A gentle, plant-derived emollient that softens skin and helps other ingredients work better, with very low irritation potential.
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 gentle, plant-derived emollient that softens skin and helps other ingredients work better, with very low irritation potential.
Irritation
low
Source
semi-synthetic
A gentle, non-greasy emollient that helps creams feel smooth and luxurious without clogging pores.
Irritation
low
Source
synthetic
A gentle, non-greasy emollient that helps products feel silky and spread smoothly without clogging pores.
Irritation
low
Source
synthetic
A gentle, plant-derived emollient that improves product texture and stability without clogging pores.
Irritation
low
Source
semi-synthetic
A gentle emollient that helps soften and smooth skin without clogging pores, ideal for dry or sensitive skin.
Irritation
low
Source
synthetic
A mild, plant-based emollient that improves product texture and skin feel without clogging pores or causing irritation.
Irritation
low
Source
semi-synthetic
A gentle, non-greasy emollient that helps moisturize and improve product texture without clogging pores.
Irritation
low
Source
synthetic
A gentle, synthetic emollient that helps products feel silky and spread easily without clogging pores.
Irritation
low
Source
synthetic
A gentle, plant-based emollient that softens skin and helps blend oil and water in formulas without irritation.
Irritation
low
Source
natural
A gentle, plant-derived emollient that helps soften and smooth skin without clogging pores.
Irritation
low
Source
semi-synthetic
A gentle silicone emollient that improves product texture and leaves skin feeling smooth without clogging pores.
Irritation
low
Source
synthetic
A gentle emollient that helps moisturize and soften skin without feeling greasy.
Irritation
low
Source
semi-synthetic
A gentle, plant-derived ester that improves product texture and wear, especially in lip and color cosmetics.
Irritation
low
Source
semi-synthetic
A gentle emollient that helps soften and smooth skin by replenishing its natural lipid barrier.
Irritation
low
Source
semi-synthetic
A gentle, palm-derived emollient that helps moisturize and soften skin without clogging pores.
Irritation
low
Source
semi-synthetic
A gentle, plant-based emollient that mimics the skin's own lipids to improve softness and barrier function without clogging pores.
Irritation
low
Source
natural
A gentle, plant-based emollient that softens skin and improves product feel without clogging pores.
Irritation
low
Source
natural
A reliable, low-irritation emulsifier that helps create smooth, stable creams and lotions without clogging pores.
Irritation
low
Source
semi-synthetic
A gentle emollient that helps soften and smooth skin without clogging pores, commonly used in moisturizers and lip care.
Irritation
low
Source
semi-synthetic
A lightweight, non-greasy emollient that hydrates and improves product feel without clogging pores.
Irritation
low
Source
synthetic
A gentle, non-greasy emollient that helps soften and smooth skin without clogging pores.
Irritation
low
Source
semi-synthetic
A lightweight, non-greasy emollient that hydrates and improves product feel without clogging pores.
Irritation
low
Source
synthetic
A gentle, plant-based emollient that helps moisturize and soften skin without clogging pores.
Irritation
low
Source
natural
A gentle, plant-based emollient that helps soften and smooth skin without clogging pores.
Irritation
low
Source
natural
A gentle, semi-synthetic emollient that softens and smooths skin without clogging pores, making it suitable for most skin types.
Irritation
low
Source
semi-synthetic
A gentle, synthetic emollient that helps moisturize and soften skin without clogging pores, commonly used in creams and lotions.
Irritation
low
Source
synthetic
A gentle, synthetic emollient that helps moisturizers feel silky and spread easily without clogging pores.
Irritation
low
Source
synthetic
A gentle emollient and emulsifier that helps soften skin and stabilize formulas, generally well-tolerated by most skin types.
Irritation
low
Source
semi-synthetic
A gentle, synthetic emollient that softens skin and improves product feel without clogging pores.
Irritation
low
Source
synthetic
A gentle, lanolin-based emollient that helps soften and protect dry skin, but may be too heavy for oily or acne-prone skin.
Irritation
low
Source
semi-synthetic
A gentle, semi-synthetic emollient that helps soften skin and improve product feel without clogging pores.
