A lightweight emollient that softens skin but may clog pores for some, and raises ethical concerns due to its animal origin.
Irritation
low
Source
semi-synthetic
Beauty ingredient research
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
A lightweight emollient that softens skin but may clog pores for some, and raises ethical concerns due to its animal origin.
Irritation
low
Source
semi-synthetic
Ethyl Morrhuate is a gentle emollient from cod liver oil that helps soften skin without clogging pores, but its benefits are similar to many other oils.
Irritation
low
Source
natural
Ethyl Myristate is a lightweight emollient that softens skin but may clog pores for acne-prone individuals.
Irritation
low
Source
synthetic
Ethyl Oleate is a lightweight emollient that helps soften skin and improve product texture, but it may clog pores for some people.
Irritation
low
Source
semi-synthetic
Ethyl Olivate is a gentle, olive-derived emollient that hydrates and softens skin without clogging pores, making it a good choice for sensitive or acne-prone skin.
Irritation
low
Source
natural
A gentle, lightweight emollient that helps skin feel soft without a greasy residue.
Irritation
low
Source
synthetic
A lightweight emollient that softens skin but may clog pores for some people.
Irritation
low
Source
synthetic
A lightweight synthetic ester that softens skin and improves product feel, with low irritation risk.
Irritation
low
Source
synthetic
A gentle, plant-derived emollient that softens skin and improves product feel without clogging pores.
Irritation
low
Source
semi-synthetic
A gentle, non-greasy emollient derived from castor oil that helps soften and smooth skin without clogging pores.
Irritation
low
Source
semi-synthetic
A gentle emollient that softens skin but may clog pores for some people.
Irritation
low
Source
synthetic
A gentle synthetic emollient that softens skin and improves product texture, but it's not a standout ingredient for specific skin concerns.
Irritation
low
Source
synthetic
A lightweight, non-greasy emollient that helps soften skin and improve product texture without clogging pores.
Irritation
low
Source
semi-synthetic
A gentle, wheat-derived emollient that helps soften and condition skin without clogging pores.
Irritation
low
Source
natural
A gentle plant-derived emollient that helps soothe and soften skin, though research is still emerging.
Irritation
low
Source
natural
A lightweight, non-greasy emollient that helps soften skin and improve product texture without clogging pores.
Irritation
low
Source
synthetic
A lightweight, non-greasy emollient blend that helps skin feel soft and smooth without clogging pores.
Irritation
low
Source
synthetic
A gentle, non-greasy emollient that helps skin feel soft and smooth without clogging pores.
Irritation
low
Source
semi-synthetic
A lightweight, non-greasy emollient that helps products glide on smoothly and is generally well-tolerated by most skin types.
Irritation
low
Source
synthetic
A lightweight, non-greasy emollient that improves product feel and spreadability with low irritation potential.
Irritation
low
Source
synthetic
A silky, non-greasy emollient that hydrates and smooths skin, ideal for oily or combination types.
Irritation
low
Source
semi-synthetic
A silky, non-greasy emollient that hydrates without clogging pores, ideal for oily and combination skin types.
Irritation
low
Source
semi-synthetic
A lightweight, plant-based emollient that hydrates without clogging pores, ideal for oily and sensitive skin types.
Irritation
low
Source
semi-synthetic
A lightweight, non-greasy emollient derived from coconut oil that softens skin and helps other ingredients spread smoothly.
Irritation
low
Source
semi-synthetic
A lightweight, non-greasy emollient that spreads easily and helps other ingredients absorb better.
Irritation
low
Source
synthetic
A lightweight synthetic emollient that softens skin and improves product texture, but may clog pores for some.
Irritation
low
Source
synthetic
A lightweight, non-greasy emollient that helps products spread smoothly and leaves skin feeling soft without clogging pores.
Irritation
low
Source
synthetic
A lightweight, non-greasy emollient that improves product texture and skin feel without clogging pores.
Irritation
low
Source
synthetic
A lightweight synthetic emollient that helps skin feel smooth without greasiness, generally well-tolerated.
Irritation
low
Source
synthetic
A lightweight, non-greasy emollient that helps products spread smoothly and leaves skin feeling soft without clogging pores.
