosmetic wax – provides natural, hard-texture structure for lip balms, sticks, and creams with emollient skin conditioning.

How It Works: Complex mixture of esters (wax esters), hydrocarbons (hentriacontane), and fatty acids provides semi-crystalline structure. melting point 62-65°c enables stable solid products. emulsifying capacity from free cerotic acid content.

Typically Found In: Lip balms,cosmetic sticks,creams,natural cosmetics

TECHNICAL DETAILS

Primary Category: Functional ingredient – natural wax

Secondary Functions: Natural wax structure,occlusive conditioning

Application Areas:

Facial Skincare

Body Care

Hair Care

Beard Care

Color Cosmetics (Makeup)

Dietary/Oral Supplements

Typical Concentration Range: 2%–30%

SOURCING & ETHICS

Vegan Status: No – honeybee-derived

Halal Status: Conditional – animal-derived; verify halal certification

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

Beeswax's multi-component wax ester composition (myricyl palmitate as primary component) provides a unique crystalline structure that gives lip balms and cosmetic sticks their characteristic 'dragée' glide – different from synthetic wax esters that lack this crystalline lattice diversity.

Last Verified: Cosing database,cir safety assessment

Primary Sources: 2026-03-12

DESCRIPTION

What It Does: Provides plant membrane sterol anti-inflammatory and barrier support with 5-alpha-reductase inhibition.

Why It's Used: Multi-function phytosterol combining barrier mimicry (identical to cholesterol structure) with anti-inflammatory and anti-androgenic activity for acne-prone and aging skin.

How It Works: Integrates into stratum corneum lipid bilayers analogous to cholesterol for barrier support. inhibits 5-alpha-reductase for dht reduction. inhibits nf-kb and cox for anti-inflammatory activity. cholesterol analog provides skin conditioning and membrane stabilization.

Typically Found In: Anti-inflammatory serums,anti-acne products,natural oils and butters (as unsaponifiable component)

TECHNICAL DETAILS

Primary Category: Active ingredient – phytosterol anti-inflammatory

Secondary Functions: Barrier cholesterol analog,5-alpha-reductase inhibition

Application Areas:

Facial Skincare

Body Care

Hair Care

Beard Care

Color Cosmetics (Makeup)

Dietary/Oral Supplements

Typical Concentration Range: 0.1%–3%

SOURCING & ETHICS

Vegan Status: Yes – from plant oils (soy, tall oil, avocado unsaponifiable)

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

Beta-sitosterol's structural identity with cholesterol (only one additional ethyl group at c-24) allows it to substitute for cholesterol in cell membrane bilayers and skin barrier lipid structures. this structural mimicry explains its barrier-supportive activity while its c-24 ethyl group subtly alters enzyme interactions, providing 5-alpha-reductase inhibition not seen with mammalian cholesterol.

Last Verified: Cosing database,bouic phytosterol review,cir safety assessment

Primary Sources: 2026-03-12

DESCRIPTION

What It Does: Forms an occlusive lipid film reducing tewl, softens and smooths skin, and provides a long-lasting emollient effect from the hydrocarbon film's low volatility and high stability.

Why It's Used: The most extensively safety-tested cosmetic emollient — cosmetic-grade mineral oil has a 80+ year safety record with zero documented systemic absorption or sensitisation concerns. its inertness makes it the reference standard for hypoallergenic baby care.

How It Works: Linear and branched c15–c40 paraffin hydrocarbons form a non-polar surface film with water contact angle ~0° (spreads on skin). the film reduces tewl by 40–60% through physical occlusion of the sc surface; the inert hydrocarbon chains have no biological interaction with skin proteins explaining the exceptional safety and non-sensitising profile.

Typically Found In: Baby care,emollient bases,sensitive skin

TECHNICAL DETAILS

Primary Category: Functional ingredient – emollient

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%–80%

SOURCING & ETHICS

Vegan Status: Yes

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

Cosmetic-grade mineral oil (pharmaceutical grade, fully refined) is distinct from industrial mineral oils — iarc carcinogen designation applies to untreated/mildly treated industrial mineral oils, not the highly refined pharmaceutical/cosmetic grade used in personal care.

Last Verified: Cosing database,mineral oil cosmetic grade safety review

Primary Sources: 2026-03-12

DESCRIPTION

What It Does: Provides the highest level of skin occlusion and wound healing protection of any cosmetic ingredient.

Why It's Used: The most effective skin barrier protection ingredient available – fda-approved otc skin protectant with unparalleled occlusive moisturization and wound healing evidence.

How It Works: Semi-solid blend of long-chain hydrocarbons creates an extremely cohesive, impermeable occlusive film. physically prevents bacterial and irritant ingress while completely preventing tewl. does not absorb into skin. promotes moist wound healing environment by maintaining wound surface hydration.

Typically Found In: Intensive moisturizers,wound healing ointments,lip balms,baby products,eczema treatments

TECHNICAL DETAILS

Primary Category: Functional ingredient – petroleum ointment base / gold-standard occlusive

Secondary Functions: Maximum occlusion,wound healing,otc skin protectant

Application Areas:

Facial Skincare

Body Care

Hair Care

Beard Care

Color Cosmetics (Makeup)

Dietary/Oral Supplements

Typical Concentration Range: 1%–100%

SOURCING & ETHICS

Vegan Status: Yes – petroleum-derived

Halal Status: Yes

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

SKIN COMPATIBILITY

Irritancy Rating: 1/5 – very low

Comedogenicity Rating: 0/5 – non-comedogenic (clinical evidence)

Sensitivity Concerns: Non-irritating.

Safe for Sensitive Skin: Yes

SAFETY & COMPATIBILITY

Safety Profile: Fda category i grase otc skin protectant. ewg score: 1.

