Niacinamide Plumping Booster

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 humectant hydration and active ingredient solubilization with excellent skin feel.

Why It's Used: Preferred glycol humectant in premium and k-beauty formulations for superior skin feel vs propylene glycol with equivalent functionality.

How It Works: Two hydroxyl groups at 1,3-positions provide water binding and solvent activity. better tolerated than propylene glycol with minimal sensitization risk. 4-carbon backbone provides slightly greater hydrophobic character enabling dissolution of less polar actives vs pg.

Typically Found In: Toners,essences,serums,k-beauty formulas

TECHNICAL DETAILS

Primary Category: Functional ingredient – glycol humectant

Secondary Functions: Tewl reduction,skin plumping

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 – synthetic

Halal Status: Yes

Source Notes: Synthetic or naturally derived. excellent aqueous solubility.

SKIN COMPATIBILITY

Irritancy Rating: 1/5 – very low

Comedogenicity Rating: 0/5 – non-comedogenic

Sensitivity Concerns: Non-irritating; suitable for all skin types.

Safe for Sensitive Skin: Yes

SAFETY & COMPATIBILITY

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

Works Well With: Ceramides,emollients,occlusives,glycerin,hyaluronic acid

Avoid Combining With: No significant incompatibilities

SCIENTIFIC NOTE

K-beauty's preference for butylene glycol over propylene glycol is driven by two factors: bg's superior skin feel (less tacky than pg's higher viscosity) and its lower sensitization potential (1,3-bg has better spatial distribution of hydroxyl groups that reduces protein interaction vs pg's 1,2-position oh groups).

Last Verified: Cosing database,cir safety assessment

Primary Sources: 2026-03-12

DESCRIPTION

What It Does: Provides documented cosmetic activity from calcium citrate.

Why It's Used: Calcium citrate delivers formulation value through its specific biological activity and established safety and efficacy.

How It Works: Source: calcium citrate. mechanism: documented in cosmetic literature. safety: cosing-reviewed. standard cosmetic use concentrations.

Typically Found In: Skin care formulations,active products

TECHNICAL DETAILS

Primary Category: Active ingredient – antioxidant

Secondary Functions: Free radical scavenging,anti-aging

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: Conditional

Halal Status: Yes

Source Notes: Plant-derived extract or synthetic.

SKIN COMPATIBILITY

Irritancy Rating: 1/5 – very low

Comedogenicity Rating: 0/5 – non-comedogenic

Sensitivity Concerns: Non-irritating; well-tolerated.

Safe for Sensitive Skin: Yes

SAFETY & COMPATIBILITY

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

Works Well With: Vitamin c,vitamin e,ferulic acid,spf,other antioxidants

Avoid Combining With: No significant incompatibilities

SCIENTIFIC NOTE

Calcium citrate provides cosmetic activity through its characteristic mechanism. at standard concentrations it delivers documented biological activity with an established safety profile from cosmetic science literature and regulatory review.

Last Verified: Cosing database,calcium citrate technical literature

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

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

Last Verified: Cosing database,glucose technical literature

Primary Sources: 2026-03-12

DESCRIPTION

What It Does: Neutralizes free radicals, supports collagen biosynthesis, and inhibits melanin overproduction for brightened, protected, and younger-looking skin.

Why It's Used: Vitamins support fundamental enzymatic and antioxidant processes in skin cells; topical delivery addresses localized deficiencies and enhances concentrations beyond systemic levels.

How It Works: The vitamin pharmacophore donates electrons to free radicals, chelates metal ion pro-oxidants, and serves as a cofactor for skin enzymes (e.g., prolyl hydroxylase for collagen synthesis), providing multi-mechanism skin protection.

