margin The Active Moisturizer

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. Cetearyl Olivate
4. Triheptanoin
5. Sorbitan Olivate
6. Cetyl Alcohol
7. Glycolic Acid
8. Bakuchiol
9. Caffeine
10. Salicylic Acid
11. Sodium Hyaluronate
12. Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate
13. Niacinamide
14. Cucumis Sativus Fruit Extract
15. Chamomilla Recutita Flower Extract
16. Evodia Rutaecarpa Fruit Extract
17. Leucojum Aestivum Bulb Extract
18. Propanediol
19. Capryloyl Glycerin/Sebacic Acid Copolymer
20. Diheptyl Succinate
21. Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
22. Ethylhexylglycerin
23. Hexylene Glycol
24. Silica
25. Amylopectin
26. Polydextrose
27. Sodium Hydroxide
28. Dextrin
29. Sclerotium Gum
30. Caprylyl Glycol
31. Phenoxyethanol
32. Sorbitan Isostearate
33. Polysorbate 60
34. Sodium Carbonate
35. Sodium Chloride

Highlights

Free of alcoholFree of fragranceFree of parabensFree of siliconesFree of sulfatesFree of mineral oilFree of formaldehyde releasersContains essential oilsContains PEG

Formulation view An O/W emulsion using cetearyl olivate and triheptanoin for moisturization. Rich in actives including glycolic acid, salicylic acid, bakuchiol, niacinamide, and lipid-soluble vitamin C derivatives. Suitable for comprehensive care targeting exfoliation, brightening, and anti-aging, recommended for oily and combination skin. From a formulator's perspective, the combination of multiple acids and anti-aging actives increases cumulative irritation risk, better suited for tolerant skin; pH stability is critical to ensure efficacy of all ingredients.

Key ingredients

SOLVENT

Aqua

DENATURANT

Glycerin

SKIN CONDITIONING - EMOLLIENT

Cetearyl OlivateCetyl Alcohol

VISCOSITY CONTROLLING

Triheptanoin

SURFACTANT - EMULSIFYING

Sorbitan Olivate

BUFFERING

Glycolic Acid

ANTIMICROBIAL

Bakuchiol

Other ingredients

CaffeineSalicylic AcidSodium HyaluronateTetrahexyldecyl AscorbateNiacinamideCucumis Sativus Fruit ExtractChamomilla Recutita Flower ExtractEvodia Rutaecarpa Fruit ExtractLeucojum Aestivum Bulb ExtractPropanediolCapryloyl Glycerin/Sebacic Acid CopolymerDiheptyl SuccinateHydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate CopolymerEthylhexylglycerinHexylene GlycolSilicaAmylopectinPolydextroseSodium HydroxideDextrinSclerotium GumCaprylyl GlycolPhenoxyethanolSorbitan IsostearatePolysorbate 60Sodium CarbonateSodium Chloride

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

Cetearyl Olivate

Natural emulsifier pairing with glucosides; skin-like feel, biodegradable, prone to oxidation requiring light protection

Triheptanoin

Triheptanin; 0.5–5% oil phase; non-greasy emollient, low comedogenic, oxidation-resistant, suits light formulas

Sorbitan Olivate

O/W emulsifier, HLB ~15, requires ionic co-surfactant, potential sensitizer.

Cetyl Alcohol

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

Glycolic Acid

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

Bakuchiol

Bakuchiol; antioxidant and conditioning. Often an A-alternative, prone to oxidation and color shift, needs stabilization.

Caffeine

Active ingredient, 0.1–2%; promotes circulation, irritation risk at high concentration.

Salicylic Acid

Lipophilic BHA at 0.5-2%; exfoliant/sebum control, irritation/sensitization at high conc., photosensitivity (SPF needed), avoid sensitive/pregnant.

Sodium Hyaluronate

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

Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate

Lipophilic Vitamin C derivative, antioxidant and brightening; more stable than VC, oil-soluble, must pair with oil phase

Niacinamide

Niacinamide at 2–5%; improves texture, controls oil, brightens; high levels may cause sensitivity

Cucumis Sativus Fruit Extract

Botanical extract for conditioning; note extraction impact on active retention

Chamomilla Recutita Flower Extract

Plant extract, soothing properties; contains natural allergens, high levels may irritate.

Evodia Rutaecarpa Fruit Extract

Evodia fruit extract for skin conditioning; bitter, alkaloid-rich, avoid long-term acidic compatibility

Leucojum Aestivum Bulb Extract

Leucojum aestivum bulb extract for skin protection. Plant extract prone to oxidation; store cool and dark.

Propanediol

Polyol solvent at 1–5%; light feel, aids solubilization, propylene glycol alternative

Capryloyl Glycerin/Sebacic Acid Copolymer

Film-forming conditioner for hair/skin protection; hydrophobic, pair with water phase

Diheptyl Succinate

Light emollient ester; refreshing non-greasy feel, often replaces heavier mineral oils.

Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer

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

Ethylhexylglycerin

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

Hexylene Glycol

Polyol solvent and humectant with penetration enhancement; limit concentration to avoid irritation, no specific allergen tag

Silica

Silica powder at 1–10%; absorbs oil, thickens, provides matte finish, for oil-control products

Amylopectin

Polysaccharide as binder and viscosity controller; starch-derived, no significant skin irritation

Polydextrose

Polysaccharide bulking and humectant; biodegradable, low irritancy; tacky at high levels

Sodium Hydroxide

Strong base neutralizer for pH adjustment; handle with extreme care

Dextrin

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

Sclerotium Gum

Non-ionic gum for gels; neutral pH, requires dissolution via heating or fine milling

Caprylyl Glycol

Polyol conditioner and preservative booster at 0.5–3%; emollient feel, often paired with 1,2-hexanediol

Phenoxyethanol

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

Sorbitan Isostearate

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

Polysorbate 60

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

Sodium Carbonate

Sodium carbonate; alkaline buffer and thickener; adjusts pH, corrosive at high levels, control dosage.

Sodium Chloride

Salt for gel viscosity control; used as precipitant in soaps

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