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

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

Butylene Glycol

Humectant, Masking, Skin Conditioning

Butylene Glycol (or BG) is used within cosmetic products for a few different reasons:

Overall, Butylene Glycol is a safe and well-rounded ingredient that works well with other ingredients.

Though this ingredient works well with most skin types, some people with sensitive skin may experience a reaction such as allergic rashes, closed comedones, or itchiness.

Learn more about Butylene Glycol

Water

Skin Conditioning, Solvent

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

Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride

Masking, Skin Conditioning

This ingredient is an emollient, solvent, and texture enhancer. It is considered a skin-softener by helping the skin prevent moisture loss.

It helps thicken a product's formula and makes it easier to spread by dissolving clumping compounds.

Caprylic Triglyceride is made by combining glycerin with coconut oil, forming a clear liquid.

While there is an assumption Caprylic Triglyceride can clog pores due to it being derived from coconut oil, there is no research supporting this.

Learn more about Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride

Cetearyl Alcohol

Emollient, Emulsifying, Emulsion Stabilising

Cetearyl alcohol is a mixture of two fatty alcohols: cetyl alcohol and stearyl alcohol. It is mainly used as an emulsifier. Emulsifiers help prevent the separation of oils and products. Due to its composition, it can also be used to thicken a product or help create foam.

Cetearyl alcohol is an emollient. Emollients help soothe and hydrate the skin by trapping moisture.

Studies show Cetearyl alcohol is non-toxic and non-irritating. The FDA allows products labeled "alcohol-free" to have fatty alcohols.

This ingredient is usually derived from plant oils such as palm, vegetable, or coconut oils. There is debate on whether this ingredient will cause acne.

Due to the fatty acid base, this ingredient may not be Malassezia folliculitis safe.

Learn more about Cetearyl Alcohol

Hydrogenated Lecithin

Emulsifying, Skin Conditioning

Hydrogenated Lecithin is created from the hydrogenation of lecithin (a group of phospholipids). Hydrogenation is a chemical reaction between hydrogen and another element.

This ingredient is an emollient and emulsifier. As an emollient, it helps soften skin by trapping moisture within. As an emulsifier, it prevents oil and water ingredients from separating.

Sodium Hyaluronate

Humectant, Skin Conditioning

Sodium Hyaluronate is hyaluronic acid's salt form. It is commonly derived from the sodium salt of hyaluronic acid.

Like hyaluronic acid, it is great at holding water and acts as a humectant. This makes it a great skin hydrating ingredient.

Sodium Hyaluronate is naturally occurring in our bodies and is mostly found in eye fluid and joints.

These are some other common types of Hyaluronic Acid:

Learn more about Sodium Hyaluronate

Ceramide NP

Skin Conditioning

Ceramide NP is a type of ceramide.

Ceramides are intercellular lipids naturally found in our skin that bonds dead skin cells together to create a barrier. They are known for their ability to hold water and thus are a great ingredient for dry skin.

Ceramides are an important building block for our skin barrier. A stronger barrier helps the skin look more firm and hydrated. By bolstering the skin ceramides act as a barrier against irritating ingredients. This can help with inflammation as well.

If you would like to eat ceramides, sweet potatoes contain a small amount.

Read more about other common types of ceramides here: Ceramide AP Ceramide EOP

Learn more about Ceramide NP

Stearic Acid

Cleansing, Emulsifying, Emulsion Stabilising

Stearic Acid is a fatty acid. It is an emollient, emulsifier, and texture enhancer.

As an emollient, stearic acid helps soften skin. It aids the skin's protective barrier by preventing water loss. It also provides a gentle cleansing effect without stripping away natural oils.

Stearic acid may also be used to enhance the texture of products. It can add volume and stabilize ingredients such as water and oil. This can help water and oil ingredients from separating.

Sources of stearic acid include animal or vegetable fats/oils such as coconut or shea. It can be naturally found in butter, cocoa butter, shea butter, vegetable fats, and animal tallow.

This ingredient may not be Malassezia folliculitis, or fungal-acne safe.

Learn more about Stearic Acid

Phytosphingosine

Skin Conditioning

Phytosphingosine is a phospholipid naturally found in our skin as a building block for ceramides.. It helps moisturize, soothe, and protect skin.

Phytosphingosine contributes to your skin's natural moisturizing factor (NMF). The NMF is responsible for hydration, a strong barrier, and plasticity. Our NMF decreases with age. Increasing NMF leads to more healthy and hydrated skin.

