The names on the label, explained.
Every ingredient. A little more understanding.
47 ingredients, across our formulations. We’ve tried to put some of the more technical names into familiar terms and added a little explanation where we thought it would help. We use both natural and synthetic ingredients, each with a role to play.
This guide is based on our currently published ingredient lists. It explains what each ingredient typically does in skincare and doesn’t promise what a finished product will do for your skin.
As our formulations evolve, this guide may change, too. For the ingredients in the product you’re using, always check its packaging.
What does the EWG rating actually mean?
EWG stands for Environmental Working Group. Its Skin Deep ingredient ratings run from 1 to 10, with lower numbers indicating fewer known or suspected health hazards. Research varies by ingredient, so the number is one part of the picture.
The EWG VERIFIED mark goes a step further. It recognizes products that meet EWG’s standards, including avoiding ingredients on its unacceptable list, sharing ingredient information openly, and following good manufacturing practices.
| Ingredient | Common name / plain-language explanation | EWG rating | Source | Function | Found in |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1,2-Hexanediol | A glycol used as a solvent and skin conditioner | 1 | Synthetic | A non-sensitizing moisture-binding agent that aids in the preservation of formulas and helps dissolve other compounds in a formulation. | Daily Hydration Cleanser, Cell Renewal Exfoliator, Triple Action Serum, Skin Balancing Moisturizer |
| Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer | A texture-building polymer | 1 | Synthetic | A thickener and emulsion stabilizer to enhance the texture and "feeling" of the formula. | Daily Hydration Cleanser, Triple Action Serum |
| Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/VP Copolymer | A texture-building polymer | 1 | Synthetic | A polymer and film-forming agent that helps create gel-like textures. | Skin Balancing Moisturizer |
| Anthemis Nobilis Flower Extract | Roman chamomile extract | 2 | Naturally-derived | Also known as chamomile flower extract, it contains antioxidant-rich properties from phenolic compounds that help soothe irritated and inflamed skin. Chamomile is considered a non-comedogenic ingredient that also works well in products for dry skin. Avoid it if you are allergic to plants in the daisy family. | Daily Hydration Cleanser |
| Bifida Ferment Lysate | A bacterial fermentation ingredient containing broken-down cells; not live bacteria | 1 | Naturally-derived | A probiotic ingredient derived from yeast that encourages the skin to visibly repair itself while strengthening the skin's microbiome. | Triple Action Serum |
| Butylene Glycol | A moisture-binding glycol | 1 | Synthetic | A solvent with good antimicrobial action. It has a multitude of roles including a solvent, humectant, penetration enhancer, and texture enhancer. | Daily Hydration Cleanser, Triple Action Serum |
| Caprylyl Glycol | A glycol used to condition skin | 1 | Synthetic | A multi-tasking ingredient that gives the skin a nice, soft feel while acting as a humectant. It also boosts the effectiveness of other preservatives. | Daily Hydration Cleanser, Cell Renewal Exfoliator |
| Caprylyl Methicone | A silicone fluid | 1 | Synthetic | A silicone polymer that has excellent spreadability and leaves a light, silky and smooth feel on the skin (non-greasy). It helps retain water on the surface of the skin. | Skin Balancing Moisturizer |
| Carbomer | A gel-forming polymer | 1 | Synthetic | High molecular-weight polymers that are used as thickeners, suspending agents, and emulsion stabilizers. They aid with formulation flow control, highly effective oil/water emulsion stabilization, and permanent suspension of insoluble ingredients. | Skin Balancing Moisturizer |
| Ceramide NP | A ceramide, a type of skin-barrier lipid | 1 | Naturally-derived | One of several types of ceramides found naturally in the skin. It reinforces the natural lipid barrier of dry and aging skin, while showing an outstanding ability to maintain the moisture balance of the skin's surface. "N" - n-acylated sphingolipid, "P" phytosphingosine. | Skin Balancing Moisturizer |
| Cetearyl Olivate | An olive-derived emulsifier | 1 | Naturally-derived | An ester that comes from cetearyl alcohol and the fatty acids of olive oil. It is commonly paired with Sorbitan Olivate to form Olivem 1000, which has significant moisturizing, barrier-repairing, and soothing properties. | Skin Balancing Moisturizer |
