Youth Complex

DESCRIPTION

What It Does: Lightweight, stable emollient that solubilizes oil-soluble actives for excellent delivery without greasy feel.

Why It's Used: Universal lightweight emollient base and solubilizer for oil-soluble actives in serums and low-viscosity formulations where mineral oil or petrolatum would be too heavy.

How It Works: Medium-chain length provides ideal balance of spreading coefficient, penetration rate, and barrier-sealing properties. excellent solubilizer for vitamin e, retinoids, and other lipophilic actives.

Typically Found In: Serums,facial oils,sunscreens,anti-aging products,hair products

TECHNICAL DETAILS

Primary Category: Active ingredient – medium-chain triglyceride emollient

Secondary Functions: Active solubilizer,spreading agent

Application Areas:

Facial Skincare

Body Care

Hair Care

Beard Care

Color Cosmetics (Makeup)

Dietary/Oral Supplements

Typical Concentration Range: 1%–50%

SOURCING & ETHICS

Vegan Status: Yes – from coconut/palm kernel oil

Halal Status: Yes

Source Notes: Fractionated by hydrolysis and re-esterification of coconut oil. only c8 and c10 fatty acids retained.

SKIN COMPATIBILITY

Irritancy Rating: 1/5 – very low

Comedogenicity Rating: 1/5 – very low; medium-chain length generally non-comedogenic

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

Mct oil's medium-chain length (c8/c10) provides superior oxidative stability vs longer polyunsaturated chains and better skin aesthetics (lighter, less greasy) vs longer chain emollients (c16/c18). excellent solubilizer for retinoic acid, tocopheryl esters, and other lipophilic actives.

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 — 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

Glucose has an established safety and efficacy profile within the cosmetic regulatory framework at standard use concentrations.

Last Verified: Cosing database,glucose technical literature

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 documented cosmetic activity from guanidine hcl.

Why It's Used: Guanidine hcl delivers formulation value through its specific biological activity and established safety and efficacy.

How It Works: Source: guanidine hcl. mechanism: documented in cosmetic literature. safety: cosing-reviewed. standard cosmetic use concentrations.

Typically Found In: Skin care formulations,active 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%–5%

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

Guanidine hcl provides cosmetic activity through its characteristic mechanism. at standard concentrations it delivers documented biological activity with an established safety profile from cosmetic science literature and regulatory review.

Last Verified: Cosing database,guanidine hcl technical literature

Primary Sources: 2026-03-12

DESCRIPTION

What It Does: Hyaluronic acid draws and locks moisture into the skin at multiple depths (surface and deeper layers depending on molecular weight), creating a plumping, smoothing, and hydrating effect.

Why It's Used: It is used because it is endogenous to human skin, making it exceptionally biocompatible and non-irritating. its unparalleled moisture-binding capacity makes it the most effective hydrating ingredient available.

How It Works: Ha binds water molecules through its many hydroxyl and carboxyl groups, creating a gel-like matrix. high molecular weight ha (>500 kda) hydrates the skin surface; low molecular weight ha (<50 kda) penetrates deeper to provide interior hydration.

Typically Found In: Serums,moisturizers,sheet masks,toners,eye creams,lip treatments,dermal fillers (injectable)

TECHNICAL DETAILS

Primary Category: Active ingredient – humectant/hydrator

Secondary Functions: Barrier repair,plumping,anti-aging

Application Areas:

Facial Skincare

Body Care

Hair Care

Beard Care

Color Cosmetics (Makeup)

Dietary/Oral Supplements

Typical Concentration Range: 0.1%–2% (effective at very low concentrations; multi-weight ha provides superior results)

SOURCING & ETHICS

Vegan Status: Yes – biotechnology-derived (microbial fermentation of streptococcus equi or b. subtilis); vegan-certified versions widely available

Halal Status: Yes

Source Notes: Originally extracted from rooster combs; now predominantly produced via biotechnology (bacterial fermentation), which is vegan and more sustainable.

SKIN COMPATIBILITY

Irritancy Rating: 1/5 – very low; one of the gentlest skincare ingredients known

Comedogenicity Rating: 0/5 – non-comedogenic

Sensitivity Concerns: In very dry environments, high-molecular-weight ha on the surface can potentially draw moisture out of the skin if not sealed with an occlusive. apply to damp skin and seal with moisturizer.

Safe for Sensitive Skin: Yes – ideal for all skin types including rosacea, eczema, and post-procedure skin

SAFETY & COMPATIBILITY

Safety Profile: Exceptional safety profile. endogenous molecule – no toxicity concerns. ewg hazard score: 1. safe during pregnancy.

Works Well With: Virtually all ingredients; especially ceramides,glycerin,peptides,retinol (reduces irritation),niacinamide,vitamin c

Avoid Combining With: No significant incompatibilities; high concentrations of alcohol in a formula may reduce its efficacy

SCIENTIFIC NOTE

Hyaluronic acid naturally degrades in skin (half-life ~1–2 days). the skin produces it endogenously, but production decreases with age. multi-molecular-weight ha formulas provide hydration at both surface and deeper skin levels.

Last Verified: Cosing database,cir safety assessment,papakonstantinou et al. (2012) dermato-endocrinology

Primary Sources: 2026-03-12

DESCRIPTION

What It Does: Provides copper-complexed peptide collagen and elastin stimulation from the body's own wound healing tripeptide.

