Lip Polish

DESCRIPTION

What It Does: Softens and conditions skin by integrating into sc lipid bilayers, delivers essential fatty acids (oleic, linoleic, linolenic) for barrier lipid synthesis, and provides rich, non-stripping moisturisation.

Why It's Used: Natural carrier oils provide the closest compositional match to endogenous sc lipids, delivering emolliency through genuine barrier integration rather than simple surface occlusion.

How It Works: Fatty acid triglycerides partition into sc lipid bilayers — oleic acid (c18:1) provides fluid, emollient integration; linoleic acid (c18:2) acts as essential ceramide precursor; saturated fatty acids provide more occlusive barrier reinforcement.

Typically Found In: Moisturisers,facial oils,natural skin care

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%–100%

SOURCING & ETHICS

Vegan Status: Conditional

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

Essential fatty acids — linoleic (c18:2, n-6) and α-linolenic (c18:3, n-3) acids — cannot be synthesised by the body; topical delivery through carrier oils provides direct substrate for ceramide and eicosanoid biosynthesis in the epidermis.

Last Verified: Cosing database,butyrospermum parkii (shea butter) unsaponifiables carrier oil botanical review

Primary Sources: 2026-03-12

DESCRIPTION

What It Does: Provides viscous tacky-free emolliency with excellent adhesion for lip care and occlusive moisturisation.

Why It's Used: The lip care emollient standard — hydrogenated pib provides the ideal lip gloss and lip balm texture: high gloss, high adhesion, long-lasting, and tacky-free in a single hydrocarbon ingredient.

How It Works: Saturated branched polymer provides high viscosity without tackiness (unlike glycols). excellent adhesion to mucous membrane and skin from polymer chain entanglement. occlusive moisture barrier from dense hydrocarbon structure. mineral oil-like properties with higher molecular weight for longer retention.

Typically Found In: Lip gloss,lip balm,occlusive moisturisers,body products

TECHNICAL DETAILS

Primary Category: Functional ingredient – synthetic wax 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%–40%

SOURCING & ETHICS

Vegan Status: Yes – synthetic

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

Hydrogenated pib's tacky-free high gloss is attributable to its narrow molecular weight distribution (vs natural waxes' broad distribution) providing uniform polymer chain length. uniform chain length creates ordered surface films that reflect light specularly (high gloss) while the branched polymer structure prevents the intermolecular attractions that cause tackiness in linear polymers.

Last Verified: Cosing database,cir safety assessment

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

Olive oil peg-7 esters has an established safety and efficacy profile within the cosmetic regulatory framework at standard use concentrations.

Last Verified: Cosing database,olive oil peg-7 esters technical literature

Primary Sources: 2026-03-12

DESCRIPTION

What It Does: Helps oil and water blend together in creams and lotions while conditioning and moisturizing skin.

Why It's Used: Selected for hlb ~5–7 o/w emulsification and skin conditioning; the olive oil fatty acids chain provides natural affinity with skin lipids.

How It Works: 4 eo units give hlb ~5–7; olive oil fatty acids tail provides oil-phase anchoring and skin conditioning; nonionic character enables broad ph compatibility and electrolyte tolerance.

Typically Found In: O/w emulsions,creams,lotions,skin conditioning products

TECHNICAL DETAILS

Primary Category: Functional ingredient – emulsifier

Secondary Functions: Skin conditioning,surfactant,moisturizing

Application Areas:

Facial Skincare

Body Care

Hair Care

Beard Care

Color Cosmetics (Makeup)

Dietary/Oral Supplements

Typical Concentration Range: 0.5%–5%

SOURCING & ETHICS

Vegan Status: Yes

Halal Status: Yes

Source Notes: Olive oil from olea europaea; eo from petrochemical.

SKIN COMPATIBILITY

Irritancy Rating: 1/5 – very low

Comedogenicity Rating: 1/5 – low

Sensitivity Concerns: Generally well tolerated. peg-based; trace 1,4-dioxane concern for certified organic use.

Safe for Sensitive Skin: Yes

SAFETY & COMPATIBILITY

Safety Profile: Good safety profile. ewg score: 1–2.

Works Well With: Emollients,humectants,fatty alcohols,other peg emulsifiers

Avoid Combining With: No significant incompatibilities

SCIENTIFIC NOTE

Peg-4 esters of olive oil fatty acids provide hlb ~5–7, appropriate for o/w emulsification and/or solubilization depending on oil phase. olive fatty acid peg-4 ester; hlb ~5-7; olive oil skin affinity.

Last Verified: Cosing database,inci dictionary,specialchem formulations

Primary Sources: 2026-03-27

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

DESCRIPTION

What It Does: Delivers potent, stable vitamin c deep into skin for superior antioxidant protection and collagen stimulation.

Why It's Used: Premium anti-aging requiring proven deep penetration and exceptional stability in all formulation types.

How It Works: Four hexyl decyl chains provide lipophilicity for membrane penetration. progressive enzymatic hydrolysis releases ascorbic acid within deeper skin layers.

Typically Found In: Luxury vitamin c serums,anti-aging products,brightening formulations

TECHNICAL DETAILS

Primary Category: Active ingredient – vitamin c derivative

Secondary Functions: Superior penetration,stable vitamin c

Application Areas:

Facial Skincare

Body Care

Hair Care

Beard Care

Color Cosmetics (Makeup)

Dietary/Oral Supplements

Typical Concentration Range: 0.5%–3%

SOURCING & ETHICS

Vegan Status: Yes – synthetic

Halal Status: Yes

Source Notes: Fully synthetic. produced by esterification of ascorbic acid with 2-hexyl decanol.

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: Tocopherol,ferulic acid,niacinamide,spf

Avoid Combining With: No significant incompatibilities

SCIENTIFIC NOTE

Clinical studies confirm thd reaches the dermis more effectively than l-ascorbic acid, stimulating fibroblast collagen production at the structural skin level.

Last Verified: Cosing database,shefer et al. penetration studies

Primary Sources: 2026-03-12

DESCRIPTION

What It Does: Provides emollient conditioning, essential fatty acid supplementation, and barrier lipid support from the natural triglyceride/wax ester composition.

Why It's Used: Natural carrier oils provide sc-compatible lipid composition for genuine barrier integration rather than surface-only occlusion.

How It Works: Fatty acid triglycerides integrate into sc lipid bilayers delivering oleic, linoleic, and linolenic acid for emolliency and barrier repair; essential fatty acids serve as ceramide biosynthesis precursors.

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%–30%

SOURCING & ETHICS

Vegan Status: Conditional

Halal Status: Conditional

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 for uv photoprotection and pathogen defence — mechanisms directly applicable to cosmetic antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activity in human skin.

Last Verified: Cosing database,theobroma cacao (cocoa) seed butter botanical review

Primary Sources: 2026-03-12

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