| Cetyl Ethylhexanoate | A fatty-acid ester used as an emollient | 1 | Naturally-derived | An odorless and colorless emollient ester that gives a supple, non-oily feel to the skin. | Skin Balancing Moisturizer |
| Citric Acid | Citric acid | 1-2 | Naturally-derived | Derived from citrus fruits, its primary function is to adjust the pH of formulas from being too alkaline. It also has antioxidant properties, product stabilization properties, and preservative properties. | Daily Hydration Cleanser, Cell Renewal Exfoliator |
| Coco-Betaine | A cleansing surfactant | 1 | Naturally-derived | a naturally-derived surfactant used to thicken and improve the texture of certain products while hydrating the skin | Cell Renewal Exfoliator |
| Coco-Glucoside | A cleansing surfactant | 1 | Naturally-derived | Derived from coconut, this cleansing agent lifts dirt and oil from the skin and creates a nice stable foam. It's also biodegradable. | Daily Hydration Cleanser, Cell Renewal Exfoliator |
| Dimethiconol | A silicone emollient | 1 | synthetic | Dimethiconol is a silicone-based liquid polymer that works as a skin-conditioning and antifoaming agent. | Skin Balancing Moisturizer |
| Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate (Licorice Root) | A licorice-derived compound | 1 | Naturally-derived | Derived from licorice, it’s used for its soothing and skin-lightening properties. It helps reduce skin redness and inflammation while also appearing to help improve oily skin. | Skin Balancing Moisturizer |
| Dipropylene Glycol | A glycol used as a solvent | 1-2 | Synthetic | A type of alcohol that is used to improve the texture and stability of formulas. When used as a solvent with plant extracts, it’s able to improve the penetration of ingredients into the skin. | Skin Balancing Moisturizer |
| Disodium Cocoamphodiacetate | A cleansing surfactant | 1 | Naturally-derived | A natural cleansing agent that has great foaming properties and is non-irritating. | Daily Hydration Cleanser |
| Ethylhexylglycerin | A skin-conditioning ingredient | 2 | Synthetic | Ethylhexylglycerin is a skin-softening agent with mild hydration properties. It’s also used as a preservative that can boost the efficacy of other preservatives like phenoxyethanol. | Daily Hydration Cleanser, Triple Action Serum, Skin Balancing Moisturizer |
| Freesia Refracta Extract | Freesia extract | 1 | Naturally-derived | Used as a skin-conditioning agent in formulas. | Daily Hydration Cleanser |
| Glycerin | Glycerol | 1-2 | Naturally-derived | A skin restoring ingredient that’s found naturally in the skin, which helps retain moisture by clinging on to water. It is able to draw and absorb water from the air. | Daily Hydration Cleanser, Cell Renewal Exfoliator, Triple Action Serum, Skin Balancing Moisturizer |
| Glyceryl Acrylate/Acrylic Acid Copolymer | A moisture-holding polymer | 1 | Synthetic | A polymer that forms a hydrogel on top of the skin which provides moisturizing ingredients (like glycerin) to the skin. It can also be used as a thickening agent. | Skin Balancing Moisturizer |
| Glyceryl Stearate Citrate | An emulsifier | 1 | Naturally-derived | Used as an emulsifier and emollient. | Skin Balancing Moisturizer |
| Glyceryl Stearate SE | An emulsifier | 1 | Naturally-derived | A self-emulsifying (SE) ingredient that is able to blend oil and water by itself. It has a good affinity for water with nice emollient properties. | Skin Balancing Moisturizer |
| Hexylene Glycol | A glycol used as a solvent | 1 | Synthetic | A popular solvent with viscosity-reducing properties that can thin out thick, heavy formulas. There are studies that show its antimicrobial properties. | Daily Hydration Cleanser |
| Hydrogenated Polydecene | A synthetic emollient | 2 | Synthetic | A hypoallergenic, non-greasy emollient that forms a non-occlusive film on the surface of the skin for skin barrier protection. | Skin Balancing Moisturizer |
| Lauryl Hydroxysultaine | A cleansing surfactant | 1 | Naturally-derived | A naturally-derived surfactant that helps control the viscosity of formulas with skin conditioning benefits. | Daily Hydration Cleanser |
| Methyl Gluceth-20 | A glucose-derived humectant | 1 | Synthetic | Methyl Gluceth-20 functions as a humectant and conditioning ingredient that can improve the after-feel of a formula with a non-tacky feel. It has a low irritation potential which makes it popular in sensitive skin formulas. | Triple Action Serum |
| Methyl Trimethicone | A silicone fluid | 1 | Synthetic | A type of silicone that is lightweight and evaporates on the skin instead of absorbing into it. It improves the texture of the formulas and acts as a water-binding agent. | Skin Balancing Moisturizer |
