- Piroctone Olamine is an antifungal ingredient commonly used in skincare and hair care products to help rebalance the skin’s microbiome. It targets and controls the growth of Malassezia, a type of yeast that can cause skin issues like seborrheic dermatitis, acne, and excessive oiliness. By keeping this fungus in check, piroctone olamine helps to reduce irritation, itching, and flakiness to promote healthier, more balanced skin. Its antifungal properties also support the overall health of the skin’s natural microenvironment, contributing to a clearer and calmer complexion (Tang, Paz‐Alvarez and Pudney, 2023).
- Saccharide Isomerate is a skincare ingredient that acts as a natural moisturizing factor. It’s made from maize kernel sugars and works by attracting water to the skin and locking it in, helping to keep the skin hydrated for up to 72 hours. It also helps strengthen the skin’s natural barrier, so it’s better at holding onto moisture and protecting itself from outside irritants. Essentially, it helps the skin stay smooth, soft, and moisturized, making it ideal for people with dry or sensitive skin. Plus, it’s gentle and works well without disrupting the skin’s natural balance (Hartini et al., 2019).
- Menthol is a popular skincare ingredient derived from mint, known for providing relief for itchy skin with its cooling sensation. When applied, it stimulates receptors on the skin that create a cooling effect, which helps soothe irritation, redness, or itching. This makes it especially useful for calming conditions like insect bites, sunburn, or rashes. Menthol also has mild pain-relieving properties, offering comfort to sore or inflamed skin. In addition to its soothing effects, it refreshes and invigorates the skin, leaving a clean, tingly feeling. It’s commonly used in products aimed at providing quick relief for discomfort or irritation (Boukhari and Fatimi, 2024).
- Ceramide are skin-like lipids (fats) naturally found in your skin, and they play a key role in strengthening your skin’s barrier. Think of them as in the “mortar” that holds the skin cells together. These lipids help lock in moisture and protect the skin from harmful irritants. Ceramides like Ceramide NP, Ceramide AP and Ceramide EOP replenish and repair the skin’s barrier, making it more better at retaining hydration. By reinforcing this barrier, they keep your skin smooth, hydrated, and protected, which is especially beneficial for dry, sensitive, or aging skin (Alonso and Goñi, 2018).
- Hydroxyphenyl Propamidobenzoic acid is an oat-inspired avenanthramide derivative, often used in skincare for its powerful antioxidant and anti-inflammatory benefits. Acting as a neuro-soothing agent, it helps reduce redness, calm the skin and provide long-lasting itch relief, making it especially useful for sensitive or irritated skin. It helps protect the skin from oxidative damage caused by free radicals, which can worsen inflammation and discomfort. This ingredient soothes, protects, and supports a healthier, more resilient complexion while reducing inflammation and irritation (Blanchard et al., 2022).
- Allantoin is a soothing and healing ingredient commonly used in skincare, especially for sensitive or irritated skin. It works by promoting skin cell regeneration, helping to heal damaged skin and improve its overall texture. Allantoin also has moisturizing properties, making it great for keeping the skin hydrated and soft. It helps to reduce redness, inflammation, and irritation, which is why it’s often found in products for conditions like eczema, acne, and sunburns. Allantoin calms and repairs the skin, helping the skin heal faster and stay smooth and calm (Manca et al., 2016).
7.Natural VS Synthetic
| Aspect | Natural Skincare Ingredients | Synthetic Skincare Ingredients |
|---|---|---|
|
Source |
Derived from plants, minerals, or natural substances |
Created in laboratories, often by replicating or modifying natural compounds |
|
Examples |
Aloe vera, coconut oil, green tea, honey |
Parabens, silicones, synthetic fragrances, chemical sunscreens |
|
Processing |
Minimal processing, closer to their natural form |
Highly processed and engineered for specific functions |
|
Skin Sensitivity |
Generally gentler, but some can still cause reactions |
Can be more irritating for sensitive skin, depending on the chemical |
|
Efficacy |
Often mild and soothing, works over time |
Can be more potent and provide quicker, targeted results |
|
Sustainability |
Often more eco-friendly and sustainable |
Can be less eco-friendly and involve synthetic chemicals |
|
Stability |
May have a shorter shelf life and require preservatives |
Often more stable with longer shelf life and fewer preservatives needed |
|
Benefits |
Hydration, calming, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant |
Stronger targeted benefits like anti-aging, brightening, long-lasting hydration |
|
Suitability |
Ideal for sensitive, dry, or irritated skin |
Good for specific concerns like acne, wrinkles, or intense hydration |
(Alves et al., 2020)
References:
Alonso, A. and Goñi, F.M. (2018). The Physical Properties of Ceramides in Membranes. Annual Review of Biophysics, [online] 47, pp.633–654. doi:https://doi.org/10.1146/annurev-biophys-070317-033309.
Alves, T.F.R., Morsink, M., Batain, F., Chaud, M.V., Almeida, T., Fernandes, D.A., da Silva, C.F., Souto, E.B. and Severino, P. (2020). Applications of Natural, Semi-Synthetic, and Synthetic Polymers in Cosmetic Formulations. Cosmetics, [online] 7(4), p.75. doi:https://doi.org/10.3390/cosmetics7040075.
Blanchard, G., Walker, A., Dendooven, E., Aerts, O., Goossens, A., Gilliet, M. and Seremet, T. (2022). Allergic contact dermatitis from a skin‐calming cream containing hydroxyphenyl propamidobenzoic acid. Contact Dermatitis, 88(1), pp.68–70. doi:https://doi.org/10.1111/cod.14221.
Boukhari, R.E. and Fatimi, A. (2024). Patent Landscape and Applications of Organic Menthol Crystals: An In-Depth Analysis of Emerging Trends and Industrial Applications. Chem. Proc., [online] 15(1), pp.2–2. doi:https://doi.org/10.3390/chemproc2024015002.
Hartini, H., Vlorensia, Abdullah, H., Martinus, A.R. and Ikhtiari, R. (2019). The Effect of a Moisturizing Cream Containing Saccharide Isomerate and Ceramide on Reducing Transepidermal Water Loss in Eczema. In Proceedings of the International Conference on Health Informatics and Medical Application Technology (ICHIMAT 2019), pp.411-417. [online] doi:https://doi.org/10.5220/0009516204110417.
Manca, M.L., Matricardi, P., Cencetti, C., Peris, J.E., Melis, V., Carbone, C., Escribano, E., Zaru, M., Fadda, A.M. and Manconi, M. (2016). Combination of argan oil and phospholipids for the development of an effective liposome-like formulation able to improve skin hydration and allantoin dermal delivery. International Journal of Pharmaceutics, 505(1-2), pp.204–211. doi:https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijpharm.2016.04.008.
Tang, C.F., Paz‐Alvarez, M. and Pudney, P.D.A. (2023). Characterisation of piroctone olamine for topical delivery to the skin. International Journal of Cosmetic Science, 45(3). doi:https://doi.org/10.1111/ics.12839.