INCI-named cosmetic actives — retinol, ascorbic acid, ferulic acid, alpha arbutin, acetyl hexapeptide-8, bakuchiol, glycolic acid, and ceramide — supplied by INCI function and CAS for skin and hair formulations.
Cosmetic actives are functional ingredients dosed at low concentration to carry a formulation's INCI-listed function — skin conditioning, antioxidant protection of the product, peptide conditioning, or pH-mediated exfoliation — as opposed to the base emollient, surfactant, and rheology system. The eight actives listed here span four such function classes. Specify each by INCI name and CAS, and confirm cosmetic grade, because the same common name can cover several purity and carrier variants.
Stability is the recurring constraint. Ascorbic acid (vitamin C) oxidizes readily in water, and retinol is sensitive to air and light, so formulators reach for anhydrous or low-pH systems, antioxidant pairing, and opaque, low-headspace packaging. Ferulic acid is commonly added as an antioxidant to slow ascorbic acid oxidation. The genuine trade-off: a more stable derivative or encapsulated form holds up better on shelf but costs more and dilutes the named-ingredient appeal buyers search for.
Several actives carry use limits. Alpha arbutin is scrutinized for hydroquinone release, and glycolic acid (an alpha hydroxy acid) is subject to concentration and pH limits in several markets. State these as formulation facts, set dosing to the strictest applicable limit, and confirm regulatory status for your application and jurisdiction. None of the descriptions here are treatment or efficacy claims; they describe chemistry and INCI function only.
We use cookies and similar technologies for analytics and to improve our Site, and — with your consent — for marketing and B2B visitor identification. Choose what to allow. See our Privacy Policy.