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

Anti-aging agent

Oligopeptide-65

Oligopeptide-65

3.8

Oligopeptide-65 is a synthetic peptide that may help support skin firmness and reduce fine lines, but research is still emerging and results vary.

Irritation

low

Source

synthetic

beautyskincareanti-aging
Read ingredient review

Anti-aging agent

Oligopeptide-66

Oligopeptide-66

3.8

Oligopeptide-66 is a lab-made peptide that may help support collagen and improve skin firmness, but research is still early.

Irritation

low

Source

synthetic

beautyskincareanti-aging
Read ingredient review

Anti-aging agent

Oligopeptide-67

Oligopeptide-67

4.0

Oligopeptide-67 is a lab-made peptide that may help support collagen and improve skin firmness, but research is still early.

Irritation

low

Source

synthetic

beautyskincareanti-aging
Read ingredient review

Anti-aging agent

Oligopeptide-69

Oligopeptide-69

4.0

A lab-made peptide that signals skin to produce more collagen, but research is still early.

Irritation

low

Source

synthetic

beautyskincareanti-aging
Read ingredient review

Anti-aging agent

Oligopeptide-71

Oligopeptide-71

4.0

Oligopeptide-71 is a synthetic peptide that may help support collagen and improve skin firmness, but research is still emerging.

Irritation

low

Source

synthetic

beautyskincareanti-aging
Read ingredient review

Anti-aging agent

Oligopeptide-73

Oligopeptide-73

4.0

Oligopeptide-73 is a synthetic peptide that may help reduce fine lines and improve skin firmness by signaling collagen production.

Irritation

low

Source

synthetic

beautyskincareanti-aging
Read ingredient review

Anti-aging agent

Oligopeptide-74

Oligopeptide-74

4.0

Oligopeptide-74 is a lab-made peptide that may help support collagen and make skin look firmer, but research is still emerging.

Irritation

low

Source

synthetic

beautyskincareanti-aging
Read ingredient review

Anti-Aging Agent

Oligopeptide-75

Oligopeptide-75

4.0

Oligopeptide-75 is a synthetic peptide that signals skin cells to boost collagen, helping reduce fine lines and improve firmness with minimal irritation risk.

Irritation

low

Source

synthetic

beautyskincareanti-aging
Read ingredient review

Anti-aging agent

Oligopeptide-76

Oligopeptide-76

4.0

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

Irritation

low

Source

synthetic

beautyskincareanti-aging
Read ingredient review

Anti-aging agent

Oligopeptide-80

Oligopeptide-80

4.0

Oligopeptide-80 is a lab-made peptide that may help reduce fine lines and improve skin firmness, but more human studies are needed to confirm its effectiveness.

Irritation

low

Source

synthetic

beautyskincareanti-aging
Read ingredient review

Anti-aging agent

Oligopeptide-81

Oligopeptide-81

4.0

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

Irritation

low

Source

synthetic

beautyskincareanti-aging
Read ingredient review

Anti-aging agent

Oligopeptide-82

Oligopeptide-82

4.0

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

Irritation

low

Source

synthetic

beautyskincareanti-aging
Read ingredient review

Anti-aging agent

Oligopeptide-86

Oligopeptide-86

4.0

Oligopeptide-86 is a synthetic peptide that may help support collagen and improve skin firmness, but research is still emerging.

Irritation

low

Source

synthetic

beautyskincareanti-aging
Read ingredient review

Anti-aging agent

Oligopeptide-87

Oligopeptide-87

4.0

Oligopeptide-87 is a lab-made peptide that may help support collagen and improve skin firmness, but research is still early.

Irritation

low

Source

synthetic

beautyskincareanti-aging
Read ingredient review

Anti-Aging Agent

Oligopeptide-88

Oligopeptide-88

4.0

A synthetic peptide that may help reduce fine lines and improve skin firmness, but more human studies are needed.

Irritation

low

Source

synthetic

beautyskincareanti-aging
Read ingredient review

Anti-aging agent

Oligopeptide-91

Oligopeptide-91

3.8

Oligopeptide-91 is a lab-made peptide that may help firm skin and reduce fine lines, but research is still early and results vary.

Irritation

low

Source

synthetic

beautyskincareanti-aging
Read ingredient review

Anti-aging agent

Oligopeptide-91 with SH-Polypeptide-1

Oligopeptide-91, SH-Polypeptide-1

4.0

A synthetic peptide duo that may help smooth fine lines and improve skin firmness, but more human studies are needed to confirm its effects.

