Beauty ingredients explained in plain English

A safe synthetic polymer that helps products stay put, resist water, and feel smooth on skin.

A synthetic polymer that helps products feel smooth, spread evenly, and stay put without clogging pores.

A safe, synthetic film-former that helps makeup and sunscreen stay put without clogging pores.

A safe, synthetic thickener and stabilizer that helps create a smooth, elegant texture in skincare products.

A safe, synthetic thickener that gives gels and creams a smooth, non-sticky feel without clogging pores.

A safe, synthetic powder that helps products feel silky and controls shine without clogging pores.

A safe synthetic polymer that helps makeup and skincare products spread smoothly and last longer without clogging pores.

Alexandrite powder adds a subtle, gem-like shimmer to makeup but offers no proven skincare benefits.

Aluminum behenate is a safe, synthetic thickener and stabilizer that helps keep makeup and creams smooth and consistent.

A safe, synthetic thickener and opacifier that improves product texture and stability without major skin concerns.

A semi-synthetic ingredient that helps cosmetics feel smooth and stay put, but its animal-derived origin may not suit everyone.

A synthetic thickener and stabilizer that improves product texture and feel, generally considered safe for most skin types.

A synthetic thickener and stabilizer that improves product texture and shelf life, generally considered safe for most skin types.

A synthetic thickener and stabilizer that helps create smooth, creamy textures in makeup and skincare, but its aluminum content raises questions for some users.

A safe and effective thickener and stabilizer that helps create smooth, creamy textures in makeup and skincare, but offers no direct skin benefit.

Aluminum Myristate is a synthetic thickener and opacifier that improves product texture but may be moderately comedogenic for acne-prone skin.

A safe, functional thickener and opacifier that helps give products a creamy texture and uniform appearance.

Aluminum Stearate is a safe, widely used texture enhancer that helps keep makeup smooth and stable, but it has no direct skin benefit.

A safe, synthetic film-former that helps makeup and sunscreen stay put without clogging pores.

A modified clay that thickens and stabilizes formulas, generally safe but not a skin-active ingredient.

A novel silicone-diamond hybrid that adds a soft-focus, silky finish to makeup and skincare, but research on its long-term effects is limited.

A synthetic polymer that helps makeup and skincare last longer by forming a flexible film on the skin, but it offers no active skincare benefits.

A silicone-based ingredient that gives products a silky, smooth feel and helps them spread evenly without clogging pores.

A safe, non-reactive mineral that improves texture and feel in makeup and skincare, but offers no active skin benefits.

A gentle mineral abrasive and opacifier, safe for most skin types but best used in rinse-off products.

A safe, non-irritating mineral powder that helps control shine and improve product feel, but offers no active skincare benefits.

A safe, non-reactive glass powder that adds visual appeal and texture to makeup without clogging pores.

A safe, non-irritating ingredient that improves the feel and application of powder and cream products.

Calcium sulfate is a safe, non-irritating mineral used mainly to add texture or absorb excess oil in powders and masks.

Carnauba acid wax is a natural, plant-based wax that gives cosmetics a smooth texture and glossy shine, with a low risk of irritation.

Chalk is a safe, natural mineral that helps absorb oil and add opacity in makeup, but it can be drying for some skin types.

Colloidal diamond and gold add sparkle and a premium feel to products, but there is no strong evidence they benefit skin beyond aesthetics.

A synthetic film-former that helps makeup last longer and resist water, but offers no skincare benefit.

A synthetic polymer that helps products stay put and feel smooth, but offers no direct skin benefit.

A safe, effective thickener and stabilizer that improves product texture and feel, but is not a functional skincare active.

A silicone powder that helps products feel silky and stay put without clogging pores.

A safe, effective thickener and stabilizer that helps keep formulas smooth and ingredients evenly mixed.

A silicone powder that gives a silky, blurring finish and helps control shine without clogging pores.

A silicone powder that gives a silky, blurring finish and helps control oil without clogging pores.

Feldspar powder is a safe, natural mineral that adds texture and absorbency to cosmetics, but it offers no active skincare benefits.

Guanine adds a natural shimmer to makeup and nail products, but it is not a skincare active and offers no moisturizing or anti-aging benefits.

A synthetic polymer that helps makeup last longer and feel smoother, but offers no skincare benefit.

A synthetic polymer that helps makeup last longer and resist water, but offers no skincare benefit.

A synthetic silicone polymer that helps makeup and sunscreen stay put longer, but may feel heavy on some skin types.

A synthetic binder that helps pigments and powders stick together and spread evenly, but it's not a direct skin treatment.

A synthetic laminated powder that gives makeup a silky feel and helps it stay put, but offers no skincare benefit.

A safe, non-irritating mineral powder that absorbs oil and moisture, commonly used in deodorants and loose powders.

A gentle mineral powder that helps absorb oil and improve product texture, but offers no direct skin benefit.

Magnesium Myristate is a safe, non-irritating powder ingredient that gives makeup a silky feel and helps products glide on smoothly.

Magnesium silicate is a safe, gentle mineral that helps absorb oil and improve product texture, but it may be drying for very dry skin.

A safe, non-irritating binder that helps pressed powders hold their shape, but offers no active skincare benefits.

A safe, talc-like mineral that helps absorb oil and improve product texture, but it's not a standout active ingredient.

Meteorite powder adds a subtle shimmer and trace minerals to cosmetics, but its benefits are largely aesthetic and not backed by strong skincare research.

A synthetic polymer that helps create a smooth, silky feel on skin and improves product texture without known irritation.

A synthetic film-former that helps makeup and skincare last longer, but may feel heavy on some skin types.

A synthetic polymer that improves product texture and wear, but its coumarin component may raise mild sensitivity concerns for some users.

A safe, synthetic powder that helps products feel silky and controls shine without clogging pores.

Mica is a safe, non-irritating mineral that gives products a luminous finish, but ethical sourcing is a concern.

Moonstone powder adds a soft, pearlescent glow to makeup and can gently exfoliate, but its skincare benefits are largely cosmetic rather than active.

Mother of Pearl adds a soft, natural shimmer to makeup and may offer mild skin-conditioning benefits, but its effects are primarily cosmetic.