Why It's Used: The natural anti-aging peptide — ghk is the body's own wound healing signal naturally found in human plasma at high concentrations in youth, declining with age, making ghk-cu replenishment a physiologically validated anti-aging strategy.

How It Works: Ghk binds cu²⁺ with very high affinity. ghk-cu activates tgf-beta signalling for collagen i, iii, and iv synthesis. also upregulates elastin, fibronectin, and dermatopontin synthesis. anti-inflammatory via inhibition of tnf-alpha. cu²⁺ provides enzyme cofactor for lysyl oxidase cross-linking.

Typically Found In: Premium anti-aging serums,wound healing,eye creams

TECHNICAL DETAILS

Primary Category: Active ingredient – copper-binding signal peptide

Secondary Functions: Collagen stimulation,skin firming,anti-aging

Application Areas:

Facial Skincare

Body Care

Hair Care

Beard Care

Color Cosmetics (Makeup)

Dietary/Oral Supplements

Typical Concentration Range: 0.001%–0.1%

SOURCING & ETHICS

Vegan Status: Yes – synthetic

Halal Status: Yes

Source Notes: Synthetically produced by solid-phase peptide synthesis (spps). may be palmitoylated for stability.

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: Exceptional safety profile. ewg score: 1.

Works Well With: Hyaluronic acid,ceramides,retinol,vitamin c,niacinamide

Avoid Combining With: Avoid mixing with high-concentration ahas at same ph (may hydrolyze peptide bonds)

SCIENTIFIC NOTE

Ghk's plasma concentration follows a remarkable aging trajectory: ~200ng/ml at age 20-25 declining to ~80ng/ml by age 60 — a 60% decline correlating with the progressive loss of wound healing capacity and collagen synthesis rate seen with skin aging. this documented natural decline provides physiological justification for topical ghk-cu replenishment as an anti-aging intervention targeting the body's own depleted wound healing signal.

Last Verified: Cosing database,pickart & margolina ghk-cu review

Primary Sources: 2026-03-12

DESCRIPTION

What It Does: At 2–10%: provides deep humectancy, softens sc, and improves other active penetration. at 10–40%: keratolytically dissolves corneocyte protein bonds for intensive exfoliation of hyperkeratotic skin (calluses, eczema plaques, psoriasis).

Why It's Used: Urea combines two otherwise separate ingredient classes (humectant and keratolytic) in one molecule, with formulator-controlled function through concentration selection — uniquely versatile for multiple skin condition applications.

How It Works: Urea's carbonyl and amine groups form h-bonds with water (humectancy) and with corneocyte keratin (penetration). at high concentrations, urea disrupts keratin hydrogen bonds (chaotropic activity) solubilising the sc protein matrix — concentration determines whether humectant or keratolytic effect predominates.

Typically Found In: Eczema,hyperkeratosis,callus care,moisturising

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: 2%–40%

SOURCING & ETHICS

Vegan Status: Yes

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

Urea is the most concentrated natural nmf component — healthy sc contains 28 mg/g urea versus 2 mg/g in xerotic (dry) skin. topical urea application directly replenishes the physiological nmf deficit that drives dry skin conditions.

Last Verified: Cosing database,urea nmf dual function humectant keratolytic review

Primary Sources: 2026-03-12

DESCRIPTION

What It Does: Provides antioxidant protection, soothing anti-inflammatory effects, and skin-conditioning benefits through plant-derived polyphenols and phytochemicals.

Why It's Used: Plant extracts concentrate bioactive phytochemicals evolved for environmental protection — uv, microbial, and oxidative stressors — that translate to skin benefits.

How It Works: Polyphenols (flavonoids, phenolic acids) inhibit nf-κb-mediated inflammatory signaling, scavenge reactive oxygen species through electron donation, and chelate pro-oxidant metal ions to reduce oxidative skin damage.

Typically Found In: Serums,toners,moisturizers,masks,essences

TECHNICAL DETAILS

Primary Category: Botanical extracts

Secondary Functions: Antioxidant,anti-inflammatory

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

Halal Status: Yes

Source Notes: Plant-derived extract; no animal components.

SKIN COMPATIBILITY

Irritancy Rating: 1

Comedogenicity Rating: 0

Sensitivity Concerns: Low sensitization potential at recommended use concentrations.

Safe for Sensitive Skin: Yes

SAFETY & COMPATIBILITY

Safety Profile: Well-characterized cosmetic ingredient with established safety profile. generally non-irritating at typical use concentrations. suitable for leave-on and rinse-off cosmetics.

Works Well With: Niacinamide,hyaluronic acid,vitamin c,ceramides

Avoid Combining With: Strong oxidizing agents

SCIENTIFIC NOTE

Plant secondary metabolites (flavonoids, terpenes, phenolic acids) are biosynthesized as defense compounds against uv, herbivores, and pathogens. their anti-inflammatory activity typically derives from competitive inhibition of cox-2 and 5-lox enzymes (ic50 1–50 µm), while antioxidant activity involves single electron transfer (set) and hydrogen atom transfer (hat) mechanisms with structure-dependent rate constants.

Last Verified: Cosing eu database; pcpc cosmetic ingredient safety reviews; phytochemical and ethnobotanical literature

Primary Sources: 2025-01-15