Methylparaben is a methyl ester of p-hydroxybenzoic acid, a widely used broad-spectrum preservative used in personal care products, pharmaceuticals, and some foods. It is colorless and odorless, compatible with a wide range of cosmetic ingredients.
Organic compounds
Organic compounds are an inherent part of skin care products. These ingredients are structurally similar to natural body compounds, making them efficient in many functions. For example, they easily penetrate the layers of skin, stimulate the synthesis of skin proteins, fight free radicals, and ''dissolve" dead skin cells. Thus, organic compounds visibly ameliorate skin wrinkling, sagging, and scaling.
MethylPropanediol (2-methyl-1,3-propanediol) is a humectant glycol with a very low odor used in personal care products and fragrances.
Mineral oil is a mixture of refined hydrocarbons derived from petroleum (crude oil) that is used industrially as a cutting fluid and lubricating oil. It is known as liquid paraffin (Paraffinum liquidum or Paraffin oil).
MSM (methylsulfonylmethane) improves the permeability of the cell membranes, effectively increasing the metabolism: the cells absorb nutrients more efficiently, while excess metabolic products and waste products are flushed out better.
The white, wax-like substance is used as an easily spreadable oil component in oil-in-water emulsions, especially in lotions, to improve the water-in-oil emulsions' consistency.
O.D.A. White™ is a skin-brightening ingredient from the "heart" of the melanocyte with a new mechanism of action. Sederma developed this ingredient to treat skin pigmentation disorders such as freckles, melasma, hyperpigmentation, and the general dark color of ethnic skin.
Applying perfluorocarbons topically offers significant healing and repairing benefits to scarred and aging skin. Valmont’s complex promotes unparalleled anti-aging, wound-healing, and moisture-enhancing benefits.
Octocrylene (2-Ethylhexyl-2-cyano-3,3-diphenyl acrylate) is a pale yellow, clear to slightly cloudy, oily viscous liquid with a characteristic odor and refractive index of 1.561-1.571.
Octyldodecanol is a slightly yellow, clear, odorless fatty alcohol with low polarity, higher stability, and excellent wetting and solubilizing properties.
Octyldodecyl Neopentanoate is a clear, low-freezing liquid with a slight characteristic odor. It is a non-comedogenic, chemically stable, and safe ingredient for personal care applications.
Octyldodecyl Octyldodecanoate is a branched Guerbet ester (C-38; Dodecanoic acid, 2-octyl-, 2-octyldodecyl ester), a straw to amber colored, flowable clear to hazy liquid with a mild odor. It is insoluble in water.
Octyldodecyl Oleate is an EcoCert-certified ester derived from olive oil used in skin/hair care applications and decorative cosmetics for its dispensing, emollient, and shining properties. It is a clear light yellow liquid, with a faint olive odor and non-greasy feel.
Oleic acid is a naturally occurring fatty acid commonly found in vegetable and animal fats.
Oleth-2 is an ethoxylated (2 moles) oleyl alcohol, a pale, straw-colored liquid without odor. It is a water-in-oil emulsifier and solubilizer, especially for fragranced products designated as "fragrance grade" because of exceptionally low odor.
Optiphen is a paraben- and formaldehyde-free preservative complex, a liquid that consists of Phenoxyethanol and Caprylyl Glycol. The optimal combination provides board spectrum protection against microbes and excellent skin fill of a final product.
Certain personal care products, such as water-based sunscreens, hair gels, and wet wipes, are challenging to protect. Alkaline environments or the high temperatures necessary to process these formulations destroy and ultimately deactivate many traditional preservatives.
Optiphen ND is a complete liquid preservative complex containing no halo-organic components, formaldehyde, or formaldehyde releasers and is paraben-free. It effectively fights against Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria, yeast, and mold.
Optiphen Plus is a liquid preservative complex consisting of a blend of Phenoxyethanol and Sorbic Acid in an emollient base of Caprylyl Glycol.
Oryzanol (γ-Oryzanol) is a white or off-white crystalline powder with a characteristic odor derived from rice bran.
Osmocide™ is a complex with moisturising and preservative-like properties that allows formulators to reduce the level of preservatives in their formulas yet still create safe, long-standing products that resist contamination, as proven by in vitro studies.
p-Anisic acid is an organic compound (aromatic acid, also known as p-methoxybenzoic acid) initially found in Pimpinella anisum or Anise. It inhibits tyrosinase, an enzyme involved in the initial step of melanin synthesis. p-Methoxybenzoic acid decreases melanin production and fights against hyperpigmentation, dark spots, and evens skin tone.
Palmitic acid (Hexadecanoic acid) is a saturated, 16-carbon atom-length fatty acid, a common component of animal fats and vegetable oils. It is a white, waxy solid at room temperature.
Paraffin is a class of mineral waxes obtained from the petroleum refining process. It is a white-to-yellowish solid containing straight-chain saturated hydrocarbons, which are predominant in functionality. Based on melting point, paraffin has five different grades, ranging from 120-155ºC.
PEG-4 Rapeseedamide is an ethoxylated (4 moles of ethylene oxide) fatty acid monoethanolamide derived from rapeseed oil, a natural renewable raw material rich in unsaturated fatty acid (C18).
PEG-6 Caprylic/Capric Glycerides is a blend of ethoxylated glycerides derived from coconut fatty acids. It is a pale yellow liquid used as a water-soluble emollient.
PEG-6 Propylene Glycol Caprylate/Caprate (Polyoxyethylene 6 Propylene Glycol Esters) is a blend of ethoxylated propylene glycol mono esters of caprylic and capric acids.
Pentaerythrityl Tetrabehenate is an ester with a high melting point (80°C) that notably thickens personal care formulas. Its "cage structure" lets it trap colored pigments and, therefore, is used in decorative cosmetics. It is known under the trade name DUB PTB.
Pentaerythrityl Tetracaprylate/Tetracaprate is a cushion emollient ester with good spreading and pigment-wetting properties. It is also known under the trade name Crodamol™ PTC.
Pentaerythrityl Tetraisostearate is an emollient ester derived from isostearic acid that leaves a cushion feel with excellent spreadability and pigment-wetting ability. It provides unusually high levels of gloss, substantivity, and water resistance.
Pentylene glycol is a natural diol derived from sugar cane bagasse's remaining waste. This multifunctional ingredient serves as a moisturizer, solubilizer, preservative, and so on.