Beauty ingredients explained in plain English

A rich, plant-based emollient that softens skin but may clog pores for some people, and its sourcing raises environmental concerns.

A gentle, plant-derived emollient that helps replenish the skin's natural moisture barrier without clogging pores.

A gentle fatty alcohol that softens skin and improves product texture without clogging pores.

A gentle, plant-derived emollient that softens and smooths skin without clogging pores.

Palm kernel oil is a rich emollient that softens skin but may clog pores for some, and its sourcing raises environmental concerns.

A gentle, plant-based wax that helps give products a smooth, creamy texture without clogging pores.

A gentle, palm-derived emollient that helps skin feel soft and smooth without clogging pores.

A gentle emollient that helps skin feel soft and smooth, but its sustainability depends on palm oil sourcing.

Palm-derived ingredients are common, effective, and affordable, but raise environmental and ethical concerns due to deforestation.

Palmitamide is a gentle, fatty-acid-based ingredient that helps reinforce the skin barrier and improve moisture retention.

Palmitic acid is a gentle fatty acid that softens skin and helps products feel creamy, but it may clog pores for some people.

A gentle omega-7 fatty acid that helps support the skin barrier and improve moisture retention without clogging pores.

A gentle, plant-based oil that hydrates and softens skin, but scientific research on its specific benefits is still limited.

A gentle, water-dispersible emollient that softens skin without a greasy feel, suitable for most skin types.

A mild, plant-based emulsifier and emollient that helps create stable, creamy formulas while softening the skin.

A gentle, plant-derived emollient that softens skin and helps other ingredients spread evenly, with a low risk of irritation or clogged pores.

A gentle, non-greasy oil that hydrates and protects skin with essential fatty acids and antioxidants.

A gentle, water-friendly emollient that brings the nourishing qualities of passion fruit seed oil into water-based formulas without greasiness.

A nourishing, non-greasy oil that helps soften skin and support a healthy moisture barrier without clogging pores.

Patauá oil is a lightweight, non-greasy Amazonian oil that deeply moisturizes and softens skin without clogging pores.

A gentle, non-greasy emollient that helps soften and condition skin while supporting the skin's natural moisture barrier.

Pea Palmitate is a gentle, plant-based emollient that helps moisturize and soften skin without clogging pores.

Peach Kernel Extract is a gentle, nourishing emollient that helps soften and smooth skin without clogging pores.

A gentle, modified oil ester that softens skin without greasiness, ideal for sensitive and dry skin types.

Peanut Glycerides are gentle emollients that soften skin, but may be comedogenic for acne-prone individuals and are unsuitable for those with peanut allergies.

A versatile emollient and emulsifier that helps products feel smooth, but may be comedogenic for acne-prone skin and is unsuitable for those with peanut allergy.

A gentle, non-greasy oil rich in fatty acids and vitamin E that helps soften and protect the skin barrier.

A synthetic fluorinated ingredient that helps products feel silky and resist water, but its environmental persistence raises concerns.

A gentle, lanolin-based emollient that helps soften skin and stabilize formulas, but may clog pores for some.

A gentle, water-soluble lanolin derivative that softens skin and helps blend oil and water in formulas, but may clog pores for some.

PEG-100 Lanolin is a water-friendly version of lanolin that softens skin and helps blend oil and water, but it may clog pores for some and raises concerns about potential impurities from the PEG process.

A gentle film-forming polymer that helps ingredients spread smoothly and leaves skin feeling soft without clogging pores.

A gentle, water-friendly wax that helps products feel smooth and spread easily without clogging pores.

A gentle silicone that smooths skin and hair without heavy greasiness, but may not suit those avoiding silicones entirely.

A gentle synthetic emollient that helps products feel smooth and spread easily, with a low risk of irritation or clogged pores.

A gentle, modified lanolin that moisturizes and helps blend water and oil, but may be too heavy for acne-prone skin.

A gentle synthetic ingredient that helps products feel smooth and spread easily, but offers no active skincare benefit on its own.

A synthetic emollient that helps products spread smoothly and leaves skin feeling soft without heavy greasiness.

A gentle synthetic emollient that helps products feel silky and spread easily, with low irritation potential.

A synthetic emollient that helps products feel smooth and spread easily, but may be moderately pore-clogging for some skin types.

A gentle, semi-synthetic ingredient that combines milk solids with PEG to improve skin feel and product texture, but may not suit those avoiding PEGs or animal-derived ingredients.

A gentle synthetic ingredient that helps products spread smoothly and feel less greasy, but offers no active skin benefits.

PEG-20 Lanolin is a water-friendly version of lanolin that softens skin and helps blend oils and water, but it may clog pores for some and raises concerns about processing impurities.

A gentle, plant-based emollient that improves skin hydration and helps blend water and oil in formulas.

A gentle, plant-based emollient that hydrates and softens skin with a low risk of irritation or clogged pores.

PEG-27 Lanolin is a modified lanolin that adds water solubility, making it a versatile emollient and mild cleanser, but it may be moderately comedogenic for acne-prone skin.

A synthetic emollient that helps products feel silky and spread easily, with low irritation risk but limited research on long-term effects.

A gentle synthetic emollient that helps soften skin and stabilize formulas, but offers no active benefits beyond basic moisturizing.

A gentle, water-friendly lanolin derivative that softens skin and helps blend oils and water, but may clog pores for some.

A synthetic emollient that helps products feel silky and spread easily, with a low risk of irritation or clogged pores.

PEG-30 Lanolin is a water-friendly version of lanolin that softens skin and helps blend oil and water in formulas, but it may clog pores for some people.

A gentle silicone that helps products glide on smoothly without clogging pores, but may not suit those avoiding silicones entirely.

A gentle, water-friendly lanolin derivative that moisturizes and helps blend oil and water in formulas, but may not suit those with wool allergies.

A gentle, semi-synthetic emollient that helps products spread smoothly and feel silky, but may not suit those avoiding PEG compounds.

A gentle synthetic emollient that helps products spread smoothly and feel less greasy, but may not suit those avoiding PEG compounds.

A lightweight synthetic emollient that helps products glide on smoothly without a greasy feel, but it offers no active skincare benefits.

A lightweight synthetic emollient that softens skin without a greasy feel, generally well-tolerated but not a standout active ingredient.

PEG-4 Lanolate is a gentle, lanolin-derived emollient that softens skin and helps other ingredients absorb, but it may clog pores for acne-prone individuals.

A gentle, semi-synthetic moisturizer that helps reinforce the skin barrier and improve hydration without clogging pores.

A gentle, semi-synthetic emollient that helps soften skin and stabilize formulas, but research on its unique mushroom-derived benefits is still limited.