Skin Care Ingredient Dictionary

There are literally thousands of ingredients that go into skin care products today many of which are natural, organic and healthy, and many that are not so natural, organic and healthy. Some of which are highly beneficial to the skin, and many more that are seriously detrimental to your skin and your health.

At Alchemilla we aim to include only natural ingredients in our products, that are non-toxic to people as well as the planet, and are highly beneficial to the long term health of the skin. As a testimony to this, Alchemilla has been reviewed by Skin Deep, the Environmental Working Group's consumer database, and is ranked as one of the safest skin care companies in America.

Although most of us can understand a basic plant name and realize that it is a natural ingredient from its botanical name alone, there are many natural-sourced ingredients that, from their FDA-compliant (INCI) name alone, may not seem all that friendly until you understand what they actually are and where in nature they came from.

So, to help you better understand the ingredients found in Alchemilla natural skin care products, below is a list and explanation of the ingredients that may not be immediately recognizable because of their INCI name on our ingredient labels.

(To cross-reference the ingredients below with our natural skin care products, click on the 'View All Ingredients' link found on each of our product detail pages.)

Allantoin

Powerful anti-irritant, anti-psoriatic skin-soothing agent derived from Comfrey and Sugar Beets.

Ascorbyl Palmitate

A stabilized form* of Vitamin C - a natural antioxidant sourced from vitamins. Vitamin C is used in various Alchemilla products to address issues ranging from skin aging and wrinkles to regeneration, skin discoloration and cell growth.

*It is important to use anti-aging skin care products with stabilized Vitamin C. The reason is that simple Ascorbic Acid, a common form of Vitamin C usually taken internally, is extremely unstable, and quickly ineffective, once it has come into contact with water or exposed to air.

Benzyl Alcohol

A safe, effective, food grade preservative obtained from plant material.

Capric/Caprylic Triglycerides

Emollient derived from coconut oil (we use an organic source).

Cetearyl Alcohol

Emulsifier and emollient derived from coconut and palm oils.

Citric Acid

pH buffering agent derived from citrus fruits. Helps stabilize active ingredients. Enhances activity of antioxidants and preservatives.

Cocamidopropyl Betaine

Mild cleansing agent derived from coconut oil. Found in Alchemilla Bath and Shower Gels.

Disodium Cocoyl Glutamate

A very mild, non-irritating, biodegradable surfactant derived from natural sources.

Glycerin

Vegetable derived humectant. Attracts and holds water to the skin's intercellular spaces, plumping up the look of the skin and supporting its natural protective function.

Glyceryl Cocoate

A plant derived fatty acid that enables emulsification of fats and water. Has skin moisturizing properties and assists absorption of other beneficial ingredients.

Guar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride

A biodegradable derivative of Guar Gum with softening and conditioning properties.

Hydroxyethylcellulose

Natural gelling and thickening agent derived from plant material. A substitute for carbomers which are petrochemically derived.

Lanolin

A powerful moisture replenishing, preserving and emulsifying fat that is humanely obtained from the wool of sheep.

Lauryl Glucoside

A safe, biodegradable, extremely mild conditioning surfactant derived from natural sugars and fatty acids from coconut.

Myristamine Oxide

Vegetable derived thickener and emulsifier. Found in Alchemilla Bath and Shower Gels.

Polyglucose

Mild cleansing agent derived from corn and coconuts.

Polysorbate 20

Emulsifier derived from plant derived fatty acids.

Potassium Sorbate

Very mild food grade preservative derived from natural fatty acid.

Sodium Hydroxymethylglycinate

Mild, natural preservative derived from glycine, a natural amino acid.

Sodium Cocoyl Glutamate

A very mild, non-irritating, biodegradable surfactant derived from natural sources.

Tocopherol (Vitamin E)

Natural lipid-soluble vitamin and antioxidant. Protects skin from oxidative stress and damage. Preserves and facilitates absorption of vitamin C and antioxidants into the skin. We source a non-GMO, vegetable-derived vitamin E.

Xanthan Gum

A thickening agent derived from corn sugar.