GUERLAIN Black Orchid Cream (Light)

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. Aqua
2. Glycerin
3. Alcohol
4. Butylene Glycol
5. Isotridecyl isononanoate
6. Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
7. Squalane
8. Methyl Gluceth-20
9. Decyloxazolidinone
10. Lauroyl lysine
11. Diglycerin
12. Dimethicone
13. PEG-8
14. Gastrodia Elata Root Extract
15. Phalaenopsis Amabilis Extract
16. Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
17. Cellulose
18. Cetyl Alcohol
19. Steareth-2
20. Steareth-21
21. Stearyl Alcohol
22. Parfum
23. Polymethylsilsesquioxane
24. Phenoxyethanol
25. Bentonite
26. Avena Sativa Kernel Extract
27. Tocopheryl Acetate
28. Carbomer
29. Synthetic fluorphlogopite
30. Dipalmitoyl hydroxyproline
31. CI 77891
32. Olive Oil Decyl Esters
33. Sodium Hydroxide
34. Biosaccharide Gum-2
35. Sodium Hyaluronate
36. Xanthan Gum
37. Polysorbate 60
38. Sorbitan isostearate
39. Hydrolyzed Soy Flour
40. Adenosine
41. Citric Acid
42. Hydrated silica
43. Linalool
44. Palmitic Acid
45. Hyaluronic Acid
46. Tropaeolum Majus Extract
47. Citronellol
48. Lactic Acid
49. Geraniol
50. Squalene
51. Alpha-isomethyl ionone
52. Limonene
53. Diamond Powder
54. Tin oxide
55. Chlorella Vulgaris Extract
56. Ethylhexylglycerin
57. Polygonum Bistorta Root Extract
58. Maris sal
59. BHT
60. Tocopherol

Highlights

Free of parabensFree of sulfatesFree of mineral oilFree of formaldehyde releasersContains alcoholContains animal-derivedContains siliconesContains EU-26 allergensContains fragranceContains PEGContains essential oils

Key ingredients

SOLVENT

Aqua

DENATURANT

Glycerin

ANTIFOAMING

Alcohol

HUMECTANT

Butylene Glycol

SKIN CONDITIONING - EMOLLIENT

Isotridecyl isononanoateSqualane

FRAGRANCE

Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride

ANTIMICROBIAL

Decyloxazolidinone

Other ingredients

Methyl Gluceth-20Lauroyl lysineDiglycerinDimethiconePEG-8Gastrodia Elata Root ExtractPhalaenopsis Amabilis ExtractHydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate CopolymerCelluloseCetyl AlcoholSteareth-2Steareth-21Stearyl AlcoholParfumPolymethylsilsesquioxanePhenoxyethanolBentoniteAvena Sativa Kernel ExtractTocopheryl AcetateCarbomerSynthetic fluorphlogopiteDipalmitoyl hydroxyprolineCI 77891Olive Oil Decyl EstersSodium HydroxideBiosaccharide Gum-2Sodium HyaluronateXanthan GumPolysorbate 60Sorbitan isostearateHydrolyzed Soy FlourAdenosineCitric AcidHydrated silicaLinaloolPalmitic AcidHyaluronic AcidTropaeolum Majus ExtractCitronellolLactic AcidGeraniolSqualeneAlpha-isomethyl iononeLimoneneDiamond PowderTin oxideChlorella Vulgaris ExtractEthylhexylglycerinPolygonum Bistorta Root ExtractMaris salBHTTocopherol

Skim through

Ingredients explained

Aqua

Solvent, main base; microbial control is critical

Glycerin

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

Alcohol

Ethanol for solubility/drying at 5-15%; high conc. is drying/irritating, avoid lip/eye, low residue, balance with humectants.

Butylene Glycol

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

Isotridecyl isononanoate

Light, dry ester for emulsions; low comedogenicity, suitable for oily/sensitive skin formulas as a light oil alternative.

Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride

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

Squalane

Emollient from plants or synthetic; light texture

Methyl Gluceth-20

Not decoded yet

Decyloxazolidinone

Decyloxazolidinone, antimicrobial/skin conditioner; low concentration safe, moderate irritation, avoid metal contact

Lauroyl lysine

Lauroyl lysine, amino-acid surfactant derivative, mild foaming; often blended to lower irritation.

Diglycerin

Diglycerin humectant and conditioner; low viscosity suitable for liquid formulas, very low irritancy.

