Plum 1.5% Vitamin C Alcohol-Free Spray Toner With Mandarin & Witch Hazel For Glow Boost & Open Pores

DESCRIPTION

What It Does: Provides molecular encapsulation for improved solubility, stability, and controlled release of challenging cosmetic actives.

Why It's Used: Molecular encapsulation technology — beta-cyclodextrin's toroidal cavity provides a hydrophobic microenvironment for solubilising and stabilising oil-soluble actives in aqueous formulations.

How It Works: 7 glucose units in cyclic toroidal structure provide 6.0-6.5å inner cavity. hydrophobic interior complexes lipophilic guest molecules. complexation improves water solubility (guest molecule becomes water-dispersible), stability (protection from oxidation and hydrolysis), and controlled release (guest releases gradually by diffusion). outer hydrophilic face provides water compatibility.

Typically Found In: Active delivery systems,fragrance encapsulation,stability-challenged actives

TECHNICAL DETAILS

Primary Category: Functional ingredient – inclusion complex host

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: Yes – from starch (corn, potato)

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

Beta-cyclodextrin's pharmaceutical drug delivery applications (dozens of fda-approved cd-drug complexes) provide unparalleled safety and efficacy documentation for a cosmetic excipient. the same cd technology that delivers cholesterol-lowering drugs and antifungals in pharmaceutical formulations enables cosmetic actives to be delivered more effectively — a pharmaceutical innovation directly adapted to cosmetic performance enhancement.

Last Verified: Cosing database,loftsson & brewster cyclodextrin review

Primary Sources: 2026-03-12

DESCRIPTION

What It Does: Provides antioxidant and preservative-boosting activity in a naturally-occurring clean-label phenolic.

Why It's Used: Clean-label preservation support — hydroxyacetophenone provides antioxidant and antimicrobial-boosting properties from a naturally-occurring compound accepted in natural cosmetic certifications.

How It Works: Para-hydroxyl group provides antioxidant radical scavenging. disrupts bacterial cell membrane penetration for preservative system boosting. anti-inflammatory via nf-kb inhibition. occurs naturally in plants including pear and raspberry as a secondary metabolite.

Typically Found In: Natural preservation systems,antioxidant serums,clean beauty

TECHNICAL DETAILS

Primary Category: Functional ingredient – antioxidant preservative booster

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%–1%

SOURCING & ETHICS

Vegan Status: Yes – natural from plants or synthetic

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

Hydroxyacetophenone's natural occurrence in fruits (pear, raspberry, passion fruit) at detectable concentrations provides clean-label justification for use in natural cosmetics. its cosmos certification acceptance reflects the growing demand for functional preservation ingredients that meet natural certification criteria — an ingredient with genuine plant-origin credentials that provides meaningful antimicrobial and antioxidant functions simultaneously.

Last Verified: Cosing database,cosmos-standard approved ingredients,cir safety assessment

Primary Sources: 2026-03-12

DESCRIPTION

What It Does: Provides humectant and solvent functionality from sustainable corn-based fermentation.

Why It's Used: Bio-based propylene glycol alternative from renewable corn — propanediol provides equivalent functionality to propylene glycol with sustainable renewable feedstock and superior skin feel.

How It Works: Two oh groups provide humectant water binding. excellent solvent for fragrances, actives, and preservatives. mild antimicrobial from diol structure for preservative system boosting. renew corn fermentation origin (dupont zemea process). better skin feel than propylene glycol — less sticky.

Typically Found In: Virtually all cosmetic categories as pg alternative

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%–20%

SOURCING & ETHICS

Vegan Status: Yes – from corn sugar 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

Propanediol's dupont tate & lyle bio products 'zemea' process ferments corn sugar to 1,3-propanediol using engineered e. coli — one of the first commercially viable bio-fermentation routes to a cosmetic diol previously made only from petroleum. the renewable route produces chemically identical 1,3-propanediol while reducing carbon footprint by approximately 40% vs petrochemical synthesis.

Last Verified: Cosing database,dupont tate & lyle zemea technical data,cir safety assessment

Primary Sources: 2026-03-12

DESCRIPTION

What It Does: Attracts and retains moisture providing skin softening and hydration.

Why It's Used: Widely used, cost-effective humectant and formulation ingredient in moisturizers, toothpastes, and personal care.

How It Works: 6 hydroxyl groups provide strong water binding through hydrogen bonding. metabolized slowly by skin as an osmolyte.

Typically Found In: Moisturizers,body lotions,toothpaste,shampoos,many personal care products

TECHNICAL DETAILS

Primary Category: Functional ingredient – sugar alcohol humectant

Secondary Functions: Formulation solvent,viscosity modifier

Application Areas:

Facial Skincare

Body Care

Hair Care

Beard Care

Color Cosmetics (Makeup)

Dietary/Oral Supplements

Typical Concentration Range: 1%–30%

SOURCING & ETHICS

Vegan Status: Yes – plant-derived (corn, apples) or synthetic

Halal Status: Yes

Source Notes: Produced by catalytic hydrogenation of glucose. derived from corn starch or other carbohydrate sources. gras food-approved.

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

Sorbitol's osmolyte function in cells (accumulates in response to osmotic stress) suggests it may provide protection to skin cells under dehydrating environmental conditions, complementing its well-established surface humectant activity.

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

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 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

Sucrose has an established safety profile within the cosmetic regulatory framework at standard use concentrations.

Last Verified: Cosing database,sucrose technical literature

Primary Sources: 2026-03-12