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.

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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

Chelating Agent

Aminoethylphosphinic Acid

Aminoethylphosphinic Acid

4.0

A gentle chelating agent that helps keep your skincare stable and effective by neutralizing unwanted metals.

Irritation

low

Source

synthetic

beautyskincarechelating agent
Read ingredient review

Chelating Agent

Ammonium Ferric Pentetate

AMMONIUM FERRIC PENTETATE

3.5

A behind-the-scenes stabilizer that protects your products from metal-induced degradation, but offers no direct skin benefit.

Irritation

low

Source

synthetic

beautyskincarechelating agent
Read ingredient review

Chelating Agent

Calcium Glucoheptonate

Calcium Glucoheptonate

3.5

A gentle chelating agent that helps stabilize formulas and may support skin barrier function, but research on direct skin benefits is limited.

Irritation

low

Source

synthetic

beautyskincarechelating agent
Read ingredient review

Chelating Agent

Dendrimer Chelating Agent

Sodium Trimethylolpropane Hydroxypropyl Iminodiacetate Dendrimer

4.3

A gentle, effective chelating agent that helps preserve formula stability and boost antioxidant performance without the irritation concerns of traditional chelators.

Irritation

low

Source

synthetic

beautyskincarechelating agent
Read ingredient review

Chelating Agent

Dipicolinic Acid

DIPICOLINIC ACID

3.8

A gentle chelating ingredient that helps keep your products stable and effective by binding to unwanted metals.

Irritation

low

Source

synthetic

beautyskincarechelating agent
Read ingredient review

Chelating Agent

Dipotassium Oxalate

DIPOTASSIUM OXALATE

3.0

Dipotassium oxalate is a functional ingredient that helps keep formulas stable and fresh, but it is not a direct skin treatment.

Irritation

low

Source

synthetic

beautyskincarechelating agent
Read ingredient review

Chelating Agent

Disodium Etidronate

Disodium Etidronate

4.0

A gentle chelating agent that helps preserve product freshness and enhances the performance of other ingredients.

Irritation

low

Source

synthetic

beautyskincarechelating agent
Read ingredient review

Chelating Agent

Disodium Hydroxyethyliminodiacetate

DISODIUM HYDROXYETHYLIMINODIACETATE

4.0

A gentle chelating agent that helps your skincare products stay effective and stable by neutralizing hard-water minerals.

Irritation

low

Source

synthetic

beautyskincarechelating agent
Read ingredient review

Buffering Agent

Disodium Pyrophosphate

Disodium Pyrophosphate

3.5

A safe, functional stabilizer that helps your products stay effective and gentle by controlling pH and binding unwanted minerals.

Irritation

low

Source

synthetic

beautyskincarechelating agent
Read ingredient review

Chelating Agent

EDTA Salts

Disodium EDTA / Tetrasodium EDTA

4.0

EDTA salts are safe, widely used stabilizers that help your products stay effective by neutralizing trace metals in water and ingredients.

Irritation

low

Source

synthetic

beautyskincarechelating agent
Read ingredient review

Chelating Agent

Etidronic Acid

Etidronic Acid

4.0

A gentle chelating agent that helps preserve formula stability and effectiveness by neutralizing problematic metal ions.

Irritation

low

Source

synthetic

beautyskincarechelating agent
Read ingredient review

Chelating Agent

HEDTA

HEDTA

3.5

HEDTA is a safe, effective chelating agent that helps your products stay stable and fresh without causing irritation.

Irritation

low

Source

synthetic

beautyskincarechelating agent
Read ingredient review

Chelating Agent

MEA-Hydroxyoctyloxypyridinone

MEA-HYDROXYOCTYLOXYPYRIDINONE

4.0

A gentle chelating agent that helps your skincare products stay effective longer by neutralizing troublesome metal ions.

Irritation

low

Source

synthetic

beautyskincarechelating agent
Read ingredient review

Chelating Agent

Multi-Acid Salt Complex

DISODIUM GLUCARATE/GLUCONATE/GLUCURONATE/GLYCOLATE/KETOGLUCONATE/OXALATE/TARTRATE/TARTRONATE

3.8

A gentle chelating agent blend that helps stabilize formulas and improve preservative efficacy without common irritation.

Irritation

low

Source

synthetic

beautyskincarechelating agent
Read ingredient review

Chelating Agent

Pentapotassium Triphosphate

PENTAPOTASSIUM TRIPHOSPHATE

3.5

Pentapotassium Triphosphate is a safe, effective chelating agent that helps maintain product stability and performance by binding metal ions.

