Beauty ingredients explained in plain English

A gentle, fatty-acid-modified collagen that helps cleanse without stripping and leaves skin feeling soft.

A synthetic conditioning ingredient that helps skin and hair feel smooth and hydrated, with a low risk of irritation.

A gentle silicone-based conditioner that helps detangle hair and soften skin without heavy buildup.

A nutrient-dense ingredient that may support skin hydration and soothing, but human skincare research is still emerging.

Nonfat dry milk extract is a gentle skin softener that provides light moisture and a soothing feel, but it offers limited active benefits compared to more concentrated dairy ingredients.

Oat protein extract is a gentle, moisturizing ingredient that helps soothe and protect the skin barrier, making it ideal for sensitive or dry skin types.

A conditioning ingredient that adds slip and softness to hair and skin, but may be too heavy for oily or acne-prone skin.

A gentle conditioning ingredient that helps reduce static and improve manageability in hair, while providing light moisturization to skin.

A gentle antistatic ingredient that helps hair feel smooth and less frizzy, but offers no deep repair.

A gentle conditioning ingredient that reduces static and softens hair and skin without heavy buildup.

A gentle, modified collagen that helps soften and smooth skin without clogging pores.

Oleoyl Tyrosine is a gentle, amino-acid-based ingredient that helps reinforce the skin barrier and improve hydration without irritation.

A mild, amino-acid-derived ingredient that conditions skin without irritation, making it a good choice for sensitive or dry skin types.

A mild, olive-derived conditioning ingredient that helps soften skin and improve moisture retention without clogging pores.

A gentle, plant-derived conditioning ingredient that helps hair and skin feel soft and smooth without heavy buildup.

A novel, nutrient-dense ingredient that may support skin hydration and barrier function, but clinical evidence is still limited.

A gentle, positively charged starch that helps hair feel soft and smooth while reducing static and flyaways.

Oyster extract is a mineral-rich ingredient that may help hydrate and soothe skin, but research on its cosmetic benefits is still emerging.

A mild, palm-derived conditioning ingredient that reduces frizz and improves manageability without heavy buildup.

A gentle conditioning ingredient that reduces static and improves hair manageability, but its palm oil origin raises sustainability questions.

A gentle conditioning ingredient that helps soften hair and skin without heavy buildup.

A gentle, synthetic amino acid derivative that helps support the skin barrier and improve moisture retention without irritation.

Palmitoyl Carnitine is a gentle, fatty-acid-linked amino acid that may help soothe skin and support a healthy moisture barrier, though research is still early.

A gentle, barrier-friendly ingredient that combines fatty acids with plant amino acids to help skin feel smooth and hydrated.

A gentle, starch-derived conditioning polymer that helps smooth hair and reduce static without heavy buildup.

A gentle, lipid-enriched mare milk derivative that may help moisturize and condition skin, but research is limited.

A gentle, plant-based conditioning ingredient that helps soften and smooth skin without irritation.

A gentle conditioning ingredient that may help support skin barrier function and improve texture, but research is limited compared to more established peptides.

A gentle, modified form of vitamin B5 that helps condition skin and hair with a silky feel, but research on this specific derivative is limited.

A gentle, panthenol-derived conditioning ingredient that improves hair softness and manageability without heavy buildup.

A gentle conditioning agent that helps soften hair and skin without heavy buildup, but its palm oil source raises sustainability questions.

A synthetic conditioning agent that reduces static and softens hair, but may cause irritation for sensitive scalps.

A silicone-based conditioning agent that smooths hair and skin, but may build up with frequent use.

A synthetic conditioning ingredient that reduces static and softens hair, but may cause irritation for sensitive scalps at high concentrations.

A mild, plant-derived conditioning ingredient that softens hair and reduces static without heavy buildup.

A synthetic polymer that helps reduce static and improve hair smoothness, but offers limited benefits beyond basic conditioning.

A synthetic conditioning agent that reduces static and improves hair feel, but may build up over time with frequent use.

A conditioning ingredient from animal-derived tallow that softens hair and reduces static, but may be too heavy for fine hair or oily skin.

A gentle synthetic conditioner that smooths hair and fights frizz, but may not suit ultra-sensitive scalps.

A gentle, semi-synthetic conditioning ingredient that may support skin barrier function, but research is limited and it's not a star performer on its own.

A gentle, coconut-derived conditioning ingredient that helps reduce static and soften hair without heavy buildup.

A gentle silicone that smooths hair and reduces frizz without heavy buildup, but may not suit very fine or low-porosity hair.

A gentle, water-soluble silicone that helps products glide on smoothly without a heavy or greasy feel.

A gentle silicone that coats hair to reduce tangles and add shine without heavy buildup.

PEG-9 Dinicotinate is a synthetic derivative of niacin (vitamin B3) that may support skin microcirculation and barrier function, but research is limited and it's less common than niacinamide.

A synthetic conditioning ingredient that helps reduce static and improve the feel of hair and skin, but may not suit those avoiding PEGs.

A gentle conditioning ingredient that helps soften hair and skin without heavy buildup, though research is limited.

A synthetic fluorinated ingredient that helps repel water and reduce frizz, but its environmental persistence raises concerns.

A synthetic fluorinated compound that may help deliver oxygen to the skin, but its cosmetic benefits are not well-established and it is rarely used.

Perfluorodecalin is a synthetic oxygen carrier that may temporarily improve skin oxygenation and radiance, but its cosmetic benefits are still being studied.

A gentle silicone that coats hair strands for slip, shine, and manageability, with less buildup than traditional dimethicone.

A gentle conditioning polymer that smooths hair and reduces static without heavy buildup.

A gentle conditioning polymer that helps detangle hair and reduce flyaways without heavy buildup.

Pisces Extract is a fish-derived ingredient that may offer moisturizing benefits, but scientific evidence is limited and it may not be suitable for vegans or those with fish allergies.

Polyquaternium is a synthetic polymer that smooths hair and skin by forming a thin, flexible film, but some types may cause buildup with frequent use.

A gentle conditioning polymer that reduces flyaways and improves wet combing without heavy buildup.

A gentle conditioning polymer that leaves hair and skin feeling soft without heavy buildup.

A gentle, effective detangler and antistatic agent that leaves hair smooth and manageable without buildup.

Polyquaternium-106 is a gentle synthetic polymer that smooths hair, reduces frizz, and improves manageability without heavy buildup.

Polyquaternium-107 is a gentle conditioning polymer that reduces frizz and static without heavy buildup, making it suitable for fine or oily hair types.