Below is every ingredient in Shimmer Body Butter with Cocoa Butter - 150 g explained, its standout actives, and the side effects reported in research for those actives — analysed for Indian skin.
Flags derived from the ingredient list using dermatology reference data (fungal-acne substrate, comedogenicity, EU allergens). General guidance, not a diagnosis.
Answers are derived from the printed ingredient list and dermatology reference data — general guidance, not a diagnosis or a therapeutic claim.
Caffeine is a topical active used in skincare for its antioxidant properties and ability to constrict blood vessels, which may temporarily reduce puffiness and the appearance of under-eye darkness. It is also studied for reducing localized fluid retention and protecting against UV-induced oxidative stress.
Tocotrienols are a subgroup of vitamin E compounds used in skincare for their antioxidant activity, helping protect skin lipids from oxidative damage caused by UV exposure and environmental stressors. They are often combined with tocopherols and other antioxidants to enhance stability and skin protection.
Tocopherol (vitamin E) is a lipid-soluble antioxidant used in skincare to protect skin and formulations from oxidative damage caused by free radicals and UV exposure. It also functions as a skin-conditioning and emollient agent and can stabilize oils against rancidity.
Ascorbyl palmitate is a lipid-soluble, more stable ester of vitamin C (ascorbic acid) used as an antioxidant in skincare formulations. It can help protect formulas from oxidation and may offer some skin antioxidant benefits, though its conversion to active ascorbic acid in skin is limited.
Aggregated from the active ingredients in this product.
| Reported effect | How often | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Irritation or sensitivity | Very rare | Purified water itself is essentially inert; rare reactions are attributable to contaminants or accompanying ingredients rather than water. |
| Transepidermal water loss aggravation in compromised skin | Rare | Evaporation of water from products may transiently increase dryness in very compromised skin barriers if occlusives are absent. |
| Allergic contact dermatitis | Rare | Reported infrequently; shea butter has low allergenic potential despite tree-nut origin. |
| Comedogenicity/acne aggravation | Uncommon | May contribute to clogged pores or breakouts in acne-prone or oily skin due to its occlusive, lipid-rich nature. |
| Skin irritation | Rare | Mild irritation or redness possible, generally in sensitive individuals. |
| Comedogenicity (acne/clogged pores) | Common | Considered a moderately to highly comedogenic ingredient; may worsen acne or cause breakouts in acne-prone individuals. |
| Folliculitis | Rare | Follicular irritation linked to its occlusive and pore-clogging tendency. |
| Comedogenicity (clogged pores) | Uncommon | Considered moderately comedogenic; may contribute to breakouts in acne-prone individuals. |
| Mild skin irritation | Uncommon | Transient redness or stinging, more likely on compromised or sensitive skin. |
| Contact urticaria | Very rare | Isolated case reports of immediate-type reactions. |
| Comedogenicity / clogged pores | Uncommon | Low comedogenic potential, but may contribute to congestion in acne-prone skin at higher concentrations. |
| Mild transient stinging or irritation | Uncommon | More likely at high concentrations or on compromised/broken skin. |
| Tacky or sticky skin feel | Common | A cosmetic sensation rather than an adverse reaction, more noticeable at higher concentrations. |
| Contact dermatitis or allergic reaction | Rare | True allergy to glycerin is uncommon; patch-test positivity is infrequent. |
| Skin dehydration in very low humidity | Rare | In very dry environments humectants may draw water from deeper skin layers if not paired with an occlusive. |
Frequencies reflect typical cosmetic use reported in the literature, not a guarantee for your skin.
