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 9 of 9
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

Antifungal Agent

Bifonazole

Bifonazole

3.5

Bifonazole is a proven antifungal ingredient for treating fungal skin infections, but it is not a routine cosmetic ingredient and should only be used under medical guidance.

Irritation

moderate

Source

synthetic

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Antifungal agent

Ciclopirox Olamine

Ciclopirox Olamine

3.8

Ciclopirox Olamine is a well-studied antifungal ingredient that helps control dandruff and scalp flaking, but it can be drying or irritating for sensitive scalps.

Irritation

moderate

Source

synthetic

beautyskincareantifungal
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Antifungal agent

Climbazole

Climbazole

3.8

Climbazole is a well-studied antifungal that helps control dandruff and scalp irritation, but it's not a moisturizer or cure for chronic skin conditions.

Irritation

low

Source

synthetic

beautyskincareantifungal
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Antimicrobial

Clotrimazole

Clotrimazole

3.5

Clotrimazole is a proven antifungal ingredient used in medicated products, not a routine cosmetic ingredient for healthy skin.

Irritation

moderate

Source

synthetic

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Antifungal Agent

Itraconazole

Itraconazole

3.5

Itraconazole is a prescription-strength antifungal that can treat stubborn fungal skin infections, but it is not a routine cosmetic ingredient and should only be used under medical guidance.

Irritation

moderate

Source

synthetic

beautyskincareantifungal
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Antifungal Agent

Miconazole Nitrate

Miconazole Nitrate

3.8

Effective for treating fungal skin issues, but not a general skincare ingredient and may cause irritation in some.

Irritation

moderate

Source

synthetic

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Antifungal

Piroctone Olamine

Piroctone Olamine

4.0

A well-studied, gentle anti-dandruff ingredient that helps control scalp flaking and yeast overgrowth without the harshness of older alternatives.

Irritation

low

Source

synthetic

beautyskincareantidandruffantifungal
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Antifungal Agent

Tolnaftate

Tolnaftate

3.5

Tolnaftate is a well-studied synthetic antifungal that effectively treats common fungal skin infections, but it is not a general skincare ingredient and should only be used for diagnosed fungal issues.

Irritation

low

Source

synthetic

beautyskincareantifungal
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Antifungal agent

Zinc Undecylenate

Zinc Undecylenate

4.0

A gentle antifungal ingredient that helps manage yeast and bacteria on skin, often used in deodorants and foot care.

Irritation

low

Source

synthetic

beautyskincareantifungal
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