e-l-f e.l.f. Clarifying Booster Drops

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. Butylene Glycol
3. Glycerin
4. Pentylene Glycol
5. Propylene Glycol
6. Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Oil
7. Hamamelis Virginiana Leaf Extract
8. Niacinamide
9. Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Oil
10. Phenoxyethanol
11. Hexylene Glycol
12. PPG-26-Buteth-26
13. Carbomer
14. Tromethamine
15. PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil
16. Xanthan Gum
17. Caprylyl Glycol
18. Ethylhexylglycerin
19. Disodium EDTA
20. Fructose
21. Glucose
22. Bisabolol
23. Hydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate
24. Dextrin
25. Sucrose
26. Urea
27. Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer
28. Zingiber Officinale Root Extract
29. Alanine
30. Aspartic Acid
31. Glutamic Acid
32. Hexyl Nicotinate

Highlights

Free of alcoholFree of parabensFree of siliconesFree of sulfatesFree of formaldehyde releasersContains EU-26 allergensContains essential oilsContains fragranceContains mineral oilContains PEG

Key ingredients

ANTIPLAQUE

Water

HUMECTANT

Butylene GlycolPropylene Glycol

DENATURANT

Glycerin

SKIN CONDITIONING

Pentylene GlycolHamamelis Virginiana Leaf Extract

ANTIOXIDANT

Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Oil

SMOOTHING

Niacinamide

Other ingredients

Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf OilPhenoxyethanolHexylene GlycolPPG-26-Buteth-26CarbomerTromethaminePEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor OilXanthan GumCaprylyl GlycolEthylhexylglycerinDisodium EDTAFructoseGlucoseBisabololHydrolyzed Sodium HyaluronateDextrinSucroseUreaSodium Hyaluronate CrosspolymerZingiber Officinale Root ExtractAlanineAspartic AcidGlutamic AcidHexyl Nicotinate

Skim through

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

Pentylene Glycol

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

Propylene Glycol

Polyol humectant at 3-10%; hygroscopic, slight tackiness, mild irritation at high conc., verify preservative efficacy, no allergen.

Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Oil

Tea tree oil, antibacterial and sebum regulating; highly sensitizing at concentrate level, dilute; avoid on broken skin.

Hamamelis Virginiana Leaf Extract

Witch hazel leaf extract for astringency and skin care; common in soothing formulas

Niacinamide

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

Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Oil

Rosemary leaf oil for fragrance and conditioning; essential oil, allergen risk, limit usage

Phenoxyethanol

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

Hexylene Glycol

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

PPG-26-Buteth-26

Not decoded yet

Carbomer

Gelling thickener requiring neutralization; watch out for ion compatibility

Tromethamine

pH adjuster, alkaline; precise dosing required

PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil

Solubilizer and emulsifier for oil-soluble ingredients; high concentrations may cause contact dermatitis in sensitive skin.

Xanthan Gum

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

Caprylyl Glycol

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

Ethylhexylglycerin

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

Disodium EDTA

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

Fructose

Strong humectant; high levels can increase viscosity and hygroscopicity.

Glucose

Low-MW humectant and buffer; high hygroscopicity requires careful preservation and humidity control.

Bisabolol

Soothing and anti-inflammatory agent, 0.01–0.1%; low irritation, good for sensitive skin.

Hydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate

Low-molecular-weight hyaluronic acid derivative with better penetration and strong hydration; different molecular weights provide hydration at various depths, typical concentration 0.1-1%.

Dextrin

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

Sucrose

Sucrose, water-soluble thickener and humectant; high levels prone to hygroscopy.

Urea

Potent humectant and keratolytic, >10% has exfoliating effect; stinging sensation at high levels, sensitive skin caution

Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer

Crosslinked high-MW HA; forms surface hydrogel for long-lasting hydration, minimal penetration, physical film-forming.

Zingiber Officinale Root Extract

Root extract for scent and toning; may irritate compromised skin.

Alanine

Amino acid for antistatic and conditioning; low irritation, slight salty taste at high levels

Aspartic Acid

Amino acid humectant and conditioner, common in rinse-off products; low levels mild, high levels may shift pH

Glutamic Acid

Glutamic acid, non-essential amino acid humectant; high levels can be astringent, buffer needed.

Hexyl Nicotinate

Vitamin B3 ester for skin conditioning; typically <1%, check compatibility with acids

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