Glossary Each ingredient in every Mannatech Optimal Skin Care System product has been carefully selected for its ability to nourish, protect and enhance the health of the skin. The unique blends are designed using only the highest quality, most effective ingredients available. This glossary will help you to understand the ingredients we use and why we use them. 1,2-Hexanediol A solvent used in moisturizing preparations. Algae extract Helps skin maintain its youthful appearance by inhibiting the formation of the enzyme collagenase, which causes the degradation of collagen. Aloe barbadensis leaf juice (aloe) This aloe-leaf extract is rich in amino acids, vitamins, enzymes and various mineral salts. Known for its moisture-binding effects, it is an excellent emollient that penetrates deeply to naturally balance the skin s ph. Alumina A bulking agent. Aminoethanesulfinic acid An antioxidant. Antioxidants Ingredients employed in cosmetics to prevent or retard product spoilage due to rancidity (or deterioration from reaction with oxygen). Antioxidants play a vital role in maintaining the quality, integrity and safety of cosmetic products. Typical cosmetic antioxidants include reducing agents and free radical scavengers. Arginine HCl
page 2 Artemia extract A bioenergetic ingredient extracted from plankton. It activates cell functions and protects the DNA from UV-B. Photolyase is an enzyme obtained from sea plankton and is known to protect the skin from the drying effects of exposure to the sun s rays. It also has calming properties and is considered a cell revitalizer that enhances the complexion. 2 Bakuhan Ground silica stone powder that gently polishes and cleanses the skin. Beeswax Helps lock in skin s own natural moisture and creates a protective, long-lasting barrier against the elements, unlike petroleum waxes, which strip skin of its natural moisture. Behenyl alcohol Used as an emulsifying agent and viscosity builder. Butyrospermum parkii (Shea Butter) A moisturizing, soothing emollient fat with cellular renewal properties. Caesalpinia spinosa gum A thickening agent. Calendula officinalis flower extract (Marigold) An anti-inflammatory and antioxidant commonly used to treat problem skin and acne. This flavonoid-rich flower extract has natural calming and purifying properties. Calendula also works as a skin-conditioning agent. Camellia oleifera leaf extract (Green Tea) This leaf extract contains antioxidants to intercept free radicals and helps ward off signs of aging. Carbomer Thickening agents used primarily to create gel-like formulations. Carpryloyl glycine A complex of amino acid protein and fractionated vegetable oil that helps protect the skin from water loss. Ceramide G11, 3 Cetearyl olivate An emulsifier. Cetyl ethylhexanoate An emollient, emulsifier, thickener and carrying agent for other ingredients.
page 3 Citric acid Derived from citrus and used primarily to adjust the ph of products to prevent them from being too alkaline. Cleansing agents Used to clean skin and hair and as emulsifiers in cosmetics. Cocamidopropyl betaine Provides good foam and foam liquid stabilization with excellent wetting properties. Considered to be one of the more gentle surfactants used in skin care products. Cocos nucifera oil (Coconut) Plant kernel oil that is a source of emollient moisturization. Coix lacryma-jobi seed extract (Job s Tears) A skin soother. Cyclohexasiloxane An emollient. Cyclopentasiloxane An emollient. Dimer dilinoleyl dimer dilinoleate A substantive skin-conditioning agent rich in essential fatty acids. Helps to provide longlasting hydration to the skin. Dimethicone Helps prevent moisture loss. Dipalmitoyl hydroxyproline A skin conditioner that rejuvenates the skin and helps combat the signs of aging. Dipeptide-2 A skin conditioner. Dipotassium glycyrrhizate A skin-conditioning agent that helps reduce certain signs of inflammation such as swelling, tenderness, pain, itching and redness. Elaeis guineensis oil (Palm) An excellent emollient and moisturizer for the skin.
page 4 Emollient Cosmetic ingredients that help to maintain the soft, smooth and pliable appearance of skin. Emollients remain on the skin surface or in the stratum corneum to act as lubricants, reduce flaking and improve the skin s appearance. Emulsifying agents Employed in cosmetics to prepare emulsions. The efficacy of emulsifying agents depends on their ability to reduce surface tension, to form complex films on the surface of emulsified droplets, and to create a repulsive barrier on emulsified droplets to prevent their coalescence. Emulsion stabilizers Cosmetic ingredients that assist in the formation and stabilization of emulsions. Enteromorpha compressa extract Ethylhexyl palmitate Used as an emollient and binding agent to help keep other ingredients intact in a formulation. Europaea fruit oil (Olive) A gentle oil rich in oleic acid and an excellent skin softener. Farnesol Natural ingredient found throughout the plant world that regulates developmental processes and is a natural bioactivator in human skin. Glycerin A natural water-binding humectant that is nonirritating. Used in personal-care products as a softening or conditioning agent and moisturizer. Glyceryl stearate An emollient. Glycine soja seed extract (Soybean) Rich in specific antioxidants that cleanse and help purify the skin. Glycol distearate Glycyrrhiza glabra root extract (Licorice) An herb shown to be a soothing yet powerful antioxidant and skin-conditioner. Helianthus annuus seed oil (Sunflower) An nonvolatile plant oil used as a skin-conditioning agent.
