Cosmetic Glossary & Skincare Terms
Your trusted guide to understanding the ingredients you see on labels—both natural and synthetic.
Before We Begin…
At Herbs on the Hill, we only use ingredients we trust—gentle, effective, and rooted in nature’s wisdom.
But the world of skincare is vast, and labels can be confusing. This glossary includes common ingredients and cosmetic terms, even those we don’t use in our products, to help you make informed choices.
Note: Inclusion in this glossary doesn’t mean we approve of or use the ingredient—it simply means we want you to know what it is.
A-Z of Skincare Terms & Ingredients
A
Alcohol (Denatured / SD Alcohol):
A drying alcohol often used in toners or perfumes. Can disrupt the skin barrier, especially in high concentrations.
Not used in Herbs on the Hill products.
Aloe Vera (Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice):
A soothing botanical rich in polysaccharides, known for calming irritation, hydrating skin, and supporting healing.
We use this gentle ingredient in many of our creams and balms.
Antioxidant:
A compound that helps neutralize free radicals, which can damage skin cells. Natural antioxidants include Vitamin E, Green Tea, and Rosehip.
B
Behentrimonium Chloride:
A synthetic conditioning agent used in haircare for detangling and softness. Can be irritating in leave-on skin products.
Not used in our formulations.
Beeswax (Cera Alba):
A natural emulsifier and barrier protector, locking in moisture while letting the skin breathe.
C
Cetyl Alcohol:
Despite the name, this is a fatty alcohol, not a drying one. Commonly used as a thickener or stabilizer in creams and lotions.
Safe and skin-friendly in most cases.
Cocamidopropyl Betaine:
A synthetic surfactant derived from coconut oil, used for foaming in shampoos and body washes. Can cause irritation in sensitive skin.
Not used in Herbs on the Hill products.
E
Emollient:
A texture-smoothing ingredient that softens and soothes the skin. Plant oils, butters, and fatty acids are common natural emollients.
Emulsifier:
A binding agent that helps water and oil stay mixed in creams and lotions. Natural emulsifiers include beeswax and lecithin.
Synthetic ones (like PEGs) exist too, but we don’t use those.
G
Glycerin (Vegetable Glycerol):
A powerful natural humectant that draws moisture into the skin.
We use food-grade vegetable glycerin derived from plants.
H
Humectant:
An ingredient that attracts and holds water in the skin. Examples include glycerin and hyaluronic acid.
Helps keep skin hydrated, especially in dry environments.
Hydroquinone:
A controversial skin-lightening agent banned or restricted in many countries due to safety concerns.
Never used in Herbs on the Hill products
Jump to a letter:
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
I
Imidazolidinyl Urea:
A synthetic preservative that releases formaldehyde. Often found in mainstream cosmetics.
Not used in Herbs on the Hill products.
Isopropyl Alcohol:
A drying alcohol used in disinfectants and quick-drying formulas. Can damage the skin’s natural barrier.
We avoid this in all formulations.
J
Jojoba Oil (Simmondsia Chinensis):
A liquid wax ester that mimics skin’s natural sebum. Balancing, soothing, and non-comedogenic.
A hero ingredient in our Limitless and facial care ranges.
K
Kaolin Clay:
A gentle white clay used to draw out impurities without stripping moisture. Ideal for sensitive or dry skin.
L
Lanolin:
A waxy substance from sheep’s wool used for deep moisturisation. Effective but not vegan.
We choose vegan alternatives in our range.
Lecithin:
A natural emulsifier derived from soy or sunflower. Helps keep formulas stable while conditioning skin.
M
Methylparaben / Propylparaben:
Synthetic preservatives widely used in cosmetics but increasingly controversial due to possible hormone disruption.
Never used in our products.
Mineral Oil / Petrolatum:
By-products of petroleum. They form a barrier on the skin but offer no nourishment and can clog pores.
We prefer nourishing plant oils that let skin breathe.
