A fluffy, white powder that acts as a humectant due to its water-loving chemistry and as an exfoliant that helps to remove dead skin cells. It has also been shown to be very soothing to irritated and inflamed skin.
Moisturizing
Humectant
Moisturizing (Humectant)
Humectants are moisturizing ingredients that draw moisture to the skin, either from deeper layers or from the environment (when it's humid).
Humectant
Moisturizing (Humectant)
Humectants are moisturizing ingredients that draw moisture to the skin, either from deeper layers or from the environment (when it's humid).
Soothing
Soothing
Soothing ingredients reduce the signs of sensitivity in irritated and inflamed skin. This includes anti-inflammatory ingredients, anti-itch agents, and topical analgesics.
Soothing
Soothing ingredients reduce the signs of sensitivity in irritated and inflamed skin. This includes anti-inflammatory ingredients, anti-itch agents, and topical analgesics.
Other functions
Exfoliant
Exfoliant
Exfoliants remove dead skin cells from the surface of the skin via acid-based chemical reactions (e.g., AHA or BHA).
Exfoliant
Exfoliant
Exfoliants remove dead skin cells from the surface of the skin via acid-based chemical reactions (e.g., AHA or BHA).
Origin
Botanical,
Botanical
Ingredients derived from plants, mosses, and lichens: extracts, oils, powders, juices and other types of processed plant materials.
Botanical,
Botanical
Ingredients derived from plants, mosses, and lichens: extracts, oils, powders, juices and other types of processed plant materials.
Synthetic,
Synthetic
All kinds of ingredients formulated or produced by a chemical process, or those that have a chemical modification in their structure.
Synthetic,
Synthetic
All kinds of ingredients formulated or produced by a chemical process, or those that have a chemical modification in their structure.
Animal
Animal
Ingredients derived from animals (including birds, fish, crustaceans, mollusks, and insects) or produced by animals (e.g. dairy- and egg-derived ingredients, bee products, silk, pearls, etc.)
Animal
Animal
Ingredients derived from animals (including birds, fish, crustaceans, mollusks, and insects) or produced by animals (e.g. dairy- and egg-derived ingredients, bee products, silk, pearls, etc.)
Overview
Allantoin is a fluffy, white powder that is made from uric acid, a derivative of nucleic acids. This ingredient is water-soluble and has humectant properties.
A humectant is a type of ingredient that draws water onto the surface of the skin, either from the environment or from deeper layers of the skin. Allantoin is useful for this purpose because of its water-loving chemistry. In addition to being a humectant, allantoin has also shown to be very soothing to irritated and inflamed skin.
Some studies even suggest that it has wound healing properties, but that claim requires more information before being proven.