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

SH-Oligopeptide-60

SH-Oligopeptide-60

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

SH-Oligopeptide-7

SH-Oligopeptide-7

4.0

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

Irritation

low

Source

synthetic

beautyskincareanti-aging
Read ingredient review

Anti-Aging Agent

SH-Oligopeptide-70

SH-Oligopeptide-70

3.8

SH-Oligopeptide-70 is a lab-made peptide that may help support collagen and improve skin firmness, but research is still early and not as robust as for more established peptides.

Irritation

low

Source

synthetic

beautyskincareanti-aging
Read ingredient review

Anti-Aging Agent

SH-Oligopeptide-72

SH-Oligopeptide-72

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

SH-Oligopeptide-73

SH-Oligopeptide-73

3.8

A promising synthetic 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

SH-Oligopeptide-74

SH-Oligopeptide-74

3.8

A lab-made peptide that may help signal skin to produce more collagen, but research is still early and results vary.

Irritation

low

Source

synthetic

beautyskincareanti-aging
Read ingredient review

Anti-aging agent

SH-Oligopeptide-75

SH-Oligopeptide-75, SH-Oligopeptide-1

4.0

A synthetic peptide blend that may help support collagen and reduce fine lines, but human data is still limited.

Irritation

low

Source

synthetic

beautyskincareanti-aging
Read ingredient review

Anti-Aging Agent

SH-Oligopeptide-75 Amide

SH-Oligopeptide-75 Amide

4.0

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

Irritation

low

Source

synthetic

beautyskincareanti-aging
Read ingredient review

Anti-aging agent

SH-Oligopeptide-76

SH-Oligopeptide-76

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

SH-Oligopeptide-79

SH-Oligopeptide-79

4.0

A synthetic 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

SH-Oligopeptide-80

SH-Oligopeptide-80

4.0

A lab-made peptide that signals skin to look firmer and smoother, with low irritation risk.

Irritation

low

Source

synthetic

beautyskincareanti-aging
Read ingredient review

Anti-aging agent

SH-Oligopeptide-82

SH-Oligopeptide-82

3.8

A synthetic peptide that may help support 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

SH-Oligopeptide-82 Amide

SH-Oligopeptide-82 Amide

3.8

A synthetic peptide amide that may help support skin firmness and reduce fine lines, though research is still emerging.

Irritation

low

Source

synthetic

beautyskincareanti-aging
Read ingredient review

Anti-aging agent

SH-Oligopeptide-83

SH-Oligopeptide-83

4.0

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

SH-Oligopeptide-83 Amide

SH-Oligopeptide-83 Amide

3.8

A lab-made peptide amide that may help support collagen for firmer-looking skin, but human studies are limited.

Irritation

low

Source

synthetic

beautyskincareanti-aging
Read ingredient review

Anti-aging agent

SH-Oligopeptide-84

SH-Oligopeptide-84

4.0

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

Irritation

low

Source

synthetic

beautyskincareanti-aging
Read ingredient review

Anti-aging agent

SH-Oligopeptide-85

SH-Oligopeptide-85

4.0

A synthetic peptide that may help support collagen 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

SH-Oligopeptide-86

SH-Oligopeptide-86

3.8

A lab-made peptide that may help support firmer, smoother skin, though research is still early.

Irritation

low

Source

synthetic

beautyskincareanti-aging
Read ingredient review

Anti-aging agent

SH-Oligopeptide-87

SH-Oligopeptide-87

3.8

A synthetic peptide that may help reduce fine lines and improve skin firmness, but research on this specific peptide is still limited.

Irritation

low

Source

synthetic

beautyskincareanti-aging
Read ingredient review

Anti-aging agent

SH-Oligopeptide-88

SH-Oligopeptide-88

4.0

SH-Oligopeptide-88 is a lab-made peptide that may help support collagen and elastin for firmer, smoother skin, but research is still early.

Irritation

low

Source

synthetic

beautyskincareanti-aging
Read ingredient review

Anti-aging agent

SH-Pentapeptide-40

SH-Pentapeptide-40

4.0

SH-Pentapeptide-40 is a lab-made 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-Pentapeptide-7

SH-Pentapeptide-7

4.3

A well-studied synthetic peptide that helps reduce wrinkles by boosting collagen and calming inflammation, with a strong safety profile.

Irritation

low

Source

synthetic

beautyskincareanti-aging
Read ingredient review

Anti-Aging Agent

SH-Polypeptide Complex

SH-Polypeptide-7, SH-Polypeptide-94, SH-Polypeptide-95

4.0

A synthetic peptide blend that may help support collagen production and improve skin firmness, but human studies are limited.