Irritation

low

Source

synthetic

beautyskincarechelating agent
Read ingredient review

Chelating Agent

Pentasodium Pentetate

Pentasodium Pentetate

4.0

A behind-the-scenes helper that keeps your products fresh and effective by neutralizing unwanted metals.

Irritation

low

Source

synthetic

beautyskincarechelating agent
Read ingredient review

Chelating Agent

Pentetic Acid

PENTETIC ACID

4.0

Pentetic acid is a gentle chelating agent that helps keep your skincare products stable and effective by binding to unwanted metal ions.

Irritation

low

Source

synthetic

beautyskincarechelating agent
Read ingredient review

Chelating Agent

Phosphonobutanetricarboxylic Acid

Phosphonobutanetricarboxylic Acid

4.0

A gentle chelating agent that helps your products stay fresh and effective by neutralizing problematic metal ions.

Irritation

low

Source

synthetic

beautyskincarechelating agent
Read ingredient review

Exfoliant

Phytic Acid

Phytic Acid

4.2

A mild, plant-derived exfoliant that brightens skin and boosts the effectiveness of other ingredients without the irritation of stronger acids.

Irritation

low

Source

natural

beautyskincareexfoliantchelating agent
Read ingredient review

Chelating Agent

Phytin

PHYTIN

4.0

Phytin is a gentle, plant-derived ingredient that helps stabilize formulas and boost antioxidant protection without irritating skin.

Irritation

low

Source

natural

beautyskincarechelating agent
Read ingredient review

Chelating Agent

Potassium EDTMP

Potassium EDTMP

3.5

A synthetic chelator that helps preserve formula stability and efficacy by trapping trace metals, but offers no direct skin benefit.

Irritation

low

Source

synthetic

beautyskincarechelating agent
Read ingredient review

Chelating Agent

Potassium Glucoheptonate

POTASSIUM GLUCOHEPTONATE

4.0

A mild chelating agent that helps your products stay stable and effective without the irritation sometimes linked to stronger alternatives.

Irritation

low

Source

synthetic

beautyskincarechelating agent
Read ingredient review

Humectant

Potassium Gluconate

Potassium Gluconate

4.0

Potassium Gluconate is a mild humectant and chelator that helps keep your products stable and your skin hydrated without irritation.

Irritation

low

Source

synthetic

beautyskincarehumectantchelating agent
Read ingredient review

Buffering agent

Potassium Sodium Tartrate

POTASSIUM SODIUM TARTRATE

3.5

A gentle pH adjuster and chelator that helps stabilize formulas and improve preservative efficacy without irritating skin.

Irritation

low

Source

synthetic

beautyskincarechelating agent
Read ingredient review

Chelating Agent

Sodium Chitosan Methylene Phosphonate

SODIUM CHITOSAN METHYLENE PHOSPHONATE

4.0

A gentle, multi-tasking chitosan derivative that helps stabilize formulas and improve skin feel without common irritants.

Irritation

low

Source

semi-synthetic

beautyskincarechelating agent
Read ingredient review

Chelating Agent

Sodium Dihydroxyethylglycinate

Sodium Dihydroxyethylglycinate

4.0

A mild, effective chelator that helps your skincare products stay fresh and work better by neutralizing harmful metal ions.

Irritation

low

Source

synthetic

beautyskincarechelating agent
Read ingredient review

Chelating Agent

Sodium EDTMP

SODIUM EDTMP

3.5

A synthetic chelator that helps preserve formula stability and efficacy by neutralizing problematic metal ions.

Irritation

low

Source

synthetic

beautyskincarechelating agent
Read ingredient review

Chelating Agent

Sodium Glucepate

Sodium Glucepate

4.0

Sodium Glucepate is a gentle chelating agent that helps keep your skincare products stable and effective by binding to metal ions.

Irritation

low

Source

synthetic

beautyskincarechelating agent
Read ingredient review

Chelating Agent

Sodium Gluconate

Sodium Gluconate

4.5

A mild, effective chelating agent that boosts formula stability and helps other ingredients work better without irritating skin.

Irritation

low

Source

synthetic

beautyskincarechelating agent
Read ingredient review

Chelating Agent

Sodium Hexametaphosphate

SODIUM HEXAMETAPHOSPHATE

3.5

A water-softening agent that helps other ingredients work better, but is not a direct skin treatment.

