Cosmetic Glossary

Welcome to our comprehensive Cosmetic Glossary, your ultimate guide to understanding exactly what goes into your skincare and beauty products. Navigating complex INCI lists can be overwhelming, which is why we have broken down each ingredient to clearly explain its primary function, skin benefits, and role in your daily routine. Whether you are researching a soothing botanical extract or decoding a potent scientific active, our dictionary empowers you to make informed, safe choices and build a skincare regimen tailored to your unique needs.
Centaurea Cyanus Flower Water
Centaurea Cyanus Flower Water (Cornflower Water) Centaurea Cyanus Flower Water, known as cornflower water, is a gentle floral distillate obtained from the petals of the Centaurea cyanus plant....
Centella Asiatica Extract
Centella Asiatica Extract (centella extract) Centella Asiatica Extract, commonly known as centella extract or gotu kola extract, is a botanical ingredient derived from the leaves and stems of the...
Cera Alba
Cera Alba (Beeswax) Cera Alba is a natural wax produced by honeybees and widely used in cosmetic formulations as a structuring agent, thickener, and film-forming emollient. It helps build viscosity...
Ceramide NP
Skin-Identical Barrier Lipid (Ceramide NP) Ceramide NP is a skin-identical ceramide naturally found in the stratum corneum and widely used in cosmetic formulations for its barrier-repair and deep...
Cetearyl alcohol
Cetearyl Alcohol (Cetostearyl Alcohol) Cetearyl Alcohol is a fatty alcohol blend—typically composed of cetyl and stearyl alcohol—widely used in cosmetic formulations as a structuring agent,...
Cetearyl Glucoside
Cetearyl Glucoside (Cetearyl Glucoside) Cetearyl Glucoside is a mild, non-ionic emulsifier derived from fatty alcohols and glucose, widely used to create stable oil-in-water emulsions with a smooth,...
Cetearyl Olivate
Cetearyl Olivate (Cetearyl Olivate) Cetearyl Olivate is an olive oil–derived emulsifier used in cosmetic formulations as a primary emulsifying and texture-building ingredient, valued for creating...
Cetyl Alcohol
Fatty Alcohol Structurant (Cetyl Alcohol) Cetyl Alcohol is a plant- or synthetically derived fatty alcohol widely used in cosmetic formulations as an emollient, thickener, and co-emulsifier. It helps...
Cetyl Palmitate
Cetyl Palmitate (Cetyl Palmitate) Cetyl Palmitate is a waxy ester formed from cetyl alcohol and palmitic acid, widely used in cosmetic formulations as a texture enhancer, structuring agent, and...
Chamomilla Recutita Flower Extract
Chamomilla Recutita Flower Extract (Chamomile Flower Extract) Chamomilla Recutita Flower Extract is a botanical ingredient derived from chamomile flowers and widely used in cosmetic formulations for...
Charcoal Powder
Charcoal Powder (Activated Charcoal) Charcoal Powder is a finely milled, typically activated carbon material valued in cosmetic formulations for its high surface area and strong adsorption capacity....
CI 75470
CI 75470 (Carmine) CI 75470 is the Colour Index designation for carmine, a red pigment traditionally obtained from cochineal (Dactylopius coccus) and used in cosmetic formulations to deliver...
CI 77007
CI 77007 (Ultramarines) CI 77007 is the Colour Index designation for ultramarines, a group of inorganic mineral pigments used in cosmetic formulations to provide vibrant blue tones and to adjust hue...
CI 77288
CI 77288 (Chromium Oxide Green) CI 77288 is the Colour Index designation for chromium(III) oxide, an inorganic mineral pigment used in cosmetic formulations to deliver strong, stable green...
CI 77492
CI 77492 (Yellow Iron Oxide) CI 77492 is the Colour Index designation for yellow iron oxide, an inorganic mineral pigment widely used in cosmetic formulations to provide stable yellow-to-golden...
CI 77510
CI 77510 (Ferric Ferrocyanide / Prussian Blue) CI 77510 is an inorganic colorant used in cosmetic formulations to provide an intense blue hue and to support precise shade adjustment across a wide...
CI 77742
CI 77742 (Manganese Violet) CI 77742 is the Colour Index designation for manganese violet, an inorganic mineral pigment used in cosmetic formulations to deliver soft violet to lavender-purple...
CI 77861
CI 77861 (Tin Oxide) CI 77861 is the Colour Index designation for tin oxide, an inorganic mineral powder used in cosmetic formulations primarily as a pigment adjunct and effect enhancer. Valued for...
Cinnamomum Camphora Leaf Oil
Cinnamomum Camphora Leaf Oil (Camphor Leaf Oil) Cinnamomum Camphora Leaf Oil is an aromatic essential oil obtained from the leaves of Cinnamomum camphora (camphor tree), valued in cosmetic...
Cinnamomum Zeylanicum Leaf Oil
Cinnamomum Zeylanicum Leaf Oil (Ceylon Cinnamon Leaf Oil) Cinnamomum Zeylanicum Leaf Oil is a strongly aromatic essential oil, typically obtained by steam distillation of the leaves of Cinnamomum...