Irritation

low

Source

synthetic

beautyskincareanti-aging
Read ingredient review

Anti-aging agent

Oligopeptide-98 Amide

Oligopeptide-98 Amide

4.0

A synthetic peptide amide 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

Oligopeptide-99 Amide

Oligopeptide-99 Amide

4.0

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

Irritation

low

Source

synthetic

beautyskincareanti-aging
Read ingredient review

Skin conditioning agent

Ovalicin

Ovalicin

3.8

Ovalicin is a lab-made peptide that may help improve skin firmness and smoothness, but research is still early and it's not a proven alternative to retinoids or vitamin C.

Irritation

low

Source

synthetic

beautyskincareanti-aging
Read ingredient review

Skin conditioning agent

Palmitoyl Arginine

Palmitoyl Arginine

4.0

A gentle peptide that signals skin to support collagen, helping improve firmness and smooth fine lines over time.

Irritation

low

Source

semi-synthetic

beautyskincareanti-aging
Read ingredient review

Skin conditioning agent

Palmitoyl Collagen Amino Acids

Palmitoyl Collagen Amino Acids

4.0

A gentle, fatty-acid-linked collagen peptide that may help improve skin firmness and hydration with low irritation risk.

Irritation

low

Source

semi-synthetic

beautyskincareanti-aging
Read ingredient review

Anti-aging agent

Palmitoyl Decapeptide-21

Palmitoyl Decapeptide-21

4.0

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

Irritation

low

Source

synthetic

beautyskincareanti-aging
Read ingredient review

Anti-Aging Agent

Palmitoyl Dipeptide-10

Palmitoyl Dipeptide-10

4.0

A synthetic peptide that may help reduce fine lines and improve skin firmness, but results are gradual and vary by person.

Irritation

low

Source

synthetic

beautyskincareanti-aging
Read ingredient review

Anti-Aging Agent

Palmitoyl Dipeptide-13

Palmitoyl Dipeptide-13

4.0

A synthetic peptide that signals skin to produce more collagen, helping soften fine lines over time with minimal irritation.

Irritation

low

Source

synthetic

beautyskincareanti-aging
Read ingredient review

Anti-aging agent

Palmitoyl Dipeptide-17

Palmitoyl Dipeptide-17

4.0

A synthetic peptide that may help reduce the look of fine lines and improve skin firmness with regular use.

Irritation

low

Source

synthetic

beautyskincareanti-aging
Read ingredient review

Anti-aging agent

Palmitoyl Dipeptide-18

Palmitoyl Dipeptide-18

4.0

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

Irritation

low

Source

synthetic

beautyskincareanti-aging
Read ingredient review

Anti-aging agent

Palmitoyl Dipeptide-28 Complex

Palmitoyl Dipeptide-28 D-Serine Dipeptide-7 Palmitamide

4.0

A synthetic peptide complex 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

Palmitoyl Glycitein

Palmitoyl Glycitein

4.0

A gentle, peptide-inspired ingredient that helps improve skin firmness and smoothness without irritation.

Irritation

low

Source

semi-synthetic

beautyskincareanti-aging
Read ingredient review

Anti-aging agent

Palmitoyl Heptapeptide-18

PALMITOYL HEPTAPEPTIDE-18

4.0

A synthetic peptide that may help soften fine lines and improve skin firmness with low irritation risk.

Irritation

low

Source

synthetic

beautyskincareanti-aging
Read ingredient review

Anti-Aging Agent

Palmitoyl Heptapeptide-5

Palmitoyl Heptapeptide-5

4.2

A synthetic peptide that mimics natural skin signals to help firm and smooth wrinkles with a low risk of irritation.

Irritation

low

Source

synthetic

beautyskincareanti-aging
Read ingredient review

Anti-aging

Palmitoyl Hexapeptide-12

Palmitoyl Hexapeptide-12

4.0

A synthetic peptide that may help soften the look of expression lines and support firmer-looking skin over time.

Irritation

low

Source

synthetic

beautyskincareanti-aging
Read ingredient review

Anti-aging agent

Palmitoyl Hexapeptide-19

Palmitoyl Hexapeptide-19

4.2

A well-studied peptide that signals skin to produce more collagen, helping soften fine lines over time.

Irritation

low

Source

synthetic

beautyskincareanti-aging
Read ingredient review

Anti-aging agent

Palmitoyl Hexapeptide-26

Palmitoyl Hexapeptide-26

4.0

A synthetic peptide that may help soften fine lines and improve skin firmness, but results are subtle and require consistent use.

Irritation

low

Source

synthetic

beautyskincareanti-aging
Read ingredient review

Anti-aging agent

Palmitoyl Hexapeptide-27 Acetate

Palmitoyl Hexapeptide-27 Acetate

4.0

A synthetic peptide that may help smooth wrinkles and improve skin firmness, with good tolerability for most skin types.

Irritation

low

Source

synthetic

beautyskincareanti-aging
Read ingredient review

Anti-aging agent

Palmitoyl Hexapeptide-32

Palmitoyl Hexapeptide-32

4.3

A well-studied peptide that helps reduce fine lines and improve skin firmness with minimal irritation.

