Actives

What counts as an active

In cosmetic formulation, an active is the ingredient a product is built around: the one that carries the claim on the label. Everything else, from water and emulsifiers to thickeners and preservatives, exists to deliver it in a stable, pleasant form. This catalog collects those headline ingredients so a formulator can compare INCI names, forms and process notes in one place.

Main families in the catalog

Vitamins and vitamin derivatives

Niacinamide (vitamin B3) is one of the most versatile water-soluble actives and appears in serums, toners and creams aimed at a more even, refined-looking complexion. D-Panthenol (provitamin B5) is a humectant that gives a soothing, comfortable feel.

Hydrators

Hyaluronic acid in several molecular weights, including multi-weight blends such as 4D Hyaluronic Acid (Hymagic), glycerin and botanical polysaccharides build the hydrating base of most serums.

Specialty actives

Newer materials such as PDRN Sodium, exosome-style botanical solutions and fermented ingredients sit here as well. Each product page lists what the documentation supports and what it does not.

How to read a product page

Every page shows the INCI, the form (powder, solution or oil), solubility and the point in the process where the ingredient goes in. When a use level is published by the supplier we show it; when it is not, the page says so and points you to the CoA. CAS is shown as a number when it is known and as Mixture or N/A for blends.

Building a formula around actives

Start with one or two headline actives, then choose the base that suits them: water-soluble actives in a gel or serum, oil-soluble ones in an oil phase or an anhydrous product. Add heat-sensitive materials in cool-down, below 40 °C. Check pH compatibility early, since some actives work in narrow ranges. Peptides have their own section in Peptides, and liquid plant extracts sit in Botanical Extracts.

Claims

Keep claims cosmetic and match them to the evidence your supplier provides: the look of the skin, hydration, comfort and texture.

Documentation and quality

Each lot ships with a CoA. Keep it with your batch records, since it confirms appearance, identity and, for many actives, the content of the key component. If your project needs extra documents such as a safety data sheet or an allergen statement, ask before you order so they arrive with the material.

Pilot batches

Start small. Make a 100 g to 500 g pilot, record pH, viscosity and appearance after each addition, and run stability at room temperature and at 40 °C in the final packaging before scaling up.

Ordering

Orders ship from Florida, usually within 1 to 2 business days, and US shipping is free on orders of $35 or more. Search the catalog below by name, INCI or SKU.