| INGREDIENT |
FUNCTION |
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT |
COMMONLY FOUND IN |
DERIVED FROM |
| Akyl glucoside/Decyl glucoside/Alkyl polyglucoside |
Cleaning agent |
Plant-derived and Biodegradable |
Used in personal hygiene products that need to be mild on skin and create a stable foam |
Derived from corn sugar or coconut oil |
| Aloe barbadensis leaf extract (Aloe vera extract) |
Moisturizer - Skin conditioner |
Plant-derived and Biodegradable |
Used in cosmetics, creams and lotions as a natural moisturizer
and burn reliever |
Aloe vera is the juice or gel derived from the succulent plant Aloe vera |
| Alpha-tocopherol (Vitamin E) |
Moisturizer - Skin conditioner |
Plant-derived and Biodegradable |
Used in skin care products as an antioxidant and moisturizer |
Vitamin E is found in vegetable oils like sunflower oil and in eggs, nuts, and more |
| Amyl cinnamal |
Fragrance |
Synthetic |
Used in cosmetics and personal care products as a natural fragrance |
Amyl Cinnamal occurs naturally in some plants |
| Amylase/Alpha amylase |
Enzyme - Soil removal |
Natural, Microorganism-derived and Biodegradable |
Used in detergents, fermentation and pharmaceutical industries to aid in breaking down starches like sauce, ketchup and baby food stains |
Amylase can be produced by plant, animal or microbial sources and commonly derived from corn, oat, rice and bread wheat |
| Benzyl benzoate |
Fragrance |
Synthetic |
Used in cosmetics and personal care products as a preservative and as a natural fragrance |
Benzyl benzoate natural sources include ylang-ylang, cinnamon, rosewood and vanilla. |
| Benzyl salicylate |
Fragrance |
Synthetic |
Used in cleansing products, cosmetics and personal care products as a natural fragrance |
A fragrance that occurs naturally in a variety of plants and plant extracts |
| C10-16 Alkyldimethylamine oxide/Dimethyl lauramine (Lauramine oxide) |
Cleaning agent |
Plant-based and Biodegradable |
Used in cosmetics and leave-in products |
Lauramine oxide is made from coconut oil |
| C12-16 pareth-7 |
Cleaning agent |
Plant-based and Biodegradable |
Used in laundry detergents, polishes, waxes, and cleaning products to remove oils from fabrics and limit suds when agitated |
Alcohol ethoxylates are derived from the reaction of a fatty alcohol and ethylene oxide |
| Caprylic/capric triglyceride |
Fragrance |
Plant-derived and Biodegradable |
Used in many cosmetics and skin care products as a natural fragrance |
Derived from coconut oil |
| Cellulase (Enzyme) |
Enzyme - Soil removal |
Natural, Microorganism-derived and Biodegradable |
Used in laundry products to reduce pilling, dirt redeposition, and greying of our clothes |
Cellulase is a naturally occurring enzyme that is found in plant cell walls and plant-derived fibers |
| Citral |
Fragrance |
Plant-derived and Biodegradable |
Used in food flavors and personal care products to give a sweet lemony note as a natural fragrance |
An essential oil of litsea cubaba, which is a small tropical plant |
| Citric acid |
pH adjuster |
Plant-derived and Biodegradable |
Used as a food additive and a disinfectant, as a preservative and as a cleaning agent |
Citric acid occurs naturally in many fruits and vegetables, especially in citrus fruits like lemons and oranges |
| Citronellol |
Fragrance |
Plant-derived and Biodegradable |
Used in personal care products as a natural fragrance and also is used as a natural insect repellent |
Citronellol is a naturally occurring scent derived from plants such as citronella grass |
| Citrus grandis seed extract |
Solvent |
Plant-derived and Biodegradable |
Used in botanical creams and lotions as an antifungal and antibacterial agent |
Grapefruit seed oil is extracted from grapefruit seeds and membranes |
| Citrus terpenes |
Fragrance |
Plant-derived and Biodegradable |
Used in cleaning products, cosmetic products, food flavoring and is a natural insect repellant |
Citrus terpenes are oils extracted from peels of lemons and oranges |
| Cocamidopropyl betaine (CAPB) |
Cleaning agent |
Plant-based and Biodegradable |
Found in personal hygiene and household products |
Cocamidopropyl betaine is a fatty acid derived from coconut oil |
| d-limonene |
Fragrance |
Plant-derived and Biodegradable |
Used in cleaning products, food flavoring, and personal care products for the cleaning and fragrance properties |
D-Limonene is extracted from peels of citrus fruits |
| Eucalyptus leaf extract |
Fragrance |
Plant-derived and Biodegradable |
Used in cold medicines, muscle and joint ointments and mouthwashes as a natural fragrance and flavoring |
Eucalyptus oil is extracted from the leaves of an eucalyptus plant |
| Geraniol |
Fragrance |
Plant-derived and Biodegradable |
Used in cosmetics, personal care products and foods as a natural fragrance |
An essential oil mixture from geranium, rose, and citronella |
