alpha-h Liquid Gold Ultimate Perfecting Mask

Ingredients overview

Label order. Colour is our internal rating: green routine, yellow restricted or worth a look, red prohibited or high-risk, grey not yet decoded.

Ingredients are listed in label order; the order reflects the label only, not exact concentrations.

1. Water
2. Glycolic Acid
3. Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
4. Lactic Acid
5. Cetearyl Alcohol
6. Glyceryl Stearate
7. PEG-100 Stearate
8. Glycerin
9. Potassium Hydroxide
10. C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate
11. Squalane
12. Ceteareth-20
13. Mannitol
14. Stearic Acid
15. Undecane
16. Hydrolyzed Yeast Protein
17. Phenoxyethanol
18. Cyclopentasiloxane
19. Butylene Glycol
20. Panthenol
21. Tridecane
22. Butyrospermum Parkii Butter Butter)
23. Mangifera Indica Seed Butter
24. Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil
25. Tocopheryl Acetate
26. Vitis Vinifera Seed Oil
27. Parfum
28. Pentylene Glycol
29. Allantoin
30. Sodium Gluconate
31. Sodium PCA
32. Wheat Amino Acids
33. Dimethicone Crosspolymer
34. Sodium Hyaluronate
35. Disodium EDTA
36. Sodium Benzoate
37. Tasmannia Lanceolata Fruit Extract
38. Gluconolactone
39. Citric Acid
40. Sodium Citrate
41. Aloe Barbadensis Extract Extract)
42. Hydroxyproline
43. Sodium Carrageenan
44. Dextrin
45. Ferulic Acid
46. Waltheria Indica Leaf Extract
47. Maris Sal
48. Benzyl Salicylate
49. Citronellol
50. Coumarin
51. Hexyl Cinnamal
52. Butylphenyl Methylpropional
53. Limonene
54. Linalool
55. Alpha-Isomethyl Ionone

Highlights

Free of alcoholFree of parabensFree of sulfatesFree of formaldehyde releasersContains PEGContains animal-derivedContains fragranceContains mineral oilContains siliconesContains essential oilsContains EU-26 allergens

Formulation view High-strength AHA mask with glycolic and lactic acid in emulsion base. Includes yeast protein and oils. For exfoliation and dull skin. Note: pH buffering and acid-induced instability are key formulation risks.

Key ingredients

ANTIPLAQUE

Water

BUFFERING

Glycolic AcidLactic Acid

FRAGRANCE

Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride

SKIN CONDITIONING - EMOLLIENT

Cetearyl AlcoholGlyceryl Stearate

SURFACTANT - CLEANSING

PEG-100 Stearate

DENATURANT

Glycerin

Other ingredients

Potassium HydroxideC12-15 Alkyl BenzoateSqualaneCeteareth-20MannitolStearic AcidUndecaneHydrolyzed Yeast ProteinPhenoxyethanolCyclopentasiloxaneButylene GlycolPanthenolTridecaneButyrospermum Parkii Butter Butter)Mangifera Indica Seed ButterSimmondsia Chinensis Seed OilTocopheryl AcetateVitis Vinifera Seed OilParfumPentylene GlycolAllantoinSodium GluconateSodium PCAWheat Amino AcidsDimethicone CrosspolymerSodium HyaluronateDisodium EDTASodium BenzoateTasmannia Lanceolata Fruit ExtractGluconolactoneCitric AcidSodium CitrateAloe Barbadensis Extract Extract)HydroxyprolineSodium CarrageenanDextrinFerulic AcidWaltheria Indica Leaf ExtractMaris SalBenzyl SalicylateCitronellolCoumarinHexyl CinnamalButylphenyl MethylpropionalLimoneneLinaloolAlpha-Isomethyl Ionone

Skim through

Ingredients explained

Water

Primary solvent and base; requires preservative system to prevent microbial growth

Glycolic Acid

Glycolic acid for exfoliation; requires buffering at concentrations >10%, avoid combination with other acids.

Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride

Light occlusive and solvent at 1–10%; non-greasy feel, suitable for oily and combination skin

Lactic Acid

AHA pH adjuster at 0.5-5%; exfoliation/humectancy, mild at low conc., irritating at high, avoid conflict with alkaline preservatives.

Cetearyl Alcohol

Fatty alcohol emulsifier at 1-5%; non-ionic surfactant

Glyceryl Stearate

Emulsifier at 1-3%; may require acid to prevent saponification

PEG-100 Stearate

Non-ionic emulsifier, requires ionics for stability; check PEG for formaldehyde.

Glycerin

Workhorse humectant at 3–10%; tacky at high levels, pair with occlusives

Potassium Hydroxide

Strong alkali pH adjuster, trace usage (<0.1%); corrosive, must be neutralized.

C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate

C12-15 alkyl benzoate; emollient, emulsifier, and antistatic; aids stability and smoothness, moderate low comedogenicity.

