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 10 of 10
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

Film Former

Ethoxyethyl Cyanoacrylate

ETHOXYETHYL CYANOACRYLATE

3.5

A strong synthetic adhesive for nails and lashes, but can cause irritation if misused or if you have a sensitivity.

Irritation

moderate

Source

synthetic

beautynail careadhesive
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Film Former

Ethyl Cyanoacrylate

Ethyl Cyanoacrylate

2.0

Ethyl cyanoacrylate is a strong adhesive used in nail products; it is not a skincare ingredient and can cause skin irritation or allergic reactions with direct contact.

Irritation

moderate

Source

synthetic

beautynail careadhesive
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Film former

HEMA

HEMA

3.0

HEMA is a common nail ingredient that can cause allergic reactions in some people, so patch testing is recommended.

Irritation

moderate

Source

synthetic

beautynail careadhesive
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Film Former

Isopropyl Cyanoacrylate

ISOPROPYL CYANOACRYLATE

3.5

A strong, fast-drying adhesive used in nail and lash products; effective but can cause skin irritation or allergic reactions in some people.

Irritation

moderate

Source

synthetic

beautynail careadhesive
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Monomer

Methacrylic Acid

METHACRYLIC ACID

2.0

Methacrylic acid is a strong synthetic monomer used in nail products and adhesives; it can be irritating and is not a typical skincare ingredient.

Irritation

high

Source

synthetic

beautynail careadhesive
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Film Former

Neopentyl Glycol Dimethacrylate

NEOPENTYL GLYCOL DIMETHACRYLATE

3.0

A synthetic ingredient that strengthens nail coatings but may cause skin irritation or allergic reactions in sensitive individuals.

Irritation

moderate

Source

synthetic

beautynail careadhesive
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Film Former

Tripropylene Glycol Diacrylate

TRIPROPYLENE GLYCOL DIACRYLATE

1.0

This is an industrial adhesive ingredient, not a skincare active; it may cause skin irritation and is best avoided in leave-on products.

Irritation

high

Source

synthetic

beautynail-careadhesive
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