INGREDIENT GLOSSARY
CLEAN BEAUTY STARTS WITH GOOD-FOR-YOU INGREDIENTS.
At VOESH, we’re committed to the highest health and safety standards. We’ve excluded 1680+ EU-banned ingredients, plus an additional 400 ingredients that are known to be toxic, carcinogenic, or irritants.
We use all of the good and none of the bad. No fillers, no trade-offs. This is how we define clean. Learn more about what you’re putting on your skin and how to make clean and conscious choices.
GOOD
These potent, skin-loving ingredients are safe and effective and used in our skincare products to provide endless benefits.
Products Included:
All
Description:
EU Eco Certified Virgin Organic Olive Oil
Origin Country:
Greece
Source:
Natural
Skin Benefits:
• Deeply hydrates
• Soothes dry, irritated skin
• Gently exfoliates
• Reduces the appearance of fine lines
Function:
• Emollient
• Antioxidant
Exact Ingredient Names:
Olea Europaea (Olive) Fruit Oil
Products Included:
All Pedi in a Box
Description:
BFA Organic Certified Sea Salt from the ocean
Origin Country:
Australia
Source:
Natural
Skin Benefits:
• Deeply cleanses pores
• Helps skin retain moisture
• Restores skin’s natural pH
Function:
Exfoliant
Exact Ingredient Names:
Sea Salt, Sodium Chloride
Products Included:
• All Pedi in a Box
• All Mani in a Box
• All Sugar Scrub + Bubble Wash
Description:
Sugar has hydrating properties for skin
Origin Country:
Korea
Source:
Natural
Skin Benefits:
• Gently exfoliates
• Helps skin retain moisture
• Rejuvenates skin by removing dirt & impurities
Function:
• Humectant
• Exfoliant
Exact Ingredient Names:
• Sugar
• Sucrose
Products Included:
• All Pedi in a Box
• All Mani in a Box
Description:
Bentonite is a type of natural clay that is most famously used as an oil-absorbing agent in facial masks and other cosmetics.
Origin Country:
USA
Source:
Natural
Skin Benefits:
• Absorbs dirt & oil
• Minimizes the appearance of large pores
• Removes dead skin cells
Function:
• Absorbent
• Occlusive/Opacifying Agent
• Texture Enhancer
Exact Ingredient Names:
• Bentonite
Products Included:
All
Description:
Glycerin, also called glycerol, has moisturizing, emollient and protective properties.
Origin Country:
Malaysia
Source:
Natural
Skin Benefits:
• Intensely hydrates to relieve dryness
• Soothes skin irritation
• Softens skin
• Refreshes skin’s surface
Function:
• Hydration and Protection
• Emollient
Exact Ingredient Names:
Glycerin
Products Included:
All Gloves and Socks
Description:
Natto gum moisturizes skin by: capturing and retaining moisture, by enhancing and extending critical hyaluronic acid functionalities, by increasing the levels of natural moisturizing factors (NMFs), by contributing to maintaining and improving the structural integrity of the skin.
Origin Country:
Korea
Source:
Natural
Skin Benefits:
• Potent antioxiidant
• Retains moisture
Function:
• Antioxidant
Exact Ingredient Names:
• Natto Gum
• Collagen Extract
Products Included:
• All Pedi in a Box
• All Mani in a Box
Description:
Sweet almond oil contains many nutrients that are good for the skin, including vitamins, minerals, fatty acids, and antioxidants. Using almond oil may help soothe and hydrate your skin and hair.
Origin Country:
Spain
Source:
Natural
Skin Benefits:
• Smoothes & softens skin
• Minimizes the appearance of fine lines
• Protects skin from UV rays
Function:
• Emollient
Exact Ingredient Names:
Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis Oil
Products Included:
Collagen Gloves and Socks
Description:
Argan oil is a vegetable oil used in cosmetics for its nourishing and antioxidant properties. Argan oil is naturally rich in vitamin E and fatty acids (omega 6 and 9).
Origin Country:
Belgium
Source:
Natural
Skin Benefits:
• Nourishes and strengthens skin barrier
• Soothes skin irritation
• Protects against environmental stressors
Function:
• Emollient
• Antioxidant
Exact Ingredient Names:
Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil
Products Included:
• Collagen Gloves and Socks
• Pedi in a Box Canabis Sativa
Description:
Hemp seed oil is used as an emollient and to supply skin with omega fatty acids it needs to replenish itself and strengthen its surface against moisture loss.