Typically Found In: Serums,moisturizers,eye creams,sunscreens

TECHNICAL DETAILS

Primary Category: Vitamin derivatives

Secondary Functions: Antioxidant,brightening

Application Areas:

Facial Skincare

Body Care

Hair Care

Beard Care

Color Cosmetics (Makeup)

Dietary/Oral Supplements

Typical Concentration Range: 0.1–20%

SOURCING & ETHICS

Vegan Status: Yes

Halal Status: Yes

Source Notes: Synthetic vitamin derivative; no animal components.

SKIN COMPATIBILITY

Irritancy Rating: 1899-12-31 00:00:00 -0800

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: Other antioxidants,ferulic acid,hyaluronic acid

Avoid Combining With: Incompatible oxidizing agents; check ph stability

SCIENTIFIC NOTE

Vitamin derivatives in cosmetics function as prodrugs: esterase enzymes in skin cleave the ester bond to release the free vitamin acid or alcohol. the rate of release depends on the ester chain length and branching (log p), with shorter chain esters hydrolyzing faster. free vitamin concentration in skin determines efficacy, making ester hydrolysis rate a critical formulation parameter.

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: Provides mould and yeast focused broad-spectrum preservation in a widely accepted food-grade preservative.

Why It's Used: Standard mould and yeast preservative — potassium sorbate is effective at slightly higher ph than sodium benzoate, making it the preferred sorbate preservative for formulations at ph 4.5-6.

How It Works: Inactive salt form — sorbic acid (free acid, pka 4.76) is active. more effective than benzoate at higher ph (pka 4.76 vs benzoate 4.2). active at ph up to ~6.0 (meaningful sorbic acid present). inhibits malassezia and candida at lower concentrations than bacteria. synergistic with sodium benzoate.

Typically Found In: Cosmetics ph 4-6,natural preservation systems,combined with sodium benzoate

TECHNICAL DETAILS

Primary Category: Functional ingredient – sorbate preservative

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%–0.6%

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: Eu max 0.6% cosmetics. fda gras. synergistic with sodium benzoate. oxidises to sorbaldehyde (yellow colouration) on uv exposure — protect from light.

Works Well With: Standard skincare actives

Avoid Combining With: No known significant incompatibilities

SCIENTIFIC NOTE

Potassium sorbate's antifungal mechanism (disruption of mitochondrial electron transport in fungi) is different from its antibacterial mechanism (cell membrane and enzyme disruption). this mechanistic bifunctionality provides broad spectrum from a single preservative, though the lower antifungal mic values mean mould and yeast protection is achieved at lower concentrations than bacterial protection.

Last Verified: Cosing database,eu preservative annex v,fda gras,cir safety assessment

Primary Sources: 2026-03-12

DESCRIPTION

What It Does: Preserves acidic formulations against yeast and mold contamination.

Why It's Used: Natural-derived (from benzoic acid found in cranberries, cinnamon) preservative for acidic ph formulations where it provides excellent antimicrobial activity.

How It Works: Undissociated benzoic acid (active form, pka 4.2) penetrates microbial cell membranes and disrupts electron transport chain and ph homeostasis. at ph>5, mostly ionized (sodium salt) and inactive – requires acidic formulation ph for efficacy.

Typically Found In: Acidic serums,toners,low-ph formulations

TECHNICAL DETAILS

Primary Category: Functional ingredient – benzoate preservative

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%–0.5%

SOURCING & ETHICS

Vegan Status: Yes – from plant sources (cranberry, cinnamon) or 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: Eu max 0.5%. gras food additive. ewg score: 3 (benzene formation concern with vitamin c at >80°c – normal use temperatures do not form benzene).

Works Well With: Standard skincare actives

Avoid Combining With: No known significant incompatibilities

SCIENTIFIC NOTE

Sodium benzoate's strict ph dependency (90% inactive at ph>5.5) makes its preservative activity dramatically sensitive to formulation ph. a serum formulated at ph 4.0 is fully preserved by benzoate; the same formula adjusted to ph 5.5 has <10% of the preservative activity. this ph dependency must be considered in any benzoate-preserved formulation.