Studies show products formulated with NMF ingredients help strengthen our skin's barrier. Having a healthy skin barrier reduces irritation and increases hydration. Our skin barrier is responsible for having plump and firm skin. It also helps protect our skin against infection, allergies, and inflammation.

Fun fact: Phytosphingosine is abundant in plants and fungi.

More ingredients that help boost collagen in skin:

Learn more about Phytosphingosine

Ingredient Ratings

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

Madagascar Centella Probio-Cica Enrich Cream

Yam Root Vegan Milk Cream

When to use

SKIN1004 Madagascar Centella Probio-Cica Enrich Cream 57 ingredients

Isntree Yam Root Vegan Milk Cream 39 ingredients

497 Routines

35% use in am

65% use in pm

91% use every day

When to use See routines that use it ->

132 Routines

45% use in am

56% use in pm

93% use every day

When to use See routines that use it ->

Reviews

Here's what our community thinks

SKIN1004 Madagascar Centella Probio-Cica Enrich Cream 57 ingredients

3.9 /5

from 14 ratings

Hydrating (7) Works Well (5) No Scent (4)

oncenluv

11 months ago

Review

My holy grail. I was in desperate need of a barrier repairing moisturizer as I recently started accutane & cerave just wasn't cutting it. It is surprisingly lightweight, non-sticky, and leaves a nice glow on your skin and my skin still feels moisturized & hydrated in the morning even after rolling my face on my pillows.

#great value

#hydrating

#absorbs well

#no scent

SKIN1004

Madagascar Centella Probio-Cica Enrich Cream

Corissa Hughes

12 months ago

Review

It’s a good heavy cream but it’s sticky and sort of drying which is weird because it’s so heavy.

#drying

#hydrating

#heavy

#sticky

SKIN1004

Madagascar Centella Probio-Cica Enrich Cream

Isntree Yam Root Vegan Milk Cream 39 ingredients

4.7 /5

from 7 ratings

Hydrating (6) Works Well (6) Absorbs Well (5)

Butter

8 months ago

Review

⋆.ೃ࿔*:･ 🤎

🥥 𝐌𝐲 𝐬𝐤𝐢𝐧 𝐭𝐲𝐩𝐞: 𝐃𝐫𝐲/𝐬𝐞𝐧𝐬𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐞, 𝐚𝐜𝐧𝐞 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐞𝐜𝐳𝐞𝐦𝐚 𝐩𝐫𝐨𝐧𝐞.

🪴 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐬:

·˚ ༘₊· ͟͟͞͞꒰➳ 𝐋𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐥𝐲 𝐛𝐚𝐥𝐦/𝐜𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐦 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐝𝐫𝐲/𝐬𝐞𝐧𝐬𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐚𝐜𝐧𝐞 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐞𝐜𝐳𝐞𝐦𝐚 𝐩𝐫𝐨𝐧𝐞 𝐬𝐤𝐢𝐧. 𝐈𝐟 𝐲𝐨𝐮'𝐫𝐞 𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐮𝐠𝐠𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐨 𝐟𝐢𝐧𝐝 𝐚 𝐦𝐨𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐢𝐬𝐞𝐫 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐭;

𝟏. 𝐃𝐨𝐞𝐬𝐧'𝐭 𝐛𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐤 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐨𝐮𝐭
𝟐. 𝐀𝐜𝐭𝐮𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐲 𝐡𝐞𝐥𝐩𝐬 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐝𝐫𝐲 𝐬𝐤𝐢𝐧
𝟑. 𝐃𝐨𝐞𝐬𝐧'𝐭 𝐢𝐫𝐫𝐢𝐭𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐬𝐤𝐢𝐧

ೃ⁀➷ 𝐓𝐡𝐞𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐦𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭 𝐛𝐞 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐲𝐨𝐮! 𝐈𝐭'𝐬 𝐚 𝐭𝐫𝐮𝐥𝐲 𝐰𝐨𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐫𝐟𝐮𝐥 𝐦𝐨𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐢𝐬𝐞𝐫, 𝐢𝐭'𝐬 𝐚 𝐛𝐚𝐥𝐦 Show more

#expensive

#hydrating

#light

#absorbs well

Isntree

Yam Root Vegan Milk Cream

Cheeks

7 months ago

Review

This is my first and absolute holy grail 👏👏. I have wasted so much time, money and energy trying a million different moisturisers. My skin type is dry, sensitive and rosacea prone the requirements I needed in a moisturiser were:
1. All day hydration and calming
2. Little to no fragrance or naturally fragrance.
3. Something I could use both day AND night.
4. Cruelty free
5. Came in a larger Show more

#expensive

#hydrating

#absorbs well

#no scent

Isntree

Yam Root Vegan Milk Cream