Origin Country:
England
Source:
Natural
Skin Benefits:
• Deeply moisturizes dry skin
• Prevents free radical damage
• Soothes skin irritation
Function:
• Emollient
Exact Ingredient Names:
Cannabis Sativa Seed Oil
Products Included:
• Hand and Body Lotion
• Vitamin C Shower Filter
• Collagen Gloves (Peppermint)
Description:
Avocado oil is a vegetable oil used in cosmetics for its moisturizing and antioxidant properties. It is rich in fatty acids such as oleic acid (up to 66%) and palmitic acid (12 to 24%). It also contains vitamins A, E and D.
Origin Country:
England
Source:
Natural
Skin Benefits:
• Moisturizes & softens dry skin
• Nourishes hair & boosts shine
• Promotes skin healing
Function:
• Moisturizing
• Antioxidant
Exact Ingredient Names:
Persea Gratissima (Avocado) Oil
Products Included:
• All Lavender Products
• Gloves and Socks (not all)
Description:
Lavender extract is known for its fragrance and many benefits for skin. It relieves stress, is relaxing and soothing, and calms the skin
Origin Country:
Korea
Source:
Natural
Skin Benefits:
• Soothes & calms irritated skin
• Protects against free radicals & bacteria
• Reduces appearance of fine lines
Function:
• Hydration
• Fragrance
Exact Ingredient Names:
Lavandula Angustifolia (Lavender) Extract
Products Included:
• Cooling Therapy Knee High Socks
Description:
Cica Extract mproves skin scratches, burns, helps heal hypertrophic wounds, enhances collagen, acts as an anti-inflammatory agent for conditions like eczema, and more! Tigers even roll around in Cica to help heal their wounds in the wild.
Origin Country:
Korea
Source:
Natural
Skin Benefits:
• Boosts collagen production
• Assists in wound healing
• Protects skin from UV rays
Function:
• Hydration
Exact Ingredient Names:
Centella Asiatica Extract
Products Included:
• All Green tea Products
Description:
Green tea is rich in antioxidants, specifically catechin and polyphenol, which help neutralize free radicals that accelerate the skin’s aging process. It also has excellent antibacterial and anti-inflammatory benefits.
Origin Country:
Korea
Source:
Natural
Skin Benefits:
• Eliminates excess sebum & deeply moisturizes skin
• Brightens & evens skin tone
• Reduces skin irritation
Function:
• Antioxidant
• Soothing
Exact Ingredient Names:
Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
Products Included:
• All Jasmine Products
Description:
Jasminum Officinale (Jasmine) Flower/Leaf Extract is known to nourish skin/ scalp and hair, increase the water content of the skin and helps to keep it smooth and in good condition by strengthening the skin barrier.
Origin Country:
Korea
Source:
Natural
Skin Benefits:
• Protects skin from environmental stressors
• Strengthens skin barrier
• Moisturizes dry skin
Function:
• Antioxidant
• Fragrance
Exact Ingredient Names:
Jasminum Officinale Flower Extract
Products Included:
• Pedi in a Box Watermelon Burst
• Vegan Hand Creme Watermelon Burst
Description:
Citrullus lanatus (watermelon) fruit extract is a rich source of antioxidants, including the carotenoid pigment lycopene, beta-carotene and lutein. As such, it can help defend skin from environmental stressors and the visible effects of sun damage. Watermelon also contains beneficial vitamins A, B, C, and E
Origin Country:
Korea
Source:
Natural
Skin Benefits:
• Removes dirt & impurities
• Hydrates skin to reduce dryness
• Produces gentle foaming action
Function:
• Antioxidant
Exact Ingredient Names:
Citrullus Lanatus Fruit Extract
Products Included:
• Sugar Scrub + Bubble Wash
Description:
These are cleansing agents that are claimed to be so gentle on the skin that they hardly impact the skin barrier. They also create a rich, creamy foam with vegetable fatty acids that are readily biodegradable.
Origin Country:
Japan
Source:
Natural
Skin Benefits:
• Removes dirt & impurities
• Hydrates skin to reduce dryness
• Produces gentle foaming action
Function:
• Surfactant
Exact Ingredient Names:
• Sodium Cocoyl Alaninate
• Sodium Cocoyl Isethionate
Products Included:
All Shower & Empower products
Description:
Derived from pickled (fermented) cabbage. UK Vegan-certified proprietary ingredient which has been shown to improve skin barrier function, allowing the skin to better protect itself from daily stressors.
