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 60 of 612
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

Skin conditioning agent

Methoxyphenylsulfonamido Dihydroxypropanamide

METHOXYPHENYLSULFONAMIDO DIHYDROXYPROPANAMIDE

3.5

A synthetic peptide-like ingredient that may help improve skin firmness, but research is still emerging and benefits are not yet proven in large human studies.

Irritation

low

Source

synthetic

beautyskincareanti-aging
Read ingredient review

Anti-aging agent

Methyl Hydroxyproline

2-METHYL-4-HYDROXYPYRROLIDINE

3.8

A synthetic amino acid that may help support collagen and improve skin firmness, but research is still early.

Irritation

low

Source

synthetic

beautyskincareanti-aging
Read ingredient review

Film-forming agent

Methylsilanol Elastinate

METHYLSILANOL ELASTINATE

3.8

A silicon-enhanced elastin derivative that may help improve skin firmness and hydration, but research is limited and mostly from ingredient suppliers.

Irritation

low

Source

semi-synthetic

beautyskincareanti-aging
Read ingredient review

Anti-aging agent

Methylsilanol Hydroxyproline

Methylsilanol Hydroxyproline

4.0

A silicon-enhanced amino acid that may help support skin firmness and collagen production, but human evidence is limited.

Irritation

low

Source

semi-synthetic

beautyskincareanti-aging
Read ingredient review

Skin conditioning agent

Methylsilanol Hydroxyproline Aspartate

METHYLSILANOL HYDROXYPROLINE ASPARTATE

3.8

A silicon-amino acid complex that may support collagen production and skin firmness, but research is limited and mostly from ingredient suppliers.

Irritation

low

Source

semi-synthetic

beautyskincareanti-aging
Read ingredient review

Anti-aging agent

Methylspermidine Maleate

METHYLSPERMIDINE MALEATE

3.8

A synthetic compound that may help support skin firmness and reduce fine lines, but research is still early and it's not a proven anti-aging powerhouse.

Irritation

low

Source

synthetic

beautyskincareanti-aging
Read ingredient review

Anti-aging agent

Mevalonoyl Pentapeptide-37

MEVALONOYL PENTAPEPTIDE-37

4.0

A lab-made peptide that signals skin to act firmer and smoother, with good tolerability for most skin types.

Irritation

low

Source

synthetic

beautyskincareanti-aging
Read ingredient review

Anti-aging agent

Mevalonoyl Pentapeptide-39

MEVALONOYL PENTAPEPTIDE-39

4.0

A synthetic peptide that may help improve skin firmness and reduce fine lines, but research is still emerging.

Irritation

low

Source

synthetic

beautyskincareanti-aging
Read ingredient review

Anti-aging agent

Mevalonoyl Tripeptide-35

Mevalonoyl Tripeptide-35

3.8

A synthetic peptide that may help improve skin firmness and reduce fine lines, but research is still emerging.

Irritation

low

Source

synthetic

beautyskincareanti-aging
Read ingredient review

Anti-Aging Agent

Multi-Peptide Complex

Tripeptide-49, Oligopeptide-91, Dipeptide-19, Sh-Polypeptide-3

4.0

A mix of lab-made peptides that may help smooth wrinkles and support collagen, but results vary and research is still emerging.

Irritation

low

Source

synthetic

beautyskincareanti-aging
Read ingredient review

Humectant

Multi-Peptide Hyaluronate Complex

Ethyl Carbazido Hyaluronate, SH-Oligopeptide-1, SH-Polypeptide-94, Dipeptide-35, SH-Polypeptide-95

3.8

A multi-ingredient blend that combines modified hyaluronic acid with peptides for potential hydration and skin-smoothing benefits, though research on this exact mix is limited.

Irritation

low

Source

semi-synthetic

beautyskincarehumectantanti-aging
Read ingredient review

Anti-aging agent

Mussel Peptide Complex

R-MUSSEL POLYPEPTIDE-1, R-MUSSEL OLIGOPEPTIDE-1, SH-POLYPEPTIDE-49

3.5

A marine-derived peptide blend that may support skin firmness and hydration, but research is still emerging and benefits are not yet proven in large human studies.

