Beauty ingredients explained in plain English

Nylon-11 is a safe, non-irritating powder that gives makeup a silky feel and helps control shine without clogging pores.

Nylon-12 is a safe, non-irritating synthetic powder that gives makeup a silky feel and blurs imperfections without clogging pores.

Nylon-611 is a safe, non-irritating synthetic powder that gives makeup and skincare a silky, smooth finish while absorbing excess oil.

Opal powder adds a soft, natural shimmer to makeup but offers no proven skincare benefits beyond aesthetics.

A modified wax that helps give lipsticks and creams their smooth, solid texture, but may clog pores for some.

Ozokerite is a reliable, low-irritation wax that helps keep your lipsticks and balms solid and smooth, but it's a petroleum-derived ingredient with no active skin benefits.

A coated mica that gives a silky feel and water resistance to powders, but its perfluoroalkyl coating raises environmental and health concerns.

A synthetic polymer that helps products stay put, but offers no active skincare benefit.

A synthetic film former that helps makeup and sunscreen stay put longer, especially in water or sweat.

Polyethylene is a versatile synthetic polymer that helps products feel smooth and spread easily, but its use as microbeads has raised environmental concerns.

A safe, non-irritating silicone powder that gives skin a smooth, matte finish and helps control shine.

A safe, synthetic silicone powder that gives a silky, matte feel and helps control shine without clogging pores.

A synthetic film former that helps makeup last longer and resist water, but it's not a skincare active and may feel heavy on some skin types.

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

A synthetic polymer that helps makeup and sunscreen stay put longer without feeling heavy or greasy.

Potassium fluorosilicate is a fluoride salt used in oral care for cavity prevention, but it is toxic if ingested in large amounts and requires careful formulation.

A synthetic colorant used in cosmetics for pigment, not a skincare active with benefits for skin health.

A safe, modified clay that improves product texture and stability without major skin concerns.

Red Poppy Flower Powder adds gentle texture and a natural tint to powders and soaps, but its skincare benefits beyond physical exfoliation are not well-studied.

Serica Powder is a natural silk-derived ingredient that gives makeup a silky feel and helps absorb excess oil without clogging pores.

Silver borosilicate is a synthetic glassy powder that adds shimmer and a smooth feel to cosmetics, but its antimicrobial claims are not well-supported in leave-on skincare.

A synthetic polymer that helps products stay put and feel smooth, with a low risk of irritation.

Starch Tallowate is a safe, low-irritation binder that helps cosmetics feel smooth and stay together, but it offers no active skincare benefits.

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

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

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

A vegan-friendly, lab-made wax that gives lipsticks and balms a smooth, glossy finish without the environmental concerns of harvesting natural carnauba.

A shimmering mineral powder that adds a subtle glow and gentle texture, but offers no skincare benefits beyond aesthetics.

A synthetic crosspolymer that helps makeup last longer and feel smoother, with a low risk of irritation.

A synthetic film former that helps makeup and sunscreen stay put longer, but it's not a skincare active.

Titanium Isostearates is a safe, synthetic binder that helps pressed powders and color cosmetics hold together without causing irritation.

A specialized silicone-based ingredient that helps makeup and sunscreen stay put and feel silky, but it's not a skincare active.

A safe, non-irritating silicone powder that gives a silky finish and helps blur imperfections without clogging pores.

Zinc Myristate is a safe, synthetic powder ingredient that improves the feel and application of makeup, but it offers no active skincare benefits.

Zinc Rosinate is a safe, non-irritating film former that helps makeup and hair products stay put without clogging pores.