Irritation

low

Source

synthetic

beautyskincareanti-aging
Read ingredient review

Anti-Aging Agent

SH-Polypeptide-100

SH-Polypeptide-100

4.0

A synthetic peptide that may help support collagen and reduce fine lines, but long-term human data is still limited.

Irritation

low

Source

synthetic

beautyskincareanti-aging
Read ingredient review

Anti-Aging Agent

SH-Polypeptide-105

SH-Polypeptide-105

4.0

SH-Polypeptide-105 is a lab-made peptide that may help firm skin and reduce fine lines, but research is still early.

Irritation

low

Source

synthetic

beautyskincareanti-aging
Read ingredient review

Anti-Aging Agent

SH-Polypeptide-109

SH-Polypeptide-109

4.0

A synthetic peptide that signals skin cells 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

SH-Polypeptide-11

SH-Polypeptide-11

4.0

SH-Polypeptide-11 is a lab-made peptide that may help support collagen production and improve skin firmness, but research is still emerging.

Irritation

low

Source

synthetic

beautyskincareanti-aging
Read ingredient review

Anti-aging agent

SH-Polypeptide-110

SH-Polypeptide-110

3.8

SH-Polypeptide-110 is a lab-made peptide that may help support firmer, smoother skin, but research is still early and results vary.

Irritation

low

Source

synthetic

beautyskincareanti-aging
Read ingredient review

Anti-aging agent

SH-Polypeptide-13

SH-Polypeptide-13

4.0

A synthetic 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

SH-Polypeptide-16

SH-Polypeptide-16

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-wrinkle agent

SH-Polypeptide-18

SH-Polypeptide-18

4.0

SH-Polypeptide-18 is a synthetic peptide that mimics the action of botulinum toxin to soften expression lines, offering a non-invasive alternative for wrinkle reduction.

Irritation

low

Source

synthetic

beautyskincareanti-aging
Read ingredient review

Anti-aging agent

SH-Polypeptide-25

SH-Polypeptide-25

4.0

A synthetic peptide that may help reduce fine lines by signaling skin to produce more collagen, but results vary and long-term data is still emerging.

Irritation

low

Source

synthetic

beautyskincareanti-aging
Read ingredient review

Anti-Aging Agent

SH-Polypeptide-26

SH-Polypeptide-26

4.0

A lab-made peptide that signals skin to build more collagen, helping reduce fine lines over time.

Irritation

low

Source

synthetic

beautyskincareanti-aging
Read ingredient review

Anti-Aging Agent

SH-Polypeptide-29

SH-Polypeptide-29

4.0

A synthetic peptide that may help reduce fine lines by signaling skin to produce more collagen, but results are subtle and require consistent use.

Irritation

low

Source

synthetic

beautyskincareanti-aging
Read ingredient review

Anti-aging agent

SH-Polypeptide-31

SH-Polypeptide-31

4.0

SH-Polypeptide-31 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

SH-Polypeptide-33

SH-Polypeptide-33

4.0

A synthetic peptide that signals skin cells 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

SH-Polypeptide-34

SH-Polypeptide-34

4.0

SH-Polypeptide-34 is a lab-made peptide that signals skin to look firmer and more youthful, with a good safety profile for most skin types.

Irritation

low

Source

synthetic

beautyskincareanti-aging
Read ingredient review

Anti-Aging Agent

SH-Polypeptide-35

SH-Polypeptide-35

4.0

A lab-made peptide that may help support collagen 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

SH-Polypeptide-36

SH-Polypeptide-36

4.0

SH-Polypeptide-36 is a synthetic peptide that may help reduce fine lines by signaling skin cells to produce more collagen, but human studies are limited.

Irritation

low

Source

synthetic

beautyskincareanti-aging
Read ingredient review

Anti-aging agent

SH-Polypeptide-37

SH-Polypeptide-37

4.0

SH-Polypeptide-37 is a lab-made peptide that signals skin cells 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

SH-Polypeptide-38

SH-Polypeptide-38

4.0

A synthetic peptide that signals skin cells 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

SH-Polypeptide-39

SH-Polypeptide-39

4.0

A lab-made peptide that signals skin to produce more collagen, potentially reducing fine lines over time.

