e-l-f e.l.f. Hydrating Serum
e-l-f e.l.f. Hydrating Serum lists 21 ingredients on its label, 19 decoded. See what each one does, its irritancy and comedogenic tendency, and its status in national inventories.
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.
- Water
- Butylene Glycol
- Glycerin
- Hydrogenated Polyisobutene
- Cetyl Ethylhexanoate
- Dimethicone
- Steareth-21
- Steareth-2
- Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil
- Butyrospermum Parkii Butter
- Vitis Vinifera Seed Oil
- Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract
- Carbomer
- Triethanolamine
- Tocopheryl Acetate
- Chrysanthellum Indicum Extract
- Disodium Edta
- Sodium Hyaluronate
- Green Tea Extract
- Phenoxyethanol
- Caprylyl Glycol
Highlights
Free of alcoholFree of fragranceFree of parabensFree of sulfatesFree of formaldehyde releasersContains mineral oilContains siliconesContains essential oils
Formulation view Hydrating water phase with glycerin and polyols, layered with dimethicone and polyisobutene for breathable occlusion. Added shea and grape seed oils balance richness with lightness; aloe and green tea soothe. Phenoxyethanol preservative. Ideal for dry skin needing deep moisture. Factory observation notes rich occlusive layers may feel heavy.
Key ingredients
- ANTIPLAQUE
- Water
- HUMECTANT
- Butylene Glycol
- DENATURANT
- Glycerin
- SKIN CONDITIONING - EMOLLIENT
- Hydrogenated PolyisobuteneCetyl EthylhexanoateSimmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil
- ANTIFOAMING
- Dimethicone
- SKIN CONDITIONING
- Butyrospermum Parkii Butter
Other ingredients
Steareth-21Steareth-2Vitis Vinifera Seed OilAloe Barbadensis Leaf ExtractCarbomerTriethanolamineTocopheryl AcetateChrysanthellum Indicum ExtractDisodium EdtaSodium HyaluronateGreen Tea ExtractPhenoxyethanolCaprylyl Glycol
Skim through
| Ingredient | What it does | Irr. · Com. | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|
| Water | ANTIPLAQUE, SKIN CONDITIONING, SOLVENT | 0 · 0 | Green |
| Butylene Glycol | HUMECTANT, FRAGRANCE, SKIN CONDITIONING, SOLVENT, VISCOSITY CONTROLLING | 0 · 0 | Green |
| Glycerin | DENATURANT, HAIR CONDITIONING, HUMECTANT, ORAL CARE, SKIN PROTECTING, SOLVENT, VISCOSITY CONTROLLING, PERFUMING, FRAGRANCE, SKIN CONDITIONING - HUMECTANT | 0 · 0 | Green |
| Hydrogenated Polyisobutene | SKIN CONDITIONING - EMOLLIENT, SKIN CONDITIONING, VISCOSITY CONTROLLING | 0 · 1 | Green |
| Cetyl Ethylhexanoate | SKIN CONDITIONING - EMOLLIENT | 0 · 0 | Green |
| Dimethicone | ANTIFOAMING, SKIN CONDITIONING - EMOLLIENT, SKIN CONDITIONING, SKIN PROTECTING | 0 · 0 | Green |
| Steareth-21 | Not decoded yet | — | — |
| Steareth-2 | Not decoded yet | — | — |
| Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil | SKIN CONDITIONING - EMOLLIENT, HAIR CONDITIONING, SKIN CONDITIONING | 0 · 0 | Green |
| Butyrospermum Parkii Butter | SKIN CONDITIONING, VISCOSITY CONTROLLING | 0 · 1 | Green |
| Vitis Vinifera Seed Oil | SKIN CONDITIONING - EMOLLIENT, SKIN CONDITIONING | 0 · 1 | Green |
| Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract | SKIN CONDITIONING - EMOLLIENT, HUMECTANT, ORAL CARE, SKIN CONDITIONING | 0 · 0 | Green |
| Carbomer | EMULSION STABILISING, GEL FORMING, VISCOSITY CONTROLLING | 0 · 0 | Green |
| Triethanolamine | BUFFERING, SURFACTANT - EMULSIFYING, FRAGRANCE, SURFACTANT - CLEANSING · 限制 III/62 | 2 · – | Yellow |
| Tocopheryl Acetate | ANTIOXIDANT, SKIN CONDITIONING | 0 · 0 | Green |
| Chrysanthellum Indicum Extract | SKIN CONDITIONING | 0 · 0 | Green |
| Disodium Edta | CHELATING, VISCOSITY CONTROLLING | 0 · 0 | Green |
| Sodium Hyaluronate | HUMECTANT, SKIN CONDITIONING | 0 · 0 | Green |
| Green Tea Extract | 抗氧化剂, 皮肤调理剂 | 1 · 0 | Green |
| Phenoxyethanol | ANTIMICROBIAL, PRESERVATIVE · 限制 V/29 | 1 · 0 | Yellow |
| Caprylyl Glycol | DEODORANT, SKIN CONDITIONING - EMOLLIENT, HAIR CONDITIONING, SKIN CONDITIONING | 0 · 0 | Green |
Ingredients explained
- Water
- Primary solvent and base; requires preservative system to prevent microbial growth
- Butylene Glycol
- Polyol humectant and solvent at 1–5%; aids solubilization, light feel
- Glycerin
- Workhorse humectant at 3–10%; tacky at high levels, pair with occlusives
- Hydrogenated Polyisobutene
- Hydrogenated polyisobutene; petroleum-derived lubricant forming breathable film; high purity, low irritation/comedogenicity.
- Cetyl Ethylhexanoate
- Synthetic oil providing slip; large molecule, low penetration, non-comedogenic, suitable for dry or rough skin.
- Dimethicone
- Silicone occlusive at 1–5%; provides smooth feel, non-penetrating, suitable for sensitive skin
- Steareth-21
- Not decoded yet
- Steareth-2
- Not decoded yet
- Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil
- Common in dry/damaged hair; superior penetration vs mineral oils, low comedogenic risk, poor oxidative stability.
- Butyrospermum Parkii Butter
- Shea butter for occlusive moisturizing; high melt point, rich texture, caution for oily skin.
- Vitis Vinifera Seed Oil
- Grapeseed oil, lightweight emollient and antioxidant; high linoleic acid, suitable for oily and combination skin.
- Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract
- Aloe vera leaf extract for soothing and humectant; monitor polysaccharide level and endotoxins
- Carbomer
- Gelling thickener requiring neutralization; watch out for ion compatibility
- Triethanolamine
- Triethanolamine for buffering; restricted, limit concentration to avoid high pH and irritation
- Tocopheryl Acetate
- Vitamin E derivative antioxidant at 0.1–1%; more stable than tocopherol, store protected from light
- Chrysanthellum Indicum Extract
- Golden chamomile extract, soothing; 0.1–0.5% typical, data limited, low risk
- Disodium Edta
- Chelating agent at 0.05–0.5%; sequesters metal ions for stability, boosts preservative efficacy
- Sodium Hyaluronate
- Potent humectant at 0.1–2%; different MW for penetration depth, high levels may draw moisture
- Green Tea Extract
- Green tea extract rich in EGCG; antioxidant, high concentration may cause sensitization
- Phenoxyethanol
- Broad-spectrum preservative at ≤1%; may irritate sensitive eye areas, often paired with ethylhexylglycerin
- Caprylyl Glycol
- Polyol conditioner and preservative booster at 0.5–3%; emollient feel, often paired with 1,2-hexanediol
Source: full ingredient list published on the product label, collected 2026-09-18. Ratings are our internal reading, not a regulatory conclusion. · Product page
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