The Indigo Calming Cream

Inositol is a versatile and beneficial compound found naturally in the human body and various food sources. This cyclic sugar alcohol, also known as cyclohexane-1,2,3,4,5,6-hexol, plays a crucial role in cellular function and metabolism. In skincare, inositol has gained attention for its potential to improve skin health and appearance.

As a humectant, inositol helps attract and retain moisture in the skin, promoting hydration and enhancing the skin's barrier function. This property can contribute to a smoother, more supple complexion. Additionally, inositol exhibits antioxidant properties, which may help protect the skin from environmental stressors and free radical damage.

Research suggests that inositol may have anti-inflammatory effects, potentially benefiting those with sensitive or acne-prone skin. It has also been studied for its potential to regulate sebum production, making it a promising ingredient for individuals with oily skin concerns.

In skincare formulations, inositol is often combined with other active ingredients to enhance overall efficacy. It is generally well-tolerated and suitable for various skin types, making it a versatile component in moisturizers, serums, and other topical products.

Squalane is a highly effective emollient and moisturizer derived from squalene, a compound naturally present in human sebum. This hydrogenated form offers superior stability and shelf life compared to its precursor. Squalane is colorless, odorless, and possesses a light, non-greasy texture that absorbs rapidly into the skin.

As a biomimetic ingredient, squalane closely resembles the skin's natural oils, allowing for excellent compatibility and integration with the skin barrier. It helps to reduce transepidermal water loss, enhancing skin hydration and elasticity. Squalane also exhibits antioxidant properties, potentially protecting the skin from free radical damage and environmental stressors.

This versatile ingredient is suitable for all skin types, including sensitive and acne-prone skin. It can help balance oil production in oily skin types while providing essential moisture to dry skin. Squalane's molecular structure allows it to penetrate deeply into the skin, delivering hydration to multiple layers of the epidermis.

In skincare formulations, squalane is often used in serums, moisturizers, and facial oils. It can enhance the spreadability of products and act as a carrier for other active ingredients, potentially improving their efficacy.

Dimethicone, also known as polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS), is a versatile silicone-based polymer widely used in skincare and cosmetic formulations. This synthetic ingredient is prized for its ability to create a smooth, silky texture and form a protective barrier on the skin's surface. Dimethicone is characterized by its clear, colorless appearance and its unique ability to spread easily without feeling greasy or heavy.

In skincare products, dimethicone functions as an emollient and occlusive agent, helping to reduce transepidermal water loss and maintain skin hydration. It also acts as an effective skin protectant, shielding against environmental stressors and irritants. Dimethicone's film-forming properties contribute to the temporary filling of fine lines and wrinkles, creating a smoother skin appearance.

This ingredient is generally well-tolerated by most skin types, including sensitive skin, and is non-comedogenic. It's commonly found in moisturizers, serums, primers, and foundations. Dimethicone's molecular structure allows it to blend well with other ingredients, enhancing the overall texture and performance of skincare formulations. While some concerns have been raised about its potential environmental impact, dimethicone remains a staple in many skincare products due to its efficacy and versatility.

Propanediol, also known as 1,3-propanediol, is a versatile and increasingly popular ingredient in skincare formulations. This clear, colorless liquid is derived from corn sugar through a fermentation process, making it a sustainable alternative to petroleum-based glycols. Propanediol functions as a solvent, humectant, and emollient in skincare products, offering multiple benefits for the skin.

As a humectant, propanediol attracts and retains moisture, helping to keep the skin hydrated and plump. Its low molecular weight allows for efficient penetration into the skin, enhancing the delivery of other active ingredients. This property makes it an excellent choice for improving the efficacy of various skincare formulations.

Propanediol also acts as a preservative booster, helping to maintain product stability and extend shelf life. It has a low irritation potential, making it suitable for sensitive skin types. Additionally, this ingredient can improve the texture and spreadability of products, enhancing the overall user experience.

In cosmetic formulations, propanediol is commonly used in concentrations ranging from 1% to 10%, depending on the product type and desired effects. Its multifunctional nature and skin-friendly profile make it a valuable addition to a wide range of skincare products, from serums and moisturizers to toners and masks.

Glycerin, also known as glycerol, is a versatile and widely used humectant in skincare formulations. This colorless, odorless, viscous liquid is derived from both natural and synthetic sources, including vegetable oils and petrochemicals. As a hygroscopic substance, glycerin attracts and retains moisture, making it highly effective in hydrating and moisturizing the skin.

In skincare products, glycerin typically comprises 0.5% to 5% of the formulation. It functions by drawing water from the environment and deeper skin layers to the surface, enhancing skin hydration and improving barrier function. This moisture-binding property helps to reduce transepidermal water loss, leading to smoother, more supple skin.

Glycerin's low molecular weight allows it to penetrate the stratum corneum, providing hydration to deeper skin layers. It also exhibits emollient properties, helping to soften and smooth the skin's surface. Additionally, glycerin has been shown to enhance the penetration of other active ingredients in skincare formulations.

While generally well-tolerated, high concentrations of glycerin can potentially cause a tacky feel on the skin or draw out too much moisture in low-humidity environments. Therefore, it is often combined with other moisturizing agents for optimal efficacy and skin feel.