page 5 Hesperidin methyl chalcone An antioxidant. Homeostatine An extract that prevents and reduces wrinkles. Humectant An ingredient used in cosmetic products to retard moisture loss from the product during use. Hydrogenated lecithin Phospholipids also found in egg yolks and the membranes of plant cells. It is widely used in cosmetics as an emollient and water-binding agent. Hydrogenated polyisobutene A synthetic polymer used as a skin-conditioning agent and emollient. Hydrolyzed wheat protein and wheat starch Film-forming agent that retains water, tightens skin and acts as a skin-conditioning agent. Hydroxyproline Derived from the amino acid proline, it is a fundamental component of collagen and other structural proteins. It has water-binding properties similar to those of collagen. 2 Iris florentina extract A long-term firming extract that helps reduce wrinkles. Iron oxides Coloring agents. Macadamia ternifolia seed oil A skin-conditioning agent and moisturizer. Maltodextrin Produced from corn starch, it is used as a skin-tightner, foam stabilizer and diluting agent. Mentha piperita oil (Peppermint) Methylsilanol mannuronate Seaweed derivative that firms, repairs and improves elasticity of skin. It also activates lipolysis and collagen synthesis. Myristic acid A cleansing agent that creates foam when used.
page 6 Nordihydroguaiaretic acid An antioxidant. Occlusives Skin conditioners and cosmetic ingredients that retard the evaporation of water from the skin surface. By blocking the evaporative loss of water, occlusive materials increase the water content of skin. Palmitoyl tetrapeptide-3 A skin-conditioner. p-anisic acid A masking agent/biological stabilizer. Phytospingosine A skin-conditioner. Phytosteryl/octyldodecyl A skin-conditioning agent and moisturizer. Pimpinella anisum seed extract Also known as aniseed, has potent antioxidant and tightening properties. Polyacrylate-13 Tightens or firms skin. Polyglyceryl-10 laurate Polyglyceryl-3 diisostearate Multitudinous fats and oils used in cosmetics as emollients and emulsifying agents. Polyisobutene A skin-conditioning agent and emollient. Polysorbate 20 & 80 Water-soluble dispersing agent and emulsifier. It has a soothing effect on the skin. Potassium hydroxide An ingredient used in cosmetics to modulate the ph of a product. Prunus amygdalus dulcis oil (Sweet Almond) An excellent, naturally derived conditioner that contains many essential fatty acids to soften dry skin.
page 7 Retinyl palmitate (Vitamin A) A nourishing vitamin shown to increase skin elasticity, thicken the epidermis and normalize dry, parched skin. Simmondsia chinensis seed oil (Jojoba) A moisturizer and emollient agent that improves the skin s elasticity and suppleness. Skin-conditioning agents Cosmetic ingredients used to create special effects on skin. This group includes substances believed to enhance the appearance of dry or damaged skin and substantive materials that adhere to the skin to reduce flaking and restore suppleness. Sodium citrate A chemical compound used primarily to control the ph level of a product. Sodium hyaluronate Sodium lauroyl lactylate A cleansing and emulsifying agent. Solubilizing agents Substances that aid in the dissolution of an ingredient (solute) in a medium in which it is not otherwise soluble. Sorbitan olivate An emulsifying agent. Squalane A moisturizing lubricant lipid similar to the body s naturally produced moisturizer. Steareth-2 An emulsifying agent. Steareth-20 A solubilizing agent. Steareth-21 A cleansing agent, emulsifying agent and solubilizing agent. Stearic acid Fatty acid used as an emulsifying agent. Stearyl alcohol A nondrying emollient and thickener that provides a protective barrier to the skin.
page 8 Sunflower seed oil A moisturizer/conditioner. Tannic acid An astringent that tightens or firms the skin. Also an antioxidant. Tetrahexyldecyl ascorbate A highly effective, lipid-soluble form of vitamin C known for its free radical-fighting properties. It helps reverse mild wrinkles and age spots. Tocopherol acetate (Vitamin E) Tocopherol is the scientific name for vitamin E. Tocopherol acetate is a lipid-soluble version of vitamin E. Natural vitamin E is used as a powerful antioxidant and free radical scavenger. One of nature s most dynamic moisturizers, it also aids cellular renewal. Trehalose A plant sugar that has water-binding properties for skin. Tromethamine A ph adjuster. Vaccinium macrocarpon seed oil (Cranberry) Derived from the seed of the cranberry, the oil (which is not red) has potent antioxidant ability due to its being a rich source of polyphenols as well as a skin-conditioner. Xanthan gum A thickener and emulsifier. Yeast beta-glucan A source of beta-glucan, which is considered a good antioxidant and is a strong antiinflammatory agent. Yeast extract A skin-conditioning agent, which increases in viscosity during preparation. 9061.0207