AQUARIUS BHA + Blue Tansy Clarity Cleanser

DESCRIPTION

What It Does: Boosts foam, enhances mildness, and conditions skin and hair when combined with primary surfactants.

Why It's Used: The standard foam booster and mildness enhancer in virtually all shampoos, body washes, and facial cleansers – provides synergistic mildness improvement with anionic surfactants.

How It Works: Amphoteric (zwitterionic) character provides positive charge interaction with hair keratin for antistatic conditioning. reduces irritation of co-formulated anionic surfactants via ionic complex formation. foam stabilization via bilayer reinforcement in foam lamellae.

Typically Found In: Shampoos,body washes,facial cleansers,baby products

TECHNICAL DETAILS

Primary Category: Functional ingredient – amphoteric 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 and dimethylaminopropylamine

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

Capb's mildness-enhancing synergy with sls has a molecular mechanism: capb's positive imidazoline head group forms an ion pair complex with sls's anionic sulfate group, reducing sls's free monomer concentration (the irritation-causing species) without significantly reducing micelle-forming capacity (the cleansing species).

Last Verified: Cosing database,ananthapadmanabhan surfactant review,cir safety assessment

Primary Sources: 2026-03-12

DESCRIPTION

What It Does: Provides gentle, natural-origin cleansing with good foam from mixed coconut chain alkyl glucosides.

Why It's Used: Widely used natural surfactant for green beauty formulations requiring good foam performance with natural-origin and mild credentials.

How It Works: Mixed c8-c16 fatty alcohol chain lengths from coconut provide broader foam stability than single-chain glucosides. non-ionic glucoside headgroup provides mildness. better detergency and rinsing than individual chain-length apgs due to mixed chain distribution.

Typically Found In: Natural shampoos,body washes,facial cleansers

TECHNICAL DETAILS

Primary Category: Functional ingredient – coconut alkyl glucoside

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 alcohols and glucose

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

Coco-glucoside's natural chain length distribution (c8-c16) provides synergistic surfactant effects where different chain lengths optimize different properties: shorter chains provide initial foam burst, longer chains provide foam stability and soil removal, creating better overall performance than any single chain length alone.

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 mild, naturally-derived cleansing with excellent biodegradability from glucose and lauryl alcohol.

Why It's Used: The natural cleansing standard — lauryl glucoside's combination of renewability, biodegradability, mildness, and foaming makes it the benchmark natural surfactant for clean beauty facial cleansers.

How It Works: C12 alkyl chain provides cmc and foaming. glucose head group provides mild non-ionic/weakly anionic character from hydroxyl groups. very low irritation potential from polyol head group. excellent biodegradability >95% bod28 from glucoside hydrolysis. cosmos approved.

Typically Found In: Natural facial cleansers,baby shampoos,cosmos certified products

TECHNICAL DETAILS

Primary Category: Functional ingredient – alkyl glucoside 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 corn glucose + coconut lauryl alcohol

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

Lauryl glucoside's mildness vs sls at equivalent foam performance is measurable by draize eye score: sls scores approximately 55 (mild irritant) while lauryl glucoside scores <15 (essentially non-irritant) in identical eye irritation testing. this quantitative mildness advantage explains why apg surfactants command premium pricing despite renewable/natural origin — actual performance superiority justifies the cost.

Last Verified: Cosing database,cosmos standard,cir safety assessment

Primary Sources: 2026-03-12

DESCRIPTION

What It Does: Provides antioxidant protection from reactive oxygen species, reduces inflammatory cytokine production in skin, and conditions skin through the plant's phytochemical complex.

Why It's Used: Natural origin narrative, traditional use heritage, and multi-functional phytochemical profile supporting concurrent skin care claims from one ingredient.

How It Works: Polyphenols, terpenoids, and alkaloids scavenge ros via h• donation, inhibit nf-kb or cox-2 inflammatory pathways, and interact with skin surface proteins for conditioning.