Last Verified: Cosing database,siegert & frieling benzoate review,cir safety assessment

Primary Sources: 2026-03-12

DESCRIPTION

What It Does: Provides hyaluronic acid hydration in the most formulation-stable and compatible form.

Why It's Used: The standard form of ha used in cosmetics – more stable than free ha, better solubility, and equivalent skin hydration benefits.

How It Works: Sodium salt reduces the polyelectrolyte repulsion of ha chains, allowing better packing in formulations. on skin, sodium ions dissociate and the ha chain unfolds to its full water-binding conformation. provides full ha humectant and barrier benefits equivalent to free ha.

Typically Found In: Hydrating serums,toners,moisturizers,sheet masks,anti-aging products

TECHNICAL DETAILS

Primary Category: Active ingredient – ha sodium salt

Secondary Functions: Equivalent ha hydration,superior stability

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 – bacterial fermentation

Halal Status: Yes

Source Notes: Synthetic or naturally derived. excellent aqueous solubility.

SKIN COMPATIBILITY

Irritancy Rating: 1/5 – very low

Comedogenicity Rating: 0/5 – non-comedogenic

Sensitivity Concerns: Non-irritating; suitable for all skin types.

Safe for Sensitive Skin: Yes

SAFETY & COMPATIBILITY

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

Works Well With: Ceramides,emollients,occlusives,glycerin,hyaluronic acid

Avoid Combining With: No significant incompatibilities

SCIENTIFIC NOTE

The sodium salt form of ha has approximately 10% better water solubility than free hyaluronic acid at equivalent molecular weight due to reduced chain-chain electrostatic repulsion from partial sodium counterion screening. this improved solubility enables higher concentration formulations without viscosity issues.

Last Verified: Cosing database,cir safety assessment

Primary Sources: 2026-03-12

DESCRIPTION

What It Does: Provides plant-derived glycerin humectancy with explicit vegan natural credentials.

Why It's Used: Credentialed natural humectant — vegetable glycerin's explicit plant origin provides the clean beauty and vegan credentials alongside glycerin's unmatched humectancy, safety, and barrier repair for natural cosmetic positioning.

How It Works: Glycerin (glycerol) from plant oil triglyceride hydrolysis during biodiesel production. chemically identical to synthetic glycerin but with plant-origin documentation. sustainable byproduct of renewable biodiesel production from rapeseed, soy, or palm.

Typically Found In: Natural cosmetics,vegan products,clean beauty — identical function to standard glycerin

TECHNICAL DETAILS

Primary Category: Functional ingredient – humectant

Secondary Functions: Tewl reduction,skin plumping

Application Areas:

Facial Skincare

Body Care

Hair Care

Beard Care

Color Cosmetics (Makeup)

Dietary/Oral Supplements

Typical Concentration Range: 1%–40%

SOURCING & ETHICS

Vegan Status: Yes – explicitly from plant sources (biodiesel byproduct)

Halal Status: Yes

Source Notes: Synthetic or naturally derived. excellent aqueous solubility.

SKIN COMPATIBILITY

Irritancy Rating: 2026-01-05 00:00:00 -0800

Comedogenicity Rating: 0/5

Sensitivity Concerns: Non-irritating; suitable for all skin types.

Safe for Sensitive Skin: Yes

SAFETY & COMPATIBILITY

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

Works Well With: Ceramides,emollients,occlusives,glycerin,hyaluronic acid

Avoid Combining With: No significant incompatibilities

SCIENTIFIC NOTE

Vegetable glycerin's biodiesel byproduct origin provides circular economy sustainability: biodiesel production from plant triglycerides generates glycerin as a co-product (approximately 10% by mass of biodiesel). this abundant sustainable supply from renewable feedstocks makes vegetable glycerin one of cosmetics' most genuinely sustainable primary ingredients.

Last Verified: Cosing database,cir safety assessment

Primary Sources: 2026-03-12