| Ingredient | What it does |
|---|---|
| Aqua Solvent / vehicle | Aqua (water) is the most common base ingredient in skincare formulations, serving as a solvent that dissolves water-soluble components and forms the medium for emulsions. It has no direct treatment activity and primarily contributes to texture, spreadability, and product delivery. |
| Butyrospermum Parkii Butter Emollient/occlusive | Butyrospermum Parkii Butter (shea butter) is a plant-derived fat used in skincare as an emollient and occlusive agent to soften skin and reduce transepidermal water loss. It is rich in fatty acids and unsaponifiables that condition and help maintain the skin barrier. |
| Isopropyl Myristate Emollient / skin-conditioning agent | Isopropyl myristate is a synthetic ester of isopropyl alcohol and myristic acid used as an emollient, thickening reducer, and penetration enhancer in cosmetic and topical formulations. It imparts a smooth, non-greasy feel and improves spreadability of products. |
| Theobroma Cacao Seed Butter Emollient/occlusive | Theobroma Cacao Seed Butter (cocoa butter) is a fat-rich plant butter used in skincare as an emollient and occlusive agent to soften skin and reduce transepidermal water loss. It is solid at room temperature and commonly used in moisturizers, balms, and lip products. |
| PEG-100 Stearate Emulsifier/surfactant | PEG-100 Stearate is a polyethylene glycol ester of stearic acid used as a nonionic surfactant and emulsifier to stabilize oil-in-water formulations and improve skin feel. It functions as a formulation base ingredient rather than a therapeutic active. |
| Glyceryl Stearate Emulsifier/emollient | Glyceryl Stearate is a glycerol ester of stearic acid widely used as a non-ionic emulsifier and emollient to stabilize oil-in-water formulations and improve skin feel. It functions as a base/formulation ingredient rather than a therapeutic active. |
| Glycerin Humectant | Glycerin is a widely used humectant that attracts and retains water in the skin, helping to hydrate the stratum corneum and support barrier function. It is considered safe and well-tolerated across most skin types and concentrations. |
| C14-22 Alcohols Emulsifier/emollient | C14-22 Alcohols is a blend of fatty alcohols (with carbon chains from 14 to 22) used in skincare as a co-emulsifier, thickener, and emollient to stabilize emulsions and improve skin feel. It is typically paired with C12-20 Alkyl Glucoside to form a self-emulsifying system. |
| C12-20 Alkyl Glucoside Emulsifier / surfactant | C12-20 Alkyl Glucoside is a non-ionic, sugar-derived (glucose plus fatty alcohol) emulsifier and mild surfactant used to stabilize oil-in-water emulsions and improve texture. It is generally well tolerated and considered gentle, often used in formulations marketed for sensitive skin. |
| Cetearyl Alcohol Emollient/emulsifier | Cetearyl alcohol is a fatty alcohol blend (cetyl and stearyl alcohol) used in skincare as an emollient, emulsion stabilizer, and thickening agent. It helps soften skin and keep oil and water phases blended in creams and lotions. |
| C15-19 Alkane Emollient / skin-conditioning agent | C15-19 Alkane is a lightweight, plant-derived (often sugarcane-based) liquid hydrocarbon used as a silicone alternative emollient and solvent in cosmetic formulations. It provides slip, spreadability, and a smooth, non-greasy skin feel without adding active treatment benefits. |
| Polyacrylate-13 Rheology modifier / thickener | Polyacrylate-13 is a synthetic acrylate copolymer used as a thickening, stabilizing, and emulsifying agent in cosmetic formulations. It helps create stable gels and emulsions and improves product texture without contributing to active treatment effects. |
| Polyisobutene Emollient/film-former | Polyisobutene is a synthetic hydrocarbon polymer used in cosmetics as an emollient, thickener, and film-forming agent that imparts smooth texture, adhesion, and improved spreadability. It is commonly found in long-wear makeup, lip products, and sunscreens to enhance water resistance and product longevity. |
| Polysorbate 20 Emulsifier / solubilizer | Polysorbate 20 is a nonionic surfactant derived from sorbitol and lauric acid, used in skincare to solubilize fragrances and essential oils and to stabilize oil-in-water emulsions. It functions primarily as a formulation aid rather than a treatment active. |
| Phenoxyethanol Preservative | Phenoxyethanol is a widely used broad-spectrum preservative that protects cosmetic and skincare formulations from bacterial and fungal contamination. It is typically used at concentrations up to 1% and serves as a formulation/base ingredient rather than an active treatment. |
