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

Retinoyl Tripeptide-35

Retinoyl Tripeptide-35

4.0

A gentle peptide alternative to retinol that may help reduce fine lines and improve skin firmness with a lower risk of irritation.

Irritation

low

Source

synthetic

beautyskincareanti-aging
Read ingredient review

Anti-Aging Agent

Retinyl Acetate

Retinyl Acetate

4.0

A gentler, more stable cousin of retinol that still delivers anti-aging benefits with less irritation.

Irritation

moderate

Source

semi-synthetic

beautyskincareanti-aging
Read ingredient review

Anti-Aging Agent

Retinyl Formyl Aspartamate

Retinyl Formyl Aspartamate

4.0

A milder retinoid that aims to smooth wrinkles and even skin tone with less redness or peeling than standard retinol.

Irritation

low

Source

semi-synthetic

beautyskincareanti-aging
Read ingredient review

Anti-aging agent

Retinyl Formyl Aspartate

Retinyl Formyl Aspartate

3.8

A milder vitamin A derivative that may support smoother, younger-looking skin with less irritation than traditional retinol.

Irritation

low

Source

semi-synthetic

beautyskincareanti-aging
Read ingredient review

Anti-Aging Agent

Retinyl Glycolyl Shikimate

RETINYL GLYCOLYL SHIKIMATE

4.0

A newer, potentially gentler retinoid that aims to deliver anti-aging benefits with less irritation than traditional retinol.

Irritation

low

Source

semi-synthetic

beautyskincareanti-aging
Read ingredient review

Antioxidant

Retinyl Palmitate

Retinyl Palmitate

4.0

A gentle vitamin A derivative that supports skin texture and firmness over time, ideal for retinol beginners or sensitive skin.

Irritation

low

Source

semi-synthetic

beautyskincareanti-aging
Read ingredient review

Anti-Aging Agent

Retinyl Propionate

RETINYL PROPIONATE

4.0

A milder retinoid that can improve skin texture and reduce fine lines with less irritation than retinol, making it a good option for sensitive skin.

Irritation

low

Source

semi-synthetic

beautyskincareanti-aging
Read ingredient review

Cell-communicating ingredient

Retinyl Retinoate

Retinyl Retinoate

4.0

A newer retinoid that aims to deliver retinoic acid benefits with less irritation, but long-term data is still limited.

Irritation

moderate

Source

semi-synthetic

beautyskincareanti-aging
Read ingredient review

Anti-Aging Agent

Retinyl Rice Branate

RETINYL RICE BRANATE

4.0

A milder, less irritating retinoid option that may suit sensitive skin, but with less research backing than retinol.

Irritation

low

Source

semi-synthetic

beautyskincareanti-aging
Read ingredient review

Anti-Aging Agent

Retinyl Soyate

RETINYL SOYATE

4.0

A milder, less irritating form of retinol that converts to retinoic acid in the skin, making it a good option for retinol beginners or sensitive skin.

Irritation

low

Source

semi-synthetic

beautyskincareanti-aging
Read ingredient review

Skin conditioner

Retinyl Tallate

Retinyl Tallate

4.0

Retinyl Tallate is a milder retinoid that offers anti-aging benefits with less irritation, making it a good choice for sensitive skin.

Irritation

low

Source

semi-synthetic

beautyskincareanti-aging
Read ingredient review

Anti-Aging Agent

RH-Oligopeptide-17

RH-Oligopeptide-17

4.0

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

Irritation

low

Source

synthetic

beautyskincareanti-aging
Read ingredient review

Anti-Aging Agent

RH-Oligopeptide-33

RH-Oligopeptide-33

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

RH-Oligopeptide-4

RH-Oligopeptide-4

4.0

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

Irritation

low

Source

synthetic

beautyskincareanti-aging
Read ingredient review

Anti-aging agent

RH-Polypeptide-33

RH-Polypeptide-33

3.8

A lab-made peptide that may help support collagen and firm skin, but more human studies are needed to confirm its effects.

Irritation

low

Source

synthetic

beautyskincareanti-aging
Read ingredient review

Anti-Aging Agent

RH-Polypeptide-45

RH-Polypeptide-45

4.0

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

Irritation

low

Source

synthetic

beautyskincareanti-aging
Read ingredient review

Anti-aging agent

Rh-Polypeptide-51

RH-POLYPEPTIDE-51

3.8

A promising biotech peptide that may help firm skin over time, but human research is still limited.

Irritation

low

Source

biotech

beautyskincareanti-aging
Read ingredient review

Anti-aging agent

RH-Polypeptide-52

RH-Polypeptide-52

3.8

A lab-made peptide that may help support collagen and smooth fine lines, but research is still early.

Irritation

low

Source

synthetic

beautyskincareanti-aging
Read ingredient review

Anti-aging agent

RH-Polypeptide-58

RH-Polypeptide-58

3.8

A lab-made peptide that may help support collagen and firmness, but human research is still limited.

