Ingredient Glossary

Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer

A polymer used to thicken and stabilize emulsions.

Acrylates/Octylacrylamide Copolymer

A film-forming polymer used to help a sunscreen spread and stay in place.

Allantoin

A skin-conditioning ingredient that helps a moisturizer feel comfortable on skin.

Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract

Aloe-derived botanical extract used to condition skin.

Aminomethyl Propanol

A pH adjuster used to help bring a formula to its intended acidity.

Avobenzone

An organic sunscreen active that absorbs UVA rays.

Behentrimonium Chloride

A conditioning agent that helps detangle and soften hair.

Benzyl Alcohol

Used as a preservative or solvent. Its presence does not by itself indicate added fragrance.

Butyl Stearate

An emollient that helps a sunscreen spread smoothly.

Butyrospermum Parkii (Shea) Butter

Shea butter, an emollient used to soften and condition hair.

C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate

A lightweight emollient that helps a sunscreen feel smooth.

C9-12 Alkane

A lightweight emollient that helps conditioner spread and feel smooth.

Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride

A lightweight emollient that helps hair feel soft.

Carbomer

A polymer used to thicken and stabilize a formula.

Castor Oil/IPDI Copolymer

A hair-conditioning, film-forming polymer that contributes to a smooth feel.

Ceteareth-20

An emulsifier that helps oils and water combine in a conditioner.

Ceteareth-20 (and) Cetearyl Alcohol

A combined emulsifying and texture-supporting blend listed on the product page.

Cetearyl Alcohol

A blend of fatty alcohols that conditions and helps thicken hair products.

Cetearyl Ethylhexanoate (and) Isopropyl Myristate

A paired emollient blend that helps a sunscreen spread and feel smooth.

Cetyl Alcohol

A fatty alcohol used to add body and a soft feel. It is different from drying alcohols such as SD alcohol.

Cetyl Phosphate

An emulsifier that helps water and oil stay blended.

Citric Acid

Used to adjust the acidity (pH) of a formula.

Cocamide MIPA

A foam-boosting ingredient used to support a shampoo’s lather and texture.

Cocamidopropyl Betaine

A surfactant used to cleanse hair and support lather.

Cocamidopropyl Hydroxysultaine

A surfactant that helps remove buildup and support lather.

Coco Caprylate/Caprate

An emollient used to give hair a smooth, conditioned feel.

Cyclomethicone

A lightweight silicone that helps a product spread and feel silky.

Decyl Glucoside

A nonionic cleansing agent used in shampoo.

Dicetyldimonium Chloride

A conditioning agent that helps hair feel smoother and easier to comb.

Didecyldimonium Chloride

A conditioning agent used in hair rinse formulas.

Dilinoleic Acid/Butanediol Copolymer

A polymer that helps condition hair and support the texture of a conditioner.

Dimethicone

A silicone that gives a smooth feel and helps reduce moisture loss.

Dimethicone Copolyol

A silicone-derived ingredient that helps condition hair and supports an even application.

Disodium EDTA

A chelating agent that binds trace metal ions to help support formula stability.

Ethylhexylglycerin

A conditioning ingredient that can also help support a preservative system.

FD&C Yellow #6

A color additive used to tint a product.

Fragrance

A blend added for scent. It is listed on certain DHS shampoos; check individual labels when avoiding fragrance.

Glycerin

A humectant that attracts water to help skin or hair feel hydrated.

Glyceryl Dilaurate

An emollient and emulsifying ingredient used to support a cream’s texture.

Glyceryl Monostearate

An emulsifier that helps keep a conditioning formula mixed.

Glyceryl Stearate

An emollient and emulsifier that helps blend oils and water.

Glyceryl Stearate (and) PEG-100 Stearate

An emulsifying blend used to keep oil and water mixed.

Guar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride

A conditioning polymer that helps reduce tangling and improve hair feel.

Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Seed Oil

Sunflower seed oil, an emollient that helps hair feel soft.

Homosalate

An organic sunscreen active that absorbs UVB rays.

Hyaluronic Acid

A water-binding humectant that helps skin feel hydrated.

Hydrocortisone

A topical corticosteroid active used for temporary relief of minor itching and inflammation. Follow the product’s Drug Facts label.

Hydroxypropyl Methylcellulose

A cellulose-derived thickener used to give a formula its consistency.

Hydroxypropylcellulose

A cellulose-derived thickener and film former.

Hypochlorous Acid

The active in Aquanil AD formulas. The mist, serum, and gel have different indicated uses; follow the label for the specific product.

Isobutyl Stearate

An emollient that helps sunscreen spread evenly.

Isopropyl Alcohol

A solvent used in a conditioner to help dissolve and distribute ingredients.

Leuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate

A fermented ingredient used in the conditioner’s preservation system.

Magnesium Aluminum Silicate

A mineral-based thickener that helps stabilize texture.

