Our Ingredient Philosophy
At Sol14, our philosophy is rooted in a simple but powerful belief: every ingredient must serve a purpose. We are guided by a commitment to creating formulas that are not only effective but also exceptionally gentle and respectful of the skin’s natural biology.
We believe in the power of nature, but we are led by science. Our products feature a carefully curated blend of time-tested botanicals and skin-identical compounds that your skin already knows and loves. From the soothing power of Calendula and Cica to the fundamental hydration of Amino Acids and Sodium PCA, each ingredient is chosen for its proven ability to support, nourish, and protect.
Because we formulate with sensitive skin in mind, our focus is on calming, strengthening, and restoring balance. We prioritize ingredients that build a resilient skin barrier and provide potent antioxidant protection against environmental stressors. This glossary is a testament to our commitment to transparency—we want you to feel confident and informed about what you are putting on your skin, because we are proud of the ingredients we choose.
We use a combination of the following ingredients in our products. For detailed ingredients of a specific product, please go to the Shop page, then select a product. The ingredients will be listed under the product details page of the item.
Core Hydrators and Humectants
Hydrators are ingredients that attract water to the skin, and humectants are masters at this job. They act like tiny moisture magnets, pulling hydration from the air and the deeper layers of your skin to the surface. This keeps your skin plump, supple, and helps your protective barrier function at its best. Many of these ingredients are “skin-identical,” meaning they are a natural part of your skin’s own moisturizing system.
- Amino Acids (Alanine, Glycine, Histidine, Isoleucine, Phenylalanine, Proline, Serine, Threonine, Valine): As the building blocks of protein and key components of your skin’s Natural Moisturizing Factor (NMF), these ingredients are fundamental for hydration, strength, and overall skin health.
- Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice: The liquid extracted from the inner part of the Aloe vera (Aloe barbadensis Miller) plant leaves. A superior hydrator that is also a power healing and soothing agent that delivers a rich cocktail of nutrients to your skin.
- PCA (Pyrrolidone Carboxylic Acid): PCA is the precursor to Sodium PCA, it is also a humectant and part of the skin’s NMF. It is used for its moisturizing, anti-inflammatory, and skin-conditioning properties, and it is generally suitable for all skin types, including sensitive and acne-prone skin.
- Sodium PCA: A powerful humectant and a key component of the skin’s Natural Moisturizing Factor (NMF). It draws moisture into the skin, helping to keep it hydrated, plump, and healthy.
Nourishing Oils & Butters
Often called emollients, these oils and butters are rich in the lipids and fatty acids that your skin needs to stay soft, smooth, and strong. They work by filling in the gaps between skin cells to create a smoother surface and by forming a light, protective layer that locks in the hydration provided by humectants. This action is essential for preventing dryness and maintaining a resilient skin barrier.
- Prunus Armeniaca (Apricot) Kernel Oil: Apricot Kernel Oil is a lightweight, non-comedogenic, and nutrient-rich oil extracted from apricot seeds. A gentle, moisturizing emollient rich in oleic acid, making it very suitable for dry and mature skin types.
- Butyrospermum Parkii (Shea) Butter: Fat that is extracted from the nuts of the African Shea Tree. A premier emollient that is exceptionally effective at moisturizing, nourishing, and reinforcing the skin barrier. It’s rich in fatty acids and vitamins A and E.
- Camellia Oleifera Seed Oil: Camellia oleifera seed oil is a popular, lightweight, and non-greasy skincare ingredient known for its intense moisturizing, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory properties, making it suitable for most skin types, including dry, sensitive, and mature skin. The oil is rich in beneficial components.
- Carthamus Tinctorius (Safflower) Seed Oil: An excellent lightweight emollient that is exceptionally high in linoleic acid, making it ideal for oily and acne-prone skin types as it can help balance sebum.
- Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Seed Oil: A plant-based and very common and effective emollient rich in linoleic acid, which is crucial for maintaining a healthy skin barrier. It’s non-comedogenic and great for all skin types, including sensitive skin.
- Simmondsia Chinensis (Jojoba) Seed Oil: Technically a wax ester, its structure is remarkably similar to the skin’s natural sebum. This makes it a highly compatible, non-comedogenic, and balancing moisturizer for nearly all skin types.
- Rosa Canina (Rosehip) Seed Oil: Seed oil that is extracted from Rosa Canina. It is a highly beneficial ingredient due to its rich content of essential fatty acids, Vitamin C, and Vitamin A (retinol). It offers moisturizing, anti-aging, and anti-inflammatory properties, making it effective for reducing fine lines, improving skin tone, soothing conditions like eczema and rosacea, and minimizing the appearance of scars and hyperpigmentation.
