The Ordinary Caffeine 3% + Escin 1% Face Serum

Propanediol is a naturally derived ingredient commonly used in cosmetics as a solvent and humectant. As a solvent, it helps dissolve other ingredients, ensuring a uniform and stable formulation. Its humectant properties allow it to attract and retain moisture in the skin, contributing to hydration and a smoother texture. Formulators may add Propanediol to enhance the overall feel and performance of a product, as well as to improve the delivery of active ingredients within the formulation.

GLYCERIN is a versatile ingredient commonly used in cosmetics for its multiple functions. It acts as a humectant, which means it helps to attract moisture to the skin and hair, making it beneficial for maintaining hydration. Additionally, it serves as a skin-conditioning agent, enhancing the overall feel and appearance of the skin. As a denaturant, it can modify the properties of other ingredients, while its role as a solvent allows for the effective dissolution of other components in a formulation. Furthermore, GLYCERIN contributes to viscosity control, helping to achieve the desired thickness of a product. Its use in oral care products highlights its broad applicability across different cosmetic categories. Formulators may add GLYCERIN to improve the texture, stability, and moisturizing properties of their formulations.

MALTODEXTRIN is a polysaccharide derived from starch, commonly used in cosmetic formulations for its versatile properties. It functions as an absorbent, helping to capture moisture and oil, which can enhance the texture and feel of the product. Additionally, it acts as a binding agent, ensuring that ingredients remain mixed and stable, and serves as an emulsion-stabilizer, which helps maintain the integrity of emulsions by preventing separation. Its film-forming capabilities contribute to a smooth application on the skin or hair, while also providing conditioning benefits that can improve the overall feel and appearance of the hair and skin. Formulators may add MALTODEXTRIN to enhance product performance, improve stability, and provide a desirable sensory experience.

ESCIN is a natural compound derived from horse chestnut seeds, known for its tonic properties. In cosmetics, it is primarily used for its ability to improve the appearance of the skin by promoting circulation and reducing the feeling of heaviness in the legs. Formulators may add ESCIN to products aimed at enhancing skin vitality and providing a refreshing sensation, making it a popular choice in formulations designed for tired or swollen skin. Its inclusion can help to create a more invigorating user experience.

BACILLUS FERMENT is a cosmetic ingredient recognized for its skin-conditioning properties. This function indicates that it can help improve the feel and appearance of the skin, potentially enhancing its overall texture and hydration. Formulators may add BACILLUS FERMENT to products to provide these benefits, contributing to a more pleasant user experience and promoting skin health.

PENTYLENE GLYCOL is a cosmetic ingredient recognized for its functions as a skin-conditioning agent and solvent. As a skin-conditioning agent, it helps to improve the feel and appearance of the skin, making it smoother and more hydrated. This function is particularly valuable in cosmetic formulations aimed at enhancing skin texture and moisture retention. Additionally, as a solvent, PENTYLENE GLYCOL aids in dissolving other ingredients, facilitating their incorporation into formulations and ensuring a uniform distribution throughout the product. Formulators may add this ingredient to enhance the overall efficacy and sensory experience of their products.

CETEARYL OLIVATE is a naturally derived ingredient that functions primarily as a skin-conditioning emollient and surfactant-emulsifying agent. It is commonly used in cosmetic formulations to enhance the texture and feel of products, providing a smooth, moisturizing effect on the skin. Additionally, it stabilizes emulsions, ensuring that oil and water components remain well mixed, which is crucial for the consistency and performance of creams and lotions. Formulators may also include CETEARYL OLIVATE for its hair-conditioning properties, as it helps to improve the manageability and softness of hair, making it a versatile ingredient in both skincare and haircare products.

SORBITAN OLIVATE is a naturally derived emulsifier and surfactant, commonly used in cosmetic formulations to help blend oil and water components effectively. It is derived from olive oil and sorbitol, making it a popular choice for formulators seeking more natural ingredients. This ingredient functions primarily to stabilize emulsions, ensuring that products maintain a consistent texture and performance over time.

SODIUM STEAROYL GLUTAMATE is a surfactant and emulsifier commonly used in cosmetic formulations. It functions by helping to cleanse the skin and hair, allowing for the effective removal of dirt and oils. Additionally, it has conditioning properties that can enhance the texture and feel of both skin and hair, making them appear smoother and more manageable. Formulators may include SODIUM STEAROYL GLUTAMATE in their products to improve the overall sensory experience and performance, ensuring that formulations are effective while maintaining a pleasant application feel.

