FOUNDATION INGREDIENTS

*Make up 50-70% of most formulations.

Waters - Hydrosols/distillates, infusions, aloe vera, distilled water

Oils - Liquid plant fats (almond, apricot, avocado, argan oil)

Butters/Fats - Saturated plant fats (cocoa/Shea/Coconut Butters)

Waxes - Beeswax, Candelilla...

ACTIVE BOTANICALS

*Medicinal & therapeutic plants with skin-healing value. Usually of herbal origin.

Powdered herbs - usually freeze or spray dried

Tinctures - extracts made with alcohol/ethanol

Macerations - extracts made by infusing herbs in oils or fats

Glycerites - extracts made by infusing herbs in glycerine

HYDROPHILIC

1) Soluble in water

2) Usually preserved

LIPOPHILIC

1) Soluble in oil

2) usually with added antioxidants to prevent rancidity

FUNCTIONAL INGREDIENTS

*Have a physical function like an emulsifier or an exfoliant

Examples:

Sunflower Lecithin - Emulsifier

Pumice Stone - Exfoliator

Glycerine - Humectant

ADDITIVES

*Related to functional but are an add-in ingredient or legally needed to preserve or prevent rancidity

Examples:

Citric Acid - used to lower pH of the formula

Vitamin E - antioxidant that prevents rancidity

Beetroot Powder - adds color to the formula

AROMAS & AROMACEUTICALS

* Fragrances that also have a therapeutic function when used on the skin (or inhaled)

*Can also be used to create a smell/scent for the formula

Examples:

Lavender EO - Aromaceutical

Vanilla Extract - Aroma

AESTHETIC FLOURISHES

*Added to make formula visually appealing and attractive

Examples:

Dried orange slices

Lavender stems

Rose petals

Gold leaf

Seaweed sheets

Vanilla pods