Methyl Glucose Sesquistearate

An emulsifier that helps water and oil remain blended in a lotion.

Octinoxate (Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate)

Also listed as: Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate

An organic sunscreen active that absorbs UVB rays. Also listed as ethylhexyl methoxycinnamate.

Octocrylene

An organic sunscreen active that absorbs UV rays and helps support the stability of certain sunscreen formulas.

Oleth-3 Phosphate

An emulsifier that helps keep a sunscreen formula mixed.

Oxybenzone

An organic sunscreen active that absorbs UV radiation.

Panthenol

Also listed as: DL-Panthenol

Also called pro-vitamin B5; a conditioning ingredient used to support a soft feel on skin or hair.

PEG-20 Methyl Glucose Sesquistearate

An emulsifier that helps water and oil remain blended in a lotion.

PEG-8 Distearate

Used to add body and an opaque, creamy appearance to cleansers and shampoos.

Petrolatum

An occlusive ingredient that helps slow moisture loss from skin.

Phenoxyethanol

A preservative used to help protect a product from microbial contamination.

Pisum Sativum (Pea) Peptide

A pea-derived peptide used to condition hair and improve its feel.

Polyquaternium-22

A conditioning polymer used to improve hair feel and manageability.

Polyquaternium-7

A conditioning polymer that helps hair feel smooth and manageable.

Potassium Sorbate

A preservative used to help protect a product from microbial contamination.

Propylene Glycol Dicaprylate/Dicaprate

An emollient used to give sunscreen a smooth, spreadable feel.

Propylene Glycol Diethylhexanoate

An emollient used to give creams a smooth, spreadable feel.

PVP (and) VP/Eicosene Copolymer

A film-forming polymer blend used to help a formula adhere to skin.

PVP/Hexadecene Copolymer

A film-forming polymer used to help a sunscreen form an even layer.

Salicylic Acid

An exfoliating active used in medicated scalp care to help loosen visible scale. Follow the product’s Drug Facts label.

SD Alcohol

A denatured alcohol that helps give a sunscreen a quick-drying feel.

Silica

A mineral powder used to adjust texture and reduce a greasy feel.

Simethicone

A silicone-based ingredient that supports a smooth feel and helps limit foaming during manufacture.

Sodium Benzoate

A preservative used to help protect a product from microbial contamination.

Sodium C14-16 Olefin Sulfonate

A cleansing surfactant used to remove oil and buildup. Despite its name, it is not the same ingredient as sodium laureth sulfate.

Sodium Carbomer 941

A thickening ingredient that helps give a lotion its structure.

Sodium Chloride

Salt; used in some products to help adjust texture or support the formula.

Sodium Cocoyl Isethionate

A cleansing surfactant that contributes to a shampoo’s lather.

Sodium Hyaluronate

A salt form of hyaluronic acid used to support a hydrated feel.

Sodium Hydroxide

Used in small amounts to adjust a formula’s pH.

Sodium Hypochlorite

A component listed alongside hypochlorous acid in Aquanil AD formulas; see the specific product label for the full composition.

Sodium Laureth Sulfate

A cleansing surfactant, also called SLES, used to remove oil and buildup.

Sodium Magnesium Fluorosilicate

A mineral-based ingredient used to help give Aquanil AD gel and serum their texture.

Sodium Methyl Oleyl Taurate

A cleansing surfactant used in shampoo to lift away oil and buildup.

Sodium Phosphate

A buffering ingredient used to help maintain the formula’s pH.

Sodium Sulfate

A salt used to help support a formula’s physical properties; distinct from sulfate cleansing agents.

Solubilized Coal Tar Extract

Also listed as: 0.5% Coal Tar

The coal tar active listed in DHS Tar products for targeted scalp care. Follow the product’s Drug Facts label.

Stearic Acid

A fatty acid used to thicken and stabilize creams and lotions.

Stearyl Alcohol

A fatty alcohol used to thicken and soften a formula; distinct from drying alcohols.

Titanium Dioxide

A mineral sunscreen active that helps protect against UV rays.

Tocopherol

A form of vitamin E used as an antioxidant and conditioning ingredient.

Tocopheryl Acetate

A vitamin E derivative used as a conditioning ingredient.

Triethanolamine

An ingredient used to adjust pH and help keep a formula mixed.

Triethanolamine Lauryl Sulfate

A cleansing surfactant used in DHS Body Wash.

Water (Aqua)

Also listed as: Water, Purified Water

The water base or solvent in many formulas. Product pages may list it as water, purified water, or water (aqua).

Xanthan Gum

A thickener that helps give a product its consistency.

Zinc Oxide

Also listed as: Z-Cote® HPI

A mineral sunscreen active that helps protect against UVA and UVB rays.

Zinc Pyrithione

A medicated ingredient listed in select DHS products for targeted care of dandruff and flaking. Check the product label for its use and concentration.