4.0
A safe, synthetic polymer that helps skincare and makeup feel silky, control shine, and improve spreadability without clogging pores.
Irritation
low
Source
synthetic
beautyskincarecosmetic ingredient
Read ingredient reviewBeauty 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.
20769
Reviewed ingredients
524
Low-concern standouts
2884
Need usage caution
Showing 22 of 22
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
3.5
A synthetic thickener and stabilizer that helps keep formulas smooth and consistent, but it's not a skincare active.
Irritation
low
Source
synthetic
beautyskincarecosmetic ingredient
Read ingredient review3.8
Aluminum Distearate is a safe, synthetic thickener that helps keep creams and makeup smooth and stable, but it offers no direct skin benefit.
Irritation
low
Source
synthetic
beautyskincarecosmetic ingredient
Read ingredient reviewViscosity Controlling
Aluminum Isostearates/Laureates/Stearates
ALUMINUM ISOSTEARATES/LAURATES/STEARATES
3.5
A synthetic thickener and stabilizer that helps keep makeup and creams smooth and consistent, but its aluminum content raises mild safety questions for some users.
Irritation
low
Source
synthetic
beautyskincarecosmetic ingredient
Read ingredient review3.5
Calcium Behenate is a safe, non-irritating ingredient that helps give cosmetics a smooth, creamy texture and stable consistency.
Irritation
low
Source
synthetic
beautyskincarecosmetic ingredient
Read ingredient review3.5
A safe, natural mineral that works as a gentle scrubber and thickener, but can be too harsh for sensitive skin in high concentrations.
Irritation
low
Source
natural
beautyskincarecosmetic ingredient
Read ingredient review3.8
A safe, plant-derived wax that helps hold lipsticks and pencils together, but offers no direct skin benefit.
Irritation
low
Source
natural
beautyskincarecosmetic ingredient
Read ingredient review3.8
A smart powder ingredient that helps control shine and improve the feel of makeup and skincare without clogging pores.
Irritation
low
Source
semi-synthetic
beautyskincarecosmetic ingredient
Read ingredient reviewTexture Enhancer
Laminated Polymer Powder
Polymethyl Methacrylate/Polypentaerythrityl Terephthalate/Stearate/Palmitate Laminated Powder
4.0
A high-tech synthetic powder that gives makeup a silky feel and helps blur fine lines without clogging pores.
Irritation
low
Source
synthetic
beautyskincarecosmetic ingredient
Read ingredient review3.5
A safe, multi-mineral powder that helps control shine and improve product texture without common irritation concerns.
Irritation
low
Source
synthetic
beautyskincarecosmetic ingredient
Read ingredient review3.5
A mild thickening and opacifying agent that helps give products a creamy, opaque appearance without major skin concerns.
Irritation
low
Source
synthetic
beautyskincarecosmetic ingredient
Read ingredient review3.5
Magnesium Palmitate is a safe, synthetic ingredient that improves the feel and appearance of makeup and skincare products without major skin concerns.
Irritation
low
Source
synthetic
beautyskincarecosmetic ingredient
Read ingredient review4.0
A gentle, plant-derived powder that helps control shine and improve product feel without clogging pores.
Irritation
low
Source
semi-synthetic
beautyskincarecosmetic ingredient
Read ingredient review4.0
A safe, non-irritating thickener that gives makeup and skincare a smooth, creamy feel without clogging pores.
Irritation
low
Source
semi-synthetic
beautyskincarecosmetic ingredient
Read ingredient review3.8
A synthetic silica derivative that helps control shine, improve product feel, and stabilize formulas without clogging pores.
Irritation
low
Source
synthetic
beautyskincarecosmetic ingredient
Read ingredient review4.0
A surface-coating ingredient that improves the feel and wear of powders and pigments, with a strong safety profile.
Irritation
low
Source
synthetic
beautyskincarecosmetic ingredient
Read ingredient review3.5
Tin oxide is a safe, inert mineral that helps give cosmetics a smooth texture and opaque finish, but it offers no active skincare benefits.
Irritation
low
Source
natural
beautyskincarecosmetic ingredient
Read ingredient review3.8
Tricalcium phosphate is a gentle mineral abrasive and opacifier, safe for most skin types but best suited for rinse-off or low-concentration leave-on formulas.
Irritation
low
Source
natural
beautyskincarecosmetic ingredient
Read ingredient review3.8
A synthetic silicone used to coat pigments and powders, making them smoother, more water-resistant, and easier to blend.
Irritation
low
Source
synthetic
beautyskincarecosmetic ingredient
Read ingredient review3.5
A silicone-based surface modifier that helps powders glide on smoothly and resist moisture, but it offers no direct skin benefit.
Irritation
low
Source
synthetic
beautyskincarecosmetic ingredient
Read ingredient review3.5
A synthetic ingredient that helps products spread smoothly and resist water, but it's not a moisturizer or active skincare ingredient.
Irritation
low
Source
synthetic
beautyskincarecosmetic ingredient
Read ingredient review3.8
Zinc Stearate is a safe, widely used thickener and binder in powders, but may be moderately comedogenic for acne-prone skin.
Irritation
low
Source
synthetic
beautyskincarecosmetic ingredient
Read ingredient review