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

Dipropylene Glycol

Masking, Solvent

Dipropylene Glycol is a synthetically created stabilizer and solvent. It is a part of the glycol class in the alcohol family.

Dipropylene Glycol helps dissolve and evenly distribute ingredients. It also helps decrease viscosity and thin out texture.

As a masking agent, Dipropylene Glycol can be used to cover the smell of other ingredients. However, it does not have a scent.

Studies show Dipropylene Glycol is considered safe to use in skincare.

Learn more about Dipropylene Glycol

Betaine

Humectant, Skin Conditioning

Betaine is a common humectant (a substance that promotes retention of moisture). It's known to be gentle on the skin and can help balance hydration.

This ingredient is best for improving hydration and soothing irritated skin. Studies also show it helps even out skin tone.

Fun fact: Betaine is naturally created in the skin and body. The kind found within cosmetic products can be either plant-derived or synthetic.

Learn more about Betaine

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

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

Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer

Emulsion Stabilising

Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer is a synthetic polymer. It is used to thicken and improve the texture of products. Due to its properties, it can prevent water and oil 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

Ingredient Ratings

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

Rice & Ceramide Moisture Emulsion

No.3 Super Glowing Essence Toner

When to use

The Face Shop Rice & Ceramide Moisture Emulsion 36 ingredients

Numbuzin No.3 Super Glowing Essence Toner 69 ingredients

88 Routines

48% use in am

52% use in pm

97% use every day

When to use See routines that use it ->

787 Routines

54% use in am

46% use in pm

95% use every day

When to use See routines that use it ->

Reviews

Here's what our community thinks

The Face Shop Rice & Ceramide Moisture Emulsion 36 ingredients

4.0 /5

from 2 ratings

Absorbs Well (1) Doesn't Work (1) Great Value (1)

KyleighWallace_646

1 year ago

Review

Not great, didn’t break me out bad or anything but doesn’t absorb well and leaves sticky film and for all that it’s not that hydrating

#heavy

#sticky

#doesn't work

The Face Shop

Rice & Ceramide Moisture Emulsion

Izzy Haley

6 months ago

Review

hydrates and doesn't leave me feeling heavy.

#great value

#hydrating

#light

#absorbs well

The Face Shop

Rice & Ceramide Moisture Emulsion

Numbuzin No.3 Super Glowing Essence Toner 69 ingredients

2.7 /5

from 18 ratings

Strong Scent (7) Hydrating (5) Broke Me Out (3)

sopheify

1 year ago

Review

broke me out so bad
thought my skin was just adapting so i continued to use it for 3 more days. it awakened pores that were semi-gone alrdy and it developed puss and it was so sore and itchy entire night. gradually went away after i stopped using

Numbuzin

No.3 Super Glowing Essence Toner

tabby_274

2 years ago

Review

very uncomfortable
saw a lot of ads for this brand so i wanted to try it. caused a lot of irritation and made my skin more dry. has a lot of unnecessary fermented ingredients that i must’ve been allergic to as well as common allergens. do not recommend for sensitive skin.

Numbuzin

No.3 Super Glowing Essence Toner