The Wild Glossary
INCI Decoder
your skincare ingredients explained
Alcohol
Food grade ethyl alcohol derived from sugarcane that kills 99.9% of germs without the impurities that irritate sensitive skin and lead to heavy alcohol odors.
aloe barbadensis leaf extract
Aloe barbadensis leaf extract comes from the leaves of the aloe vera plant. Components of aloe vera leaf include minerals, polyphenols, and vitamins.
This commonly used plant extract offers antioxidant qualities to defend skin from environmental stressors. Studies also show it delivers soothing properties to calm skin and serves as a humectant (hydrating agent).
centella asiatica extract
Centella asiatica extract may offer several benefits for a person’s skin due to a range of chemicals within the plant.
For example, compounds including madecassoside, madecassic acid, asiaticoside and asiatic acid, may help wounds heal. This is because these compounds increase the amount of collagen and cell layer fibronectin in the skin.
The naturally occurring antioxidants, anti-inflammatory compounds, and carbohydrates in Centella asiatica may also make the herb effective in improving skin hydration and providing anti-aging action, according to this study on the moisturizing effects of the plant.
cucumis sativus (cucumber) fruit extract
Most types of cucumber are composed of 95% water. Despite this high concentration of water, the cucumber fruit contains a wide variety of beneficial nutrients, such as vitamins, minerals, amino acids, phytosterols, phenolic acids, fatty acids, and cucurbitacins. The major constituents that provide skin benefits include ascorbic acid (vitamin C), beta carotene, polysaccharides, and vitamin K.
Cucumis sativus (cucumber) fruit extract functions as an antioxidant, anti-inflammatory agent, and skin-conditioning agent in cosmetics and personal care products. Additionally, cucumber fruit extract contains fragrant components that are not sensitizing to skin, so it can be used to enhance the natural scent of a cosmetic product naturally.
glycerin
Glycerin, also known as glycerol, is a colorless, odorless sugar alcohol. It is a primary component of triglycerides, naturally-occurring fats present in most lipid-rich substances. Glycerin was first identified in 1779 by a Swedish scientist who inadvertently isolated the compound while making soap from olive oil.
Benefits of glycerin include:
- As a humectant to hydrate and soften the skin while helping it retain moisture
- Helping to shield skin from environmental sources of irritation
- Working with emollients and oils to make dry skin feel soft and supple
- Fortifying and strengthening skin’s moisture barrier
- Enhancing the penetration of other ingredients into the skin’s uppermost layers
- Improving skin’s resiliency and youthful look
hamamelis virginiana (witch hazel) distillate
Witch hazel extract has long been used for its astringent and anti-inflammatory benefits. It is a gentle skincare solution to cleanse, soothe and heal skin.
Witch hazel's tannins can help reduce irritation. Under the U.S. Food and Drug Administration Skin Protectant Monograph, witch hazel is also an approved active ingredient for over-the-counter astringent products to relieve minor skin irritations due to insect bites, minor cuts and scrapes.
Witch hazel's tannins are also powerful antioxidants. These antioxidants neutralize free radicals found on the skin from environmental stressors like pollution and provide anti-inflammatory benefits such as soothing the skin and reducing redness.
hydrolyzed jojoba esters
Hydrolyzed jojoba esters are a mixture of fatty acids and compounds derived from Jojoba oil. The oil or liquid wax extracted from jojoba seeds is prized for its unusual composition, which is more similar to human sebum (the oil produced by your skin) than to typical vegetable oils. Jojoba oil is known to have a long shelf-life and high-temperature resistance, and can be used in personal care and skincare products for its moisturising and skin-soothing properties.
Jojoba esters function as skin-softening agents in cosmetics. Research shows these esters play a role in helping skin retain moisture and improving its barrier function. When the bead form of this ingredient is used, it can function as a gentle scrubbing agent for thoroughly cleansed skin. The hydrolyzed form can also improve oxidative stability of vulnerable antioxidants.
lonicera japonica (honeysuckle) flower extract
Known as “a plant of phytopharmaceutical importance,” Lonicera japonica belongs to family caprifoliaceae and is one of the oldest medicinal herbs in known history. It possesses numerous biological functions including antiviral and anti-inflammatory, hepatoprotective, cryoprotective, antimicrobial, and antioxidative.
