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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Reviewed ingredients

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Low-concern standouts

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Need usage caution

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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

Cooling Agent

Ethyl Menthane Carboxamide

Ethyl Menthane Carboxamide

4.0

A synthetic cooling compound that delivers a refreshing, long-lasting chill without menthol's strong odor or volatility.

Irritation

low

Source

synthetic

beautyskincarecooling agent
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Cooling agent

L-Menthyl Formate

L-MENTHYL FORMATE

4.0

A gentle synthetic cooling agent that gives a refreshing sensation without the strong mint smell, ideal for soothing products.

Irritation

low

Source

synthetic

beautyskincarecooling agent
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Cooling Agent

Menthyl Acetate

Menthyl Acetate

3.8

Menthyl acetate provides a mild cooling sensation without the strong minty odor of menthol, making it a gentle option for refreshing skincare products.

Irritation

low

Source

semi-synthetic

beautyskincarecooling agent
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Cooling agent

Menthyl Ethylcarbamate

MENTHYL ETHYLCARBAMATE

4.0

A gentle synthetic cooling ingredient that provides a refreshing sensation without the strong minty smell or potential irritation of menthol.

Irritation

low

Source

synthetic

beautyskincarecooling agent
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Cooling Agent

Menthyl Isovalerate

Menthyl Isovalerate

4.0

Menthyl isovalerate is a gentle synthetic cooling ingredient that provides a refreshing sensation without the strong minty smell or potential irritation of menthol.

Irritation

low

Source

synthetic

beautyskincarecooling agent
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Cooling Agent

Menthyl Lactate

Menthyl Lactate

4.0

Menthyl lactate is a gentle cooling ingredient that provides a refreshing sensation without the strong minty smell, making it ideal for sensitive skin or products where fragrance is minimized.

Irritation

low

Source

semi-synthetic

beautyskincarecooling agent
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Cooling Agent

Menthyl PCA

Menthyl PCA

4.0

Menthyl PCA offers a gentle, long-lasting cooling sensation without the strong minty odor of menthol, while also helping to hydrate the skin.

Irritation

low

Source

semi-synthetic

beautyskincarecooling agenthumectant
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Cooling Agent

Menthyl Salicylate

Menthyl Salicylate

3.5

Menthyl salicylate creates a cooling tingle on skin, but can be irritating for sensitive types and is not a proven treatment for pain or inflammation.

Irritation

moderate

Source

synthetic

beautyskincarecooling agent
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Cooling Agent

Menthyl Succinate

Menthyl Succinate

3.8

Menthyl Succinate is a gentle, synthetic cooling ingredient that provides a refreshing sensation without the strong minty smell or irritation potential of menthol.

Irritation

low

Source

synthetic

beautyskincarecooling agent
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