Irritation

low

Source

biotech

beautyskincareanti-aging
Read ingredient review

Anti-aging agent

Myristoyl Hexapeptide-14

MYRISTOYL HEXAPEPTIDE-14

4.0

A synthetic peptide that may help improve skin firmness and reduce fine lines, with low irritation potential.

Irritation

low

Source

synthetic

beautyskincareanti-aging
Read ingredient review

Anti-aging agent

Myristoyl Hexapeptide-16

MYRISTOYL HEXAPEPTIDE-16

4.0

A synthetic peptide that may help improve skin firmness and reduce fine lines, with low irritation potential.

Irritation

low

Source

synthetic

beautyskincareanti-aging
Read ingredient review

Anti-Aging Agent

Myristoyl Hexapeptide-23

MYRISTOYL HEXAPEPTIDE-23

4.0

A synthetic peptide that signals skin to produce more collagen, helping reduce fine lines and improve firmness with consistent use.

Irritation

low

Source

synthetic

beautyskincareanti-aging
Read ingredient review

Anti-aging agent

Myristoyl Nonapeptide-2

MYRISTOYL NONAPEPTIDE-2

4.2

A well-studied synthetic peptide that supports collagen production and helps reduce fine lines with low irritation risk.

Irritation

low

Source

synthetic

beautyskincareanti-aging
Read ingredient review

Anti-aging agent

Myristoyl Nonapeptide-3

MYRISTOYL NONAPEPTIDE-3

4.0

A well-studied synthetic peptide that may help reduce the appearance of fine lines and improve skin firmness with consistent use.

Irritation

low

Source

synthetic

beautyskincareanti-aging
Read ingredient review

Anti-aging agent

Myristoyl Octapeptide-31

MYRISTOYL OCTAPEPTIDE-31

4.0

A synthetic peptide that may help firm skin and soften expression lines, but research is still emerging.

Irritation

low

Source

synthetic

beautyskincareanti-aging
Read ingredient review

Anti-aging agent

Myristoyl Pentapeptide-10

MYRISTOYL PENTAPEPTIDE-10

4.0

A synthetic peptide that may help improve skin firmness and reduce fine lines, with low irritation potential.

Irritation

low

Source

synthetic

beautyskincareanti-aging
Read ingredient review

Anti-aging

Myristoyl Pentapeptide-9

MYRISTOYL PENTAPEPTIDE-9

4.3

A well-tolerated peptide that helps reduce fine lines and improve skin firmness by encouraging collagen production.

Irritation

low

Source

synthetic

beautyskincareanti-aging
Read ingredient review

Anti-aging agent

Myristoyl Tetrapeptide-13

Myristoyl Tetrapeptide-13

4.0

A synthetic peptide that may help improve skin firmness and reduce fine lines, with low irritation potential.

Irritation

low

Source

synthetic

beautyskincareanti-aging
Read ingredient review

Anti-Aging Agent

Myristoyl Tripeptide-1

Myristoyl Tripeptide-1

4.3

A well-studied peptide that helps reduce the look of wrinkles by encouraging your skin to produce more collagen.

Irritation

low

Source

synthetic

beautyskincareanti-aging
Read ingredient review

Anti-aging agent

Myristoyl Tripeptide-31

MYRISTOYL TRIPEPTIDE-31

4.0

A synthetic peptide that signals skin to appear firmer and smoother, with low irritation potential.

Irritation

low

Source

synthetic

beautyskincareanti-aging
Read ingredient review

Anti-aging agent

Nicotiana Benthamiana Peptide Complex

Nicotiana Benthamiana Hexapeptide-40, Sh-Polypeptide-9

3.8

A plant-derived peptide blend that may help support skin firmness and reduce fine lines, but research is still early.

Irritation

low

Source

biotech

beautyskincareanti-aging
Read ingredient review

Anti-aging agent

Nicotinamide Adenine Dinucleotide

Nicotinamide Adenine Dinucleotide

3.8

NAD+ is a buzzworthy anti-aging ingredient that supports skin cell energy and repair, but its topical benefits are still being studied and may not match the hype.

