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.

20769

Reviewed ingredients

524

Low-concern standouts

2884

Need usage caution

Showing 5 of 5
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

Delivery Agent

Dendrimer Complex

TRIMETHYLOLPROPANE HYDROXYPROPYL BIS-HYDROXYETHYLAMINE DENDRIMER

4.0

A cutting-edge synthetic molecule that helps other ingredients penetrate better and stay on skin longer, but is still being studied for long-term effects.

Irritation

low

Source

synthetic

beautyskincaredelivery agent
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Skin conditioning agent

Hydrogenated Lysophosphatidylcholine

Hydrogenated Lysophosphatidylcholine

4.3

A skin-friendly phospholipid that improves ingredient delivery and supports the moisture barrier without irritation.

Irritation

low

Source

semi-synthetic

beautyskincareemollientdelivery agent
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Delivery Agent

PEG Dendrimer Complex

PEG-222 PENTAERYTHRITYL ADIPATE-SUCCINIMIDE DENDRIMER

3.8

A cutting-edge synthetic molecule that acts like a microscopic delivery truck, carrying active ingredients deeper into skin layers.

Irritation

low

Source

synthetic

beautyskincaredelivery agent
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Emollient

PEG-5 Pentaerythrityl Dendrimer

PEG-5 PENTAERYTHRITYL DMPA-2 CAPRATE/CAPRYLATE DENDRIMER

4.0

A high-tech synthetic ingredient that helps other active ingredients penetrate better while providing a silky, non-greasy feel.

Irritation

low

Source

synthetic

beautyskincareemollientdelivery agent
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Emollient

Phosphatidylcholine

PHOSPHATIDYLCHOLINE

4.3

A skin-friendly phospholipid that hydrates and helps other ingredients penetrate more effectively.

Irritation

low

Source

natural

beautyskincareemollientdelivery agent
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