Typically Found In: Botanical skin care,natural 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%–10%

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

Plant secondary metabolites evolved as photoprotectants and antimicrobials — mechanisms directly applicable to cosmetic antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activity in human skin.

Last Verified: Cosing database,salix nigra (willow) bark extract botanical 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 lauroyl methyl isethionate has an established safety and efficacy profile within the cosmetic regulatory framework at standard use concentrations.

Last Verified: Cosing database,sodium lauroyl methyl isethionate 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 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 levulinate has an established safety profile within the cosmetic regulatory framework at standard use concentrations.

Last Verified: Cosing database,sodium levulinate 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

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

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

Primary Sources: 2026-03-12

DESCRIPTION

What It Does: Provides aromatic sensory benefit alongside bioactive skin activity from concentrated plant volatile compounds — including antimicrobial activity (tea tree, thyme, clove), anti-inflammatory activity (lavender, chamomile), or circulatory stimulation (peppermint, rosemary).

Why It's Used: Essential oils provide authentic 'aromatherapy' narrative with genuine bioactive chemistry — the concentrated terpenoid constituents have documented biological activity in addition to olfactory benefit, justifying ingredient claims beyond pure fragrance.

How It Works: Essential oil complexity: steam distillation concentrates volatile terpenes (monoterpenes, sesquiterpenes), phenylpropanoids, and other volatiles. antimicrobial activity from terpenoid membrane disruption (terpinen-4-ol, eugenol, thymol disrupt bacterial membranes); anti-inflammatory from sesquiterpene nf-kb inhibition; sensitisation risk from electrophilic monoterpene oxides and aldehydes.

Typically Found In: Aromatherapy,bioactive skin care,fragrance

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: 0.01%–2%

SOURCING & ETHICS

Vegan Status: Yes

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

Essential oil concentration in cosmetics must respect ifra (international fragrance association) guidelines — each oil has category-specific maximum use levels based on skin sensitisation quantitative risk assessment (qra). tea tree oil maximum 0.5% (rinse-off), lavender oil 2% (leave-on skin) as examples.

Last Verified: Cosing database,ifra standards,essential oil bioactive fragrance review

Primary Sources: 2026-03-12

DESCRIPTION

What It Does: Simultaneously regulates sebum and hydrates via nmf-pca component for oily-dehydrated combination skin.

Why It's Used: Unique dual-function ingredient addressing the paradox of oily-yet-dehydrated skin with sebum control (zinc) + nmf hydration (pca) from one molecule.

How It Works: Zinc ion component inhibits 5-alpha-reductase and p. acnes. pca component provides nmf-type humectant hydration. combined in the zinc-pca salt for simultaneous delivery of both activities.

Typically Found In: Combination skin products,anti-acne moisturizers,oily skin hydration

TECHNICAL DETAILS

Primary Category: Active ingredient – zinc nmf complex

Secondary Functions: Sebum control,nmf hydration,anti-acne

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 – mineral/inorganic

Halal Status: Yes

Source Notes: Mineral/inorganic compound. cosmetic or pharmaceutical grade.

SKIN COMPATIBILITY

Irritancy Rating: 1/5 – very low

Comedogenicity Rating: 0/5 – non-comedogenic

Sensitivity Concerns: Non-irritating at recommended concentrations.

Safe for Sensitive Skin: Yes at recommended concentrations

SAFETY & COMPATIBILITY

Safety Profile: Excellent safety profile at cosmetic concentrations. ewg score: 1–2.

Works Well With: Niacinamide,salicylic acid,other actives

Avoid Combining With: No significant incompatibilities at standard concentrations

SCIENTIFIC NOTE

The combination of sebum regulation and nmf hydration in zinc pca addresses the clinically common oily-dehydrated skin phenotype, where excess sebum is accompanied by inadequate water binding in the stratum corneum – a condition poorly served by either humectants (worsen oiliness) or astringents alone.

Last Verified: Cosing database,cir safety assessment,basf zinc pca technical data

Primary Sources: 2026-03-12