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.
Click on a category below to find what you’re looking for.
Active ingredient
SKINMIMICS® PRO
INCI: Ceramide EOP (and) Ceramide NP (and) Ceramide AP (and) Behenic Acid (and) Polyglyceryl-10 Stearate (and) Polyglyceryl-6 Behenate (and) Glycerin (and) Lactic Acid
Description: Synergistic combination of seven different skin-identical long chain and short bioactive ceramides embedded in a modern and globally applicable emulsifier system and without listed preservatives.
Ingredient highlights
✅ Mimics the lipid matrix of healthy skin – ingredients embed the
ceramides in a modern, naturally derived, multi-lamellar formulation chassis
✅ Repair and strengthen the barrier function from within
✅ Support the skin's own biological processes to retain moisture more effectively
AloeHeal Gold
INCI: Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice
Description: Aloe vera liquid extract that is an effective healing and soothing active.
Ingredient highlights
✅ Proven efficacy in wound healing and inflammation
✅ Available in easy-to-use liquid form. Suitable for skin care and oral care applications
✅ 100% green process
Exfoliating agent
TEGO® RenewHA Mandelic
INCI: Mandelic Acid
Description: Aromatic alpha hydroxy acid (AHA) known for its gentle yet effective exfoliating properties, making it suitable for sensitive skin and individuals with darker skin tones.
Ingredient highlights
✅ Gentle skin exfoliation, which promotes a renewed skin appearance. Less irritating than conventional AHAs
✅ Antibacterial with benefits in reducing the appearance of skin blemishes, making it beneficial for acne-prone skin
✅ Improves hyperpigmentation and promotes even skin tone
Mild emulsifier
dermofeel® GSC SG
INCI: Glyceryl Stearate Citrate
Description: anionic, PEG-free emulsifier derived from vegetable raw materials that can be used in the formulation of oil-in-water (O/W) creams and lotions, offering a natural and gentle alternative for emulsification.
Ingredient highlights
✅ Natural composition ensures mild interaction with the skin, reducing the likelihood of irritation
✅ Forms stable emulsions with commonly used oils, allowing consistent product performance without compromising skin comfort
✅ Easy to handle due to the pelletised product form. Suitable for hot emulsification processes
TEGO® Care 450 MB
INCI: Polyglyceryl-3 Methylglucose Distearate
Description: PEG-free, non-ionic emulsifier derived from vegetable raw materials developed for creating oil-in-water (O/W) emulsions. Forms stable emulsions with all common oils.
Ingredient highlights
✅ Based on vegetable raw materials, proven to show no erythema reaction during performance testing
✅ Improves hydration of the skin
✅ Provides water resistance properties
Rheology modifier
ANTIL® Soft SC MB
INCI: Sorbitan Sesquicaprylate
Description: Multifunctional, natural-based additive designed to enhance the performance and sensory attributes of cleansing products. Provides excellent thickening capabilities, allowing formulators to achieve desired viscosities with lower additive concentrations.
Ingredient highlights
✅ Suitable for sensitive skin, offering gentle thickening and foam-boosting properties without the harshness associated with synthetic additives
✅ Reduce moisture loss post-cleansing and helps maintain the skin's natural hydration balance
✅ High efficacy at low usage, cold processable and easy to incorporate into formulations
AGENAJEL 20.306
INCI: Distarch Phosphate
Request for sampleDescription: Pregelatinised (cold water-swelling) corn starch that serves as a natural rheology modifier and thickener. Imparts creaminess to emulsions.
Ingredient highlights
✅ Provides pleasant skin feel, mattifying effect, and easy spreading without whitening or shininess. Reduces stickiness and greasiness.
✅ Forms opaque, rich creamy foam with excellent density. Offers smooth textures to formulations.
✅ Suitable for cold-processed formulations
Sensory enhancer
Corn PO4 Natural
INCI: Distarch phosphate
Description: Boiling-resistant, non-swellable corn starch that will absorb the "oil" from the oil phase. It provides lasting moisturisation or fragrance release and can be used in all product formats to mattify and reduce heavy/oily formulations.
Ingredient highlights
✅ Unique non-swellable starch which doesn't gelatinise
✅ Used in all product formats for mattifying, reducing heavy/oily formulations and has excellent slip and glide; ball bearing effect
✅ Allows cost reductions without compromising formula (up to 50% of the silicone elastomer can be interchanged)
Mild surfactant
RHEANCE® One
INCI: Glycolipids
Description: 100% sugar based, renewable cleansing, solubilising and foaming additive. Provides mild and effective cleansing and pleasant sensory benefits with a dense and creamy foam that rinses easily from skin.
Ingredient highlights
✅ Exceptionally mild to the skin and mucous membranes
✅ Outstanding cleansing performance and offers sebum control
✅ Facilitates the incorporation of essential oils into formulations due to its solubilising efficacy
SOPHANCE® LA-A
INCI: Glycolipids (and) Sodium Lactate
Description: mild, acidic-rich sophorolipid biosurfactant produced through the fermentation of natural feedstocks. It offers enhanced performance with pleasant sensorial benefits and is ideal for applications targeting sensitive skin.
Ingredient highlights
✅ Extremely mild to skin, eyes, and mucous membranes
✅ Readily biodegradable with exceptionally low aquatic toxicity
✅ Outstanding make-up removal properties and high rinseability
UV filter
MC-ZCC75H
INCI: Zinc oxide (and) Triethoxycaprylylsilane (and) Cocos nucifera (coconut) oil (and) Cococaprylate/ caprate (and) Polyhydroxystearic Acid
Description: surface-treated zinc oxide dispersion that delivers a balance of UV protection, formulation versatility, and sensory aesthetics.
Ingredient highlights
✅ Gives a light and soft feel, making it ideal for lightweight daily sunscreens and sensitive skin products
✅ High active content (73%) and delivers broad-spectrum protection
✅ Enhanced formulation aesthetics with low viscosity
MC-TMCT50A
INCI: Titanium Dioxide (and) Stearic Acid (and) Alumina (and) Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride (and) Polyhydroxystearic Acid
Description: Non-nano, surface-treated titanium dioxide dispersion that provides broad-spectrum UV protection and tone-up properties
Ingredient highlights
✅ Multifunctional – Broad-spectrum protection and tone-up properties
✅ Allows ease of incorporation and gives smooth skin feel
✅ Can be used in both W/O and O/W emulsions
Looking to formulate your next sensitive skin-friendly formulation?
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.