Irritation

low

Source

synthetic

beautyskincarechelating agent
Read ingredient review

Chelating Agent

Sodium Lauroyl Ethylenediamine Triacetate

Sodium Lauroyl Ethylenediamine Triacetate

4.0

A gentle chelating agent that helps preserve formula integrity and boost antioxidant performance without the irritation of stronger alternatives.

Irritation

low

Source

synthetic

beautyskincarechelating agent
Read ingredient review

Chelating Agent

Sodium Mannitylphytate

SODIUM MANNITYLPHYTATE

4.0

A gentle, plant-based alternative to synthetic chelators like EDTA that helps keep your products stable and effective.

Irritation

low

Source

natural

beautyskincarechelating agent
Read ingredient review

Chelating Agent

Sodium Metaphosphate

Sodium Metaphosphate

3.8

Sodium Metaphosphate is a safe, effective chelating agent that helps maintain product stability and performance by binding metal ions.

Irritation

low

Source

synthetic

beautyskincarechelating agent
Read ingredient review

Chelating Agent

Sodium Oxalate

Sodium Oxalate

2.5

Sodium oxalate is a rare cosmetic ingredient used to adjust pH or bind metals, but it can be irritating at higher concentrations and is not widely recommended for sensitive skin.

Irritation

moderate

Source

synthetic

beautyskincarechelating agent
Read ingredient review

Chelating Agent

Sodium Phosphono-Pyridoxylidenerhodanine

Sodium Phosphono-Pyridoxylidenerhodanine

3.5

A synthetic chelator that helps preserve product stability by binding trace metals, but it's rarely studied on its own for skin benefits.

Irritation

low

Source

synthetic

beautyskincarechelating agent
Read ingredient review

Chelating Agent

Sodium Polyphosphate

Sodium Polyphosphate

3.8

Sodium polyphosphate is a safe, synthetic helper ingredient that keeps formulas stable and prevents metal contamination.

Irritation

low

Source

synthetic

beautyskincarechelating agent
Read ingredient review

Chelating Agent

TEA-Polyphosphate

TEA-Polyphosphate

4.0

TEA-Polyphosphate is a gentle chelating agent that helps preserve product freshness and enhances the performance of other ingredients.

Irritation

low

Source

synthetic

beautyskincarechelating agent
Read ingredient review

Chelating Agent

Tetrasodium Dicarboxymethyl Aspartate

Tetrasodium Dicarboxymethyl Aspartate

4.0

A gentle, biodegradable chelating agent that protects your skincare formulas from metal contamination without the harshness of older alternatives.

Irritation

low

Source

synthetic

beautyskincarechelating agent
Read ingredient review

Chelating Agent

Tetrasodium EDTA

Tetrasodium EDTA

4.0

Tetrasodium EDTA is a safe, widely used chelating agent that helps your skincare products stay stable and effective by neutralizing hard water minerals.

Irritation

low

Source

synthetic

beautyskincarechelating agent
Read ingredient review

Chelating Agent

Tetrasodium Etidronate

Tetrasodium Etidronate

4.0

A gentle chelating agent that helps preserve product freshness and boosts the effectiveness of other ingredients by binding to unwanted metals.

Irritation

low

Source

synthetic

beautyskincarechelating agent
Read ingredient review

Chelating Agent

Tetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate

Tetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate

4.5

A gentle, biodegradable alternative to EDTA that protects your skincare formulas from metal-induced degradation.

Irritation

low

Source

semi-synthetic

beautyskincarechelating agent
Read ingredient review

Chelating Agent

Tetrasodium Iminodisuccinate

TETRASODIUM IMINODISUCCINATE

4.5

A gentle, biodegradable chelating agent that boosts formula stability and skin feel without the concerns associated with traditional EDTA.

Irritation

low

Source

synthetic

beautyskincarechelating agent
Read ingredient review

Chelating Agent

Tetrasodium Pyrophosphate

Tetrasodium Pyrophosphate

3.5

A behind-the-scenes helper that keeps your products stable and effective by binding unwanted minerals.

Irritation

low

Source

synthetic

beautyskincarechelating agent
Read ingredient review

Chelating Agent

Trisodium Inositol Triphosphate

TRISODIUM INOSITOL TRIPHOSPHATE

4.0

A gentle chelating agent that helps protect your products from mineral-related instability and may offer mild antioxidant benefits for skin.

Irritation

low

Source

natural

beautyskincarechelating agent
Read ingredient review