Beauty ingredient research

Beauty ingredients explained in plain English

Browse the review database to understand what an ingredient is, what it does in a beauty formula, when it is useful, and when it deserves caution across skincare, haircare, bodycare, makeup, and more.

20769

Reviewed ingredients

524

Low-concern standouts

2884

Need usage caution

Showing 7 of 7
AllUV absorberUV filterabrasiveabsorbentacne treatmentactiveactive ingredientadhesivealkalizing agentamino acidanti-aginganti-androgenanti-cavityanti-cavity agentanti-inflammatoryanti-irritantanticariesanticavity agentantidandruffantifungalantimicrobialantioxidantantiperspirantantiplaqueastringentbarrier repairbarrier supportbarrier-repairbarrier-supportbinderbinding agentbiotechbiotechnologybond-builderbotanicalbotanical extractbotanical oilbotanical waterbrighteningbrightening agentbufferbuffering agentcell-communicating ingredientceramidechelating agentchemicalchemical intermediateclaycleansercleansingcleansing agentcolorantconditionerconditioningconditioning agentcooling agentcosmeticcosmetic additivecosmetic colorantcosmetic ingredientcosmetic pigmentcosmetic powdercosmetic-texturizercosmetic-waxcosmeticscrosslinking agentdelivery agentdelivery systemdenaturantdeodorantdeodorant agentdepigmenting agentdepilatorydepilatory agentdesensitizing agentdyedye intermediatedye precursordye-intermediateemollientemulsifierenzymeessential oilexfoliantexperimentaleyelashfermentfilm formerfilm-formerfilm-formingfilm-forming agentfirming agentfixativeflavoring agentformulationfragrancefragrance ingredientfunctional ingredientgashair carehair colorhair coloranthair conditionerhair dyehair removalhair-carehair-colorhaircarehumectantindustrialinsecticideintermediatelashlash carelash enhancerlash-and-browlip carelipidmakeupmarine extractmasking agentmicrobiomemicrobiome modulatormineralmoisturizernail carenail-careocclusiveoilopacifieropacifying agentoptical agentoral careotheroxidative dyeoxidative dye precursoroxidizing agentpH adjusterpain reliefpenetration enhancerpeptidepersonal careph adjusterpharmaceuticalpheromonepigmentplant oilplasticizerpolymerpolymer precursorprebioticprescription-drugpreservativepreservative boosterprobioticprocessing agentprocessing aidpropellantproteinpurifyingreducing agentretinoidscalp caresebum regulatorsebum-regulatorself-tannerself-tanningsensory additivesensory agentsensory modifiersiliconeskin barrierskin barrier supportskin conditionerskin conditioningskin conditioning agentskin lighteningskin protectantskin-conditioningskin-conditioning agentskin-identicalskin-identical ingredientskin-lighteningskin-lightening agentskincaresolventsoothingsoothing agentstabilizerstimulantsunscreensurfactantsyntheticsynthetic colorantsynthetic dyesynthetic resinsynthetic-coloranttexture enhancertexturizerthickenertoneruv-absorberuv-filtervasoactivevasodilatorviscosity controlviscosity controllingviscosity controlling agentvitaminwax

Abrasive

Alumina

Alumina

3.5

Alumina is a safe, effective abrasive for exfoliation and texture, but can be irritating if particles are too large or used too aggressively.

Irritation

moderate

Source

natural

beautyskincareabrasive
Read ingredient review

Abrasive

Hydrated Silica

Hydrated Silica

4.2

Hydrated silica is a gentle, mineral-based abrasive that polishes teeth and exfoliates skin without harshness, but overuse can wear down enamel or irritate sensitive skin.

Irritation

low

Source

natural

beautyskincareabrasive
Read ingredient review

Abrasive

Hydroxyapatite

Hydroxyapatite

3.8

A gentle mineral abrasive that helps polish skin and teeth without harshness, but its role in anti-aging is still emerging.

Irritation

low

Source

natural

beautyskincareabrasive
Read ingredient review

Bulking Agent

Magnesium Fluoride

Magnesium Fluoride

2.5

Magnesium fluoride is a mineral salt used mainly as a bulking or abrasive agent in cosmetics; it offers no proven skincare benefits and may cause irritation in sensitive individuals.

Irritation

moderate

Source

natural

beautyskincareabrasive
Read ingredient review

Abrasive

Nephrite Powder

NEPHRITE POWDER

3.5

Nephrite powder is a natural mineral exfoliant with a long history in traditional beauty, but scientific evidence for its skin benefits is limited.

Irritation

moderate

Source

natural

beautyskincareabrasive
Read ingredient review

Abrasive

Sodium Magnesium Fluorosilicate

SODIUM MAGNESIUM FLUOROSILICATE

2.5

An abrasive mineral salt that helps polish teeth or exfoliate skin, but may be too harsh for sensitive skin or gums.

Irritation

moderate

Source

synthetic

beautyskincareabrasive
Read ingredient review