Build with confidence
Browse the functional ingredients that make cleansers, conditioners, creams, and preserved formulas work. Learn what each material does, where it belongs, and what to verify before you formulate.
COSMOS/Ecocert, natural-origin, and vegan status can vary by grade and supplier. Confirm the current specification sheet, safety data, and certification before making a product claim.
Gentle sugar-based cleanser for liquid shampoos and face washes.
Creates mild foam and pairs well with an amphoteric co-surfactant.
Where to buy: Lotioncrafter · Formulator Sample Shop · Making Cosmetics · Gracefruit — see the Sourcing Guide
Keep in mind: The supplied material is alkaline; adjust and verify final pH.
Very mild nonionic cleanser.
Useful for sensitive scalp, facial, and baby-cleansing systems.
Where to buy: Lotioncrafter · Formulator Sample Shop · Making Cosmetics · Gracefruit — see the Sourcing Guide
Keep in mind: Can thin formulas and requires final pH adjustment.
Premium amino-acid surfactant.
Low-stripping cleansing for moisturizing shampoos and sensitive skin.
Where to buy: Lotioncrafter · Formulator Sample Shop · Making Cosmetics · Gracefruit — see the Sourcing Guide
Creamy-lather surfactant for syndet bars.
The standard base for mild, soap-free shampoo and cleansing bars.
Where to buy: Lotioncrafter · Formulator Sample Shop · Making Cosmetics · Gracefruit — see the Sourcing Guide
Keep in mind: Wear respiratory protection when handling dry powder; process to supplier temperature guidance.
Amphoteric co-surfactant that softens a cleanser blend.
Boosts foam while reducing the irritation potential of anionic surfactants.
Where to buy: Lotioncrafter · Formulator Sample Shop · Making Cosmetics · Gracefruit — see the Sourcing Guide
Common foam-boosting co-surfactant.
Widely available and effective, but not generally accepted for natural certification.
Where to buy: Lotioncrafter · Formulator Sample Shop · Making Cosmetics · Gracefruit — see the Sourcing Guide
Keep in mind: Can sensitize some users; coco-betaine is the cleaner certifiable swap.
High-foam synthetic cleanser.
Included for comparison, not recommended for a natural-positioned formula.
Where to buy: Lotioncrafter · Formulator Sample Shop · Making Cosmetics · Gracefruit — see the Sourcing Guide
Keep in mind: Not accepted for natural claims and may be stripping.
Mustard-seed-derived conditioning and detangling agent.
The closest certifiable option to BTMS-style slip.
Where to buy: Lotioncrafter · Formulator Sample Shop · Aromantic · New Directions Aromatics · Moksha Lifestyle Products — see the Sourcing Guide
Keep in mind: Requires acid activation and final pH verification.
High-performance conditioning emulsifier.
Provides excellent slip, detangling, and emulsion structure for textured hair.
Where to buy: Lotioncrafter · Formulator Sample Shop · Aromantic · New Directions Aromatics · Moksha Lifestyle Products — see the Sourcing Guide
Keep in mind: Rapeseed-derived but quaternized; usually not certifiable.
Plant mucilage for glide and detangling.
Supports slip in leave-ins and rinse-out conditioners without a heavy coating.
Where to buy: Lotioncrafter · Formulator Sample Shop · Aromantic · New Directions Aromatics · Moksha Lifestyle Products — see the Sourcing Guide
Humectant that draws water into hair and skin.
Use moderately for coily and curly hair, especially in dry climates.
Where to buy: Lotioncrafter · Formulator Sample Shop · Aromantic · New Directions Aromatics · Moksha Lifestyle Products — see the Sourcing Guide
Keep in mind: Obtain a vegetable-source statement; high levels may feel drying in very low humidity.
Vegan protein that reinforces porous or damaged strands.
Adds light strength and body without animal keratin.
Where to buy: Lotioncrafter · Formulator Sample Shop · Aromantic · New Directions Aromatics · Moksha Lifestyle Products — see the Sourcing Guide
Keep in mind: Balance protein with moisture and reduce frequency if hair feels stiff.
Animal-derived structural protein.
Included for comparison; hydrolyzed rice, quinoa, or pea protein are vegan alternatives.
Where to buy: Lotioncrafter · Formulator Sample Shop · Aromantic · New Directions Aromatics · Moksha Lifestyle Products — see the Sourcing Guide
Keep in mind: Usually sourced from wool or feathers and is not vegan.