Irritation

low

Source

synthetic

beautyskincareanti-aging
Read ingredient review

Anti-Aging Agent

RH-Polypeptide-60

RH-Polypeptide-60

3.8

RH-Polypeptide-60 is a lab-made peptide that may help firm skin and soften fine lines, but research is still early and results vary.

Irritation

low

Source

biotech

beautyskincareanti-aging
Read ingredient review

Anti-Aging Agent

RH-Polypeptide-61

RH-Polypeptide-61

3.8

A lab-made peptide that may help support collagen and firm skin, but research is still early and results vary.

Irritation

low

Source

synthetic

beautyskincareanti-aging
Read ingredient review

Anti-Aging Agent

RH-Polypeptide-62

RH-Polypeptide-62

3.8

RH-Polypeptide-62 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

RH-Polypeptide-63

RH-Polypeptide-63

4.0

A lab-made peptide that may help firm skin and soften fine lines, but human research is still limited.

Irritation

low

Source

biotech

beautyskincareanti-aging
Read ingredient review

Anti-Aging Agent

RH-Polypeptide-64

RH-Polypeptide-64

4.0

A lab-made peptide that may help firm skin and soften wrinkles, but more human studies are needed to confirm its effects.

Irritation

low

Source

synthetic

beautyskincareanti-aging
Read ingredient review

Anti-aging agent

RH-Polypeptide-65

RH-Polypeptide-65

3.8

RH-Polypeptide-65 is a synthetic peptide that may help support collagen production and improve skin firmness, but research is still emerging.

Irritation

low

Source

biotech

beautyskincareanti-aging
Read ingredient review

Anti-aging agent

RH-Polypeptide-66

RH-Polypeptide-66

3.8

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

Irritation

low

Source

synthetic

beautyskincareanti-aging
Read ingredient review

Anti-aging agent

RH-Polypeptide-67

RH-Polypeptide-67

3.8

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

RH-Polypeptide-69

RH-Polypeptide-69

3.8

A lab-made 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

RH-Polypeptide-79

RH-Polypeptide-79

3.8

A lab-made peptide that may help firm skin by encouraging collagen, but research is still limited compared to well-studied peptides.

Irritation

low

Source

synthetic

beautyskincareanti-aging
Read ingredient review

Anti-aging agent

RH-Polypeptide-82

RH-Polypeptide-82

3.8

A lab-made peptide that may help firm skin and soften lines, but research is still early and results vary.

Irritation

low

Source

synthetic

beautyskincareanti-aging
Read ingredient review

Anti-aging

RH-Polypeptide-83

RH-Polypeptide-83

3.8

A lab-made peptide that may help support collagen and firm skin, but human research is still limited.

Irritation

low

Source

synthetic

beautyskincareanti-aging
Read ingredient review

Anti-aging agent

RH-Polypeptide-84

RH-Polypeptide-84

3.8

A lab-made peptide that may help support collagen and firmness, but human research is still limited.

Irritation

low

Source

synthetic

beautyskincareanti-aging
Read ingredient review

Anti-Aging Agent

RH-Polypeptide-87

RH-Polypeptide-87

3.8

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

Irritation

low

Source

synthetic

beautyskincareanti-aging
Read ingredient review

Anti-Aging Agent

RH-Polypeptide-88

RH-Polypeptide-88

3.8

RH-Polypeptide-88 is a lab-made peptide that may help firm skin and soften lines, but research is still limited compared to more established peptides.

Irritation

low

Source

synthetic

beautyskincareanti-aging
Read ingredient review

Anti-aging agent

RH-Polypeptide-96

RH-Polypeptide-96

3.8

RH-Polypeptide-96 is a lab-made peptide that may help support collagen and improve skin firmness, but human research is still limited.

Irritation

low

Source

synthetic

beautyskincareanti-aging
Read ingredient review

Anti-aging agent

Rice RH-Oligopeptide-2

Rice RH-Oligopeptide-2

3.8

A gentle, bioengineered peptide that may support collagen and firmness, but research is still early.

Irritation

low

Source

biotech

beautyskincareanti-aging
Read ingredient review

Anti-Aging Agent

Rice SH-Polypeptide-9

Rice SH-Polypeptide-9

4.0

A gentle peptide that signals skin to produce more collagen, helping reduce fine lines and improve firmness over time.

Irritation

low

Source

semi-synthetic

beautyskincareanti-aging
Read ingredient review

Anti-Aging Agent

S-Mussel Oligopeptide-2

S-MUSSEL OLIGOPEPTIDE-2

3.8

A marine-inspired peptide that may help firm skin and reduce fine lines, but research is still early.

Irritation

low

Source

synthetic

beautyskincareanti-aging
Read ingredient review

Skin conditioning agent

Sea Raven Polypeptide-1

SR-SEA RAVEN POLYPEPTIDE-1

3.8

A novel peptide that may help support skin firmness, but research is still early and benefits are not yet proven in large human studies.