Diisostearyl Malate is a versatile ester compound widely used in cosmetic and skincare formulations. This ingredient is derived from malic acid and isostearyl alcohol, resulting in a clear, colorless to pale yellow liquid with a mild, characteristic odor. Its primary function is as an emollient and skin conditioning agent, providing a smooth, silky feel to products without leaving a greasy residue.

In skincare applications, Diisostearyl Malate offers excellent spreadability and enhances the texture of creams, lotions, and lip products. It acts as a lubricant on the skin's surface, reducing friction and helping to create a protective barrier that locks in moisture. This ingredient is particularly beneficial for dry or mature skin types, as it helps to improve skin elasticity and suppleness.

Diisostearyl Malate also serves as a viscosity controller, aiding in the stabilization of formulations and improving their overall consistency. Its non-comedogenic properties make it suitable for use in a wide range of products, including those designed for acne-prone skin. Additionally, this ingredient can enhance the dispersion of pigments in color cosmetics, contributing to improved product performance and application.

Oryza sativa rice bran wax is a versatile and naturally-derived ingredient extracted from the outer layers of rice grains. This sustainable wax offers numerous benefits in skincare and cosmetic formulations. Rich in antioxidants, particularly gamma-oryzanol and tocotrienols, it provides protection against free radical damage and environmental stressors. The wax exhibits emollient properties, helping to soften and smooth the skin while creating a protective barrier that locks in moisture.

In product formulations, rice bran wax serves as an effective thickening and stabilizing agent, enhancing the texture and consistency of creams, lotions, and balms. Its melting point of approximately 75-80°C makes it suitable for various applications, including lip products and solid cosmetics. The wax also demonstrates oil-binding capabilities, contributing to the longevity and stability of formulations.

Oryza sativa rice bran wax is well-tolerated by most skin types and is often used as a natural alternative to synthetic waxes. Its non-comedogenic nature makes it suitable for facial products, while its film-forming properties aid in improving the wear and water resistance of cosmetics. This ingredient aligns with clean beauty trends, offering formulators a plant-based option for creating effective and skin-friendly products.

Behenyl alcohol is a long-chain fatty alcohol derived from natural sources such as coconut or rapeseed oil. This versatile ingredient serves multiple functions in skincare and cosmetic formulations, primarily as an emollient, emulsifier, and thickening agent. Its molecular structure consists of a 22-carbon chain, which contributes to its stability and effectiveness in various product types.

In skincare applications, behenyl alcohol acts as a mild occlusive agent, forming a protective barrier on the skin's surface to reduce transepidermal water loss. This property helps maintain skin hydration and improve overall skin texture. As an emulsifier, it aids in blending oil and water-based ingredients, creating stable and smooth formulations.

Behenyl alcohol is generally well-tolerated by most skin types and is considered non-irritating and non-sensitizing. Its thickening properties contribute to improved product texture and spreadability without leaving a greasy residue. This ingredient is commonly found in moisturizers, lotions, creams, and hair care products. While it shares some properties with other fatty alcohols, behenyl alcohol's longer carbon chain makes it particularly suitable for providing a rich, velvety feel to skincare formulations without compromising product efficacy.

Beheneth-20 is a versatile emulsifier and surfactant widely used in skincare and cosmetic formulations. This non-ionic compound is derived from behenic acid, a saturated fatty acid, and ethylene oxide. Its chemical structure consists of a hydrophobic behenic acid chain attached to a hydrophilic polyethylene glycol (PEG) chain with an average of 20 ethylene oxide units.

As an emulsifier, Beheneth-20 helps stabilize oil-in-water emulsions, allowing for the seamless blending of oil and water-based ingredients in creams, lotions, and other skincare products. Its emulsifying properties contribute to improved texture and spreadability of formulations. Additionally, Beheneth-20 functions as a mild surfactant, aiding in the cleansing process by helping to remove dirt and oil from the skin's surface.

This ingredient is known for its low irritation potential, making it suitable for use in products designed for sensitive skin. Beheneth-20 also exhibits moisturizing properties, helping to enhance skin hydration and improve overall product performance. Its stability across a wide pH range and compatibility with various cosmetic ingredients make it a valuable component in many skincare formulations.

Sorbitan tristearate is a versatile emulsifier and stabilizer commonly used in cosmetic and skincare formulations. This synthetic ingredient is derived from sorbitol and stearic acid, resulting in a waxy solid with excellent emulsifying properties. Its primary function is to create stable water-in-oil emulsions, making it invaluable in products such as creams, lotions, and foundations.

The compound exhibits a low HLB (Hydrophilic-Lipophilic Balance) value, typically around 2.1, which contributes to its effectiveness in creating long-lasting emulsions. Sorbitan tristearate is particularly useful in formulations containing a high percentage of oils or silicones, as it helps prevent separation and maintains product consistency over time.

In addition to its emulsifying capabilities, sorbitan tristearate acts as a thickening agent and can improve the texture and sensory properties of skincare products. It is generally considered safe for use in cosmetics, with minimal risk of skin irritation. The ingredient is often used in concentrations ranging from 0.5% to 5%, depending on the specific formulation requirements.

Sorbitan tristearate's stability across a wide pH range and compatibility with various cosmetic ingredients make it a valuable component in many skincare and makeup products.