| Niacinamide (Vitamin B3) | Nicotinamide; a form of vitamin B3 | 1 | Synthetic | A superstar ingredient with a multitude of benefits depending on the concentration. At 2% or less, it has skin lightening properties, barrier repair properties, and protection against UV induced damage. At 4% or higher, it has anti-aging and anti-acne properties. Niacinamide is also stable in light and heat, which is uncommon among star anti-aging ingredients. | Skin Balancing Moisturizer |
| Pentylene Glycol | A glycol used as a solvent and skin conditioner | 1 | Synthetic, Naturally-derived | A humectant that works as a solvent to help the penetration of other ingredients and has anti-bacterial properties. | Cell Renewal Exfoliator, Triple Action Serum, Skin Balancing Moisturizer |
| Perlite | Volcanic glass particles | 1 | Naturally-derived | A naturally-derived mineral from volcanic rock. It’s able to absorb moisture without hindering the skin’s natural breathing ability and possesses gentle exfoliation properties. | Cell Renewal Exfoliator |
| Polyglycerin-3 | A glycerin-based humectant | 1 | Synthetic | Similar to glycerin as a humectant and moisturizing ingredient, it has a larger molecular structure that penetrates slower into the skin for longer lasting moisture. | Triple Action Serum |
| Polyglyceryl-3 Distearate | An emulsifier | 1 | Naturally-derived | Used as an emulsifying ingredient. | Skin Balancing Moisturizer |
| Quillaja Saponaria Bark Extract | Soapbark extract | 1 | Naturally-derived | A gentle cleansing agent with skin-soothing properties | Daily Hydration Cleanser, Cell Renewal Exfoliator |
| Sodium Chloride | Common salt | 1 | Synthetic | Popularly known as table salt, it’s used as a thickener for cleansing formulas. | Daily Hydration Cleanser, Cell Renewal Exfoliator |
| Sodium Cocoyl Alaninate | A cleansing surfactant | 1 | Naturally-derived | A plant-derived cleansing agent with foaming characteristics. | Daily Hydration Cleanser |
| Sodium Cocoyl Isethionate | A cleansing surfactant | 1 | Naturally-derived | A biodegradable cleansing agent that lifts dirt, oil, and debris from the skin without disrupting the skin barrier. It gives a nice foam while being great for sensitive skin. | Daily Hydration Cleanser, Cell Renewal Exfoliator |
| Sodium Hyaluronate | The sodium salt of hyaluronic acid | 1 | Naturally-derived | The salt form of hyaluronic acid, sodium hyaluronate is best known for its excellent ability to retain moisture in the skin. It is capable of binding 1,800 times its own weight in water. Generally speaking, it’s able to penetrate deeper into the skin than hyaluronic acid, but this is dependent on the molecular weight. | Triple Action Serum, Skin Balancing Moisturizer |
| Sodium Methyl Cocoyl Taurate | A cleansing surfactant | 1 | Naturally-derived | A biodegradable cleansing agent that is mild and non-drying. It has good foaming properties and it leaves the skin nice and soft. | Daily Hydration Cleanser |
| Sodium Phytate | A salt of phytic acid | 1 | Naturally-derived or Synthetic | The salt form of antioxidant phytic acid, sodium phytate is a chelating agent which stabilizes formulas. It keeps the product staying the same over time and boosts a formula's stability. | Daily Hydration Cleanser, Cell Renewal Exfoliator, Skin Balancing Moisturizer |
| Sorbitan Olivate | An olive-derived emulsifier | 1 | Naturally-derived | An ester from sorbitol and fatty acids of olive oil. It is an emulsifier and part of Olivem 1000, which has significant moisturizing, barrier-repairing, and soothing properties. This is coupled with Cetearyl Olivate to make Olivem 1000. | Skin Balancing Moisturizer |
| Tocopherol (Vitamin E) | Vitamin E | 1 | Synthetic | One of four forms of Vitamin E, tocopherol is an antioxidant that mainly protects the skin from environmental stressors and pollution from free-radical damage. It also has great formula preservation abilities due to its ability to protect against oxidation. | Triple Action Serum, Skin Balancing Moisturizer |
| Tromethamine | A pH-adjusting ingredient | 1-2 | Synthetic | A buffer ingredient used to help balance the pH of formulas. | Triple Action Serum, Skin Balancing Moisturizer |
| Vinyl Dimethicone | A silicone polymer | 1 | Synthetic | Used as a viscosity controller in formulas to improve texture. | Skin Balancing Moisturizer |
| Xanthan Gum | A fermentation-derived thickener | 1 | Naturally-derived | Used as a thickening agent and emulsion stabilizer. It helps improve formula stability so water and oil ingredients do not separate over time. | Cell Renewal Exfoliator, Triple Action Serum, Skin Balancing Moisturizer |
Learn how EWG ratings work: EWG’s rating guide.