The Ordinary Retinal 0.2% Emulsion

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.

BIOSACCHARIDE GUM-1 is a natural polysaccharide derived from plant sources, primarily used in cosmetic formulations for its skin-conditioning properties. It acts as a humectant, helping to retain moisture in the skin, which can lead to a smoother and more hydrated appearance. Formulators may add BIOSACCHARIDE GUM-1 to enhance the texture and feel of products, providing a soft and silky finish while also contributing to the overall stability of the formulation.

BISABOLOL is a cosmetic ingredient known for its functions as a fragrance, skin-conditioning agent, and soothing agent. As a fragrance, it contributes to the scent profile of cosmetic formulations, enhancing the overall sensory experience. Its skin-conditioning properties help improve the feel and appearance of the skin, making it a valuable addition to various formulations. Additionally, BISABOLOL's soothing function may help to calm and comfort the skin, which can be beneficial in products designed for sensitive or irritated skin types.

ZINGIBER OFFICINALE ROOT EXTRACT, commonly known as ginger root extract, is derived from the rhizome of the ginger plant. This ingredient is often included in cosmetic formulations for its various functions, including skin-conditioning and perfuming. It is known to impart a warm, spicy fragrance, making it a popular choice for enhancing the sensory experience of products. Additionally, its tonic properties may contribute to the overall appeal of formulations aimed at revitalizing the skin.

Butylene Glycol is a versatile ingredient commonly used in cosmetic formulations as a solvent and humectant. As a solvent, it helps to dissolve other ingredients, ensuring a uniform distribution and enhancing the overall texture of the product. Its humectant properties allow it to attract moisture from the environment into the skin, contributing to hydration and improving the skin's moisture retention. Formulators may add Butylene Glycol to enhance the sensory experience of a product, improve its stability, and boost the efficacy of other active ingredients.

Isohexadecane is a synthetic hydrocarbon that serves primarily as an emollient and solvent in cosmetic formulations. As an emollient, it helps to soften and smooth the skin, providing a moisturizing effect without leaving a greasy residue. Its solvent properties allow it to dissolve other ingredients, enhancing the overall texture and application of the product. Formulators may add Isohexadecane to improve the spreadability of products and to create a lightweight, non-oily feel, making it a popular choice in various skincare and cosmetic 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.

POLYACRYLATE CROSSPOLYMER-6 is a synthetic polymer commonly used in cosmetic formulations for its emulsion-stabilizing and viscosity-controlling properties. It helps to maintain the stability of emulsions, ensuring that oil and water components do not separate, which is crucial for the texture and performance of creams and lotions. Additionally, it contributes to the desired thickness of products, enhancing the overall sensory experience during application. Formulators may add POLYACRYLATE CROSSPOLYMER-6 to improve product stability and consistency, making it a valuable ingredient in a variety of cosmetic formulations.

HYDROXYETHYL ACRYLATE/SODIUM ACRYLOYLDIMETHYL TAURATE COPOLYMER is a synthetic polymer commonly used in cosmetic formulations for its emulsion-stabilizing and viscosity-controlling properties. By enhancing the stability of emulsions, it helps to maintain the desired texture and consistency of products, ensuring that oil and water components remain evenly mixed. Additionally, its ability to control viscosity allows formulators to achieve the desired thickness or fluidity in various formulations, contributing to the overall user experience and performance of the product.

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.

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.

POLYSORBATE 60 is a non-ionic surfactant and emulsifier commonly used in cosmetic formulations. Its primary functions include helping to blend oil and water components, which enhances the texture and stability of products such as creams and lotions. Additionally, it acts as a cleansing agent, aiding in the removal of dirt and impurities from the skin. Formulators may add POLYSORBATE 60 to improve the overall performance and sensory experience of a product, ensuring that it applies smoothly and evenly on the skin.

ASCORBYL PALMITATE is a fat-soluble derivative of vitamin C, commonly used in cosmetics for its antioxidant properties. It helps to protect the skin from oxidative stress caused by free radicals, which can lead to premature aging. Additionally, it can function as a fragrance component, contributing to the overall sensory experience of a product. Formulators may include ASCORBYL PALMITATE to enhance the stability and efficacy of formulations while also providing a pleasant scent, making it a versatile ingredient in cosmetic products.

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.

LACTIC ACID is a multifunctional ingredient commonly used in cosmetics for its properties as a buffering agent, humectant, and skin-conditioning agent. As a buffering agent, it helps to maintain the pH balance of formulations, which is essential for the stability and effectiveness of the product. Its humectant properties allow it to attract and retain moisture in the skin, contributing to hydration. Additionally, LACTIC ACID serves as a skin-conditioning agent, which can enhance the overall feel and appearance of the skin. Formulators may add LACTIC ACID to improve the texture and moisture content of their products, ensuring a more pleasant user experience.

SODIUM LACTATE is a sodium salt of lactic acid, commonly used in cosmetic formulations for its multifunctional properties. It serves as a buffering agent, helping to maintain the pH balance of products, which is crucial for skin compatibility and product stability. Additionally, it acts as a humectant, attracting moisture to the skin and helping to keep it hydrated. Furthermore, SODIUM LACTATE has keratolytic properties, which means it can aid in the exfoliation of dead skin cells, promoting a smoother skin texture. Formulators may include this ingredient to enhance the overall efficacy and sensory profile of their products.

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.

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.