Kiehl's Since 1851 Ultra Facial Oil-Free Cleanser

MYRISTIC ACID is a fatty acid commonly used in cosmetic formulations for its various functions. It serves as a surfactant, helping to cleanse the skin by breaking down oils and dirt, making it easier to wash away. Additionally, MYRISTIC ACID can act as a perfuming agent, contributing to the fragrance profile of products. Its opacifying properties allow formulators to create a more visually appealing texture in creams and lotions by providing a milky appearance. Due to its multifunctional nature, MYRISTIC ACID is a versatile ingredient that formulators may include to enhance both the sensory experience and the efficacy of their products.

PALMITIC ACID is a fatty acid commonly found in both plant and animal fats. In cosmetics, it serves primarily as a skin-conditioning emollient, helping to soften and smooth the skin. Additionally, it functions as a surfactant-emulsifying agent, which aids in blending oil and water components in formulations, enhancing texture and stability. Formulators may add PALMITIC ACID to improve the overall feel of a product on the skin and to ensure a consistent and effective application, making it a versatile ingredient in various cosmetic formulations.

STEARIC ACID is a fatty acid commonly used in cosmetics for its multifunctional properties. It serves as a cleansing agent and a surfactant, helping to emulsify and stabilize formulations, which is essential for creating smooth and consistent textures in creams and lotions. Additionally, it can act as a refatting agent, replenishing skin lipids that may be stripped away during cleansing. Formulators may add STEARIC ACID to enhance the overall stability and performance of a product, as well as to contribute to its sensory attributes, such as texture and feel on the skin.

Potassium Hydroxide is an inorganic compound commonly used in cosmetics primarily as a pH adjuster. By modifying the acidity or alkalinity of formulations, it helps to stabilize the product and enhance the effectiveness of other ingredients. Formulators may add Potassium Hydroxide to ensure that the final product maintains an optimal pH level, which is crucial for skin compatibility and overall product performance.

LAURIC ACID is a fatty acid commonly derived from coconut oil and palm kernel oil. It is known for its cleansing properties and functions as a surfactant, which helps to emulsify and remove dirt and oils from the skin. Due to its ability to create a lather and enhance the texture of formulations, formulators may incorporate LAURIC ACID into various cosmetic products to improve their cleansing efficacy and overall sensory experience. Additionally, its surfactant-cleansing capabilities make it a popular choice in formulations aimed at providing a refreshing and clean feel.

GLYCERYL STEARATE is a versatile ingredient commonly used in cosmetic formulations for its properties as a skin-conditioning emollient and surfactant-emulsifying agent. It helps to improve the texture and feel of products by providing a smooth, moisturizing effect on the skin, making it an ideal choice for creams and lotions. Additionally, it aids in the emulsification process, allowing oil and water components to blend effectively, which enhances the stability and performance of the formulation. Formulators may add GLYCERYL STEARATE to achieve a desirable consistency and to enhance the overall sensory experience of the product.

KAOLIN is a versatile cosmetic ingredient with several functions. As an abrasive, it can provide a scrubbing action in formulations, which may be useful for exfoliation. Its absorbent properties allow it to take up moisture or oils, making it beneficial in products designed to manage excess sebum. Additionally, KAOLIN serves as an anticaking agent, helping to prevent clumping in powdered formulations. It can also act as a bulking agent, contributing to the texture and volume of products. Furthermore, KAOLIN can function as a colorant, adding visual appeal, and as an opacifying agent, which can enhance the opacity of formulations, making them less transparent.

PHENOXYETHANOL is recorded as an antimicrobial and preservative. These recorded roles explain why a formulator may include it in a cosmetic formula.

Caprylyl Glycol is a multifunctional ingredient commonly used in cosmetics for its preservative and humectant properties. As a preservative, it helps to inhibit the growth of microorganisms, thereby extending the shelf life of cosmetic products. Its humectant function allows it to attract and retain moisture in the skin, contributing to hydration and a smoother appearance. Formulators may add Caprylyl Glycol to enhance product stability and improve the overall sensory experience of the formulation.

TETRASODIUM EDTA is a chelating agent commonly used in cosmetic formulations. Its primary function is to bind metal ions, which can help to prevent these ions from interacting with other ingredients in the formulation. This is particularly important in products where metal ions might cause instability or undesirable reactions, thereby enhancing the overall efficacy and stability of the product. Formulators may add TETRASODIUM EDTA to improve the longevity and performance of their formulations by minimizing the effects of hard water and other impurities that could compromise the product's integrity.

PEG-14M is a cosmetic ingredient that serves multiple functions, including binding, emulsion-stabilising, and viscosity-controlling. As a binding agent, it helps to hold ingredients together, ensuring a uniform texture in formulations. Its emulsion-stabilising properties are crucial for maintaining the stability of mixtures that contain both oil and water, preventing separation and enhancing the overall performance of the product. Additionally, PEG-14M contributes to viscosity control, which can influence the thickness and flow of a formulation, making it easier to apply and enhancing the sensory experience. Formulators may add PEG-14M to achieve these functional benefits, ensuring that the final product meets desired performance and aesthetic criteria.

PSEUDOALTEROMONAS FERMENT EXTRACT is a biotechnologically derived ingredient obtained from the fermentation of the marine bacterium Pseudoalteromonas. It is primarily used as a humectant in cosmetic formulations, meaning it helps to attract and retain moisture in the skin. This characteristic makes it beneficial for enhancing skin hydration and maintaining a healthy skin barrier. Formulators may add PSEUDOALTEROMONAS FERMENT EXTRACT to products to improve their moisturizing properties and to provide a more supple feel to the skin, leveraging its natural origin and biocompatibility.

Salicylic Acid is a beta hydroxy acid (BHA) commonly used in cosmetic formulations for its exfoliating properties. It helps to gently remove dead skin cells from the surface of the skin, promoting a smoother and clearer complexion. Additionally, Salicylic Acid is known for its ability to penetrate pores, making it effective in addressing concerns related to acne and oily skin. Formulators may incorporate Salicylic Acid into products to enhance skin texture and clarity, as well as to provide a mild exfoliating effect. However, it is important to note that Salicylic Acid can be a potential irritant for some individuals, so careful consideration is necessary when formulating products with this ingredient.

Sodium Hydroxide is a highly alkaline compound commonly used in cosmetics primarily as a pH adjuster. It helps to modify the acidity or alkalinity of formulations, ensuring that products maintain a stable and effective pH level for skin compatibility. Formulators may add Sodium Hydroxide to enhance the performance of other ingredients, improve product stability, and ensure that the overall formulation meets the desired specifications for safety and efficacy.