The final installment of a list and brief definition of commonly used ingredients in cosmetic formulations.

I’ve gotten a couple of requests, and just wanted to mention that I’ll be consolidating all of the cosmetic ingredients into one single page.  Currently A-H is available at the Cosmetic Ingredients page, and I’ll be adding to it as I post more ingredients. Thanks to everyone who’s emailed or posted!

A continuation of  a list and brief definition of commonly used ingredients in cosmetic formulations. Note: allergies may occur with the use of any chemical, essential oil, herb or spice. It is advisable to test a small area of the skin prior to using the product in the shower of bath. Many of these ingredients […]

A list and brief definition of commonly used ingredients in cosmetic formulations. Note: allergies may occur with the use of any chemical, essential oil, herb or spice. It is advisable to test a small area of the skin prior to using the product in the shower of bath. Many of these ingredients are used in […]

A preservative is essentially a chemical agent that will destroy or inhibit micro-organisms in finished formulations. There is ample scope for microbial contamination at the end user level. It is therefore important that the product be protected by a suitable preservative to ensure safety in use and adequate shelf life. Water activity and pH of […]

With flu season coming, and H1N1 on the horizon, now is the time for hand washing and sanitizing. But sanitizers often leave your hands chapped and dry. Plus, they smell icky. But you can make your own, and modify the scent to please your own personal scent palate. This is an easy, non-emulsified sanitizer: Blend […]

Neem oil and Neem leaf extract [INCI: Melia azadirachta] The neem tree is traditionally labelled The Village Pharmacy because of its multifaceted healing properties. These range from immunomodulatory and anti-inflammatory effects to antimicrobial and pesticidal attributes. The leaves and seeds of neem yield limonoids with wide biological applications. These have antibacterial, antiviral, insect repellant, anti-protozoal […]