Solvent

1,2-Hexanediol

Synthetic multi-tasking ingredient

1,2-Hexanediol

Synthetic multi-tasking ingredient | Works as a preservative, solvent, humectant, and texture enhancer

1,5-Pentanediol

1,5-PENTANEDIOL

A solvent and penetration enhancer that helps active ingredients reach deeper skin layers

Acetone

ACETONE

A volatile solvent used to denature or dissolve other ingredients in skincare formulations

Ascophyllum Nodosum

Type of cold water brown seaweed | Has antioxidant properties and serves as a texture enhancer

Avena Sativa Seed Water

AVENA SATIVA SEED WATER

A plant-derived solvent that hydrates and soothes irritated skin

Benzyl Glycol

BENZYL GLYCOL

A multifunctional solvent that helps dissolve and stabilise other skincare actives

Butyl Acetate

BUTYL ACETATE

A solvent and fragrance component used to improve product texture and stability

Butyl Hydroxybutyrate

BUTYL HYDROXYBUTYRATE

A solvent that helps dissolve and stabilise other skincare actives

Butyloctyl Salicylate

BUTYLOCTYL SALICYLATE

A skin-conditioning ester that softens and smooths whilst acting as a solvent in formulations

C11-13 Isoparaffin

C11-13 ISOPARAFFIN

A lightweight solvent used to dissolve and carry other skincare actives

C12-14 Isoparaffin

C12-14 ISOPARAFFIN

A lightweight solvent that dissolves and disperses other skincare actives evenly

C13-14 Alkane

C13-14 ALKANE

A lightweight hydrocarbon solvent that dissolves and disperses other ingredients evenly

C13-15 Alkane

C13-15 ALKANE

A lightweight hydrocarbon solvent that dissolves and carries other skincare actives

C13-16 Isoalkane

C13-16 isoparaffin

A synthetic solvent but may also be plant-derived Used in blends meant to replace siloxane silicones

C13-16 Isoparaffin

C13-16 ISOPARAFFIN

A lightweight solvent that helps dissolve and distribute other skincare actives

C15-19 Alkane

C15-19 ALKANE

A lightweight solvent that helps formulations blend and absorb smoothly

C15-23 Alkane

C15-23 ALKANE

A lightweight hydrocarbon solvent that helps formulations blend and absorb evenly

C18-21 Alkane

C18-21 ALKANE

A lightweight hydrocarbon solvent that helps dissolve and deliver other skincare actives

C9-12 Alkane

C9-12 ALKANE

A lightweight solvent that helps dissolve and distribute other skincare actives

Carapa Guaianensis Seed Oil

CARAPA GUAIANENSIS SEED OIL

A tropical seed oil that conditions skin and acts as a solvent in formulations

Crotamiton

CROTAMITON

A topical purifying ingredient with a specific role in treating mite-related skin conditions

Cyclohexane

CYCLOHEXANE

A solvent used to dissolve and deliver other skincare actives

Denatured Alcohol

A type of volatile alcohol that can irritate skin | Depletes key substances in skin’s moisture barrier

Deuterium Oxide

A water isotope with emerging research into cellular stress response and potential antioxidant effects

Diethoxyethyl Succinate

DIETHOXYETHYL SUCCINATE

A solvent that helps dissolve and stabilise other skincare actives

Dimethyl Capramide

Dimethyl capramide functions as a stabiliser and solvent in cosmetics

Dimethyl Isosorbide

Synthetic or plant-derived solvent | Helps control the viscosity of cosmetics

Emulsifying Wax Nf

A plant and mineral-derived emulsifier that blends oil and water in skincare formulations

Ethyl Acetate

ETHYL ACETATE

A solvent and fragrance component with limited but emerging research into skin benefits

Ethyl Ether

ETHYL ETHER

A volatile solvent that helps dissolve and deliver other skincare actives

Ethyl Glycerin Acetal Levulinate

ETHYL GLYCERIN ACETAL LEVULINATE

A solvent that helps dissolve and stabilise other skincare actives

Ethyl Hexanediol

ETHYL HEXANEDIOL

A solvent ingredient that helps formulations dissolve and distribute active compounds evenly

Ethyl Lactate

ETHYL LACTATE

A solvent and fragrance component that may help manage acne-prone skin

Ethyl Pg-Acetal Levulinate

ETHYL PG-ACETAL LEVULINATE

A solvent that helps dissolve and stabilise other skincare actives

Galactorarabinan

Complex sugar that reduces water loss from skin | Helps improve stability of cosmetic emulsions + enhance spreadability

Glycerol Triacetate

Triacetin

Used as an emollient and thickening agent in cosmetics.

