How to Use the Ingredient Encyclopedia
353 Ingredients for Soap, Lotion & Cosmetic Formulation
The Ingredient Encyclopedia is SoapMath's searchable database of 353 cosmetic ingredients. Each entry includes the INCI name, functional class, recommended usage rates, pH stability range, solubility, charge, HLB value, and calculator compatibility. Whether you're formulating cold process soap, lotions, balms, or other cosmetic products, the encyclopedia helps you find the right ingredient and understand how to use it.
What You'll Find
How to Search
The encyclopedia offers multiple ways to find ingredients.
- Search by Name: Type a common name, INCI name, or trade name into the search bar. The fuzzy search will find matches even if you don't spell it perfectly.
- Browse by Class: Open the Filters panel and select one or more functional classes (e.g., Emollients, Preservatives) to narrow results to a specific category.
- Filter by Calculator: Select "Soap," "Lotion," or "Balm" in the Calculator filter to see only ingredients compatible with that calculator.
- Advanced Filters: Filter by charge, solubility, origin (natural vs. synthetic), skin type, hair type, and class-specific properties like microbial coverage or comedogenic rating.
- Sort Columns: Click any column header (Name, Class, Solubility, Charge) to sort the table alphabetically in ascending or descending order.
Understanding Ingredient Pages
Click any ingredient name to open its detail page. Here's what each field means:
Functional Classes Explained
Emollients
Oils, butters, and esters that soften and smooth the skin. They form the oil phase in lotions and balms and are the base oils in soap recipes.
Fatty Thickeners
Waxes and fatty alcohols that add body, structure, and thickness to formulas. Common in balms, lotion bars, and cream-based products.
Emulsifiers
Ingredients that allow oil and water to mix into stable emulsions. Essential for lotions, creams, and any formula with both oil and water phases.
Humectants
Water-attracting ingredients like glycerin and hyaluronic acid that draw moisture to the skin, keeping it hydrated.
Rheology Modifiers
Thickeners and gelling agents that control the viscosity and texture of water-based formulas. Examples include xanthan gum and carbomer.
Chelators
Ingredients that bind metal ions in water, preventing them from destabilizing your formula. Common in lotions and liquid soap.
Preservatives
Antimicrobial ingredients that prevent bacterial and fungal growth in water-containing products. Required for any formula with a water phase.
Antioxidants
Ingredients that prevent oils and fats from going rancid (oxidizing). Important for extending the shelf life of oil-based products.
Actives
Performance ingredients like AHAs, BHAs, niacinamide, and vitamin C that provide targeted skin benefits beyond basic moisturizing.
pH Adjusters
Acids and bases (like citric acid and sodium hydroxide) used to bring a formula's pH into the correct range for skin safety and ingredient stability.
Salts
Mineral salts used for exfoliation, electrolyte balance in formulas, or as thickening aids in surfactant-based products.
Tips for Using the Encyclopedia
- Use the INCI name from each ingredient page when creating your product labels — it's required for cosmetic labeling compliance.
- Always check the recommended usage rate before adding an ingredient to your formula. Using too much or too little can affect performance and safety.
- Look for the 🌿 naturally derived indicator if you're formulating natural or clean beauty products.
- Pay attention to pH stability ranges — using an ingredient outside its stable pH range can cause it to lose effectiveness or destabilize your formula.
- Use the Calculator filter to quickly find ingredients that are already set up in your preferred SoapMath calculator.