Irritation

low

Source

biotech

beautyskincareanti-aging
Read ingredient review

Anti-aging agent

Nicotinamide Mononucleotide

Nicotinamide Mononucleotide

3.8

A promising anti-aging ingredient that boosts cellular energy, but human skin research is still limited compared to niacinamide.

Irritation

low

Source

biotech

beautyskincareanti-aging
Read ingredient review

Anti-aging agent

Nicotinoyl Dipeptide-22

Nicotinoyl Dipeptide-22

4.0

A synthetic peptide that may help improve skin firmness and reduce fine lines, but human data is still limited.

Irritation

low

Source

synthetic

beautyskincareanti-aging
Read ingredient review

Anti-aging agent

Nicotinoyl Dipeptide-23

Nicotinoyl Dipeptide-23

4.0

A lab-made peptide that may help smooth wrinkles and firm skin, but human studies are still limited.

Irritation

low

Source

synthetic

beautyskincareanti-aging
Read ingredient review

Anti-aging agent

Nicotinoyl Hexapeptide-45

Nicotinoyl Hexapeptide-45

4.0

A lab-made peptide that may help smooth wrinkles and improve skin firmness, but human studies are still limited.

Irritation

low

Source

synthetic

beautyskincareanti-aging
Read ingredient review

Anti-aging agent

Nicotinoyl Octapeptide-13

Nicotinoyl Octapeptide-13

4.0

A lab-made peptide that may help smooth fine lines and improve skin firmness, but human studies are limited.

Irritation

low

Source

synthetic

beautyskincareanti-aging
Read ingredient review

Anti-aging agent

Nicotinoyl Octapeptide-9

Nicotinoyl Octapeptide-9

4.0

A lab-made peptide that may help smooth wrinkles and improve skin firmness, with low irritation potential.

Irritation

low

Source

synthetic

beautyskincareanti-aging
Read ingredient review

Anti-Aging Agent

Nicotinoyl Pentapeptide-20

Nicotinoyl Pentapeptide-20

4.0

A promising anti-aging peptide that combines the benefits of niacinamide with a signal peptide to help firm skin and soften wrinkles.

Irritation

low

Source

synthetic

beautyskincareanti-aging
Read ingredient review

Anti-aging agent

Nicotinoyl Pentapeptide-33

Nicotinoyl Pentapeptide-33

4.0

A lab-made peptide that may help smooth wrinkles and improve skin firmness, but human studies are still limited.

Irritation

low

Source

synthetic

beautyskincareanti-aging
Read ingredient review

Anti-aging agent

Nicotinoyl Pentapeptide-46

Nicotinoyl Pentapeptide-46

4.0

A lab-made peptide that may help smooth wrinkles and improve skin firmness, but research is still early.

Irritation

low

Source

synthetic

beautyskincareanti-aging
Read ingredient review

Anti-aging agent

Nicotinoyl SH-Decapeptide-9

Nicotinoyl SH-Decapeptide-9

4.0

A synthetic peptide designed to mimic skin-repair signals, often used in anti-aging products for its potential to improve firmness and smooth wrinkles.

Irritation

low

Source

synthetic

beautyskincareanti-aging
Read ingredient review

Anti-Aging Agent

Nicotinoyl SH-Pentapeptide-19

Nicotinoyl SH-Pentapeptide-19

4.0

A lab-made peptide-niacin hybrid that aims to firm skin and soften wrinkles, but human studies are still limited.

Irritation

low

Source

synthetic

beautyskincareanti-aging
Read ingredient review

Anti-aging agent

Nicotinoyl SH-Pentapeptide-4

Nicotinoyl SH-Pentapeptide-4

4.0

A lab-made peptide-vitamin hybrid that aims to mimic natural skin signals to help smooth lines and improve firmness, with generally low irritation risk.

Irritation

low

Source

synthetic

beautyskincareanti-aging
Read ingredient review

Anti-aging agent

Nicotinoyl Tripeptide-35

Nicotinoyl Tripeptide-35

4.0

A promising synthetic peptide that may help firm skin and soften lines, but human studies are still limited.