Olive-derived oil-in-water emulsifier.
Builds lotions, creams, and light conditioners with an elegant skin feel.
Where to buy: Lotioncrafter · Making Cosmetics · Gracefruit · Voyageur Soap & Candle — see the Sourcing Guide
Natural-origin emulsifier for creams and conditioners.
Creates stable, rich emulsions with a soft finish.
Where to buy: Lotioncrafter · Making Cosmetics · Gracefruit · Voyageur Soap & Candle — see the Sourcing Guide
Fatty alcohol that adds body, slip, and stability.
This is a waxy conditioning ingredient, not a drying alcohol.
Where to buy: Lotioncrafter · Making Cosmetics · Gracefruit · Voyageur Soap & Candle — see the Sourcing Guide
Keep in mind: Specify vegetable-derived and verify palm or tallow source.
Vegan water-phase thickener and stabilizer.
Adds viscosity to gels, washes, and emulsions.
Where to buy: Lotioncrafter · Making Cosmetics · Gracefruit · Voyageur Soap & Candle — see the Sourcing Guide
Keep in mind: Pre-disperse in glycerin to reduce clumping.
Hard vegan wax for balms, sticks, and pomades.
A vegan alternative to beeswax, but harder and not a one-for-one replacement.
Where to buy: Lotioncrafter · Making Cosmetics · Gracefruit · Voyageur Soap & Candle — see the Sourcing Guide
Reliable complete emulsifying wax.
Included for comparison and conventional formulation work.
Where to buy: Lotioncrafter · Making Cosmetics · Gracefruit · Voyageur Soap & Candle — see the Sourcing Guide
Keep in mind: Contains polysorbate 60 and is not appropriate for a natural-certification claim.
Broad-spectrum ready-made preservation blend.
A practical certifiable option for small-batch water-based products.
Where to buy: Lotioncrafter · Formulator Sample Shop · Aromantic — see the Sourcing Guide
Gentle preservation blend for leave-on products.
Works best in acidic formulas and benefits from a chelator.
Where to buy: Lotioncrafter · Formulator Sample Shop · Aromantic — see the Sourcing Guide
Keep in mind: Verify the finished formula pH and complete challenge testing.
Broad-spectrum blend with strong yeast and mold support.
Suitable for many rinsed and leave-on water-based formulas.
Where to buy: Lotioncrafter · Formulator Sample Shop · Aromantic — see the Sourcing Guide
Ferment-based preservation aid.
Popular in natural products but often too weak to rely on alone.
Where to buy: Lotioncrafter · Formulator Sample Shop · Aromantic — see the Sourcing Guide
Keep in mind: Pair with a proven system and validate with microbial challenge testing.
Effective conventional broad-spectrum preservative.
Included for comparison and conventional formulation work.
Where to buy: Lotioncrafter · Formulator Sample Shop · Aromantic — see the Sourcing Guide
Keep in mind: A formaldehyde-releasing system; not accepted for natural claims.
Lowers the finished product pH.
Use a diluted solution in tiny increments, then measure again.
Where to buy: Formulator Sample Shop · Making Cosmetics · Lotioncrafter — see the Sourcing Guide
Keep in mind: Never estimate final pH from the dose; verify with a calibrated meter.
Lowers pH and can support moisture retention.
Commercial cosmetic grades are commonly fermented from plant sugars.
Where to buy: Formulator Sample Shop · Making Cosmetics · Lotioncrafter — see the Sourcing Guide
Keep in mind: Add as a dilution and verify final pH.
Raises pH in very small controlled amounts.
Useful when an acidic formula must be brought into its target range.
Where to buy: Formulator Sample Shop · Making Cosmetics · Lotioncrafter — see the Sourcing Guide
Keep in mind: Caustic concentrate. Use a properly prepared dilute solution, PPE, and a calibrated pH meter.
Natural-origin chelator and preservative booster.
Binds trace metals that can destabilize color, scent, and preservation.
Where to buy: Formulator Sample Shop · Making Cosmetics · Lotioncrafter — see the Sourcing Guide
Biodegradable chelator and preservation booster.
Improves stability in hard water and supports preservative performance.
Where to buy: Formulator Sample Shop · Making Cosmetics · Lotioncrafter — see the Sourcing Guide
Natural-origin chelator.
Helps reduce metal-driven discoloration and oxidation.
Where to buy: Formulator Sample Shop · Making Cosmetics · Lotioncrafter — see the Sourcing Guide