Squalane

Emollient from plants or synthetic; light texture

Ceteareth-20

Not decoded yet

Mannitol

Polyol humectant with binding/skin conditioning properties; high levels may cause osmotic irritation

Stearic Acid

Fatty acid emulsifier, white waxy solid; adds slip feel

Undecane

Undecane; light aliphatic hydrocarbon emollient; high volatility, pair with occlusives, flammable

Hydrolyzed Yeast Protein

Hydrolyzed protein for moisture, anti-static, and barrier repair.

Phenoxyethanol

Broad-spectrum preservative at ≤1%; may irritate sensitive eye areas, often paired with ethylhexylglycerin

Cyclopentasiloxane

Cyclopentasiloxane for emollient/solvent; volatile silicone, smooth feel, check VOC regulations.

Butylene Glycol

Polyol humectant and solvent at 1–5%; aids solubilization, light feel

Panthenol

Panthenol (vitamin B5) at 1–5%; moisturizing and reparative, supports barrier recovery

Tridecane

Tridecane, a long-chain alkane acting as emollient and solvent; petrochemical-derived, inert and low toxicity.

Butyrospermum Parkii Butter Butter)

Not decoded yet

Mangifera Indica Seed Butter

Plant butter rich in fatty acids; provides lipid occlusion and emollience. Use with emulsifiers.

Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil

Common in dry/damaged hair; superior penetration vs mineral oils, low comedogenic risk, poor oxidative stability.

Tocopheryl Acetate

Vitamin E derivative antioxidant at 0.1–1%; more stable than tocopherol, store protected from light

Vitis Vinifera Seed Oil

Grapeseed oil, lightweight emollient and antioxidant; high linoleic acid, suitable for oily and combination skin.

Parfum

Fragrance for scent; may contain allergens, caution for sensitive skin, full labeling required.

Pentylene Glycol

Polyol humectant at 1-3%; low irritancy, suitable for sensitive skin

Allantoin

Skin soother at 0.5-2%; promotes cell regeneration

Sodium Gluconate

Mild chelator, aids skin conditioning; typically used at low levels as auxiliary

Sodium PCA

Sodium PCA, NMF component, 1-10% humectant; salty/tacky at high levels.

Wheat Amino Acids

Wheat amino acids for hair/skin; contains gluten, allergy caution

Dimethicone Crosspolymer

Crosslinked silicone polymer providing silkiness and viscosity control; for hair and skin; inert but hard to biodegrade.

Sodium Hyaluronate

Potent humectant at 0.1–2%; different MW for penetration depth, high levels may draw moisture

Disodium EDTA

Chelating agent at 0.05–0.5%; sequesters metal ions for stability, boosts preservative efficacy

Sodium Benzoate

Preservative booster, effective below pH 4.5; combinable with sorbates

Tasmannia Lanceolata Fruit Extract

Not decoded yet

Gluconolactone

Multifunctional agent for chelation and permeation; acidic, may irritate at high levels, buffer recommended.

Citric Acid

Buffer and chelator at 0.1–2%; adjusts pH, may irritate sensitive skin at low pH

Sodium Citrate

Sodium citrate for buffering and chelating; adjust pH, careful with strong acid reactions.

Aloe Barbadensis Extract Extract)

Not decoded yet

Hydroxyproline

Amino acid derivative for humectancy and skin conditioning; supports collagen metabolism, water-soluble, gentle

Sodium Carrageenan

Seaweed-derived thickener and stabilizer, 0.5-1.5% adjusts viscosity; sensitive to ions, test compatibility with cationic surfactants.

Dextrin

Polymer thickener and binder from starch fermentation; biodegradable, hygroscopic, may affect powder flow

Ferulic Acid

Antioxidant, often combined with vitamin C and E; 0.5-2%, photolabile

Waltheria Indica Leaf Extract

Not decoded yet

Maris Sal

Natural mineral skin conditioner for exfoliation or soothing; high concentrations (>5%) may cause dryness due to osmotic pressure.

Benzyl Salicylate

UV absorber/light stabilizer, restricted in EU; potential sensitizer, risk assessment needed.

Citronellol

Citronellol for fragrance; EU 26 allergen, labeling required above 0.001%.

Coumarin

Classic fragrance and photosensitizer, EU restriction III/77; high allergen risk, limit in facial products

Hexyl Cinnamal

Common fragrance component (jasmine/vanilla note); listed EU allergen, requires labeling at >10ppm (leave-on).

Butylphenyl Methylpropional

Synthetic fragrance with floral notes; EU regulations limit usage, strict monitoring required.

Limonene

Natural fragrance solvent, EU allergen; poor photostability

Linalool

Natural fragrance component at ≤0.05%; one of EU 26 allergens, caution for sensitive skin

Alpha-Isomethyl Ionone

Vanilla-like fragrance ingredient; one of EU 26 allergens, caution advised for sensitive skin.

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