Irritation

low

Source

synthetic

beautyskincareanti-aging
Read ingredient review

Anti-Aging Agent

Nicotinoyl Tripeptide-47

Nicotinoyl Tripeptide-47

4.0

A lab-made peptide that mimics niacinamide's benefits to help smooth wrinkles and improve skin texture with low irritation risk.

Irritation

low

Source

synthetic

beautyskincareanti-aging
Read ingredient review

Anti-aging agent

Nonapeptide-27 Amide

Nonapeptide-27 Amide

4.0

A synthetic peptide that may help soften expression lines by temporarily relaxing facial muscles, similar to how neuropeptides work.

Irritation

low

Source

synthetic

beautyskincareanti-aging
Read ingredient review

Anti-aging agent

Nonapeptide-30

Nonapeptide-30

3.8

A synthetic peptide that may help reduce the look of fine lines by signaling skin to produce more collagen, but human studies are still limited.

Irritation

low

Source

synthetic

beautyskincareanti-aging
Read ingredient review

Anti-aging agent

Nonapeptide-31

Nonapeptide-31

4.0

Nonapeptide-31 is a synthetic peptide that may help soften expression lines by mimicking natural signaling processes in the skin.

Irritation

low

Source

synthetic

beautyskincareanti-aging
Read ingredient review

Anti-aging agent

Nonapeptide-32

Nonapeptide-32

4.0

Nonapeptide-32 is a synthetic peptide that may help soften expression lines by temporarily relaxing facial muscles, similar to how neuropeptides work in skincare.

Irritation

low

Source

synthetic

beautyskincareanti-aging
Read ingredient review

Anti-aging agent

Nonapeptide-33

Nonapeptide-33

4.0

Nonapeptide-33 is a synthetic peptide that may help soften expression lines by temporarily relaxing facial muscles, similar to how neuropeptides work, but with a lower risk of irritation.

Irritation

low

Source

synthetic

beautyskincareanti-aging
Read ingredient review

Anti-aging agent

Nonapeptide-34

Nonapeptide-34

3.8

Nonapeptide-34 is a synthetic peptide that may help soften expression lines, but research is still early and results vary.

Irritation

low

Source

synthetic

beautyskincareanti-aging
Read ingredient review

Anti-aging agent

Nonapeptide-35

Nonapeptide-35

3.8

A synthetic peptide that may help soften fine lines by signaling skin to produce more collagen, but research is still emerging.

Irritation

low

Source

synthetic

beautyskincareanti-aging
Read ingredient review

Anti-aging agent

Nonapeptide-37

Nonapeptide-37

4.0

A synthetic peptide that may help soften expression lines by temporarily relaxing facial muscles, similar to but milder than neurotoxins.

Irritation

low

Source

synthetic

beautyskincareanti-aging
Read ingredient review

Skin conditioning agent

Ocean Pout Polypeptide-1

Ocean Pout Polypeptide-1

3.8

A marine-inspired peptide that may help firm skin and reduce fine lines, but research is still limited compared to more established peptides.

Irritation

low

Source

synthetic

beautyskincareanti-aging
Read ingredient review

Anti-aging agent

Octapeptide-21 Amide

Octapeptide-21 Amide

4.0

A synthetic peptide that may help support skin firmness and reduce fine lines, but human research is still limited.

Irritation

low

Source

synthetic

beautyskincareanti-aging
Read ingredient review

Skin conditioning agent

Octapeptide-26

Octapeptide-26

3.8

A synthetic peptide that may help support skin firmness and reduce fine lines, but research is still early.

Irritation

low

Source

synthetic

beautyskincareanti-aging
Read ingredient review

Anti-aging agent

Octapeptide-29 Trifluoroacetate

Octapeptide-29 Trifluoroacetate

4.0

A synthetic peptide that may help firm skin and soften fine lines, but research is still early and results vary.

Irritation

low

Source

synthetic

beautyskincareanti-aging
Read ingredient review

Anti-aging agent

Octapeptide-33

Octapeptide-33

3.8

A synthetic peptide that may help reduce fine lines and improve skin firmness, but research is still emerging and results vary.

Irritation

low

Source

synthetic

beautyskincareanti-aging
Read ingredient review