Mild and mighty ingredients that power sensitive skin care

As the demand for sensitive skin care continues to rise, so does the need for thoughtful formulation strategies prioritising efficacy and skin tolerance. Every ingredient has a vital role—ensuring the final product is gentle and delivers real, visible benefits without causing irritation.

A well-designed formulation relies on a carefully balanced blend of skin-compatible ingredients that work well together. From soothing actives that reduce inflammation and strengthen the skin barrier to functional components that enhance stability, sensory appeal, and protection, each component contributes to a holistic formulation approach.

Explore our curated list of mild yet mighty ingredients, organised by category, to help you find the perfect fit for your next sensitive skin care formulation.

INCI: Ectoin

Description: Powerful natural active that protects the skin from exposure to environmental stress and pollution. It also acts as a super moisturiser and provides long-term hydration.

✅ Helps protect skin cells against environmental stressors like UV radiation, blue light, dehydration, pollutants, and chemical irritants

✅ Provides anti-inflammatory properties that help reduce skin redness and irritation

✅ Supports the skin's moisture barrier and provides long-term hydration 

INCI: Propanediol (and) Xylitol (and) Caprylic Acid

Description: 3-in-1 multifunctional active ingredient that helps in acne treatment by reducing the levels of acne-causing bacteria (Cutibacterium acnes), as well as minimising the redness associated with acne spots and controlling sebum production.

✅ Reduces acne-causing bacteria: Targets and reduces the levels of Cutibacterium acnes, which contribute to acne formation.

✅ Minimises redness: Helps reduce the redness and inflammation associated with acne lesions.

✅ Controls sebum production: Regulates sebum production, eliminating excess that causes skin inflammation. 

INCI: Citrus peel fiber

Description: a nature-based alternative to PEG-based and synthetic emulsifier, made from upcycled citrus peels that offer good pick-up and playtime, pleasant texture and light refreshing skin feel.

✅ Gentle on the skin

✅ Delivers different textures, from serums to lotions and creams, with a refreshing skin feeling and silky, smooth finish

✅ Delivers robust stabilisation  

INCI: Polyglyceryl-4 Oleate

Description: 100% natural emulsifier and emollient, which offers dual functionality and a luxurious skin feel.

✅ 100% natural emulsifier and emollient, derived from sunflower seed oil

✅ Free from GMOs, ethoxylates, and preservatives

✅ No need for co-emulsifier 

INCI : Xanthan gum

Description : Xanthan gum with smooth-flow rheology that gives transparent solutions.

✅ Non-irritating, gentle and biodegradable

✅ Delivers a smooth, silky and non-sticky skin feel

✅ Acts as a thickener, enhances the stability of emulsions and possesses suspending properties

INCI: Zea Mays (Corn) Starch (and) Caesalpinia Spinosa Gum (and) Algin

Description: Multifunctional, natural thickening agent that forms polymer networks that retain large amounts of water, increasing the viscosity of cosmetic formulas, and creating a unique, dry and pleasant texture.

✅ Made from materials of 100% botanical origin and is completely biodegradable

✅ Quickly absorbed, spreads easily, and forms hydrogels with an improved sensory profile

✅ Easy to use. Simple stirrers are sufficient for dispersion 

INCI: Oryza Sativa (Rice) Bran Wax

Description: 100% natural, hard, crystalline vegetable wax uniquely derived from upcycled rice bran oil (byproduct of the rice milling process), with a high melting point of 79-85°C and low acid value.

✅ Enhances skin conditioning, providing a silky, non-sticky feel in emulsions

✅ Structure imparts exceptional binding, coating, gelling, texturising, and antioxidant properties

✅ Delivers a matte finish 

INCI: Salvia Hispanica (Chia) Seed Extract, Helianthus annuus (Sunflower) Seed Oil, Simmondsia Chinensis (Jojoba) Seed Oil, Isopropyl Palmitate, Hydrogenated Farnesene, Tocopheryl Acetate

Description: natural substitute for D5 Silicone in skin care formulas and is derived from a combination of special fractions of sunflower, chia and jojoba oil with a biomimetic composition like human skin sebum

✅ Lipid profile closely resembles human skin sebum, which enhances skin compatibility

✅ Natural substitute for D5 silicone, offering improved spreadability and a smooth, velvety feel without the potential irritation

✅ Composed of 100% natural extracts and is free from synthetic additives 

INCI: Sodium Lauroamphoacetate

INCI: Disodium Cocoyl Glutamate (and) Sodium Cocoyl Glutamate

Description: Mild surfactant primarily derived from L-glutamic acid, a naturally occurring amino acid. Mainly used to produce hair and body care products, such as shampoos, shower gels, liquid soaps, cleansing lotions and baby care products that are gentle to the skin.

✅ Provides effective cleansing without stripping the skin

✅ Leaves the skin with an extremely pleasant, silky feel

✅ High foaming power, particularly in acidic conditions, contributing to a rich lather. Improves hair wet/dry combability 

INCI: Titanium Dioxide (nano) (and) Alumina (and) Silica

INCI: Water (Aqua) (and) Octocrylene (and) Sorbitol (and) Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane (and) Silica (and) PVP

As consumer expectations evolve, formulating for sensitive skin is no longer about avoiding irritants—it's about creating high-performing, skin-supportive products that soothe, protect, and strengthen the skin over time. 

At Azelis, our technical experts are here to help you navigate ingredient selection and formulation strategies tailored to sensitive skin care.

If you'd like to learn more or explore the latest ingredient innovations, feel free to contact us here.