Dimethicone

Silicone occlusive at 1–5%; provides smooth feel, non-penetrating, suitable for sensitive skin

PEG-8

Not decoded yet

Gastrodia Elata Root Extract

Not decoded yet

Phalaenopsis Amabilis Extract

Phalaenopsis amabilis extract, acts as humectant. Specific actives undisclosed; check compatibility and impact on clarity at high levels.

Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer

High-molecular-weight thickener and emulsion stabilizer; requires electrolytes or acid adjustment near isoelectric point for optimal performance.

Cellulose

Plant-derived thickener at 0.1–1%; requires full hydration, poor cationic compatibility

Cetyl Alcohol

Cetyl alcohol for emulsification/thickening; high concentration >10% may irritate.

Steareth-2

Not decoded yet

Steareth-21

Not decoded yet

Stearyl Alcohol

Stearic alcohol; fatty alcohol for emulsion thickening/structure, often blended with soaps, moderate comedogenicity.

Parfum

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

Polymethylsilsesquioxane

Silicone polymer for emolliency, matte effect, and suspension; used in foundations or powder suspensions, typical usage 1-5%, smooth skin feel.

Phenoxyethanol

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

Bentonite

Natural clay for oil absorption in masks or thickening; no allergenicity, ensure high purity batches

Avena Sativa Kernel Extract

Antioxidant and soothing extract; mild abrasive properties, common in conditioning formulas

Tocopheryl Acetate

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

Carbomer

Gelling thickener requiring neutralization; watch out for ion compatibility

Synthetic fluorphlogopite

Mica filler at 1-10%; luster/thickening, inert, verify mineral purity, no public comedogenic data.

Dipalmitoyl hydroxyproline

Lipid peptide for skin conditioning; mimics ceramide function for barrier repair, prone to crystallization

CI 77891

Titanium dioxide inorganic pigment and UV filter; assess inhalation risk for nano-forms and EU restrictions

Olive Oil Decyl Esters

Not decoded yet

Sodium Hydroxide

Strong base neutralizer for pH adjustment; handle with extreme care

Biosaccharide Gum-2

Not decoded yet

Sodium Hyaluronate

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

Xanthan Gum

Natural thickener at 0.1–1%; provides gel texture, pH-stable, requires full hydration

Polysorbate 60

Non-ionic emulsifier and solubilizer for O/W or W/O stability; may cause mild stinging on sensitive skin, typically 1-5%.

Sorbitan isostearate

Non-ionic emulsifier (low HLB); typically used in blends, low comedogenicity, soft skin feel.

Hydrolyzed Soy Flour

Soy-derived peptide humectant for skin conditioning; caution for soy allergies.

Adenosine

Skin conditioner at 0.1-1%; used for anti-aging and repair

Citric Acid

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

Hydrated silica

Inorganic abrasive and oil absorbent; prone to settling, needs dispersant, high levels increase exfoliation

Linalool

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

Palmitic Acid

Palmitic acid for emulsification/emollient; solid fat, high melting point, occlusive.

Hyaluronic Acid

High-water-binding humectant at 0.1-1%; high-MW for surface film, low-MW for dermal potential, check cationic compatibility.

Tropaeolum Majus Extract

Tropaneolum majus extract, traditional soothing and astringent; contains trace essential oils, assess irritation risk for sensitive skin.

Citronellol

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

Lactic Acid

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

Geraniol

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

Squalene

Squalene, lightweight emollient, easily absorbed; animal sources restricted, plant sources preferred

Alpha-isomethyl ionone

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

Limonene

Natural fragrance solvent, EU allergen; poor photostability

Diamond Powder

Diamond powder as abrasive; high hardness, check particle uniformity

Tin oxide

Inorganic mineral pigment providing opacity and suspension; requires skin safety assessment, typically used in sunscreens or powder colorants.

Chlorella Vulgaris Extract

Algae extract for skin conditioning and antioxidant; typically 1-5%, monitor stability

Ethylhexylglycerin

Mild conditioner and preservative booster at 0.5–1%; reduces preservative load, smooth feel

Polygonum Bistorta Root Extract

Polygonum bistorta root extract; anti-inflammatory/astringent, potential to stain

Maris sal

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

BHT

Lipophilic antioxidant at 0.01-0.05%; ineffective with acidic systems, label-sensitive, check regulatory limits as preservative alternative.

Tocopherol

Natural antioxidant (vitamin E) at 0.1–1%; prone to oxidation, store protected from light