The Ordinary Salicylic Acid 2% Masque Clarifying Charcoal & Clay Mask for Blemish Prone Skin

Aqua, commonly known as water, serves primarily as a solvent in cosmetic formulations. It is the most abundant ingredient in many products and is essential for dissolving other ingredients, facilitating their application and absorption on the skin. Formulators often add Aqua to create a suitable texture and consistency, ensuring that products are easy to spread and apply. Additionally, water can help to hydrate the skin, making it a vital component in many moisturizing formulations.

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.

Squalane is a saturated derivative of squalene, a natural component of human sebum. It is commonly used in cosmetics as an emollient, which means it helps to soften and smooth the skin by forming a barrier that locks in moisture. This ingredient is favored by formulators for its lightweight texture and non-greasy feel, making it suitable for a variety of skin types. Additionally, squalane is known for its stability and long shelf life, which can enhance the overall formulation of cosmetic products.

Glycerin, also known as Glycerine, is a naturally occurring compound that serves primarily as a humectant in cosmetic formulations. This means it has the ability to attract moisture from the environment and bind it to the skin, helping to maintain hydration levels. Due to its effective moisturizing properties, formulators often include Glycerin in products to enhance skin softness and elasticity, making it a popular choice in various skincare and cosmetic formulations.

DIMETHYL ISOSORBIDE is a solvent commonly used in cosmetic formulations to enhance the solubility of other ingredients, allowing for a more uniform distribution within the product. It also serves as a viscosity-controlling agent, helping to achieve the desired texture and consistency of the formulation. Formulators may add DIMETHYL ISOSORBIDE to improve the overall performance of a product, ensuring that active ingredients are effectively delivered and that the product feels pleasant during application.

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 POLYACRYLATE is a synthetic polymer commonly used in cosmetic formulations for its versatile properties. It functions as an absorbent, binding agent, and skin-conditioning emollient, making it effective in enhancing the texture and feel of products. Additionally, it serves as an emulsion stabilizer, film-forming agent, and viscosity controller, which helps maintain the desired consistency and stability of formulations. Formulators may add SODIUM POLYACRYLATE to improve the overall performance of products, ensuring they apply smoothly and provide a pleasant sensory experience.

Pentylene Glycol is a multifunctional ingredient commonly used in cosmetics. It serves primarily as a solvent, helping to dissolve other ingredients and enhance their effectiveness in formulations. Additionally, it acts as a humectant, attracting moisture to the skin and helping to maintain hydration. Formulators may add Pentylene Glycol to improve the texture and feel of products, as well as to enhance the overall stability and performance of the formulation.

CHARCOAL POWDER is a cosmetic ingredient known for its abrasive, absorbent, and opacifying functions. As an abrasive, it can help in the physical exfoliation of the skin, which may enhance the texture and appearance of formulations. Its absorbent properties allow it to capture and hold onto impurities and excess oils, making it a useful addition in products aimed at improving skin clarity. Additionally, CHARCOAL POWDER serves an opacifying function, which can contribute to the visual appearance of products by providing a non-transparent quality, potentially enhancing the aesthetic appeal of formulations.

SCLEROTIUM GUM is a natural polysaccharide derived from the fermentation of certain fungi. It is commonly used in cosmetic formulations for its emulsion-stabilizing properties, helping to maintain the consistency and stability of products that contain both oil and water components. Additionally, SCLEROTIUM GUM acts as a skin-conditioning agent, providing a smooth and soft feel upon application. Its ability to control viscosity makes it a valuable ingredient in achieving the desired texture and flow of various cosmetic products.

ACACIA SENEGAL GUM, derived from the sap of the Acacia tree, is primarily used in cosmetics for its film-forming properties. It creates a protective layer on the skin or hair, which can help to enhance texture and provide a smooth finish. Additionally, it can function as a fragrance component, contributing to the overall sensory experience of a product. Formulators may choose to include ACACIA SENEGAL GUM in formulations to improve product stability and performance while also adding a pleasant scent.

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.

PHYTIC ACID is a natural compound derived from plants, particularly found in seeds and grains. It primarily functions as a chelating agent, which means it can bind to metal ions in formulations. This property helps to stabilize products by preventing the degradation of active ingredients and enhancing the overall efficacy of the formulation. Formulators may add PHYTIC ACID to improve the stability and shelf life of cosmetic products, as well as to enhance the skin's ability to absorb beneficial minerals by reducing the presence of unwanted metal ions.

POLYSORBATE 20 is a non-ionic surfactant commonly used in cosmetic formulations for its emulsifying and cleansing properties. It helps to blend oil and water-based ingredients, allowing for a stable and uniform product texture. Additionally, as a cleansing agent, it aids in the removal of dirt and impurities from the skin. Formulators may add POLYSORBATE 20 to enhance the overall feel and performance of a product, ensuring that it effectively delivers its intended benefits while maintaining a pleasant application 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.

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.

Phenoxyethanol is a widely used cosmetic ingredient recognized for its role as a preservative. It helps to prevent the growth of bacteria, mold, and yeast in cosmetic formulations, thereby extending the shelf life of products and ensuring their safety for consumers. Formulators may add Phenoxyethanol to protect the integrity of the product and maintain its effectiveness over time, especially in water-based formulations where microbial growth is a concern.