Esse Foundation ingredients list

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. Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract
2. Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil
3. Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
4. Isoamyl laurate
5. Polyglyceryl-2 Dipolyhydroxystearate
6. Butyrospermum Parkii
7. Squalane
8. Polyglyceryl-3-Diisostearate
9. Shorea Robusta Resin
10. Hydrogenated vegetable oil
11. Adansonia Digitata Fruit Extract
12. Alpha-glucan oligosaccharide
13. Polymnia sonchifolia
14. Inulin
15. Lactobacillus
16. Lactobacillus ferment
17. Glyceryl caprylate
18. Glyceryl oleate
19. Ascorbyl Palmitate
20. Levulinic acid
21. Sodium levulinate
22. Glycerin
23. Aqua
24. Sodium anisate
25. Dehydroacetic Acid
26. Sodium phytate
27. Tocopherol
28. Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil
29. Hydrogenated lecithin
30. Iron Oxides (CI 77491
31. CI 77492
32. CI 77499)
33. Titanium Dioxide

Highlights

Free of alcoholFree of siliconesFree of sulfatesFree of mineral oilFree of formaldehyde releasersContains essential oilsContains PEGContains animal-derivedContains fragranceContains parabens

Key ingredients

SKIN CONDITIONING - EMOLLIENT

Aloe Barbadensis Leaf ExtractSimmondsia Chinensis Seed OilIsoamyl laurateSqualane

FRAGRANCE

Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride

SKIN CONDITIONING

Polyglyceryl-2 Dipolyhydroxystearate

皮肤调理剂

Butyrospermum Parkii

TONIC

Shorea Robusta Resin

Other ingredients

Polyglyceryl-3-DiisostearateHydrogenated vegetable oilAdansonia Digitata Fruit ExtractAlpha-glucan oligosaccharidePolymnia sonchifoliaInulinLactobacillusLactobacillus fermentGlyceryl caprylateGlyceryl oleateAscorbyl PalmitateLevulinic acidSodium levulinateGlycerinAquaSodium anisateDehydroacetic AcidSodium phytateTocopherolHelianthus Annuus Seed OilHydrogenated lecithinIron Oxides (CI 77491CI 77492CI 77499)Titanium Dioxide

Skim through

Ingredients explained

Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract

Aloe vera leaf extract for soothing and humectant; monitor polysaccharide level and endotoxins

Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil

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

Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride

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

Isoamyl laurate

Lightweight ester emollient; fast-drying, non-greasy feel, suitable for oily skin or summer formulations

Polyglyceryl-2 Dipolyhydroxystearate

Plant-derived emulsifier, mild feel; for O/W systems, combine with co-emulsifiers

Butyrospermum Parkii

African oil/fat/wax; clarify form (oil, butter, or powder) as function depends on it.

Squalane

Emollient from plants or synthetic; light texture

Polyglyceryl-3-Diisostearate

Not decoded yet

Shorea Robusta Resin

Katha bark resin rich in tannins used as a tonic; high phenol content may cause phototoxicity or darkening.

Hydrogenated vegetable oil

Occlusive emollient for smooth feel; high levels may be comedogenic, use caution for acne-prone skin

Adansonia Digitata Fruit Extract

Baobab fruit extract focused on antioxidant and soothing effects; stability should be monitored, minor protein sensitivity risk.

Alpha-glucan oligosaccharide

Prebiotic for microflora and smoothing; use 0.5-5%, suitable for sensitive skin

Polymnia sonchifolia

Not decoded yet

Inulin

Plant fiber/prebiotic for moisturizing; fully dissolve to avoid crystallization

Lactobacillus

Lactobacillus derivatives for skin conditioning; verify fermentation purity and safety.

Lactobacillus ferment

Probiotic ferment filtrate for conditioning; complex mix, check allergens and preservative residues

Glyceryl caprylate

Mild emulsifier/deodorant at 0.5-2%; polyol ester, high humectancy, low irritancy, check cationic surfactant compatibility.

Glyceryl oleate

Glyceride-based emulsifier and emolient with mild perfuming properties.

Ascorbyl Palmitate

Ascorbyl palmitate, lipophilic Vit C ester, antioxidant; oxidizes, needs light/air protection.

Levulinic acid

Biodegradable organic acid acting as skin conditioner and perfume; pH adjuster, low irritation at typical use levels.

Sodium levulinate

Sodium levulinate, natural-derived humectant; generally mild, often used in blends.

Glycerin

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

Aqua

Solvent, main base; microbial control is critical

Sodium anisate

Benzoate-based preservative component; used in combinations for antimicrobial effect, slight fragrance, control concentration.

Dehydroacetic Acid

Broad-spectrum preservative for acidic and oil-based systems; has concentration limits, requires challenge testing.

Sodium phytate

Chelating agent stabilizes metal ions to prevent oxidative degradation; also used in oral care, high safety profile.

Tocopherol

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

Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil

Sunflower seed oil for emollient/occlusive; high linoleic acid, low comedogenicity.

Hydrogenated lecithin

Emulsifier from lecithin; stable, used in powder emulsions

Iron Oxides (CI 77491

Not decoded yet

CI 77492

Iron oxide red; stable inorganic pigment, non-toxic; ensure dispersion to prevent sedimentation.

CI 77499)

Not decoded yet

Titanium Dioxide

Physical UV filter and colorant up to 25%; nano form requires attention