Irritation

low

Source

synthetic

beautyskincareanti-aging
Read ingredient review

Anti-aging agent

Palmitoyl Hexapeptide-36

Palmitoyl Hexapeptide-36

4.0

A well-studied peptide that may help soften expression lines and improve skin firmness with consistent use.

Irritation

low

Source

synthetic

beautyskincareanti-aging
Read ingredient review

Anti-aging agent

Palmitoyl Hexapeptide-55

HEXAPEPTIDE-55 PALMITATE

4.0

A synthetic peptide designed to support collagen and improve skin firmness with low irritation risk.

Irritation

low

Source

semi-synthetic

beautyskincareanti-aging
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Skin conditioning agent

Palmitoyl Hydrolyzed Collagen

Palmitoyl Hydrolyzed Collagen

4.0

A modified collagen peptide that may help support skin firmness and hydration with low irritation risk.

Irritation

low

Source

semi-synthetic

beautyskincareanti-aging
Read ingredient review

Anti-aging agent

Palmitoyl Octapeptide-24

Palmitoyl Octapeptide-24

4.0

A synthetic peptide that may help smooth fine lines and improve skin firmness, but more independent research is needed.

Irritation

low

Source

synthetic

beautyskincareanti-aging
Read ingredient review

Anti-aging agent

Palmitoyl Octapeptide-26

Palmitoyl Octapeptide-26

4.0

A synthetic peptide that may help improve skin firmness and reduce fine lines, but more human studies are needed to confirm its effectiveness.

Irritation

low

Source

synthetic

beautyskincareanti-aging
Read ingredient review

Anti-Aging Agent

Palmitoyl Octapeptide-27 Amide

Palmitoyl Octapeptide-27 Amide

4.2

A synthetic peptide that may help improve skin firmness and reduce fine lines by supporting collagen-related signaling, but research is still emerging.

Irritation

low

Source

synthetic

beautyskincareanti-aging
Read ingredient review

Anti-aging agent

Palmitoyl Oligopeptide-135

Palmitoyl Oligopeptide-135

4.0

A synthetic peptide that may help improve skin firmness and smooth fine lines, but individual results vary and more research is needed.

Irritation

low

Source

synthetic

beautyskincareanti-aging
Read ingredient review

Anti-aging agent

Palmitoyl Oligopeptide-70

Palmitoyl Oligopeptide-70

4.0

A synthetic peptide that may help firm skin and soften wrinkles, but research is still emerging compared to more established peptides.

Irritation

low

Source

synthetic

beautyskincareanti-aging
Read ingredient review

Anti-Aging Agent

Palmitoyl Oligopeptide-78

Palmitoyl Oligopeptide-78

4.0

A lab-made peptide that signals skin to produce more collagen, helping reduce fine lines and improve firmness with low irritation risk.

Irritation

low

Source

synthetic

beautyskincareanti-aging
Read ingredient review

Anti-Aging Agent

Palmitoyl Pentapeptide-38

Palmitoyl Pentapeptide-38

4.3

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

Irritation

low

Source

synthetic

beautyskincareanti-aging
Read ingredient review

Anti-aging agent

Palmitoyl Pentapeptide-4

PALMITOYL SH-PENTAPEPTIDE-4

4.3

A well-studied peptide that can help reduce fine lines and improve skin firmness with consistent use.

Irritation

low

Source

synthetic

beautyskincareanti-aging
Read ingredient review

Anti-aging agent

Palmitoyl Proline

Palmitoyl Proline

4.0

Palmitoyl Proline is a synthetic peptide that may help support collagen production and improve skin firmness, but more human studies are needed to confirm its standalone effects.

Irritation

low

Source

synthetic

beautyskincareanti-aging
Read ingredient review

Skin conditioning agent

Palmitoyl Quinoa Amino Acids

Palmitoyl Quinoa Amino Acids

4.0

A gentle, plant-based peptide that may help support skin firmness and reduce the look of fine lines.

Irritation

low

Source

semi-synthetic

beautyskincareanti-aging
Read ingredient review

Anti-aging agent

Palmitoyl SH-Octapeptide-24 Amide

PALMITOYL SH-OCTAPEPTIDE-24 AMIDE

4.0

A synthetic peptide that may help reduce fine lines and improve skin firmness, but results are gradual and vary by person.

Irritation

low

Source

synthetic

beautyskincareanti-aging
Read ingredient review

Anti-aging agent

Palmitoyl SH-Oligopeptide-79

Palmitoyl SH-Oligopeptide-79

4.0

A synthetic peptide that may help improve skin firmness and reduce fine lines, but more independent research is needed.

Irritation

low

Source

synthetic

beautyskincareanti-aging
Read ingredient review