Beauty ingredients explained in plain English

CI 73915 is a safe, widely used red pigment that gives makeup its color without known skin irritation or clogging.

CI 74100 is a safe, widely used synthetic green pigment in color cosmetics, but offers no skincare benefits.

A widely used blue pigment that is generally safe for cosmetic use, but may cause irritation in sensitive individuals.

CI 74180 is a safe, widely used synthetic dye that adds red color to cosmetics, but it offers no skincare benefits.

A safe, widely used synthetic green pigment that adds color to makeup but offers no skincare benefits.

CI 75100 is a natural colorant that adds warm yellow-orange tones to cosmetics, but it offers no skincare benefits and may cause allergic reactions in sensitive individuals.

A widely used synthetic yellow pigment that adds color to makeup but offers no skincare benefits.

CI 75135 is a widely used synthetic red pigment that adds vibrant color to makeup with a good safety profile for most people.

CI 75170 is a safe, natural pearlescent pigment that adds shimmer to makeup but offers no skincare benefits.

A safe, widely used red pigment that gives color to makeup without known skin irritation or clogging pores.

CI 77231 is a colorant used for opacity, but it has raised safety concerns in other industries; in cosmetics, it is restricted to low concentrations.

CI 77400 is a safe, widely used colorant that adds red or copper hues to makeup, but it offers no skincare benefits and may cause irritation in very sensitive individuals.

A safe, natural mineral pigment that adds color or opacity but offers no skincare benefits.

CI 77745 is a safe, widely used blue pigment in color cosmetics, but it's not a skincare active ingredient.

A safe, stable blue pigment for color cosmetics, but those with cobalt sensitivity should check labels.

Cobalt Aluminum Oxide is a safe, stable blue pigment for cosmetics, but it's not a skincare active and offers no skin benefits beyond color.

A safe, stable pigment for color cosmetics, but not a skincare active and offers no skin benefits beyond color.

A natural red dye from insects that gives vibrant color but may trigger allergies in sensitive individuals.

Colloidal gold adds a luxurious shimmer and may offer mild antioxidant benefits, but its skincare effects are not well-proven and it comes with a high price tag.

A natural plant-based colorant that adds warm yellow tones but offers minimal skincare benefits at typical use levels.

A natural red colorant from annatto seeds, generally safe for most skin types but may cause rare allergic reactions.

A safe, widely used synthetic colorant that adds orange tones to makeup, but offers no skincare benefits.

CI 11725 is a synthetic orange pigment approved for use in cosmetics, but it may cause sensitivity in some individuals.

A widely used synthetic orange dye that is generally safe in the tiny amounts found in cosmetics, but offers no skincare benefits.

A synthetic red dye approved for use in cosmetics, but with some restrictions due to potential impurities.

A widely used synthetic red pigment that is generally safe in cosmetics but offers no skincare benefits beyond color.

A widely used synthetic yellow dye that adds vibrant color to cosmetics, but some people may experience skin sensitivity.

A synthetic fluorescent dye used for color in cosmetics; generally considered safe at low concentrations but may cause rare allergic reactions.

DHA is the gold standard for sunless tanning, providing a natural-looking tan without UV exposure, but requires careful application to avoid streaks and uneven color.

A synthetic pigment that delivers vivid, stable color but has limited research on long-term skin effects.

A synthetic blue dye used for color in cosmetics, with limited safety data and potential for skin irritation.

A synthetic photochromic ingredient that shifts color when exposed to UV light, used mainly for novelty or adaptive color cosmetics.

A synthetic blue dye that adds vibrant color to wash-off products but offers no skincare benefit and may cause irritation for sensitive skin.

Disperse Red 17 is a synthetic dye that adds red tones to cosmetics but may cause skin irritation or allergic reactions in sensitive individuals.

Disperse Violet 1 is a synthetic dye that adds violet color to cosmetics, but it may cause skin irritation or allergic reactions in sensitive individuals.

A synthetic violet dye used for color in cosmetics, but it may cause skin irritation in sensitive individuals.

A metallic pigment that adds sparkle but may raise concerns for inhalation or skin sensitivity in some formulations.

A rare earth salt used for color, but with limited safety data and potential for irritation in sensitive individuals.

A rare synthetic colorant with limited safety data; best reserved for occasional-use products.

A widely used synthetic red dye that is generally safe in cosmetics but offers no skincare benefits.

A safe, non-irritating colorant that also offers mild astringent properties, but its cosmetic benefits beyond tinting are limited.

A safe and widely used blue pigment in cosmetics, but it's purely for color and offers no skincare benefits.

Ferric nitrate is a synthetic salt that can act as a colorant or astringent, but it is rarely used in modern skincare due to potential irritation and limited benefits.

A synthetic blue pigment that adds color to makeup but offers no skincare benefits.

Ferrous ammonium sulfate is a synthetic iron salt used mainly as a colorant or chemical reagent in cosmetics; it is not a skincare active and may cause irritation at higher concentrations.

Ferrous aspartate is a form of iron used mainly as a colorant in cosmetics; its skincare benefits are not well-established and it may cause staining.

Ferrous fumarate is a synthetic iron compound used mainly as a pigment in cosmetics; it has no proven skincare benefits and is not a substitute for dietary iron.

Ferrous Glucoheptonate is primarily used as a colorant in cosmetics, offering a subtle iron tone with low irritation potential, but it has limited skincare benefits beyond tinting.

Ferrous Lactate is a gentle iron salt used to tint products or support skin appearance, but it is not a major active ingredient.

Ferrous sulfate is primarily used as a colorant or astringent in cosmetics, but it offers little skincare benefit and may cause irritation for sensitive skin.

Fluorescent Brightener 230 is a synthetic optical brightener that creates a temporary whitening effect by reflecting blue light, but it does not actually lighten skin or treat pigmentation.

Fluorescent Brightener 236 is a synthetic optical brightener that creates a temporary whitening effect on skin or hair, but it does not change your natural pigmentation or provide lasting brightening.

Fluorescent Brightener 367 is a synthetic optical brightener rarely used in leave-on skincare; it may create a temporary whitening effect but offers no skin benefit and is not a standard cosmetic ingredient.

Gold powder adds a luxurious shimmer to makeup but offers no proven skincare benefits beyond decoration.

A widely used synthetic green dye that adds color to products but offers no skincare benefits.

A widely used synthetic green pigment that is generally safe in cosmetics but offers no skincare benefits.

A safe, widely used synthetic green dye that adds color but offers no skincare benefits.

A safe, widely used synthetic green dye that adds color but offers no skincare benefits.

A synthetic green dye that adds color to rinse-off products; generally safe in tiny amounts but offers no skincare benefits.

A safe, widely approved synthetic green dye that adds color but offers no skincare benefits.