Origin Country:
Korea
Source:
Natural
Skin Benefits:
• Strengthen & regenerate skin barrier
• Restore skin’s moisture
• Reduce bad bacteria to keep skin healthy
Function:
• Antioxidant
Exact Ingredient Names:
• Lactobacillus Ferment
Products Included:
• All Vitamin C Shower Filters
• Pedi in a Box Vitamin Recharge, Tangerine Glow
• Mani in a Box Vitamin Recharge
Description:
Ascorbic acid - also known as L-ascorbic acid - has the most research of any form of vitamin C when it comes to skin and, in fact, is the most abundant naturally occurring antioxidant in our skin. Concentrations between 5-20% can improve the appearance of signs of aging, including discoloration, wrinkles, and loss of firmness due to sun damage.
Origin Country:
England, Germany, China
Source:
Natural
Skin Benefits:
• Reduces the appearance of fine lines
• Protects against sun damage
• Brightens skin tone
Function:
• Antioxidant
• pH Adjuster/Stabilizer
Exact Ingredient Names:
• Ascorbic Acid
• Vitamin C
Products Included:
• All Sugar Scrub + Bubble Wash
Description:
Jojoba oil is actually a wax ester, making it a very stable oil. It is a great oil for balancing excess oil and provides moisturizing properties to the skin.
Macadamia Oil is rich in monounsaturated fats and an excellent source of Vitamin E, making it easy for your skin to absorb without feeling greasy. These fatty acids nourish the skin, help combat dry skin and lock in moisture. It mimics your skin's natural oils, allowing you to maintain your natural glow.
Sweet Almond Oil is rich in Vitamin E. It keeps your skin cells healthy, protects your skin from UV radiation damage, and helps your skin look smooth, soft, and free of fine lines. The fatty acids help your skin retain moisture and can heal chapped and irritated skin. Plus, vitamin A can help reduce acne.
Origin Country:
Israel, Netherland, Spain
Source:
Natural
Skin Benefits:
• Protects skin from UV radiation damage
• Deeply nourishes dry skin
• Minimizes the appearance of fine lines
Function:
• Antioxidant
• Emollient
Exact Ingredient Names:
• Simmondsia Chinensis (Jojoba) Seed Oil
• Macadamia Ternifolia Seed Oil
• Purunus Amygdalus Dulcis Oil
Products Included:
• All Vitamin C Shower Filters
Description:
It moisturizes, protects, exfoliates, and cleanses your skin. Oatmeal also helps boost collagen production, improves your skin complexion, and reduces skin inflammation.
Origin Country:
Korea
Source:
Natural
Skin Benefits:
• Boosts collagen production
• Soothes itchy or irritated skin
• Cleanses & gently exfoliates skin
Function:
• Antioxidant
• Exfoliant
Exact Ingredient Names:
• Colloidal Oatmeal
BAD
Watch out for these harmful ingredients that are linked to many health or environmental issues. That’s why you’ll never see them in our formulas.
Description:
A substance of animal origin used to manufacture a cosmetic product. They are primarily derived from by-products of cosmetic production and include extractions from certain animal material, and include milked animal fluids (e.g., venoms) and may even be human-derived.
Source:
Natural
Concerns:
• Not sustainable for environment
• Skin Irritation (some)
Function:
Skin conditioning
Exact Ingredient Names:
There are a lot: Lanoline, Keratin, Animal-Derived Collagens, Bees Wax, Carmine or Cochineal
Description:
Help products last longer by preventing the growth of fungi, bacteria, yeast and mold that could cause products to spoil. It is a highly effective and relatively inexpensive option to enhance the shelf life and safety of the products.
Source:
Synthetic
Concerns:
• Hormone Disruption
• Cancer
• Skin irritation
Function:
Preservative
Exact Ingredient Names
• Methylparaben
• Polyparaben
• Butylparaben
• Isobutylparaben
• Isopropylparaben
• potassium butylparaben
• potassium propylparaben
PHTHALATES (DBP, DEHP, DEP & others)
Description:
Phthalates are plasticizing chemicals that make plastics more flexible.