| Glycerin |
Humectant - retains moisture |
Plant-derived and Biodegradable |
Used in cleaning products, skin care products, cosmetics and in the food industry to help retain moisture |
Vegetable glycerin is the variant made from plant oils. |
| Hydroxycitronellal |
Fragrance |
Synthetic |
Used in cosmetic and hygiene products such as deodorants, soaps, antiseptics as a natural fragrance |
Produced synthetically from naturally occurring scent citronellal which is found in different plant species |
| Isopropyl alcohol (IPA) |
Solvent |
Synthetic |
Commonly known as rubbing alcohol
Used in cosmetics, personal care products and in the food industry |
It is easily synthesized from the reaction of propylene with sulfuric acid, followed by hydrolysis |
| Lauryl glucoside |
Cleaning agent |
Plant-derived and Biodegradable |
Used in dish liquids and products that need to be mild on hands |
Lauryl glucoside is derived from palm kernel, corn sugar, and coconut oil |
| Lavandula hybrida oil |
Fragrance |
Plant-derived and Biodegradable |
Used in personal care, cosmetic and food products as a natural fragrance and is known for its calming effect |
An essential oil extracted from lavender |
| Lemon oil |
Fragrance |
Plant-derived and Biodegradable |
Used in household products as a natural fragrance |
An essential oil of lemon, extracted from lemon peels |
| Linalool |
Fragrance |
Plant-derived and Biodegradable |
Used in many products as a natural fragrance |
Linalool is a naturally occurring constituent of many essential oils like thyme, lavender, sage etc. |
| Neral |
Fragrance |
Plant-derived and Biodegradable |
Used in food flavors and personal care products to give a sweet lemony note as a natural fragrance |
An essential oil of litsea cubaba which is a small tropical plant |
| Orange oil |
Fragrance |
Plant-derived and Biodegradable |
Used in cosmetic products, cleaning products and therapeutical treatments as a natural fragrance |
Orange oil is extracted from orange peels |
| Phenoxyethanol |
Solvent |
Synthetic |
Used in cosmetics and personal care as a preservative |
Phenoxyethanol is a naturally occurring compound in green tea |
| Poloxamer 182 (Polyalkylene glycol) |
Cleaning agent |
Synthetic |
Used in cleaning products, cosmetics and personal care products to help form emulsions and as a cleaning agent by getting the oils/dirt and water to mix and be easily washed away |
Poloxamers are made of three polymer blocks, there are many different poloxamers which give different properties and functions |
| Potassium sorbate |
Preservative |
Mineral based |
Potassium sorbate is a salt and is commonly used as a preservative in the food industry. |
Potassium sorbate is the salt of sorbic acid which is naturally found in some fruits. |
| Protease/Subtilin |
Enzyme - Soil remover |
Natural, Microorganism-derived and Biodegradable |
Used in laundry detergents and dish detergents to break down protein-based stains and residues like grass, blood stains, milk and more |
Extra cellular enzymes present in many organisms, but mostly in plants |
| Rosemary oil |
Fragrance |
Plant-derived and Biodegradable |
Used in personal care products as an antiseptic and as a natural fragrance |
Rosemary is derived from the evergreen shrub Rosmarinus officinalis |
| Saccharomyces ferment |
Deodorizer |
Natural and Microorganism-derived |
Used in bread dough and beer as a yeast ferment |
Made from a mixture of beneficial yeast ferments |
| Sodium carbonate |
Water softener |
Mineral-derived |
Used in laundry and dish powders to form a compound with various soils that can easily be washed away |
Sodium carbonate, also known as soda ash, is found in naturally occurring minerals |
| Sodium carbonate peroxide |
Oxidizing agent - contributes oxygen to help remove soils and stains |
Mineral-based |
Used in laundry detergents as a bleach alternative to brighten clothes |
Derived from sodium carbonate and hydrogen peroxide |
| Sodium carboxymethyl cellulose (Cellulose gum) |
Soil dispersant - Aids in prevent settling and scaling on surfaces |
Plant-based and Biodegradable |
Used in laundry detergents and personal care products to keep dirt in suspension while washing and is easily rinsed away |
Cellulose gum is derived from cellulose, which is the main component of plant cell walls |
| Sodium carboxymethyl inulin |
Soil dispersant - Aids cleaning by preventing settling and scaling on surfaces |
Plant-derived and Biodegradable |
Used in cleaning and cosmetic products to prevent scaling and dirt redeposition |
Carboxymethyl inulin is a form of inulin, a fiber extracted from chicory root |
| Sodium chloride |
Thickening agent |
Mineral-Based |
Used in soap products, bleaching and food products to distribute ingredients evenly |
Sodium chloride, also known as salt, occurs naturally in seawater and in the halite, more commonly, rock salt |
