Solvents

Solvents Are Essential in Effective Skincare Formulas

Solvents are ingredients that dissolve other substances, allowing active ingredients, botanical extracts, and vitamins to be evenly distributed in a formula. They help create a smooth, uniform texture and ensure products deliver their benefits evenly across the skin.

Beyond simply blending ingredients, solvents can also enhance the penetration of actives, helping them reach deeper layers of the skin for better results. In some cases, they improve the stability of the formula, preventing separation or crystallization.

Where are solvents derived from?

Solvents can be synthetic or naturally derived, with common examples including:

• Water (Aqua) – the most universal solvent in cosmetics
• Ethanol – often from fermented grains, sugarcane, or corn
• Propanediol – usually from fermented corn glucose
• Glycerin – from plant oils like soy, palm, or coconut

Bottom line: Solvents are the unsung heroes that make skincare products work — blending, delivering, and stabilizing key ingredients so your skin gets the full benefit.