CompoundList
Industry

Cosmetics and personal care chemicals and ingredients

INCI ingredients for skin, hair and color cosmetics
Chemicals
5,131
Applications
12
Suppliers
12,890
Cream jars and lotion bottles on a cosmetics production line
Illustrative image

About cosmetics and personal care

Cosmetics and personal care products are built from ingredients that each do a job. Emollients give skin feel, emulsifiers hold creams together, humectants keep skin moisturised, surfactants cleanse, thickeners build texture, preservatives keep products safe, antioxidants protect oils, UV filters protect skin, conditioning agents care for skin and hair, colorants give shade and fragrance ingredients give scent. This page groups cosmetic ingredients by those functions, using the function names of the EU CosIng database and the INCI names found on product labels.

Read more about cosmetics and personal care

Formulators usually search by INCI name or function rather than by CAS number, because one INCI name can cover products from many manufacturers. A cetearyl alcohol from one supplier may differ from another in the ratio of cetyl to stearyl alcohol, in physical form or in its palm or coconut origin, so compare grade details and request samples before switching.

Regulation decides what can be used and how much. The EU Cosmetics Regulation lists prohibited substances and restricted preservatives, colorants and UV filters in its annexes, the US regulates sunscreens as drugs, and China, India, ASEAN countries and others have their own ingredient lists and registration steps. Brands also respond to consumer demand for natural, vegan, sustainably sourced and microplastic-free ingredients. When you post a request, give the INCI name, the grade, the documents you need, such as the technical data sheet, safety data sheet, allergen and impurity statements and certifications, and the quantity, so suppliers can respond with the right offer.

Browse by application in cosmetics and personal care

Chemicals grouped by the job they do in a formulation or process.

Top cosmetics and personal care chemicals

Showing 1 to 48 of 5,131 chemicals, most searched and traded first.

Jump to page (107 pages)Show all

Suppliers serving cosmetics and personal care

Companies that list this industry or sell its chemicals. Paid members appear first.

New cosmetics and personal care products from suppliers

Products recently listed for the applications in this industry.

All latest offers

Related chemical categories

Chemical families that this industry buys most often.

All categories

Guides for buyers

Practical reading on grades, documents, regulation and shipping before you buy.

All guides

Frequently asked questions

Quick answers about sourcing cosmetics and personal care chemicals on CompoundList.

Can I search cosmetic ingredients by INCI name?

Yes. Search by INCI name, CAS number or function, or browse the INCI directory, which lists ingredients with their CosIng functions and links to suppliers.

Where do the cosmetic functions come from?

They follow the EU CosIng database, which lists the technical functions of cosmetic ingredients. Some functions are grouped for easier browsing, for example cleansing and foaming surfactants.

How do I check that an ingredient is allowed in my market?

Check the regulations of each market, for example the annexes of the EU Cosmetics Regulation, the US FDA rules and Chinese ingredient lists. Ask suppliers for a regulatory statement for the markets you sell in.

Can suppliers provide natural and sustainability certificates?

Many can. Ask for natural origin index, COSMOS approval, RSPO certification for palm derivatives, vegan statements and animal testing statements in your request.

Request for quote

Cannot find the cosmetics and personal care chemicals you need?

Post one buy request with the grade, quantity and destination. Matching suppliers send you quotes, and your contact details stay private until you accept one.