Irritation

low

Source

synthetic

beautyskincareanti-aging
Read ingredient review

Anti-aging agent

SH-Polypeptide-40

SH-Polypeptide-40

4.0

SH-Polypeptide-40 is a lab-made peptide that may help support skin firmness and reduce the look of fine lines, but research is still early.

Irritation

low

Source

synthetic

beautyskincareanti-aging
Read ingredient review

Anti-Aging Agent

SH-Polypeptide-42

SH-Polypeptide-42

4.0

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

Irritation

low

Source

synthetic

beautyskincareanti-aging
Read ingredient review

Anti-aging agent

SH-Polypeptide-43

SH-Polypeptide-43

4.0

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

Irritation

low

Source

synthetic

beautyskincareanti-aging
Read ingredient review

Anti-Aging Agent

SH-Polypeptide-44

SH-Polypeptide-44

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

SH-Polypeptide-46

SH-Polypeptide-46

4.0

SH-Polypeptide-46 is a lab-made peptide that signals skin cells to boost collagen, helping smooth wrinkles over time with minimal irritation.

Irritation

low

Source

synthetic

beautyskincareanti-aging
Read ingredient review

Anti-aging agent

SH-Polypeptide-49

SH-Polypeptide-49

3.8

SH-Polypeptide-49 is a lab-made peptide that may help support skin firmness and smooth fine lines, but research is still emerging and results vary.

Irritation

low

Source

synthetic

beautyskincareanti-aging
Read ingredient review

Anti-aging agent

SH-Polypeptide-50

SH-Polypeptide-50

4.0

A synthetic peptide that may help smooth fine lines and support skin firmness, but human data is still limited compared to well-studied peptides.

Irritation

low

Source

synthetic

beautyskincareanti-aging
Read ingredient review

Anti-Aging Agent

SH-Polypeptide-50 / SH-Polypeptide-56

SH-Polypeptide-50, SH-Polypeptide-56

4.0

SH-Polypeptide-50 and SH-Polypeptide-56 are synthetic peptides designed to mimic natural signaling molecules that encourage firmer, smoother skin with minimal irritation risk.

Irritation

low

Source

synthetic

beautyskincareanti-aging
Read ingredient review

Anti-Aging Agent

SH-Polypeptide-51

SH-Polypeptide-51

3.8

SH-Polypeptide-51 is a lab-made peptide that may help signal skin to produce more collagen, but research is still limited compared to more established peptides.

Irritation

low

Source

synthetic

beautyskincareanti-aging
Read ingredient review

Anti-Aging Agent

SH-Polypeptide-53

SH-Polypeptide-53

3.8

SH-Polypeptide-53 is a lab-made peptide that may help reduce fine lines by encouraging the skin to produce more collagen, but research is still early.

Irritation

low

Source

synthetic

beautyskincareanti-aging
Read ingredient review

Anti-aging agent

SH-Polypeptide-54

SH-Polypeptide-54

3.8

SH-Polypeptide-54 is a lab-made peptide that may help support collagen and elastin for firmer, smoother skin, but research is still early.

Irritation

low

Source

synthetic

beautyskincareanti-aging
Read ingredient review

Anti-aging agent

SH-Polypeptide-55

SH-Polypeptide-55

4.0

SH-Polypeptide-55 is a lab-made 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

SH-Polypeptide-57

SH-Polypeptide-57

3.8

SH-Polypeptide-57 is a lab-made peptide that may help support collagen and make skin look firmer, but research is still early.

Irritation

low

Source

synthetic

beautyskincareanti-aging
Read ingredient review

Anti-Aging Agent

SH-Polypeptide-58

SH-Polypeptide-58

4.0

SH-Polypeptide-58 is a synthetic peptide that signals skin cells 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

SH-Polypeptide-59

SH-Polypeptide-59

4.2

A synthetic peptide that may help reduce fine lines and improve skin firmness, but results vary and it works best in a consistent routine.

Irritation

low

Source

synthetic

beautyskincareanti-aging
Read ingredient review

Anti-aging

SH-Polypeptide-6

SH-Polypeptide-6

4.2

A popular peptide that mimics the effects of Botox by temporarily relaxing facial muscles to soften expression lines.

Irritation

low

Source

synthetic

beautyskincareanti-aging
Read ingredient review

Anti-Aging Agent

SH-Polypeptide-60

SH-Polypeptide-60

3.8

SH-Polypeptide-60 is a lab-made peptide that may help support collagen and reduce fine lines, but long-term human data is still limited.

Irritation

low

Source

synthetic

beautyskincareanti-aging
Read ingredient review