A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z
A
Alcohol
A natural substance that disinfects and dehydrates.
Algae extracts
Natural moisture retention substances from marine algae. They store moisture in the skin for long periods of time and are very skin-friendly.
Allantoin
Natural metabolite that moisturises, softens the skin, and encourages regeneration.
Aloe (Aloe barbendis leaf gel)
The gel from the leaves of the aloe plant soothes and moisturises the skin.
Amino acid based surfactants
Cleansing agents obtained from plant amino acids. They neither dehydrate nor irritate the skin.
Amino acid surfactant (sodium lauroyl glutamate)
The  surfactant is composed of  the amino acid   -   glutamic acid, which is very gentle with minimal dehydration and irritation effects on the skin.
Amino acid tenside
Extra-mild tenside derived from the natural amino acid glutamic acid.
Amino acids
Natural building blocks resulting from the metabolism of proteins in the body. Their water-binding molecules build-up in the skin, they function as natural moisture reserves and components of the acid mantle.
Anti-Ageing measures
An Anti-Ageing measure is any measure intended to slow down or even reverse the body’s ageing process. Such measures can range from diet and lifestyle changes to medication and operations. The most common measure for the skin is the application of anti-wrinkle creams.
Argan oil
An oil from the nuts of the argan tree from north-west Africs, whose lipid composition is similar to that of the skin. It is particularly rich in unsaturated fatty acids.
Avocado oil
An oil from the flesh of the avocado. It is rich in unsaponifiable (highly skin-care-efficient) substances, which are highly nourishing, as well as in vitamin A and vitamin E, which are free-radical scavengers.
B
B vitamins
Nicotinamide and pyridoxine hydrochloride (vitamin B6) are natural moisture retention agents. In addition, panthenol (provitamin B5) supports the skin’s regeneration process.
Barley extract
A natural resource from the brewing industry which is rich in nourishing unsaturated fatty acids and vitamins.
Biophytex
Skin care complex with extracts from butcher’s broom (Ruscus aculeatus), tiger gras (Centella asiatica), marigold (Calendula officinalis), chestnut (Aesculus hippocastanum), and glycerrhizinate (from liquorize) with smoothing, soothing, and moisturizing to support the circulation and regeneration processes.
Bisabolol
The active ingredient obtained from chamomile that soothes the skin without the risk of causing an allergic reaction.
C
Calendula (Calendula officinalis)
Known as pot marigold, its extract relieves itchining and irritation, calming the skin.
Centella asiatica
Also known as tiger grass, Asian water caltrop. Extracts from a South Asian plant, which soothe the skin and promote collagen synthesis.
Chamomile extract
An extract derived from the chamomile plant. It possesses antibacterial properties and soothes the skin.
Chitin (carboxymethyl chitin)
A moisture retention substance obtained from the shells of crustaceans such as crabs. It provides an extremely thin film to the skin, which softens it, protects it, and prevents it from drying out.
Chloroxylenol
A skin-friendly antibacterial agent that combats spots.
Coenzyme Q10
Also known as ubiquinone and ubidecarenone, coenzyme Q10 is a naturally occurring catlyst in the body, which activates cell metabolism and neutralizes free radicals. It hinders the skin’s ageing processes, but the body begins to produce less of it from as early as the age of 30.
Conditioners
Agents in shampoos which stick to the negatively charged surface of freshly washed hair because of their positive charge. They coat hair with a extremely thin layer of fine protective film and in doing so prevent it from developing an electric charge.
Cucumber extract
Obtained from cucumbers, this extract hydrates and softens the skin enormously.
D
Dehydrosal
A patented substance based on an aluminium chlorohydrate and lactate complex which quickly alleviates skin swelling caused by wet jobs and by wearing rubber gloves.
Dermo Active Complex
A complex made from argan oil and barley extract. It protects and softens the skin, relieves itching and irritation, and improves elasticity.
E
Ectoin
A biotechnological agent made from bacteria which live under extreme conditions (desert lakes and geysers). It protects skin cells from harmful environmental influences like heat, UV radiation, and pollutants, and stops the skin drying out.
G
Glucosan
A cleansing complex made with a sugar-based surfactant. It cleanses without drying out the skin, removing its natural oils, or damaging its ability to function as a barrier.
Glycerin
A naturally occurring moisture retention substance that enables oil and water emulsions to protect the skin more effectively.
Guar
The beans from the guar plant provide hair with intensive nourishment. They prevent it from drying out, enhance its sheen, and smoothe its surface.
H
Hops
A hair care substance that enhances sheen and soothes irritated scalp.
Hyaluronic acid
A natural substance which is also present in the skin. It is excellent at hydrating the skin and forms an extremely thin protective film on the skin’s surface, which softens it and prevents it from drying out.
I
Inulin
See polyfructosan.
J
Jojoba oil
An oil from the fruit of the jojoba shrub. It is rich in unsaponifiable substances, and its composition is similar to that of the skin’s lipids.
K
Keratin
A naturally occurring substance found in the skin, hair, and finger nails. Sebamed uses the keratin’s hydrolysate molecules, its water-soluble building blocks which retain moisture and nourish the skin.
L
Lactic acid
A component used by the skin in its natural moisture retention mechanism. It acts as a pH buffering agent in the skin’s protective acid mantle, and in high concentrations (alpha hydroxy acid - AHA) has the same effects as a peeling.
Lecithin
A natural lipid and component of the skin’s tissue. Lecithin provides the skin with oil without leaving it with a sticky film. It is obtained from soya.
Lemon balm extract
A hair care substance that enhances sheen and soothes irritated scalp.
M
Melissa extract
Skin soothing and hair-gloss mediating plant ingredient
Mistletoe extract
A hair care substance that enhances sheen.
Modified potato starch
A highly effective moisture retention agent which is also very skin-friendly. It is modified from natural potato starch.
Montaline C40
An active cleansing agent with skin-smoothing and antibacterial properties. (INCI name: cocamonium carbamoyl chloride)
P
Panthenol
Provitamin B5. It moisturises, supports the skin’s regeneration process, and accelerates the healing of damaged skin.
PCA (sodium PCA)
Pyrrolidone carboxylic acid: A skin cell metabolite and an important hydrating component used by the skin and hair in their natural moisture retention mechanisms.
Peanut oil
Oil from peanuts. It is rich in unsaturated fatty acids.
Pentavitin®*

