Skincare Ingredient Dictionary
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Welcome to the Renée Rouleau Skincare Ingredient Dictionary! Here you’ll find a comprehensive look at the ingredients we use in our products.
Consider this dictionary a resource to help you learn more about your skincare products and what works best for you.
At Renée Rouleau, we believe everyone’s skin is truly unique. While our Nine Skin Types help you learn which types of products you should be using, this ingredient dictionary will take you a step further. Use it to investigate which skincare ingredients your skin loves (and which ones it doesn’t).
We’ve included the different names used for some of our ingredients so you can easily identify them in all your products. We’ve also listed the multiple benefits that each ingredient provides—you may be surprised what you learn!
What You Should Know About Ingredient Labels
While many ingredients are, without a doubt, beneficial for your skin, the key is really how they’re formulated. All ingredients in a product must be formulated to work in harmony with one another for a product to deliver the best possible results.
It’s true that ingredients are usually listed in order of highest to lowest concentration on a label, but skincare formulations are incredibly nuanced. The percentage at which an ingredient is used in a formula depends on so many factors, and more isn’t necessarily always better—trust us!
It’s almost impossible to tell how well an ingredient will perform based where it falls on the ingredient label. The quality of the ingredient, the percentage at which it’s included, and the ratio of it to the other ingredients all play a role in the effect something will have on your skin. Learn more about reading skincare ingredient labels.
A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z
Our Ingredients
We believe the quality of ingredients can make or break a skincare product. We take this very seriously by ensuring that our products are made with high-quality ingredients that are ethically sourced and cruelty-free.
Looking for vegan skincare? You can find a full list of our vegan-friendly products on the blog.
Ingredients You Won’t Find in Our Products:
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Drying Alcohols — These include SD alcohol 40, denatured alcohol, ethanol, and isopropyl alcohol. These types of alcohols can cause irritation and a damaged moisture barrier, which leads to tight, dehydrated skin. Drying alcohols can be beneficial when used in blemish spot treatments. Keep in mind that fatty alcohols, such as stearyl and cetearyl alcohol, are not damaging and can be a very beneficial skincare ingredient.
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Mineral Oil — This ingredient can have a pore-clogging effect on the skin
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Petrolatum —This ingredient can have a pore-clogging effect on the skin
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Phthalates — Phthalates have been linked to hormone disruption
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Plastic Beads — These are not biodegradable and end up polluting water systems as well as natural habitats. Instead, we use biodegradable jojoba esters in our formulas.
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Sulfates — Sulfates are what give some cleansers their lather and are used to cut grease and oil. Unfortunately, they end up stripping the skin of its natural moisture and are simply too harsh for most skin types. They typically result in tight, irritated, and/or dehydrated skin.
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Synthetic Dyes — Synthetic dyes are often linked to sensitivity and some are comedogenic
- Synthetic Fragrances — Synthetic fragrances are often linked to irritation and sensitivity
We take care to select skincare ingredients that are backed by science and have a proven track record. We never use an ingredient simply because it’s “trending.”
Renée, our founder and CEO, works closely with our chemists to develop product formulas and is involved in every step of the testing process. As the sole owner of her company, Renée has chosen to remain a small, business-to-consumer company so we can closely maintain quality control and bring our customers the best of the best.
Education is at the core of everything we do, and we hope you find what you’re looking for in this skincare ingredient dictionary!