Hexanediol

HEXANEDIOL

A solvent that helps dissolve and stabilise other skincare actives

Hippophae Rhamnoides Fruit Water

HIPPOPHAE RHAMNOIDES FRUIT WATER

A plant-derived solvent with antioxidant compounds from sea buckthorn fruit

Humectants

Ingredients that draw and bind moisture to skin | Keep skin’s water levels balanced

Hydroxypropylene Carbonate

HYDROXYPROPYLENE CARBONATE

A solvent ingredient that helps dissolve and stabilise other skincare actives

Isododecane

Synthetic hydrocarbon ingredient used as a solvent

Isohexadecane

Versatile ingredient used as a cleansing agent, solvent, texture enhancer, and skin-conditioning agent | Imparts a non-greasy, lightweight, silky feel

Isopentyldiol

Synthetic ingredient that is used as solvent to form cosmetic solutions

Limonene

LIMONENE

A natural fragrance compound with potential antioxidant properties

Methionine

A type of amino acid, a fundamental constituent of all proteins | Acts as a water-binding agent in skin care products

Methyl Isobutyl Glycerol Formal

METHYL ISOBUTYL GLYCEROL FORMAL

A solvent that helps dissolve and stabilise other skincare actives

Methyl Pyrrolidone

METHYL PYRROLIDONE

A solvent that helps active ingredients penetrate the skin more effectively

Methyl Trimethicone

METHYL TRIMETHICONE

A silicone that smooths skin texture and creates a protective, conditioning layer

Methylpropanediol

Propanediol

Enhances the absorption of other ingredients

Mineral Spirits

MINERAL SPIRITS

A solvent ingredient that dissolves and disperses other components in skincare formulations

Octyldodecanol

Oleth-10

Non-irritating fatty alcohol that functions as a texture enhancer and cleansing agent | Widely used as an emulsifier in water + oil cosmetics

Onsen-Sui

Mineral-rich thermal water that supports skin hydration and barrier function

Paraffinum Liquidum

PEG-400

A solvent and stabiliser that helps deliver other actives and maintain product texture

PEG …

PEG/PPG-1/2 COPOLYMER

A solvent that helps dissolve and stabilise other skincare actives

PEG …

A synthetic glycol-based polymer | Functions as a solvent in skin care products

Perfluorodecalin

PERFLUORODECALIN

A synthetic fluid that conditions skin and aids ingredient delivery in specialised treatments

Perfluorohexane

Synthetic ingredient, classified as a perfluorocarbon | Solvent and texture-enhancing ingredient that may increase oxygen to skin

Phaseolus Radiatus Seed Water

PHASEOLUS RADIATUS SEED WATER

A plant-derived hydrating ingredient sourced from mung bean seeds

Phenylpropanol

PHENYLPROPANOL

A fragrance compound that masks odour and adds scent to skincare formulations

Phospholipids

Occur naturally in skin and can be derived from plant and animal sources | Are hygroscopic, meaning they attract water from surrounding air and hold it where hydration is needed

Pinus Palustris Wood Tar

PINUS PALUSTRIS WOOD TAR

A wood-derived denaturant used to render other ingredients unsuitable for consumption

Poly 1,2-Butanediol-6 Propylene Glycol

POLY 1,2-BUTANEDIOL-6 PROPYLENE GLYCOL

A solvent that helps dissolve and deliver other skincare actives effectively

PPG-6

A humectant and solvent that helps formulations blend whilst supporting skin hydration

Propanediol

Also known as 1,3-propanediol | Improves absorption of ingredients to their boost effectiveness in skin

Purified Water

Purified water is a commonly used solvent, often appearing first

Sodium Polyacrylate

Used as a film-forming agent, stabiliser, thickener, and absorbent in cosmetics | Can absorb 100-1000 times its mass in water

Sodium Xylenesulfonate

SODIUM XYLENESULFONATE

A solubiliser that helps other ingredients dissolve evenly in formulations

T-Butyl Alcohol

T-BUTYL ALCOHOL

A solvent and denaturant used to dissolve actives and carry fragrance in formulations

Water

Natural Moisturizing Factor (NMF)

The most widely used cosmetic ingredient Typically appears as the first ingredient in skin care products

Xylene

XYLENE

A solvent ingredient used primarily to dissolve fragrance and other components in formulations