Due to its potent anti-inflammatory properties, honeysuckle extract can treat skin conditions like rash, eczema and rosacea. It's incredibly soothing for the skin and can also stop itchiness. Most kinds of skin irritation can be treated with Japanese honeysuckle extract. Rich in flavonoids and saponins, honeysuckle can also protect the skin against free radicals that lead to skin damage and signs of aging. It will keep your skin safe from harsh UV rays and prevent damage caused by too much sun exposure.
niacinamide
Niacinamide is a unique skin-restoring ingredient that offers a multitude of benefits for the skin. It is best known for its ability to help visibly reduce enlarged pores and improve uneven/dull skin tone. It also strengthens a weakened skin barrier.
An advantage of niacinamide's antioxidant power is that it can help visibly repair damage from UV light while offsetting other sources of environmental attack. Another valuable benefit is that niacinamide helps fortify the skin's surface against moisture loss and dehydration by boosting its natural production of skin-strengthening ceramides.
olive oil peg-7 esters (ecocert)
An olive derived natural vegetable co-emulsifier, emollient, lubricant, moisturising, and solubilising ingredient.
Perfect in formulations specifically for delicate skin and in Childrens / Baby care products, it offers distinctive skin smoothness, long-term moisturizing effects and also serves as a solubilizing aid for essential oils and perfumes.
prunus amygdalus dulcis (Sweet almond) oil
The fine and light sweet almond oil is very skin-friendly and ideal for sensitive, dry skin. Characterized by a high content of unsaturated fatty oils such as oil and linolenic acid, it is very suitable for the care of infants and small children.
It also contains vitamins A and E, which is a powerful antioxidant, that helps protect against oxidative stress and free radical damage. In fact, a study in the Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology showed that almond oil “is capable of preventing structural damage caused by UV irradiation” and was useful in “decelerating the photoaging process.”
rosa damascena flower water
Rosa Damascena is a staple ingredient in many products; it has antibacterial, antimicrobial, and anti-inflammatory properties, thus helping soothe skin, minimize pores, and reduce fine lines, to help you get the healthy skin of your dreams.
The antioxidants in rose water protect your skin cells against damage caused by pollutants, UV rays, and other free radicals in the environment. These same antioxidants can also be used for an anti-aging effect by reducing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.
Rose water can also be beneficial in helping treat serious skin conditions like eczema and rosacea; it’s anti-inflammatory properties have a naturally soothing effect for irritated skin and helps reduce redness and itchiness.
The antibacterial and disinfectant properties of rose water mean that it can even help improve wound healing time by keeping them sterile and fighting off any potential infections. You can use them on burns, cuts, scrapes, and scars. Useful for preventing and treating infections.
saccharide isomerate
Saccharide Isomerate is a 100% plant-derived carbohydrate complex, similar to that found in human skin. Known for its excellent ability to bind to skin, this vegan hyaluronic acid booster has been shown to deliver long-lasting hydrating and smoothing effects to the skin. Due to its excellent soothing and calming effects to the skin, saccharide isomerate is suitable for all skin types including sensitive skin.
Benefits of this trademark ingredient includes:
- Intended for daily use and is suitable for both skin and hair applications, it is a highly effective moisture regulator that functions under conditions where traditional moisturizing agents and humectants lose their effectiveness. Unlike a normal moisturizer, it provides instant and deep hydration which lasts up to 72 hours.
- Strengthens the defence mechanism and restores the barrier of the skin. It repairs damage caused by environmental stressors (pollution, cold, and heat) and aging. It stimulates genes governing skin barrier improvement, protecting skin from high/ low humidity, UVA / UVB light, etc.
simmondsia chinensis (jojoba) seed oil
Simmondsia chinensis (jojoba) seed oil is a non-fragrant emollient shown to enhance skin’s restorative properties and provide topical skin-soothing benefits. A rich source of numerous fatty acids and antioxidants, it's high vitamin E content can help to prevent and repair free radical damage. Multiple studies also suggests that the anti-inflammatory properties can improve wound healing.
The texture of Simmondsia chinensis (jojoba) seed oil is similar to the sebum (oil) human skin produces, which makes it a brilliant ingredient for dry skin.
tocopheryl acetate
Tocopheryl acetate is a form of vitamin E, wildly applauded because it is a soluble antioxidant. Antioxidants protect the body from free radicals that are damaging compounds formed from ultraviolet (UV) light, cigarette smoke, and air pollution. When found in nature, Vitamin E is found in the form of tocopheryl or tocotrienol.
This form of vitamin E not only promotes skin healing and diminishes signs of aging, but it also provides moisture and strengthens the skin's protective barrier to prevent moisture loss.