Water. It's the most common cosmetic ingredient of all. You'll usually see it at the top of ingredient lists, meaning that it makes up the largest part of the product.

So why is it so popular? Water most often acts as a solvent - this means that it helps dissolve other ingredients into the formulation.

You'll also recognize water as that liquid we all need to stay alive. If you see this, drink a glass of water. Stay hydrated!

Learn more about Water

Glycerin

Humectant, Skin Conditioning, Skin Protecting

Glycerin is already naturally found in your skin. It helps moisturize and protect your skin.

A study from 2016 found glycerin to be more effective as a humectant than AHAs and hyaluronic acid.

As a humectant, it helps the skin stay hydrated by pulling moisture to your skin. The low molecular weight of glycerin allows it to pull moisture into the deeper layers of your skin.

Hydrated skin improves your skin barrier; Your skin barrier helps protect against irritants and bacteria.

Glycerin has also been found to have antimicrobial and antiviral properties. Due to these properties, glycerin is often used in wound and burn treatments.

In cosmetics, glycerin is usually derived from plants such as soybean or palm. However, it can also be sourced from animals, such as tallow or animal fat.

This ingredient is organic, colorless, odorless, and non-toxic.

Glycerin is the name for this ingredient in American English. British English uses Glycerol/Glycerine.

Learn more about Glycerin

Butyrospermum Parkii Butter

Skin Conditioning

Butyrospermum Parkii Butter is a plant lipid from the fruit of the Shea Tree. It is an effective skin hydrator and emollient.

Emollients help soothe and soften your skin. It does this by creating a protective film on your skin. This barrier helps trap moisture and keeps your skin hydrated. Emollients may be effective at treating dry or itchy skin.

Shea butter is rich in antioxidants. Antioxidants help fight free-radicals, or molecules that may harm the body. It is also full of fatty acids including stearic acid and linoleic acid. These acids help replenish the skin and keep skin moisturized.

While Shea Butter has an SPF rating of about 3-4, it is not a sunscreen replacement.

Shea butter may not be fungal acne safe. We recommend speaking with a professional if you have any concerns.

Learn more about Butyrospermum Parkii Butter

Arachidyl Alcohol

Emollient, Emulsion Stabilising

Arachidyl Alcohol is a fatty alcohol made from peanut oil. It is an emollient, emulsifier, and thickener.

You'll most likely find this ingredient as an emulsifier in water-based cosmetics.

Behenyl Alcohol

Emollient, Emulsion Stabilising

Behenyl Alcohol is a type of fatty alcohol (these are different from the drying, solvent alcohols).

Fatty Alcohols have hydrating properties and are most often used as an emollient or to thicken a product. They are usually derived from natural fats and oils; behenyl alcohol is derived from the fats of vegetable oils.

Emollients help keep your skin soft and hydrated by creating a film that traps moisture in.

In 2000, Behenyl Alcohol was approved by the US as medicine to reduce the duration of cold sores.

Learn more about Behenyl Alcohol

Arachidyl Glucoside

Emulsifying

We don't have a description for Arachidyl Glucoside yet.

1,2-Hexanediol

Skin Conditioning, Solvent

1,2-Hexanediol is a synthetic liquid and another multi-functional powerhouse.

It is a:

Humectant, drawing moisture into the skin
Emollient, helping to soften skin
Solvent, dispersing and stabilizing formulas
Preservative booster, enhancing the antimicrobial activity of other preservatives

Ingredient Ratings

Here's what our community thinks of the ingredients in these products.

DayDream Cream Adaptogen Moisturizer

Barrier+ Repair Treatment

When to use

Provence Beauty DayDream Cream Adaptogen Moisturizer 28 ingredients

BYOMA Barrier+ Repair Treatment 49 ingredients

9 Routines

67% use in am

33% use in pm

100% use every day

117 Routines

38% use in am

62% use in pm

91% use every day

When to use See routines that use it ->

Reviews

Here's what our community thinks

Provence Beauty DayDream Cream Adaptogen Moisturizer 28 ingredients

DayDream Cream Adaptogen Moisturizer hasn't been rated yet.

Rate it now

BYOMA Barrier+ Repair Treatment 49 ingredients

3.0 /5

from 3 ratings

Absorbs Well (1) Great Value (1) Hydrating (1)

lahari nandipati

6 months ago

Review

Pairs really well with Tretenoin

#great value

#absorbs well

#works well

BYOMA

Barrier+ Repair Treatment

faulmag

1 year ago

Review

If you are looking for something occlusive this is it, however I would note that it is not very spreadable. Interesting pink color. Personally, I prefer the moisturizing rich cream, but this may be just the thing you need if, as the product is marketed, you need barrier repair. Would not recommend so much for more of a typical moisturizer. The one thing I will note is that it is occlusive without Show more

#hydrating

BYOMA

Barrier+ Repair Treatment