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 5 of 5
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

Barrier Repair

Ceramide 2

Ceramide 2

4.5

Ceramide 2 is a skin-identical lipid that strengthens the moisture barrier, making it a gentle and effective choice for dry or sensitive skin.

Irritation

low

Source

semi-synthetic

beautyskincarebarrier-repair
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Skin-conditioning agent

Deoxyphytantriyl Palmitamide MEA

DEOXYPHYTANTRIYL PALMITAMIDE MEA

4.0

A synthetic ceramide-like ingredient that helps reinforce the skin barrier, making it a good choice for dry or sensitive skin.

Irritation

low

Source

synthetic

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Skin-conditioning agent

Oleamido Octadecanediol

2-OLEAMIDO-1,3-OCTADECANEDIOL

4.0

A synthetic ceramide mimic that strengthens the skin barrier and locks in moisture, ideal for dry or sensitive skin.

Irritation

low

Source

synthetic

beautyskincarebarrier-repair
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Barrier Repair Agent

Phytosphingosine Cyclic Phosphate HCl

PHYTOSPHINGOSINE CYCLIC PHOSPHATE HCL

4.0

A gentle, skin-identical lipid that helps strengthen the moisture barrier and calm sensitivity without clogging pores.

Irritation

low

Source

semi-synthetic

beautyskincarebarrier-repair
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Skin-conditioning agent

Tetraacetylphytosphingosine

Tetraacetylphytosphingosine

4.3

A gentle, lipid-like ingredient that supports the skin's natural barrier and helps lock in moisture.

Irritation

low

Source

semi-synthetic

beautyskincarebarrier-repair
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