ISOCETETH-20 is a synthetic compound commonly used in cosmetic formulations as a surfactant and emulsifier. Its primary functions include helping to blend oil and water-based ingredients, allowing for a stable and uniform product texture. Additionally, it acts as a cleansing agent, assisting in the removal of dirt and impurities from the skin or hair. Formulators may add ISOCETETH-20 to enhance the performance and feel of a product, ensuring effective cleansing while maintaining a desirable consistency and stability in the formulation.

Xanthan Gum is a natural polysaccharide derived from the fermentation of sugars by the bacterium Xanthomonas campestris. It is primarily used as a thickening agent in cosmetic formulations, helping to improve the texture and viscosity of products. Formulators may add Xanthan Gum to enhance the stability of emulsions, prevent separation of ingredients, and create a desirable consistency in creams, gels, and lotions. Its ability to form a gel-like structure also contributes to a smooth application and feel on the skin.

HYDROXYETHYLCELLULOSE is a cellulose derivative commonly used in cosmetic formulations for its versatile properties. It serves multiple functions, including binding, emulsion-stabilizing, and film-forming, which help to enhance the texture and stability of products. Additionally, it acts as a light-stabilizer and viscosity-controlling agent, allowing formulators to achieve desired product consistency and performance. Its ability to improve the overall sensory experience of formulations makes it a valuable ingredient in various cosmetic applications.

CITRIC ACID is a multifunctional ingredient commonly used in cosmetics for its buffering, chelating, and fragrance properties. As a buffering agent, it helps to maintain the pH balance of formulations, which is essential for the stability and effectiveness of various cosmetic products. Its chelating function allows it to bind metal ions, which can enhance the overall performance and longevity of the formulation by preventing the degradation of other ingredients. Additionally, CITRIC ACID can contribute to the fragrance profile of a product, adding to the sensory experience of the user. Formulators may include CITRIC ACID to improve product stability and enhance the overall user experience.

SODIUM CITRATE is a sodium salt of citric acid, commonly used in cosmetics for its multifunctional properties. It primarily serves as a buffering agent, helping to maintain the pH balance of formulations, which is crucial for product stability and skin compatibility. Additionally, it acts as a chelating agent, binding to metal ions that can affect the efficacy and stability of other ingredients, thereby enhancing the overall performance of the product. Furthermore, SODIUM CITRATE may contribute to the fragrance profile of formulations, although it is important to note that it can also be associated with fragrance-related risk flags.

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.

MALIC ACID is a dicarboxylic acid commonly used in cosmetic formulations primarily for its buffering properties. As a buffering agent, it helps to maintain the pH balance of a product, ensuring that it remains stable and effective over time. This function is crucial in cosmetic products, as it can enhance the overall performance and compatibility of various ingredients within the formulation. Formulators may add MALIC ACID to achieve a desired pH level, which can be important for the product's efficacy and user experience.

TRISODIUM ETHYLENEDIAMINE DISUCCINATE is a chelating agent commonly used in cosmetic formulations. Its primary function is to bind metal ions, which can help to stabilize products and enhance their efficacy by preventing the degradation of active ingredients that may occur in the presence of these metals. Formulators may add this ingredient to improve the overall stability and performance of a product, ensuring that it maintains its intended qualities over time.

Tocopherol, commonly known as Vitamin E or Alpha Tocopherol, is a fat-soluble antioxidant that plays a crucial role in protecting skin cells from oxidative stress caused by free radicals. Its antioxidant properties help to stabilize and preserve the integrity of cosmetic formulations, thereby enhancing their shelf life and effectiveness. Formulators often include Tocopherol in products to provide additional skin benefits, such as moisturizing and soothing properties, making it a popular choice in skincare and cosmetic products.

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.

ETHYLHEXYLGLYCERIN is a multifunctional ingredient commonly used in cosmetic formulations for its deodorant and skin-conditioning properties. As a deodorant, it helps to reduce body odor by inhibiting the growth of odor-causing bacteria, making it a valuable addition to personal care products. Additionally, its skin-conditioning function allows it to enhance the skin's feel and appearance, contributing to a smoother and more hydrated surface. Formulators may include ETHYLHEXYLGLYCERIN to improve the overall sensory experience of a product while also providing functional benefits that support skin health.

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

CHLORPHENESIN is an antimicrobial and preservative agent commonly used in cosmetic formulations. Its primary function is to inhibit the growth of bacteria and fungi, thereby helping to extend the shelf life of products and maintain their safety for consumer use. Formulators may add CHLORPHENESIN to prevent contamination and degradation of formulations, ensuring that they remain effective and safe throughout their intended lifespan. Due to its antimicrobial properties, it is particularly valuable in products that are prone to microbial growth, such as creams and lotions.