ingredient glossary
carefully curated and thoughtfully chosen
It is important to be able to correctly identify the specific ingredients found in body care products. For this reason, the Avalon Organics® brand uses the International Nomenclature of Cosmetic Ingredients (INCI) system to list its product ingredients. This is an internationally approved system of naming cosmetic ingredients based on their scientific names. For ease of searching this ingredient glossary, some ingredients are listed using both their INCI name and their common name. Learn about Avalon Organics® ingredients here.
Hyssop
Hussopus officinalisDerived from the chamomile flower; known for its soothing, anti-inflammatory and regenerating properties; adds shine to hair.

Hypo-allergenic
This term is applied to a product in which care has been taken in ingredient selection and formulation to ensure minimum incidence of allergic reactions.

Hydroxymethylcellulose
Emulsifier, thickener.
Hydroxyethylcellulose
Derived from wood pulp (glycine amino acid); adds body to hair.

Hydrolyzed wheat protein
Derived from wheat; strengthening and thickening for hair.
Hydrolyzed soy protein
Derived from the beans; provides a smoothing effect to the skin.
Hydrolyzed oats
Derived from oats; adds texture and thickens hair; soothes, softens, and nourishes.

Hydrogenated jojoba oil
Derived from the seeds; natural replacement for petroleum jelly; increases viscosity or thickness in formulas; moisturizes and protects.
Hydrogenated coconut oil
Derived from the fruit; natural replacement for petroleum jelly, increases viscosity or thickness in formulas; moisturizes and protects.

Hydrogenated castor oil
Derived from castor beans; natural replacement for petroleum jelly; increases viscosity, moisturizes and protects.

Hyaluronic acid
Sodium hyaluronateDerived from sugar beets and soy; humectant that regulates the level of hydration of skin; forms a moisturizing, non-occlusive layer of moisture on the skin.
Honeysuckle
Lonicera caprifoliumDerived from the plant; smoothes and softens skin.
Honey
A by-product of bees concentrating plant nectars; nutrient-rich emollient and humectant.

Hibiscus sabdariffa flower extract
Derived from the tropical flower; high in vitamin C; known for its soothing and antioxidant properties.

Hibiscus rosa-sinensis flower extract
Derived from the tropical flower; cleansing, soothing and moisturizing.
Helianthus annuus oil
SunflowerDerived from the seeds; contains large amounts of vitamin E; softens and protects.
Helianthus annuus seed wax
Sunflower seed waxDerived from the seed hulls; adds texture, softens and protects.
Hamamelis virginiana extract
Witch hazel
Derived from bark and leaves; known as an astringent and anti-inflammatory; soothes, and heals.
Hyssop
Hussopus officinalisDerived from the chamomile flower; known for its soothing, anti-inflammatory and regenerating properties; adds shine to hair.

Hypo-allergenic
This term is applied to a product in which care has been taken in ingredient selection and formulation to ensure minimum incidence of allergic reactions.

Hydroxymethylcellulose
Emulsifier, thickener.
Hydroxyethylcellulose
Derived from wood pulp (glycine amino acid); adds body to hair.

Hydrolyzed wheat protein
Derived from wheat; strengthening and thickening for hair.
Hydrolyzed soy protein
Derived from the beans; provides a smoothing effect to the skin.
Hydrolyzed oats
Derived from oats; adds texture and thickens hair; soothes, softens, and nourishes.

Hydrogenated jojoba oil
Derived from the seeds; natural replacement for petroleum jelly; increases viscosity or thickness in formulas; moisturizes and protects.
Hydrogenated coconut oil
Derived from the fruit; natural replacement for petroleum jelly, increases viscosity or thickness in formulas; moisturizes and protects.

Hydrogenated castor oil
Derived from castor beans; natural replacement for petroleum jelly; increases viscosity, moisturizes and protects.

Hyaluronic acid
Sodium hyaluronateDerived from sugar beets and soy; humectant that regulates the level of hydration of skin; forms a moisturizing, non-occlusive layer of moisture on the skin.
Honeysuckle
Lonicera caprifoliumDerived from the plant; smoothes and softens skin.
Honey
A by-product of bees concentrating plant nectars; nutrient-rich emollient and humectant.

Hibiscus sabdariffa flower extract
Derived from the tropical flower; high in vitamin C; known for its soothing and antioxidant properties.

Hibiscus rosa-sinensis flower extract
Derived from the tropical flower; cleansing, soothing and moisturizing.
Helianthus annuus oil
SunflowerDerived from the seeds; contains large amounts of vitamin E; softens and protects.
Helianthus annuus seed wax
Sunflower seed waxDerived from the seed hulls; adds texture, softens and protects.
Hamamelis virginiana extract
Witch hazel
Derived from bark and leaves; known as an astringent and anti-inflammatory; soothes, and heals.