| Ethylhexylglycerin Preservative booster / skin-conditioning agent | Ethylhexylglycerin is a multifunctional glyceryl ether used in cosmetics primarily as a preservative-enhancing agent and emollient, often paired with phenoxyethanol to broaden antimicrobial efficacy. It also acts as a deodorizing agent and humectant in skincare formulations. |
| Caffeine Key active Antioxidant / vasoconstrictor | Caffeine is a topical active used in skincare for its antioxidant properties and ability to constrict blood vessels, which may temporarily reduce puffiness and the appearance of under-eye darkness. It is also studied for reducing localized fluid retention and protecting against UV-induced oxidative stress. |
| Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil Emollient / skin-conditioning oil | Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil (argan oil) is a plant-derived emollient rich in oleic and linoleic fatty acids, tocopherols, and polyphenols, used to soften skin, support the skin barrier, and provide antioxidant activity. It functions primarily as a moisturizing and conditioning agent in cosmetic formulations. |
| Caramel Colorant | Caramel is a natural brown coloring agent produced by controlled heating of carbohydrates, used in skincare to impart or adjust product color. It has no therapeutic skin benefit and serves a purely cosmetic/aesthetic role. |
| Tocotrienols Key active Antioxidant | Tocotrienols are a subgroup of vitamin E compounds used in skincare for their antioxidant activity, helping protect skin lipids from oxidative damage caused by UV exposure and environmental stressors. They are often combined with tocopherols and other antioxidants to enhance stability and skin protection. |
| Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6 Film-forming/sensory-enhancing rheology modifier | Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6 is a synthetic crosslinked acrylate polymer used in skincare and cosmetic formulations to provide a smooth, silky sensory feel, stabilize emulsions, and help form a light film on the skin. It is a formulation aid rather than a biologically active treatment ingredient. |
| Polysorbate 60 Emulsifier / surfactant | Polysorbate 60 is a nonionic surfactant and emulsifier derived from sorbitol and stearic acid, used to blend oil and water phases and stabilize emulsions in creams and lotions. It functions as a formulation aid rather than a therapeutic active. |
| Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate Antioxidant/stabilizer | Pentaerythrityl Tetra-di-t-butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate is a hindered-phenol antioxidant (also known as the industrial stabilizer Irganox 1010) used in cosmetic formulations to prevent oxidation and rancidity of oils, fats, and other ingredients. It functions primarily as a formulation stabilizer rather than a skin-active treatment. |
| Sodium Gluconate Chelating agent / skin-conditioning | Sodium gluconate is the sodium salt of gluconic acid used in skincare primarily as a chelating agent to bind metal ions and stabilize formulations, with secondary humectant and skin-conditioning properties. It is generally considered a base/formulation ingredient rather than an active treatment. |
| Lecithin Emollient / Emulsifier | Lecithin is a naturally occurring phospholipid (commonly derived from soybean or egg) used in skincare as an emulsifier, emollient, and penetration enhancer. It helps stabilize oil-and-water formulations and supports the skin barrier by mimicking natural lipids. |
| Tocopherol Key active Antioxidant | Tocopherol (vitamin E) is a lipid-soluble antioxidant used in skincare to protect skin and formulations from oxidative damage caused by free radicals and UV exposure. It also functions as a skin-conditioning and emollient agent and can stabilize oils against rancidity. |
| Ascorbyl Palmitate Key active Antioxidant / Vitamin C derivative | Ascorbyl palmitate is a lipid-soluble, more stable ester of vitamin C (ascorbic acid) used as an antioxidant in skincare formulations. It can help protect formulas from oxidation and may offer some skin antioxidant benefits, though its conversion to active ascorbic acid in skin is limited. |
| Fragrance Fragrance/masking agent | Fragrance refers to a blend of natural or synthetic aromatic compounds added to skincare products to impart a pleasant scent or mask the odor of other ingredients. It serves a sensory and formulation purpose rather than a therapeutic one. |
Key active = does the main work. Ingredient explanations are drawn from public databases & literature.
Peer-reviewed papers on the active ingredients in this product, via PubMed.