Irritation

low

Source

biotech

beautyskincareanti-aging
Read ingredient review

Anti-aging agent

SH-Decapeptide-1 / SH-Oligopeptide-2

SH-Decapeptide-1, SH-Oligopeptide-2

4.0

A gentle peptide duo that signals skin to repair and rebuild, making it a solid choice for anti-aging routines without irritation.

Irritation

low

Source

synthetic

beautyskincareanti-aging
Read ingredient review

Anti-Aging Agent

SH-Decapeptide-7

SH-Decapeptide-7

4.0

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

Irritation

low

Source

synthetic

beautyskincareanti-aging
Read ingredient review

Anti-aging agent

SH-Decapeptide-9

SH-Decapeptide-9

4.0

SH-Decapeptide-9 is a lab-made peptide that may help smooth fine lines and improve skin firmness, but research is still emerging.

Irritation

low

Source

synthetic

beautyskincareanti-aging
Read ingredient review

Anti-aging agent

SH-Heptapeptide-18

SH-Heptapeptide-18

3.8

SH-Heptapeptide-18 is a lab-made peptide that may help support skin firmness and reduce the appearance of fine lines, but research is still limited.

Irritation

low

Source

synthetic

beautyskincareanti-aging
Read ingredient review

Anti-aging agent

SH-Heptapeptide-3

SH-Heptapeptide-3

4.0

A synthetic peptide that may help reduce the look of fine lines and support firmer skin, with low irritation potential.

Irritation

low

Source

synthetic

beautyskincareanti-aging
Read ingredient review

Anti-aging agent

SH-Nonapeptide-1

SH-Nonapeptide-1

3.8

A synthetic peptide that mimics the action of botulinum toxin to soften expression lines, but with milder and temporary effects.

Irritation

low

Source

synthetic

beautyskincareanti-aging
Read ingredient review

Anti-wrinkle agent

SH-Nonapeptide-4

SH-Nonapeptide-4

4.0

A synthetic peptide that temporarily relaxes facial muscles to soften expression lines, offering a non-invasive alternative to injectables.

Irritation

low

Source

synthetic

beautyskincareanti-aging
Read ingredient review

Anti-aging agent

SH-Octapeptide-16

SH-Octapeptide-16

3.8

A synthetic peptide that may help soften expression lines by temporarily relaxing facial muscles, but research is still emerging.

Irritation

low

Source

synthetic

beautyskincareanti-aging
Read ingredient review

Anti-aging agent

SH-Oligopeptide-10

SH-Oligopeptide-10

3.8

SH-Oligopeptide-10 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

SH-Oligopeptide-11

SH-Oligopeptide-11

3.8

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

SH-Oligopeptide-12

SH-Oligopeptide-12

4.0

A lab-made peptide that may help firm skin and reduce fine lines, but research is still emerging.

Irritation

low

Source

synthetic

beautyskincareanti-aging
Read ingredient review

Anti-Aging Agent

SH-Oligopeptide-13

SH-Oligopeptide-13

4.0

A lab-made peptide that may help firm skin and reduce fine lines by encouraging collagen production, though human studies are limited.

Irritation

low

Source

synthetic

beautyskincareanti-aging
Read ingredient review

Anti-aging agent

SH-Oligopeptide-14

SH-Oligopeptide-14

4.0

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

Irritation

low

Source

synthetic

beautyskincareanti-aging
Read ingredient review

Skin conditioning agent

SH-Oligopeptide-15

SH-Oligopeptide-15

3.8

SH-Oligopeptide-15 is a synthetic peptide that may help support skin firmness and reduce fine lines, but research is still emerging.

Irritation

low

Source

synthetic

beautyskincareanti-aging
Read ingredient review

Anti-aging agent

SH-Oligopeptide-16

SH-Oligopeptide-16

4.0

SH-Oligopeptide-16 is a lab-made peptide that may help firm skin and soften fine lines, with low irritation risk.

Irritation

low

Source

synthetic

beautyskincareanti-aging
Read ingredient review

Anti-Wrinkle Agent

SH-Oligopeptide-3

SH-OCTAPEPTIDE-3

4.0

A synthetic peptide that mimics the action of botulinum toxin to soften expression lines, but with milder and temporary effects.

Irritation

low

Source

synthetic

beautyskincareanti-aging
Read ingredient review

Anti-aging agent

SH-Oligopeptide-33

SH-Oligopeptide-33

4.0

A synthetic peptide that may help support skin firmness and reduce fine lines, but more independent research is needed to confirm its effectiveness.

Irritation

low

Source

synthetic

beautyskincareanti-aging
Read ingredient review

Anti-aging agent

SH-Oligopeptide-4

SH-Oligopeptide-4

4.0

SH-Oligopeptide-4 is a synthetic peptide that may help support collagen production and improve skin firmness, but more human studies are needed to confirm its efficacy.

Irritation

low

Source

synthetic

beautyskincareanti-aging
Read ingredient review