Source:
Synthetic
Concerns:
• Hormone Disruption
• Cancer
• Toxic to Environment
• Toxic to Human Body
Function:
• Plasticizer
• Solubilizer
• Denaturant
Exact Ingredient Names:
Some appear on product ingredient labels, but many may remain undisclosed, hiding under the term “fragrance.”
Description:
SLES & SLS are Surfactants/cleansing agents that produce suds, bubbles and foams.
Source:
Synthetic or Natural
Concerns:
• Skin & Eye Irritation
• Cancer
• Allergies/Sensitization
Function:
• Surfactant
Exact Ingredient Names:
• Ceteareth-20
• Sodium Laureth Sulfate (SLES)
• Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS)
• Ammonium Laureth Sulfate
Description:
Ethanolamines are surfactants and pH adjusters in the product. They help to enhance the foaming properties and may also help to thicken the product.
Source:
Synthetic
Concerns:
• Hormone Disruption
• Cancer
• Brain Develpment (of babies)
• Allergies / Sensitation
Function:
• Surfactant
Exact Ingredient Names:
• MEA
• DEA
• TEA
Description:
Drying alcohols may disrupt your skin's own moisture barrier. They ultimately work as quick-drying liquids that produce a weightless, greaseless, and clean feel on your skin with their volatile and low molecular weight.
Source:
Natural or Synthetic
Concerns:
• Disrupt skin's barrier
• Dry out skin's own moisure
• Irritation
• Allergies / Sensitization
Function:
• Texture enhancer
• Solubilizer
Exact Ingredient Names:
• Isopropyl Alcohol
• SD alcohol
• Denatured alcohol
• Ethanol/Ethyl alcohol
• Methanol/Methyl alcohol
• Propanol/Propyl alcohol
• C alcohol
• Methylated spirit
• Denatured rectified spirit
Description:
Triclosan is an antibacterial and antifungal agent that is an active ingredient present in some cosmetics and personal care products, including toothpaste, over-the-counter (OTC) antiseptic products, antibacterial soaps, detergents, toys, and skincare. It is similar in its uses and mechanism of action to triclocarban.
Source:
Synthetic
Concerns:
• Hormone Disruption
• Cancer
• Skin Eye & Lung Irritation
• Toxic to Environment
• Toxic to Human Body
Function:
Preservative
Exact Ingredient Names:
• Triclosan
• Triclocarban
• Benzalkonium Chloride
Description:
Formaldehyde and formaldehyde-releasing preservatives (FRPs) are used in many personal care products as preservatives, particularly in shampoos, liquid baby soaps, nail polish, hair gel, hair-smoothing products and color.
Source:
Synthetic
Concerns:
• Cancer
• Skin, Eye & Lung Irritation
• Allergies / Sensitization
Function:
Preservative
Exact Ingredient Names:
• 5-Bromo-5-Nitro-1,3-Dioxane
• Formaldehyde
• Glyoxal
• DMDM hydantoin
• Imidazolidinyl urea
• Diazolidinyl urea
• Quaternium 15
• Sodium hydroxymethylglycinate
• Toluenesulfonamide Formaldehyde
• Polyoxymethylene urea
• Methenamine
• Methanediol
• Tosylamide / formaldehyde resin
•2-bromo-2-nitropropane-1,3 diol (Bronopol)
Description:
UV Filters are used to absorb or reflect the UV rays that are contained in sunlight or in artificial light. UV Filters can be used to protect the skin from the harmful effects of UV light (skin cancer and photodamage and wrinkling). UV Filters can also be used to protect products and their ingredients, as well as packaging. Recent research suggests that some of these substances might interfere with endocrine systems.
Source:
Synthetic
Concerns:
• Cancer
• Harmful to aquatic life
• Photoallergy
Function
Chemical Sunscreen agent
Exact Ingredient Names
• Avobenzone
• Oxybenzone
• Octinoxate
• Octocrylene
Description:
Petrolatum is a semisolid mixture derived from processed petroleum. Mineral Oil, Paraffin Wax, Liquid Paraffin, and several other ingredients are also petroleum distillation byproducts. The concerns with these ingredients are unsustainable sourcing and possible PAH contamination. PAHs (which stands for Polyaromatic Hydrocarbons) are linked to several illnesses.
