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

Antimicrobial agent

4-Terpineol

4-TERPINEOL

4.0

4-Terpineol is a key active in tea tree oil that helps fight acne-causing bacteria and calm redness, but it can be irritating at high concentrations.

Irritation

moderate

Source

natural

beautyskincareantimicrobialanti-inflammatory
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Anti-inflammatory

Dimethyl Sulfone

DIMETHYL SULFONE

4.0

A gentle sulfur compound that may help calm redness and support collagen production, but more human studies are needed to confirm its topical benefits.

Irritation

low

Source

natural

beautyskincareanti-inflammatory
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Anti-inflammatory

Eicosapentaenoic Acid

EICOSAPENTAENOIC ACID

4.0

EPA is a marine-derived omega-3 that helps calm redness, support the skin barrier, and protect against environmental stress.

Irritation

low

Source

natural

beautyskincareantioxidantanti-inflammatory
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Anti-inflammatory

Escin

ESCIN

4.0

Escin is a plant-derived anti-inflammatory ingredient that helps reduce puffiness and support microcirculation, especially around the eyes.

Irritation

low

Source

natural

beautyskincareanti-inflammatory
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Anti-inflammatory

Heparin

Heparin

3.5

Heparin may help reduce puffiness and support microcirculation in skincare, but its topical benefits are less established than its medical use as a blood thinner.

Irritation

low

Source

natural

beautyskincareanti-inflammatory
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Anti-inflammatory

Ibuprofen

Ibuprofen

2.5

Ibuprofen can reduce redness and swelling in skincare, but it is a drug ingredient with potential for irritation and systemic absorption, so use with caution.

Irritation

moderate

Source

synthetic

beautyskincareanti-inflammatory
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Anti-inflammatory

Ruscogenin

Ruscogenin

4.0

A gentle plant extract that helps calm redness and support microcirculation, often used in eye and anti-aging products.

Irritation

low

Source

natural

beautyskincareanti-inflammatory
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Anti-inflammatory

Sodium Heparin

SODIUM HEPARIN

3.8

Sodium Heparin is a gentle, anti-inflammatory ingredient that may help calm redness and support skin recovery, but it is not a primary active for most routines.

Irritation

low

Source

natural

beautyskincareanti-inflammatory
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Anti-inflammatory

Ursodiol

URSODIOL

3.5

Ursodiol is a bile acid with emerging research suggesting it may help calm inflammation and support the skin barrier, but it is not yet a mainstream skincare ingredient.

Irritation

low

Source

semi-synthetic

beautyskincareanti-inflammatory
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Anti-inflammatory

Zinc Picolinate

Zinc Picolinate

4.0

Zinc Picolinate is a gentle, oil-regulating ingredient that helps calm inflammation and may reduce breakouts without drying the skin.

Irritation

low

Source

synthetic

beautyskincareanti-inflammatory
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