Irritation
low
Source
semi-synthetic
A gentle, skin-friendly emollient that helps replenish moisture and support a healthy skin barrier without clogging pores.
Irritation
low
Source
semi-synthetic
A gentle, skin-softening ingredient that helps maintain the skin barrier without clogging pores.
Irritation
low
Source
semi-synthetic
A gentle, plant-derived wax that softens skin and gives products a smooth, non-greasy feel.
Irritation
low
Source
natural
A gentle, non-greasy emollient that helps soften skin and stabilize creams without clogging pores.
Irritation
low
Source
semi-synthetic
A gentle emollient and emulsifier that helps soften skin and stabilize formulas, generally safe for most skin types.
Irritation
low
Source
semi-synthetic
A mild, olive-derived ingredient that softens skin and helps blend water and oil in creams and lotions.
Irritation
low
Source
natural
A gentle, plant-based emollient that hydrates and softens skin without clogging pores, ideal for sensitive and dry skin types.
Irritation
low
Source
semi-synthetic
A mild, palm-derived emollient that helps soften skin and keeps oil-and-water ingredients mixed together in creams and lotions.
Irritation
low
Source
semi-synthetic
A mild, lactic-acid-based emollient that hydrates and supports the skin barrier without irritation.
Irritation
low
Source
semi-synthetic
A gentle, skin-friendly emollient and emulsifier that helps moisturize and stabilize formulations without clogging pores.
Irritation
low
Source
semi-synthetic
A gentle, skin-softening ester that mimics natural skin lipids, making it a good choice for dry or sensitive skin.
Irritation
low
Source
semi-synthetic
A gentle emollient that helps soften and smooth skin without clogging pores, suitable for most skin types.
Irritation
low
Source
synthetic
A mild, castor-oil-derived ingredient that hydrates and smooths skin without clogging pores.
Irritation
low
Source
natural
A gentle emollient that helps soften and smooth skin with a low risk of irritation or clogged pores.
Irritation
low
Source
semi-synthetic
A gentle, dual-purpose emollient that hydrates and lightly exfoliates, making it a good choice for sensitive skin.
Irritation
low
Source
semi-synthetic
Glyceryl Tallowate is a natural emollient that softens skin but may clog pores for some, and its animal-derived origin raises ethical and sustainability questions.
Irritation
low
Source
natural
A gentle, non-greasy emollient that helps soften and smooth skin with a silky feel, often used in anti-aging products.
Irritation
low
Source
synthetic
A gentle, non-greasy emollient that helps products glide on smoothly and leaves skin feeling soft without clogging pores.
Irritation
low
Source
synthetic
A lightweight, castor oil-derived emollient that provides a silky feel and shine without clogging pores.
Irritation
low
Source
semi-synthetic
Emollient
GLYCERYL TRIBEHENATE/ISOSTEARATE/EICOSANDIOATE
A gentle, non-greasy emollient that helps products feel smooth and spread easily without clogging pores.
Irritation
low
Source
semi-synthetic
A mild, multifunctional ingredient that softens skin and helps keep products fresh without harsh preservatives.
Irritation
low
Source
semi-synthetic
A gentle wax ester that gives products a smooth, non-greasy feel and helps stabilize formulas.
Irritation
low
Source
semi-synthetic
A gentle, synthetic wax that gives creams and balms a smooth, silky feel without clogging pores or causing irritation.
Irritation
low
Source
synthetic
A lightweight, synthetic emollient that softens skin without clogging pores or feeling heavy.
Irritation
low
Source
synthetic
A gentle synthetic emollient that helps products feel smooth and spread easily, with a low risk of irritation or clogged pores.
Irritation
low
Source
synthetic
A gentle, plant-based emollient that softens skin and gives products a silky feel without clogging pores.
Irritation
low
Source
natural
A lightweight synthetic emollient that helps products feel silky and spread easily, with a low risk of irritation or clogged pores.
Irritation
low
Source
synthetic
Glycol Distearate is a safe, synthetic ingredient that gives products a pearly look and a silky feel without clogging pores or causing irritation.
Irritation
low
Source
synthetic
A gentle emollient that softens skin and thickens formulas, but may be too heavy for oily or acne-prone skin.
Irritation
low
Source
semi-synthetic