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

Antioxidant

Arjuna Bark Oil

TERMINALIA ARJUNA BARK OIL

3.8

A gentle botanical oil with antioxidant potential, but limited research and a moderate chance of clogging pores for some skin types.

Irritation

low

Source

natural

beautyskincarebotanical oil
Read ingredient review

Emollient

Eremanthus Branch/Leaf Oil

EREMANTHUS ERYTHROPAPPUS BRANCH/LEAF OIL

3.5

A gentle, little-studied botanical oil that may offer antioxidant benefits, but lacks robust research to confirm efficacy.

Irritation

low

Source

natural

beautyskincarebotanical oil
Read ingredient review

Emollient

Maackia Fauriei Leaf Oil

MAACKIA FAURIEI LEAF OIL

3.5

A gentle botanical oil with antioxidant potential, but research on its specific benefits for skin is still limited.

Irritation

low

Source

natural

beautyskincarebotanical oil
Read ingredient review

Skin conditioning

Psiadia Altissima Leaf Oil

Psiadia altissima leaf oil

3.8

A gentle botanical oil with early evidence of antioxidant activity, but more research is needed to confirm its benefits for skin.

Irritation

low

Source

natural

beautyskincarebotanical oil
Read ingredient review

Emollient

Vitex Negundo Oil

VITEX NEGUNDO FLOWER/LEAF/SEED OIL

3.5

A traditional Ayurvedic oil with potential soothing and antioxidant benefits, but limited modern research and a moderate risk of clogging pores for some skin types.

Irritation

low

Source

natural

beautyskincarebotanical oil
Read ingredient review