N
Niacinamide (Vitamin B3):
A soothing, barrier-repairing ingredient that improves tone and texture. Excellent for sensitive and breakout-prone skin.
Natural Fragrance:
Fragrance derived from essential oils or plant materials, as opposed to synthetic perfumes.
We always use 100% natural fragrance sources.
O
Occlusive:
A skincare term for ingredients that form a protective barrier to lock in moisture. Examples: beeswax, shea butter, lanolin.
Octinoxate / Oxybenzone:
Common chemical sunscreen agents linked to coral reef damage and possible hormone disruption.
Not used in any Herbs on the Hill product.
P
PEGs (Polyethylene Glycols):
Synthetic emulsifiers and thickeners made from petroleum. May be contaminated with harmful by-products.
Avoided in our natural formulations.
Phenoxyethanol:
A synthetic preservative often used as a paraben alternative. Effective but may cause irritation in sensitive skin.
Not used in Herbs on the Hill products.
Preservative:
A necessary ingredient in water-based formulas to prevent bacterial growth. We use gentle, approved preservatives like Geogard Ultra or potassium sorbate when needed—always with safety
Q
Quaternium-15:
A preservative that releases formaldehyde. Found in some conventional skincare but linked to skin sensitivity.
Not used in our formulations.
R
Retinol (Vitamin A):
A synthetic vitamin A derivative used to boost cell turnover and reduce wrinkles. Can be irritating and increases sun sensitivity.
We prefer natural vitamin-rich oils like rosehip and carrot seed.
Rosehip Oil (Rosa Canina):
A natural oil packed with Vitamin A, C, and essential fatty acids. Known for brightening, scar-fading, and deep skin nourishment.
A favourite in our Limitless and facial care ranges.
S
Silicones (e.g. Dimethicone, Cyclopentasiloxane):
Synthetic smoothing agents that create a silky feel but don’t provide real nourishment. Can block pores in some skin types.
We avoid silicones in all products.
SLS / SLES (Sodium Lauryl/Laureth Sulfate):
Foaming agents found in many mainstream shampoos and cleansers. Known to cause irritation and strip natural oils.
Never used in our range—our soaps and washes use gentle plant-based alternatives.
Surfactant:
A cleansing agent that helps water mix with oil and dirt so they can be rinsed away. Natural surfactants include soapwort and decyl glucoside.
T
Talc:
A powdered mineral used for absorbency and softness. Concerns over contamination with asbestos have led to scrutiny.
We use natural clay and starch alternatives in our powders.
Titanium Dioxide (Non-Nano):
A natural mineral sunscreen and colourant. Safe in non-nano form (particles too large to penetrate skin).
Used in some of our limited-edition balms and products for gentle UV reflection.
U
Urea:
Can refer to synthetic urea used as a moisturiser or urea-releasing preservatives (some of which release formaldehyde).
We don’t use urea or urea derivatives in our skincare.
V
Vitamin C (Ascorbic Acid):
A potent antioxidant that brightens skin and supports collagen production. Can be unstable in some formulas.
Vitamin E (Tocopherol):
A skin-loving antioxidant that supports healing, softens dryness, and protects from free radicals.
A beloved ingredient in many of our balms and creams.
W
Witch Hazel (Hamamelis Virginiana):
A natural astringent used to tone and tighten skin. Can be drying in high concentrations unless blended with moisturising ingredients.
X
Xanthan Gum:
A naturally derived thickener used in creams and gels for texture and stability. Skin-safe and non-comedogenic.
Y
Yellow 5 (Tartrazine):
A synthetic dye used in many mainstream personal care products. Can trigger allergic reactions in sensitive individuals.
We use plant and mineral-based colourants when needed.
Z
Zinc Oxide (Non-Nano):
A natural mineral used in barrier creams and sunscreens. Soothes irritation and offers physical sun protection.
Can be found in our baby-friendly and barrier products in its non-nano, skin-safe form.