Irritation
low
Source
synthetic
A lightweight synthetic emollient that softens skin without greasiness, but may clog pores for some.
Irritation
low
Source
synthetic
A lightweight, non-greasy emollient that softens skin and helps other ingredients spread smoothly.
Irritation
low
Source
synthetic
A lightweight, non-greasy emollient that helps products spread smoothly and leaves skin feeling soft without clogging pores.
Irritation
low
Source
synthetic
A lightweight, non-greasy emollient that softens skin and improves product texture with a low risk of irritation.
Irritation
low
Source
synthetic
A silky, non-greasy emollient derived from meadowfoam seed oil that hydrates and smooths skin with a lightweight feel.
Irritation
low
Source
semi-synthetic
A lightweight emollient that gives a silky feel but may clog pores for acne-prone skin.
Irritation
low
Source
synthetic
A lightweight, non-greasy emollient that improves product feel without clogging pores.
Irritation
low
Source
synthetic
A silky, non-greasy emollient that softens skin but may clog pores for some people.
Irritation
low
Source
semi-synthetic
A lightweight, silky emollient that hydrates without clogging pores, ideal for oily and combination skin types.
Irritation
low
Source
semi-synthetic
A lightweight, non-greasy emollient derived from olive oil that hydrates and softens skin without clogging pores.
Irritation
low
Source
semi-synthetic
A lightweight, silky emollient that helps products spread easily, but may clog pores for some skin types.
Irritation
low
Source
synthetic
A silky, lightweight emollient that hydrates without clogging pores, ideal for oily and combination skin.
Irritation
low
Source
synthetic
A silky, non-greasy emollient that improves product feel and spreadability without clogging pores.
Irritation
low
Source
synthetic
A gentle, plant-derived emollient that helps products spread smoothly and leaves skin feeling soft without greasiness.
Irritation
low
Source
semi-synthetic
A silky, non-greasy emollient that softens skin and improves product texture, with a low risk of irritation or clogged pores.
Irritation
low
Source
semi-synthetic
A lightweight synthetic emollient that makes products feel silky, but may clog pores for acne-prone skin.
Irritation
low
Source
synthetic
A gentle synthetic ester that helps blend pigments and oils, giving products a smooth, non-greasy feel with low irritation risk.
Irritation
low
Source
synthetic
A gentle, non-greasy emollient that softens skin and improves product feel, with a low risk of irritation or clogged pores.
Irritation
low
Source
synthetic
A gentle, lightweight emollient that softens skin without a greasy feel, making it a good choice for most skin types.
Irritation
low
Source
synthetic
A lightweight, non-greasy emollient that hydrates and smooths skin without clogging pores, making it a good choice for sensitive and oily skin types.
Irritation
low
Source
synthetic
A synthetic emollient that helps products spread smoothly and feel lightweight, with low irritation potential.
Irritation
low
Source
synthetic
A gentle, antioxidant-rich oil that hydrates and softens skin without clogging pores, suitable for most skin types.
Irritation
low
Source
natural
A gentle emollient that combines the fatty acid benefits of evening primrose oil with a stable, esterified form for smoother skin.
Irritation
low
Source
semi-synthetic
Evening primrose oil is a gentle, nourishing oil that helps soothe dry or sensitive skin and supports a healthy moisture barrier.
Irritation
low
Source
natural
A gentle, stable emollient that softens skin without the greasiness of traditional oils, suitable for most skin types.
Irritation
low
Source
semi-synthetic
A gentle, antioxidant-rich oil that hydrates and helps protect skin from environmental stress, though research is still emerging.
Irritation
low
Source
natural
Farnesene is a plant-derived emollient that helps soften skin and improve product texture without feeling greasy.
Irritation
low
Source
natural
Fenugreek seed oil is a gentle, plant-based emollient that helps soften and soothe the skin, but its benefits are mostly anecdotal with limited clinical research.
Irritation
low
Source
natural
A gentle, fermented argan oil ingredient that may help soothe and condition the skin with a lower risk of clogging pores than plain argan oil.
Irritation
low
Source
biotech
A fermented argan oil that boosts antioxidant power and skin softness, but research is still early.
Irritation
low
Source
biotech