Ingredient library
Every ingredient SkinAtlas knows about — all 2277 of them. What each one does, what it works well with, and what to watch for.
A silicone-PEG copolymer that acts as an emulsifier and conditioning agent, giving formulas a smooth, silky skin feel while helping stabilise silicone-in-water or water-in-silicone emulsions.
A polyethylene glycol with 12 ethylene oxide units. Used as a humectant, solubilizer, and skin conditioner at low concentrations. Shorter chain than PEG-40 or PEG-60, giving a lighter, less viscous feel.
A PEG ester of isostearic acid used as an emulsifier in oil-based cleansers to disperse oils in water for rinsing.
A polyethylene glycol-modified silicone that functions as an emulsifier and skin-conditioning agent, providing a lightweight, non-greasy texture to creams, lotions, and moisturizers.
A polyethoxylated methyl glucose dioleate (trade name Glucamate DOE-120). Used as a thickener and texture enhancer in mild liquid cleansers. Provides a rich feel without irritation.
A nonionic surfactant and emulsifier derived from corn that functions as an effective thickener and irritation reducer in cleansing formulations.
A high-molecular-weight polyethylene glycol polymer (14,000 average MW) used as a water-soluble thickener and binder to increase viscosity and improve the feel of cosmetic formulations.
A high-molecular-weight polyethylene glycol. Used as a humectant, thickener, and solvent in skincare formulations. High MW PEGs are generally considered safe and non-irritating.
A PEGylated diester of stearic acid with a long PEG chain (150 ethylene oxide units). Used primarily as a thickener and emulsifier in rinse-off and leave-on cosmetic formulas.
A highly ethoxylated pentaerythritol ester of stearic acid used as a nonionic emulsifier and co-thickener in cleansers and moisturizers to stabilize formulas and build viscosity.
A monoester of stearic acid with a long PEG-150 chain. Functions as a water-soluble emulsifier and thickener in creams and lotions.
A polyethylene glycol with ~34 ethylene oxide units (MW ~1500 Da). Used as a humectant and co-solvent in skincare formulations.
A polyethylene glycol of MW ~1540 Da. Similar to PEG-1500. Used as a humectant and binder in Curel's gentle toner formulation.
A very high molecular weight polyethylene glycol. Used as a thickening and binding agent in cleansers and other skincare products.
A low-ethoxylation PEG ester of castor oil used as a mild solubilizer and emulsifier to disperse oil-soluble ingredients, fragrances, and actives into aqueous cosmetic formulas.
A medium-chain polyethylene glycol (~20 ethylene oxide units, ~880 Da) used as a humectant and solvent to hydrate skin and improve formula texture.
A PEG ether of behenyl alcohol (C22 fatty alcohol) with 20 ethylene oxide units. Used as an emulsifier and skin-conditioning agent in creams and lotions.
A polyethylene glycol (20 EO) ester of glyceryl isostearate. Lower-EO counterpart to PEG-60 Glyceryl Isostearate; used as an emulsifier and oil-solubiliser in lotions and serums.
PEG-20 Glyceryl Triisostearate is a PEG-modified glyceryl ester of isostearic acid used as the primary emulsifier in cleansing balms and cleansing oils. It enables the characteristic phase-inversion behavior of balm cleansers: the anhydrous product is oil-continuous (dissolves makeup/sebum), then upon contact with water it self-emulsifies into a milky wash-off emulsion. Its medium-chain PEG20 hydrophilic portion provides good rinseability while the triisostearate portion anchors in the oil phase.
A PEG ether of hydrogenated castor oil with approximately 20 ethylene oxide units. Commonly used to solubilize fragrances, essential oils, and other lipophilic ingredients in water-based formulations.
A methyl glucose ether modified with 20 ethylene oxide units. Functions as a water-soluble humectant and emollient. Provides a silky skin feel in toners and essences.
A PEG-20 ether of sorbitan isostearate. Used as a gentle emulsifier in Kiku-Masamune's sake emulsion.
A PEG ether of sorbitan stearate with 20 ethylene oxide units. Similar to polysorbate 60. Used as a gentle emulsifier in Curel's sensitive formulations.
A polyethylene glycol derivative of hydrogenated glyceryl palmitate used as a surfactant and cleansing agent.