Cosmetic Label Ingredients

Just What Are Those Things and What Do They Do?

Ever take a look at a cosmetic label? You may do a lot of very informative reading over the next week, but most of that information will pale compared to the information found on your basic cosmetic label. The average person would have their tongue permanently pretzeled into a knot if they tried to read all the syllables on the average cosmetic label. What do all those scientific-sounding names mean and why are they necessary just to make you look better?

Acacia: Derived from a gum tree or shrub, its properties as a thicking agent. Most often found on a cosmetic label dedicated to thickening one’s hair.

Allantoin: Another botanical extract, this contains properties similar to aloe and is used primarily to soothe the skin and help heal light abrasions. For this reason, as you might expect, you will mostly find allantoin on the cosmetic lable found on the side of shaving creams and lotions.

Benzethonium chloride: A preservative that is meant to prevent germs from multiplying inside the cosmetic product. Just think about this one the next time you’re applying lipstick.

Candellia wax: Another of those pesky Mexican immigrants, candellia wax is derived from a shrug native to that country and the southwestern US. Ever wonder why lipstick can stay hard in all but the most sultry of conditions? Thank candellia wax. It has also been used in both the chewing gum and varnish industries.

Cetyl alcohol: This lovely little ingredient which can be found on a multitude of cosmetic lables was first isolated in something that almost all women at one time or another have dreamed about putting on her cheeks: whale sperm. Needless to say cetyl alcohol is currently a cosmetic industry favorite for softening up skin, therefore it can be found in many lotions, creams, deodorants and depilatories. Yes, there’s nothing quite like shaving your bikini area with an extract of Moby Dick’s sperm, is there?