Ingredients · Catalogue
Documented profiles of ingredients. Check features, provenance and sources to make informed comparisons.
AI-generated conceptual illustrationGlycolic acid
The consulted The Ordinary page identifies a water-based toner with 7% glycolic acid and classifies it as an AHA. The figure and format apply only to that reference product. Retaining both details helps avoid incomplete comparisons. This entry explains the ingredient name without prescribing frequencies, transferring routines between formulas, or claiming that the editorial team has verified its results.
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AI-generated conceptual illustrationHyaluronic acid
The Ordinary’s official product information documents a hyaluronic acid formula with B5 and ceramides. We use it to show why it matters to retain the full name and version of a product when comparing information. The presence of this ingredient alone does not describe an entire formula. This serum has not been tested here, and commercial results are not being applied to other cosmetics.
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AI-generated conceptual illustrationLactic acid
The Ordinary’s glossary classifies lactic acid as an alpha hydroxy acid, or AHA, and describes it as having exfoliating and humectant functions. This entry introduces cosmetic vocabulary for reading packaging and distinguishing ingredient names. It does not set out an application routine or a combination of active ingredients: those details belong to the specific product and its instructions, and no formula has been tested here.
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AI-generated conceptual illustrationOrganic Cosmetics: Label Context
In the United States, the FDA distinguishes its authority over cosmetics from that of the USDA organic program and notes that an ingredient’s origin alone does not determine its safety. This entry helps distinguish origin, certification, and product properties. It does not automatically apply that framework to other markets or attribute certifications to brands; each claim requires identifying the relevant standard and documentation.
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AI-generated conceptual illustrationSqualane
The Ordinary identifies the squalane in its reference product as plant-derived and sourced from sugarcane. That information applies to the linked formula and is not generalized to all products using the name. The product information helps distinguish identity from stated origin, without evaluating efficacy firsthand or inferring the suitability of a routine from a single ingredient.
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AI-generated conceptual illustrationFragrance in cosmetics
The FDA explains that fragrances appear in different cosmetic categories and that some products called unscented may include them to mask odors from other components. This entry encourages readers to distinguish a sensory description from formulation information. It reflects the context of the U.S. source and does not evaluate a particular brand. No conclusions are drawn about individual tolerance or the absence of ingredients based on perceived scent.
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AI-generated conceptual illustrationHypoallergenic: understanding the claim
The FDA explains that the term hypoallergenic has no specific federal definition in the United States. This entry provides that context to help readers understand a marketing claim without interpreting it as a guarantee that reactions will not occur. Its scope is limited to the U.S. source and does not describe all jurisdictions. To assess a specific product, it is useful to consult its documentation and ingredient list.
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AI-generated conceptual illustrationReading a Cosmetic Label
The FDA guide brings together elements of cosmetic labeling in the United States, including identity, quantity, and the ingredient list. This entry serves as an exercise in reading documentation, with an explicitly defined geographic scope. When comparing products, keep the full name and version of the packaging consulted. This entry does not replace the manufacturer’s information and is not presented as a summary of European regulations.
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AI-generated conceptual illustrationNiacinamide
Niacinamide is a form of vitamin B3. The consulted The Ordinary product information includes it in a water-based serum with zinc PCA and makes it possible to check the ingredient names. This documentary example helps identify the term on packaging without attributing the same results to every product containing niacinamide. Choosing a formula requires its complete information, not a promise based on a single ingredient.
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AI-generated conceptual illustrationParabens and Preservation
Parabens are a family of substances used as preservatives in cosmetics. The FDA explains this function and cites names such as methylparaben and propylparaben, which can be recognized on a label. This entry offers vocabulary for interpreting a formula without classifying products as good or bad based on a single word. The safety of any specific formula has not been evaluated, and no replacement is proposed.
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