Works Well With: Humectants,ceramides,actives as carrier

Avoid Combining With: No significant incompatibilities

SCIENTIFIC NOTE

Petrolatum's wound healing mechanism (moist wound healing) was first systematically studied by george winter (1962) and demonstrated that wounds heal 2× faster under occlusion than air-exposed. all subsequent wound dressings and occlusive skin treatments are based on this fundamental finding, with petrolatum remaining the most effective occlusive agent 60 years later.

Last Verified: Cosing database,fda otc skin protectant monograph,winter (1962) moist wound healing study

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

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

Last Verified: Cosing database,polyethylene technical literature

Primary Sources: 2026-03-12

DESCRIPTION

What It Does: Delivers targeted skin-conditioning or bioactive benefits through a specific mechanism of action suited to the formulation's intended purpose.

Why It's Used: Specialty actives address specific skin concerns through targeted molecular mechanisms, providing efficacy beyond what base formulation ingredients alone can achieve.

How It Works: The bioactive compound interacts with specific molecular targets in skin cells or the extracellular matrix — enzymes, receptors, structural proteins, or signaling molecules — triggering beneficial biological responses.

Typically Found In: Serums,treatments,moisturizers,specialty products

TECHNICAL DETAILS

Primary Category: Specialty actives

Secondary Functions: Skin-conditioning,anti-aging

Application Areas:

Facial Skincare

Body Care

Hair Care

Beard Care

Color Cosmetics (Makeup)

Dietary/Oral Supplements

Typical Concentration Range: 0.01–5%

SOURCING & ETHICS

Vegan Status: Yes

Halal Status: Yes

Source Notes: Specialty active ingredient; check individual sourcing for vegan status.

SKIN COMPATIBILITY

Irritancy Rating: 1

Comedogenicity Rating: 0

Sensitivity Concerns: Low sensitization potential at recommended use concentrations.

Safe for Sensitive Skin: Yes

SAFETY & COMPATIBILITY

Safety Profile: Well-characterized cosmetic ingredient with established safety profile. generally non-irritating at typical use concentrations. suitable for leave-on and rinse-off cosmetics.

Works Well With: Niacinamide,hyaluronic acid,vitamin c,peptides

Avoid Combining With: Incompatible with oxidizing agents; check ph stability

SCIENTIFIC NOTE

Specialty actives typically work through enzyme inhibition (e.g., tyrosinase inhibition for brightening, mmp inhibition for anti-aging), receptor activation (e.g., retinoid receptors, ppar-γ for barrier genes), or transcription factor modulation (e.g., nrf2 for antioxidant gene upregulation). structure-activity relationships determine potency and selectivity.

Last Verified: Cosing eu database; pcpc cosmetic ingredient safety reviews; ingredient-specific safety and efficacy literature

Primary Sources: 2025-01-15

DESCRIPTION

What It Does: Tocopherol neutralizes free radicals that damage skin cells, protects cell membranes from lipid peroxidation, moisturizes, and helps maintain a healthy skin barrier.

Why It's Used: It is used as both a skin-active antioxidant and a formulation stabilizer (preventing oxidation of other ingredients). it has decades of safety and efficacy evidence and works synergistically with vitamin c.

How It Works: As a chain-breaking antioxidant, tocopherol donates hydrogen atoms to interrupt lipid peroxidation chain reactions. it is regenerated by vitamin c (ascorbic acid) in the vitamins c+e antioxidant cycle, creating a more durable antioxidant defense.

Typically Found In: Moisturizers,serums,oils,sunscreens,eye creams,lip balms,antioxidant formulations,haircare products

TECHNICAL DETAILS

Primary Category: Active ingredient – antioxidant/vitamin e

Secondary Functions: Emollient,formulation stabilizer,barrier support

Application Areas:

Facial Skincare

Body Care

Hair Care

Beard Care

Color Cosmetics (Makeup)

Dietary/Oral Supplements

Typical Concentration Range: 0.1%–1% (typical: 0.1–0.5% as active; higher as formulation antioxidant)

SOURCING & ETHICS

Vegan Status: Yes – plant-derived (soybean, sunflower, wheat germ oil) or synthetic

Halal Status: Yes – plant-derived or synthetic

Source Notes: Natural d-alpha-tocopherol is derived from plant oils and is more bioactive. synthetic dl-alpha-tocopherol is less expensive. tocopherol acetate (tocopheryl acetate) is the more stable ester form.

SKIN COMPATIBILITY

Irritancy Rating: 1/5 – very low; rare contact sensitivity reported

Comedogenicity Rating: 2/5 – mildly comedogenic at higher concentrations; formulation-dependent

Sensitivity Concerns: A small percentage of people report contact sensitization to tocopherol, particularly with leave-on products. comedogenicity risk is higher in oil-heavy formulations.

Safe for Sensitive Skin: Generally yes; perform patch test if history of vitamin e sensitivity

SAFETY & COMPATIBILITY

Safety Profile: Very safe; widely used. ewg hazard score: 2–3 (depending on concentration). no significant systemic concerns from topical use.

Works Well With: Ascorbic acid (vitamin c) – synergistic antioxidant pair,ferulic acid – stabilizes and boosts both c and e,ceramides,spf,retinol

Avoid Combining With: Very high concentrations of benzoyl peroxide may oxidize tocopherol; potential comedogenicity concerns in acne-prone skin when in heavy oil bases

SCIENTIFIC NOTE

The combination of vitamin c, vitamin e, and ferulic acid (the 'ce ferulic' formulation) provides fourfold photoprotection against uv-induced free radical damage – a synergy documented in landmark research by pinnell et al.

Last Verified: Cosing database,cir safety assessment,pinnell et al. (2005) journal of investigative dermatology,efsa panel on food additives

Primary Sources: 2026-03-12