Skincare without the upsell.
Ph

Phospholipids

PhospholipidsBarrier

Skin-friendly lipids used as emollients, emulsifiers, and the building blocks of liposomes that carry other ingredients.

What it does

Phospholipids are a class of lipids — the same family that makes up cell membranes — often sourced from soy or sunflower lecithin. In skincare they act as emollients and gentle emulsifiers, and they can self-assemble into liposomes (tiny lipid spheres) used to encapsulate and carry other ingredients. We describe their conditioning and delivery role here; specific barrier claims belong with their own cited evidence.

Also known as

lecithin-derived lipids

Browse all 668 ingredients — grouped by what they do, each with whatever evidence we can cite.

This page is public so a shared ingredient card always has its sources behind it — and so you can check them without an account.
Want more like this?
Every evidence-based flag cites its source, Drop tells you when your routine is complete, and it helps you simplify — instead of selling you more. The app launches on iOS and Android in October 2026. Rate my routine works today at /rate — no sign-in.