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 sugar-based humectant that holds water and helps skin resist dehydration stress.
A high-molecular-weight polysaccharide extracted from Tremella fuciformis (snow mushroom), often marketed as a natural alternative to hyaluronic acid due to its exceptional water-binding capacity and film-forming properties.
A copolymer of vinylpyrrolidone and triacontanol (C30 fatty alcohol) used as a water-resistant film-former in sunscreens and color cosmetics.
The full triglyceride ester of glycerol and behenic acid (C22:0), a long-chain saturated fatty acid. Solid at room temperature, providing thickening and emollient properties in anhydrous formulations including lip balms, treatments, and body butters. Derived from plant oils (rapeseed, peanut) rich in behenic acid.
Extract from the fruit of Tribulus terrestris (gokhru/caltrop), used in traditional Ayurvedic and East Asian medicine; appears in complex Korean hanbang formulas for its skin-conditioning saponins.
Extract from Tricholoma matsutake (matsutake pine mushroom), a prized ingredient in Japanese and Korean beauty. Provides antioxidant beta-glucans and skin-conditioning amino acids.
Trichosanthes kirilowii root extract (Tian Hua Fen) is derived from the starchy root of the Chinese snake gourd, used in TCM for its cooling and fluid-promoting properties. The cosmetic extract provides humectant moisture-binding and mild anti-inflammatory benefits from its polysaccharide and sterol fractions. Properly processed cosmetic extracts are not expected to retain biologically active trichosanthin.
A lightweight volatile hydrocarbon emollient that provides a silky skin feel and is used as a sustainable alternative to cyclomethicone (often combined with undecane as Cetiol Ultimate).
An ethoxylated C13 fatty alcohol with 10 ethylene oxide units, used as a mild nonionic emulsifier and solubilizer in cosmetic formulations; differs from Trideceth-6 by degree of ethoxylation.
A nonionic ethoxylated tridecanol (6 EO units) used as an emulsifier and solubilizer in sunscreens and lotions.
The ester of tridecyl alcohol and stearic acid; a low-viscosity, non-greasy emollient used in premium moisturizer formulas to improve spread and skin feel.
A synthetic triester of trimellitic acid and tridecyl alcohol that functions as a rich, hydrophobic emollient and pigment dispersant in skin and lip formulations.
An alkanolamine base used to adjust pH and form emulsions with fatty acids; subject to EU concentration limits due to potential nitrosamine formation.
A silane coupling agent used to coat inorganic pigments and mineral UV filters with a hydrophobic film, improving their dispersion, water resistance, and skin feel in sunscreen and color cosmetics.
A triethoxysilyl-functionalized dimethicone crosspolymer. Used as an adhesion promoter in sunscreens to help UV filters bond to the skin surface, improving water resistance. Found in Elixir Reflet SPF50+ sunscreen.
A silicone with triethoxysilane adhesion-promoter groups on a polydimethylsiloxane backbone. The silane groups react with skin and mineral filters (ZnO, TiO₂) to create a durable, water-resistant film. Used in high-performance SPF formulas such as Anessa Perfect UV.
A triethyl ester of citric acid used as a solvent, plasticizer, and deodorant active that inhibits the bacterial enzymes responsible for malodor.
A triglyceride ester of glycerol and 2-ethylhexanoic acid used as a lightweight, dry-feel emollient and solvent in serums, lotions, and toners.
Trifluoroacetyl Tripeptide-2 (sequence TFA-Val-Tyr-Val; trade name Progeline™, Lucas Meyer Cosmetics/IFF; CAS 64577-63-5) is an anti-senescence signal peptide that targets progerin — a truncated lamin A splice variant that accumulates in aging fibroblasts and drives cellular senescence. Reducing progerin slows the molecular aging program while simultaneously inhibiting MMP-1/-3/-9 and elastase, upregulating syndecan-1, and activating the Nrf2 antioxidant pathway. Clinical trials at 4 ppm (8 weeks) showed +20% firmness and +20.9% elasticity with measurable reduction in jawline sagging. Used at extremely low concentrations (0.0004–0.002%) in premium anti-aging serums and ampoules.
POLA's proprietary NEI-L1 compound — a synthetic peptide sodium salt that acts on neuro-expression inhibition pathways to reduce the appearance of expression wrinkles. Used in the Wrinkle Shot Medical Serum N, a Japanese quasi-drug approved for wrinkle treatment.
A triglyceride ester of glycerol and heptanoic acid used as a light emollient with rapid skin penetration.
A hydroxylated castor-oil-derived triglyceride used as an oil-phase thickener and emollient that gives creams and lip products a smooth, stable texture.
A triglyceride of isostearic acid used as a rich emollient in luxury creams and colour cosmetics. Provides excellent skin feel and stability at a range of temperatures.
A phosphate ester of ethoxylated lauryl alcohol. Used as a mild emulsifier and surfactant in skincare formulations.