Ingredient library
Every ingredient SkinAtlas knows about — all 2402 of them. What each one does, what it works well with, and what to watch for.
A stable, lightweight emollient that mimics skin's own lipids.
The unsaturated C30 triterpene precursor to squalane, present in human sebum and plant oils such as olive oil; highly susceptible to peroxidation, which distinguishes it from its stable, fully saturated counterpart squalane.
A quaternary ammonium salt of hectorite clay used as a thickener and rheology modifier in anhydrous and low-water cosmetic formulations.
A PEG-10 ether of stearyl alcohol used as an emulsifier and surfactant in creams and lotions.
A PEG-20 ether of stearyl alcohol used as an emulsifier in a wide range of cosmetic emulsions.
A PEG-21 ether of stearyl alcohol functioning as an emulsifier in cosmetic creams and lotions.
A saturated C18 fatty acid used as an emollient, emulsifier and thickener that gives creams a rich texture.
A stearoyl ether of hydroxypropyl methylcellulose. A cellulose-derived thickener that also functions as an emulsion stabilizer. Used in Elixir Reflet SPF50+ sunscreen for texture and stability.
A fatty acid-amino acid conjugate (stearic acid + glutamic acid) used as a mild emulsifier and skin-conditioning agent, particularly common in Japanese sunscreen formulations.
An ester of stearic acid and inulin (a plant polysaccharide from chicory) used as a natural, plant-derived emollient and film-former.
A quaternary ammonium compound used as an antistatic agent and mild surfactant, also providing some antimicrobial activity.
A quaternary ammonium salt (quat) derived from stearyl alcohol. Used as a conditioning agent and emulsifier. In Rosette's gommage gel, it helps create the physical exfoliation effect as the product is rubbed on skin.
A long-chain (C18) fatty alcohol that softens skin, stabilizes emulsions, and adds body to creams; not drying like volatile alcohols.
The ester of stearyl alcohol (C18) and behenic acid (C22), producing a waxy solid at room temperature. Functions primarily as a rich emollient and emulsion stabilizer in cream formulations. The long C22 chain of behenic acid contributes to the characteristic dense, smooth texture without the tackiness of shorter-chain emollients.
A dimethicone functionalized with stearyl (C18) groups. Provides conditioning and emollient properties with a smooth, dry feel. Used in Ishizawa's urea face cream.
The stearyl ester of glycyrrhetinic acid (from licorice root), used in cosmetics as a skin-soothing and conditioning agent with anti-inflammatory properties.
The stearyl ester of glycyrrhetinic acid — a lipid-soluble licorice derivative used in Korean hanbang and sensitive-skin formulas for its potent, well-tolerated anti-inflammatory activity.
An extract from Stellaria media (chickweed), a common herb with a long tradition of use in folk medicine for soothing and relieving itchy, inflamed skin conditions.
A sweet-tasting diterpene glycoside isolated from Stevia rebaudiana (stevia). Best known as a natural sweetener, stevioside is used in cosmetics at trace levels as a conditioning and antioxidant functional agent. Some research suggests mild anti-glycation activity (inhibiting the Maillard reaction that degrades skin proteins). Appears in lip treatments where its sweetness perception may be intentional.
An extract from the seed aril of the white bird of paradise plant (Strelitzia nicolai), used as a skin-conditioning humectant ingredient.
A resin extract from the Styrax benzoin tree rich in benzoic acid and cinnamic acid derivatives, used primarily as a fragrance ingredient with secondary film-forming and soothing properties.
A multi-part botanical extract from the branches, fruit, and leaves of Styrax japonicus (Japanese snowbell tree) providing polyphenols and triterpenes for antioxidant and soothing activity in cosmetic formulations.
Resin extract from Styrax tonkinensis (Siam benzoin), a Southeast Asian tree. Used in Caudalie's Beauty Elixir as a balsamic fragrance fixative. Contains benzoic and cinnamic acid esters.
A synthetic elastomeric block copolymer used as the pressure-sensitive adhesive matrix or flexible substrate in hydrocolloid and acne patch formulations, providing structural integrity and skin adhesion.