Source:
Synthetic
Concerns:
• Toxic to Environment
• Skin breakouts
Function:
• Conditioning
• Emulsifier
Exact Ingredient Names
• Paraffin
• Paraffinum liquidium
• Petrolatum
• Cera microcristallina
• Microcrystalline wax
• Ozokerite
Description:
Toluene is a solvent that helps to dissolve substances to create a uniform formulation. Often found in nail care.
Source:
Synthetic
Concerns:
• Skin irritant
• Cancer
• Allergies and Immunotoxicity
• Developmental and Reproductive toxicity
Function:
Solvent
Exact Ingredient Names:
• Toluene
Description:
Talc has many uses in cosmetics and other personal care products. For example, it may be used to absorb moisture, to prevent caking, to make facial makeup opaque, or to improve the feel of a product.
Source:
Natural sources (in some cases synthetic)
Concerns:
• Respiratory Toxicity
• Cancer
Function:
• Absorbent
• Texture Enhancer
• Opacifying
Exact Ingredient Names:
• Talc
Description:
Typically used for skin lightening reasons to bleach the skin by decreasing the number of melanocytes present.
Source:
Synthetic
Concerns:
• Skin Irritant
• Skin Discoloration
Function:
Bleach
Exact Ingredient Names:
• Hydroquinone
• Benzene-1,4-diol
Description:
Benzalkonium Chloride is a type of preservative that is used to prevent the growth of reproduction of microorganisms.
Source:
Synthetic
Concerns:
• Severe Skin
• Eye and Respiratory Irritation
• Allergies / Sensitization
Function:
• Conditioning
• Antistatic (in hair products)
• Preservative
Exact Ingredient Names:
• Benzalkonium Chloride
Description:
These harsh surfactants can strip your skin of its natural moisture and hasten your skin's aging process.
Source:
Synthetic
Concerns:
• Skin Irritant
• Cancer
Function:
Surfactant
Exact Ingredient Names:
• Sodium Lauryl Sulfoacetate
• Sodium Lauroyl Isoethionate
• Sodium Lauroyl Taurate
• Sodium Lauroyl Methyl Isoethionate
• Sodium Lauroyl Sarcosinate
• Disodium Laureth Sulfosuccinate
Description:
Methylisothiazolinone (MIT) and Methylchloroisothiazolinone (CMIT) are widely used preservatives found in liquid cosmetic and personal care products. Both chemicals inhibit bacterial growth in cosmetic products on their own, but they are most commonly used as a mixture in products.
Source:
Synthetic
Concerns:
• Dermatitis
• Neurotoxicity
• Organ System Toxicity
Function:
Preservative
Exact Ingredients:
Methylisothiazolinone (MIT): 2-methyl-4-isothiazoline-3-one, Neolone 950 preservative, MI, OriStar MIT and Microcare MT.Methylchloroisothiazolinone (CMIT): 5-Chloro-2-methyl-4-isothiazolin-3-one and MCI.
Description:
Benzophenone is used in personal care products such as lip balm, color cosmetics, foundations, hair spray, skincare products and nail polish to protect the product colors from UV light. It is a common active ingredient for sunscreen and it is widely used in household products, such as sunglasses, food packaging, and laundry detergent to protect their colors from UV light. It’s also used as a fragrance enhancer or to prevent products from losing scents in the presence of UV light.
Source:
Synthetic
Concerns:
• Cancer
• Endocrine system disorders
• Developmental & reproductive toxicity
• Irritation
• Allergies / Sensitization
• Toxic to Environment
Function:
UV Filter (To make the product colors last longer)
Exact Ingredient Names:
• Benzophenone
• Benzophenone-2
• Any Benzophenone Related Compounds
Description:
Nanoparticles ranging from 10 to 200 nm can penetrate the intact skin and impose inadvertent biological damage. They are easily absorbed into the bloodstream and around the body.
Source:
Synthetic or Natural
Concerns:
• DNA disruption
• Liver damage
• Affects immune system
Function:
• UV protection
• Deeper skin penetration
Exact Ingredient Names:
Anything with nano size (most common nano ingredients being used in cosmetics are Titanium Dioxide and Zinc, but if they are not nano size, they are safe to use).
Description:
BHA and BHT are synthetic antioxidants that are used as preservatives.
Source:
Synthetic
Concerns:
• Hormone Disruption
• Cancer
• Liver, Kidney and Thyroid problems
Function:
Preservative
Exact Ingredient Names:
• BHA
• BHT
