It’s natural to be concerned when a cosmetic formula contains big, impossible-to-say words – but just because these ingredients are unfamiliar does not mean that they’re dangerous for you to use on your body. In honor of this week’s sale on Real Purity’s Health Glow Cream Foundation, we’re breaking down the top 5 “scariest”-sounding ingredients…and why they aren’t so scary after all.

Xylityl Sesquicaprylate

Whoa – does that first word even have a vowel?! This cosmetic ingredient is commonly used in cosmetic formulas thanks to its moisturizing and antimicrobial properties. It comes from xylitol and caprylic acid, which are both of natural origin. In addition to being a natural preservative, it offers its users skin protection and moisturizing benefits. 

Butyrospermum Parkii Fruit

Despite the length of the first word, the “fruit” designation might have tipped you off to the fact this ingredient is not only safe, but is, in fact, extremely common. This particular ingredient is actually the fruit of the shea tree and is the source of Shea Butter, a type of fat widely used in cosmetics and food. As you may already know, this particular ingredient provides deep moisturizing benefits and will intensely nourish and soften dry skin.

Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride (Vegetable)

As unnerving as a word like “triglyceride” might be, it’s probably the word “vegetable” that tips you off to the fact that this is another harmless, safe-to-use ingredient. Caprylic/capric triglyceride – which is derived from plant-based sources, including coconut or palm kernel oil – has a myriad number of benefits, many of which center on protecting the skin without clogging pores.

Glyceryl Stearate 

This ingredient might sound like a scary chemical, but this ingredient can actually be found naturally in the human body. Although it can be developed synthetically, it is also often derived from vegetable oils like palm, coconut or olive oil. Its use provides skin conditioning benefits and helps to stabilize certain cosmetic products, such as creams and lotions.

Carthamus Tinctorius Oil

You may think you’ve never heard of this ingredient before…but you’d probably be wrong! This unfamiliar name is actually the scientific name for one of our favorite ingredients – safflower oil. This gentle-on-skin ingredient not only softens dry skin and improves elasticity, but it can help reduce breakouts for acne-prone skin. In Real Purity’s Foundation formula, this is one example of an ingredient we use in its organic form.

Formulas and the ingredients they use can sound scary – until they aren’t! If you want to check out any cosmetic ingredients, now or in the future, we recommend using EWG.org as a reference, a not-for-profit organization that provides consumer guides and access to information regarding clean (or common) ingredients in cosmetics and elsewhere. And be rest assured – when you shop at Real Purity, you can trust that the ingredients you’re using have been chosen carefully and are of the highest quality available.