- Vitis Vinifera (Grape) Seed Oil: Grape Seed Oil is an easily absorbed, non-comedogenic, lightweight oil rich in antioxidants, essential fatty acids (like linoleic acid), and Vitamin E, making it beneficial for most skin types, especially oily and acne-prone, as well as mature skin.
Soothing & Revitalizing Botanicals
Sourced from roots, flowers, and leaves, these potent botanical extracts are the workhorses of a healthy skincare routine. They are typically rich in compounds that provide powerful antioxidant protection against environmental stressors and have anti-inflammatory properties to calm redness and soothe irritation. From revitalizing ginseng to calming chamomile, each extract offers a unique set of benefits to protect and balance the skin.
- Calendula Officinalis (Pot Marigold) Flower Extract: Also known as pot marigold, Calendula Officinalis is a soothing and anti-inflammatory ingredient widely used to calm irritation, promote healing, and protect the skin. Its benefits come from its rich concentration of flavonoids, antioxidants, and essential oils.
- Camellia Sinensis (Green Tea) Leaf Extract: Made from fresh leaves that are quickly steamed to prevent oxidation. It’s one of the most researched antioxidants available, protecting skin from environmental damage (UV, pollution). It is also a potent anti-inflammatory and soothing agent.
- Centella Asiatica Extract (Cica/Gotu Kola): Centella Asiatica is a herbaceous, perennial plant. It exploded in popularity as a use in skin products for good reason. It has well-documented wound-healing, anti-inflammatory, and soothing properties, making it ideal for calming sensitive or compromised skin.
- Chamomilla Recutita (Matricaria) Flower Extract: An extract derived from the plant’s daisy-like flowers. A classic soothing ingredient with a high concentration of potent active compounds. It’s a go-to for calming inflammation, redness, and sensitivity.
- Equisetum Arvense (Horsetail) Extract: Among other things, Horsetail Extract promotes collagen production and provides antioxidant benefits. It is also valued for its high silica content, which can help support skin strength and elasticity, and also has toning and soothing properties.
- Foeniculum Vulgare (Fennel) Fruit Extract: Fennel Fruit Extract is known for its potent antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and soothing properties. It protects the skin from environmental damage, calms irritation, helps improve elasticity and skin tone, and can even balance oil production.
- Geranium Maculatum Extract: A concentrated liquid derived from the roots, stems, and leaves, of the Wild Geranium plant. It contains anti-inflammatory, astringent, and antioxidant properties, including soothing redness, minimizing pores and wrinkles, reducing inflammation and breakouts, and improving skin tone by fading hyperpigmentation. It also helps balance sebum levels, promotes hydration retention, and cleanses the skin.
- Panax Ginseng Root Extract: This is a popular ingredient for its anti-aging, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory properties. Among other benefits, Panax Ginseng Root Extract is also known to improve blood circulation, resulting in a more radiant and revitalized complexion, and may even have an antibacterial effect against acne-causing bacteria.
- Taraxacum Officinale (Dandelion) Root Extract: Offers numerous skin benefits due to its rich content of antioxidants, anti-inflammatory compounds, and vitamins. It protects against environmental damage and aging by fighting free radicals, reduces redness and inflammation associated with conditions like eczema and rosacea, and can help detoxify and purify the skin.
- Usnea Barbata (Lichen) Extract: Lichen Extract is derived from a lichen that grows on trees and is known for strengthening the skin barrier, soothing irritation, and combating environmental damage from pollutants and UV rays.
- Yucca Glauca Root Extract: Yucca Root Extract is known for its natural cleansing, hydrating, soothing, and antioxidant properties, thanks to compounds like saponins and vitamins. It also contains natural anti-bacterial and anti-fungal properties.
Vitamins & Specialized Actives
This group includes powerful, often well-researched, ingredients that provide targeted benefits beyond general moisturizing or soothing. From essential antioxidants like Vitamin E to structural supporters like the sulfur-rich MSM, these actives work to protect the skin from aging, support core functions like collagen production, and enhance the overall health and performance of your skin.
- Methylsulfonylmethane (MSM): MSM is an organic, sulfur containing compound. In nature, it’s found in small amounts in some fruits, vegetables, and grains. It contains antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties and offers skin benefits by providing organic sulfur to support collagen and keratin production, resulting in improved skin firmness, elasticity, and hydration while reducing fine lines and wrinkles.
- Tocopheryl Acetate (Vitamin E): An extremely common antioxidant that helps protect skin from free radical damage. It also reduces inflammation, improves skin elasticity, helps to reduce wrinkles, and protects your skin from UV damage.