A humectant derived from natural sugars. It forms an extremely thin layer of moisture on the skin, smoothes it, and prevents it from drying out.

* is a trademark of DSM

Phytantriol
A highly effective plant-based humectant.
Phyto peptides
Plant-based protein molecules which hydrate the skin intensively, prevent it from drying out, smoothe its surface, and improve its elasticity.
Phytosterol concentrate
A substance containing a very high concentration of phytosterols. It is made from rapeseed and soothes and nourishes skin extremely effectively.
Phytosterols
Plant-based lipid compounds whose structure is similar to that of cholesterol. They have an anti-inflammatory effect and protect and soften dry skin very effectively.
Piroctone olamine
An anti-dandruff agent which counteracts skin fungi (Malassezia furfur) that cause dandruff. It also relieves scalp irritation.
Polyfructosan
Inulin. This is a plant-based humectant composed primarily of sugars. It prevents the skin from drying out and leaves it feeling pleasantly smooth.
Potato starch derived polysaccharides
Highly efficient moisturizers of natural origin.
R
Repair Complex
A combination of biopolymers, wheat protein, and PCA. It smoothes and protects hair with structural damage and repairs the damage.
Retinyl acetate
A vitamin A agent which smoothes the skin, reduces wrinkles, and improves elasticity. It is also a “radical catcher” and more compatible with sensitive skin than vitamin A acid or retinyl alcohol.
S
Shea butter
Also known as karite butter, shea butter is made up of lipids from the nuts of the shea tree. It contains a high proportion of very nourishing unsaponifiable lipids and unsaturated fatty acids, and protects the skin from UV radiation by trapping free radicals.
Silk hydrolysate and silk protein
Similar to keratin, these silk building blocks hydrate the skin and the hair.
Soy germ oil agents
Protein hydrolysates made from soy germs.
Soya proteins
Soya hair care agents. They retain moisture and prevent hair from drying out.
Spent grain wax
Remnant from beer brewing with high content in anti-radical and moisturizing vitamins, essential protective and smoothing fatty acids.
Squalane
A skin-related lipid substance. Squalane is a stable form of the sebum oil squalene which unlike squalene does not quickly turn rancid when exposed to air. Squalane protects and smoothes the skin and also acts as a vehicle by transporting fat-soluble substances deeper into the skin quickly.
Sugar-based surfactant
A cleansing agent made from cornstarch and coconut oil. It is very skin-friendly.
Sweet almond oil
A natural oil obtained from sweet almonds. It is very rich in nourishing fatty acids and is therefore closely related to the skin’s natural barrier lipids.
T
Titanium dioxide
Mineral substance forming a protective film on the skin which prevents damage by urine and feces.
Triethyl citrate
A nature-identical deodorising agent which inhibits the multiplication of skin bacteria responsible for creating body odour without upsetting the skin’s ecological balance.
Trilipid Complex
A combination of triethyl citrate and the deodorant and skin care agent candida bombicola/glucose methyl rapeseedate ferment, a natural enzyme which nourishes the skin and inhibits the multiplication of skin bacteria responsible for creating body odour.
Trisoft Formula
A complex consisting of squalane, caprylyl glycol, which inhibits the multiplication of skin bacteria responsible for creating body odour, and zinc ricinoleate, which is an odour-absorbing agent.
U
Urea
A component used by the skin in its natural moisture retention mechanism. There is a lack of urea in dry skin. Its keratoplastic properties enable it to smoothe the skin, help flaking skin, and relieve itching.
UV filters
Agents which provide protection from UV radiation and in doing so prevent the sun from damaging skin.
V
Vitamin A
Aids regeneration and counteracts the skin’s aging process. The vitamin A actetate (retinyl acetate) used in sebamed Anti-ageing Regeneration Cream is particularly skin-friendly.
Vitamin E
A natural substance which the human body is unable to produce itself. Vitamin E neutralizes the harm caused by free radicals by trapping them and therefore protects the skin from any damage resulting from UV radiation and environmental influences. It is particularly good at preventing premature aging.
Vitamins
Natural substances which enhance the ability of cosmetics to moisturise.
W
Wheat Complex
An agent based on wheat proteins and a conditioner.
Wheat germ oil
An oil consisting of lipid components with a high proportion of unsaturated fatty acids.
Wheat protein and amino acid hydrolysates
Wheat protein constituents. The hydrolysates vastly improve the ability of the skin and hair to retain moisture.
Witch hazel extract
An extract from the witch hazel plant that tautens and soothes the skin.
Y
Yarrow
A hair care substance that enhances sheen and soothes irritated scalp.
Yeast protein
A natural moisture retention agent based on brewer’s yeast.
Z
Zinc ricinoleate
Absorbs odour molecules, which conceals body odou.