ANTICAKING

ANTIMICROBIAL

Keeps your product from growing bacteria, mold, or yeast. Without these, that jar of cream becomes a petri dish in about a week.

ASTRINGENT

Tightens and contracts skin tissue, temporarily shrinking pores and reducing oiliness. That "clean, tight" feeling after toner.

SKIN CONDITIONING

A catch-all term for ingredients that improve how skin looks and feels — softer, smoother, more supple. The workhorse behind most moisturizers.

SOOTHING

Calms redness, irritation, and inflammation. Your skin's chill pill — great for sensitive, reactive, or post-procedure skin.

TONIC