| Sodium citrate |
Builder - improves cleaning performance |
Plant-derived and Biodegradable |
Used in the food industry, personal care, and medical products as a water softener or to adjust acidity of products or to aid surfactant performance |
Sodium Citrate is a salt of citric acid, which is a natural acid in many fruits |
| Sodium cocoate |
Anti-foaming agent |
Plant-derived and Biodegradable |
Used in soaps, dish detergents and laundry detergents as a safe ingredient for skin and to make the product less foamy for easy use in automatic dishwashers and washing machines |
Sodium cocoate is derived from fatty acids in coconut oil |
| Sodium gluconate |
Chelating agent - removes dissolved minerals |
Plant-derived and Biodegradable |
Used in soaps and personal care products as a chelating agent and cleaning performance enhancer by preventing redeposition of soils on surfaces |
Sodium Gluconate is a plant derived skin conditioner made by the fermentation of a sugar, which can come from corn or beets |
| Sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS) |
Cleaning agent |
Plant-derived and Biodegradable |
Approved for use as a direct additive to cosmetics, toothpastes, personal care products like shampoos and even in foods |
Sodium lauryl sulfate can be derived from vegetable based sources |
| Sodium methyl 2-sulfolaurate |
Cleaning agent |
Plant-derived and Biodegradable |
Used in many sulfate free personal care products like hand soaps and shampoos |
Derived from coconut oil |
| Sodium polyacrylate |
Soil dispersant - Aids in prevent settling and scaling on surfaces |
Mineral-based |
Used in dish and laundry detergents, stain removers, bleach products and shower cleaners to prevent redeposition of particles and prevents formation of films on dishes and glassware |
Sodium Polyacrylate is a dry white or light gray powder or liquid that is a sodium salt of polyacrylic acid |
| Sodium silicate |
Builder - improves cleaning performance |
Mineral-based |
Used in detergents, paper and water treatment to help remove oil/grease and prevent corrosion of metals on faucets |
Sodium silicate is made from silica (sand) and soda ash |
| Sodium sulfate |
Anti-caking agent |
Mineral-derived |
Used in detergents, cleansers, bath soaps and skin care as a filler to adjust the concentration and in powder products to prevent clumping |
Natural sodium sulfate is produced from naturally occurring brines and crystalline deposits |
| Soy methyl esters |
Solvent |
Plant-derived and Biodegradable |
Used in cleaning products to help dissolve tough stains and sticky soils |
Soy methyl esters are solvents derived from soybeans and are safe, renewable alternatives to petroleum solvents |
| Synthetic phyllosilicate |
Thickening agent |
synthetic |
Phyllosilicates are a group of minerals and are used in personal care and cleaning products. They are used for their thickening and abrasive functionality. |
Phyllosilicates can include micas, chlorites, serpentine, talc, and clay minerals. It is derived from naturally occurring inorganic mineral sources. |
| Tetrasodium glutamate diacetate |
Chelating agent - removes dissolved minerals |
Plant-based and Biodegradable |
Used in detergents, cleansing wipes, bar soap, and other cleaning products to enhance cleaning action and as a safer alternative to EDTA |
This is a plant derived chelating agent that attaches to calcium and magnesium ions in hard water |
| Thyme oil |
Fragrance |
Plant-derived and Biodegradable |
Used in foods, cosmetics, and toiletries as a preservative and a natural fragrance |
Thyme oil is derived from the leaves and flowers of Thymus vulgaris plant |
| Viable bacteria culture |
Bacteria - Stain removal |
Microorganism, Natural and Biodegradable |
Used in cleaning products to remove odors, stains, pet soils, unclog drains and treat septic tanks without the use of harsh chemicals. |
Probiotic cultures made from beneficial bacterial used for cleaning |
| Vinegar |
pH adjuster |
Plant Derived and Biodegradable |
It is most commonly used as a flavoring agent but can be used as preservative, cleaning agent, and ph adjuster. |
Vinegar contains water and acetic acid, it is made through the process of fermentation. |
| Xanthan gum |
Thickening agent |
Plant-based and Biodegradable |
Used in foods, personal care, and industrial items |
Xanthan gum is made by fermenting sugars |
| Ylang ylang flower oil |
Fragrance |
Plant-derived and Biodegradable |
Used in soap and aroma therapy for soothing stress and anxiety, and as a natural fragrance |
Ylang-ylang essential oil is derived from the flower of the C. odorata plant |
| Zeolite |
Water softener |
Mineral-derived |
Used in detergents, health supplements and cosmetic products to soften hard water |
Zeolites are naturally occurring minerals that are formed when lava meets water |
