Humectants
This common kitchen ingredient is a simple sugar alcohol used as a humectant in skin care and also tastes sweet.
What is glycerin?
A vitamin often used to brighten skin and is an antioxidant; it can also help reduce pigment over time.
What is vitamin C / ascorbic acid
A light oily ingredient often used in lotions to soften skin and is easily absorbed?
What is jojoba, almond or other light oils?
A mild acid often used in baby products and some moisturizers that also helps with gentle exfoliation.
What is lactic acid?
A mild surfactant often used in baby shampoos and gentle cleansers.
What is sodium lauryl sulfate or sodium laureth sulfate?
This humectant is a natural sugar also used in moisturizers and sometimes found in fruits; it helps attract water to the skin.
What is sorbitol?
A common skin‑brightening ingredient derived from plants or made synthetically that blocks pigment production and is weaker than prescription agents.
What is Kojic Acid?
A thicker, occlusive emollient that helps lock in moisture and is often used in balms and ointments.
What is petrolatum?
An oil‑soluble acid that can help clear pores and is often used for acne; it can be found in cleansers and spot treatments.
What is salicylic acid?
A common solvent used to dissolve oil-soluble ingredients in skincare formulas.
What is ethanol?
This humectant is a long molecule naturally found in skin that can hold up to 1,000 times its weight in water; it plumps and hydrates
What is hyaluronic acid?
This tyrosinase-inhibiting ingredient is also an antioxidant and is naturally found in berries and grapes.
What is resveratrol?
A waxy emollient that comes from plants or bees and is used to thicken creams and soothe skin.
What is beeswax?
An AHA exfoliating acid that penetrates deeper into the epidermis to dissolve desmosomes, holding dead skin cells together, promoting faster cell renewal.
What is glycolic acid?
A very small amount of active ingredient evenly mixed at the molecular level in a liquid so it does not settle out.
What is a dilute solution?
This synthetic humectant is used in many gels and serums; it forms a flexible film over the skin to lock in moisture and improve texture.
What is propylene glycol?
This ingredient is a gentle inhibitor of pigment production often used in over‑the‑counter products and originally comes from milk (lactic acid is not a tyrosinase inhibitor — think of an amino‑acid derivative used for brightening)
What is niacinamide?
This lightweight synthetic emollient is often used as a “slip agent” to help products spread smoothly and feel silky without heaviness.
What is dimethicone (or cyclomethicone)?
This acid is found naturally in citrus fruit and is used to brighten skin; it is a type of alpha hydroxy acid.
What is citric acid?
A sunscreen ingredient in a suspension that needs shaking before use because particles sit in the liquid.
What is titanium dioxide or zinc oxide?
This lightweight humectant is a common ingredient in toners and serums; it comes from plants and helps skin retain moisture without feeling greasy.
What is aloe vera?
A prescription-level inhibitor sometimes used for stronger pigment issues
What is hydroquinone?
An ingredient that is both an emollient and an emulsifier, commonly used to give creams a smooth texture (example: a fatty alcohol)
What is cetyl alcohol / stearyl alcohol?
This alpha hydroxy acid is derived from bitter almonds and penetrates more slowly due to its larger molecular size, making it ideal for treating sensitive, acne-prone, or richly melanated skin without triggering inflammation.
What is mandelic acid?
A thick cream may contain particles or beads that stay spread out because the product has ingredients to keep them suspended; this is called a(n) _______.
What is an emulsion, or stabilized suspension?