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

Conditioning Agent

Chicken Germ Cell Conditioned Media

Chicken Pluripotent Primordial Germ Cell Conditioned Media

2.5

An experimental biotech ingredient from chicken stem cells with very limited human research; intriguing but unproven for routine skincare.

Irritation

low

Source

biotech

beautyskincarebiotech
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Skin conditioning agent

CHO Conditioned Media

Chinese Hamster Ovary Cell Conditioned Media

3.5

A biotech ingredient with promising but limited research; may support skin repair but is not a proven anti-aging powerhouse.

Irritation

low

Source

biotech

beautyskincarebiotech
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Cell Culture Medium

Defined Cell Culture Media 2

Defined Cell Culture Media 2

2.0

Defined Cell Culture Media 2 is a lab-grade nutrient solution for growing cells, not a proven skincare ingredient for direct consumer use.

Irritation

low

Source

biotech

beautybiotechskincareactive
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Conditioning Agent

Defined Cell Culture Media 4

Defined Cell Culture Media 4

3.8

A cutting-edge biotech ingredient that nourishes skin cells with a tailored nutrient mix, but its novelty means long-term data is still limited.

Irritation

low

Source

biotech

beautyskincarebiotech
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Conditioning Agent

Defined Cell Culture Media 7

Defined Cell Culture Media 7

3.5

A lab-grown nutrient cocktail that may support skin cell health, but its benefits in skincare are still being explored and it's not a proven anti-aging ingredient.

Irritation

low

Source

biotech

beautyskincarebiotech
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Skin Conditioning Agent

Fermented Milk & Cyclopia Extract

STREPTOCOCCUS THERMOPHILUS/CYCLOPIA INTERMEDIA LEAF/STEM EXTRACT/LACTOSE/WHOLE DRY MILK FERMENT

4.0

A gentle, fermented blend of milk and honeybush that may help soothe and condition the skin, though research is still emerging.

Irritation

low

Source

biotech

beautyskincarebiotech
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Skin conditioning agent

Horse Adipose Stromal Cell Conditioned Media

HORSE ADIPOSE STROMAL CELL CONDITIONED MEDIA

3.0

A novel, lab-grown ingredient derived from horse stem cells that may support skin repair, but human research is very limited and it remains a niche, high-cost option.

Irritation

low

Source

biotech

beautyskincarebiotech
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Conditioning Agent

Pig Adipose Cell Conditioned Media

Pig Adipose Stromal Cell Conditioned Media

2.5

An experimental biotech ingredient with limited human safety data; not recommended for routine use until more research is available.

Irritation

moderate

Source

biotech

beautyskincarebiotech
Read ingredient review