A gentle, plant-derived emollient that helps strengthen the skin barrier and lock in moisture without clogging pores.
Irritation
low
Source
natural
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 helps strengthen the skin barrier and lock in moisture without clogging pores.
Irritation
low
Source
natural
A gentle, non-greasy emollient that softens skin and helps other ingredients absorb better.
Irritation
low
Source
natural
A gentle, plant-derived emollient that softens and smooths skin without clogging pores.
Irritation
low
Source
natural
A gentle, non-greasy emollient derived from coconut oil that hydrates and softens skin with minimal risk of clogging pores.
Irritation
low
Source
natural
A gentle, non-comedogenic emollient that hydrates without clogging pores, ideal for sensitive and oily skin types.
Irritation
low
Source
natural
A lightweight, non-greasy emollient that hydrates and softens skin without clogging pores.
Irritation
low
Source
natural
A gentle, plant-derived emollient that softens and smooths skin without clogging pores.
Irritation
low
Source
natural
A gentle, plant-based emollient that softens skin without clogging pores — great for sensitive and dry skin types.
Irritation
low
Source
natural
A gentle, plant-based emollient that hydrates and softens skin without clogging pores.
Irritation
low
Source
semi-synthetic
Emollient
CAPRYLOYLOXYPALMITOYL CAPRYLOYLOXYPALMITAMIDE MEA
A gentle, synthetic emollient that helps soften and smooth skin without clogging pores.
Irritation
low
Source
synthetic
A lightweight, non-greasy emollient that softens skin without clogging pores, ideal for oily and combination skin types.
Irritation
low
Source
synthetic
A gentle, non-greasy emollient that softens skin and improves product feel, suitable for most skin types.
Irritation
low
Source
semi-synthetic
A gentle, plant-based emollient that hydrates and softens skin without clogging pores or feeling heavy.
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 gentle, multifunctional ingredient that softens skin and helps boost the effectiveness of preservatives, making it a popular choice for sensitive-skin formulas.
Irritation
low
Source
semi-synthetic
A gentle, plant-derived emollient that helps soften and smooth skin while offering some antioxidant benefits.
Irritation
low
Source
semi-synthetic
A gentle, non-greasy emollient that softens skin and improves product texture without clogging pores.
Irritation
low
Source
semi-synthetic
A gentle, plant-based oil that hydrates and soothes without clogging pores, ideal for dry or sensitive skin.
Irritation
low
Source
natural
A natural plant wax that gives products a smooth texture and glossy finish, generally safe and non-irritating for most skin types.
Irritation
low
Source
natural
A nourishing, non-greasy plant oil that hydrates and helps support a healthy skin barrier without clogging pores.
Irritation
low
Source
natural
A fast-absorbing, non-greasy plant oil rich in essential fatty acids and antioxidants that helps soften and protect the skin barrier.
Irritation
low
Source
natural
Cashew seed oil is a gentle, nourishing oil that softens skin without clogging pores, but it's less studied than other plant oils.
Irritation
low
Source
natural
A gentle, plant-derived wax ester that helps thicken and stabilize products without clogging pores.
Irritation
low
Source
semi-synthetic
A gentle, semi-synthetic emollient that helps skin feel soft and smooth while forming a light protective layer to lock in moisture.
Irritation
low
Source
semi-synthetic
A gentle, modified castor oil ester that softens skin and helps products spread smoothly without clogging pores.
Irritation
low
Source
semi-synthetic
Emollient
Castor Oil Bis-Hydroxypropyl Dimethicone Esters
A gentle, silicone-based emollient that helps skin feel smooth and soft without greasiness.
Irritation
low
Source
semi-synthetic
A gentle, plant-derived emollient that softens skin without clogging pores, ideal for dry or sensitive skin types.
Irritation
low
Source
natural
A gentle, castor-oil-derived ingredient that helps products feel smooth and stay put without clogging pores.
Irritation
low
Source
semi-synthetic
A gentle, antioxidant-rich oil that hydrates and protects skin, though research on its specific benefits is still emerging.
Irritation
low
Source
natural
Cera Alba is a gentle, natural wax that helps lock in moisture and gives products a smooth, protective texture.
Irritation
low
Source
natural
Cerebrosides are skin-identical lipids that help reinforce the skin barrier and lock in moisture, making them a gentle choice for dry or sensitive skin.
Irritation
low
Source
natural
A gentle, wax-derived fatty acid that helps soften and smooth skin while reinforcing the moisture barrier.
Irritation
low
Source
natural
A safe, non-drying fatty alcohol that makes creams and lotions feel smooth and creamy without clogging pores.
Irritation
low
Source
semi-synthetic
A gentle, plant-derived emollient that makes creams feel silky without clogging pores or irritating sensitive skin.
Irritation
low
Source
semi-synthetic
A gentle, plant-based wax that gives products a smooth, creamy feel without clogging pores.
Irritation
low
Source
natural
A lightweight, silky emollient that softens skin without clogging pores, making it a favorite for non-greasy formulas.
Irritation
low
Source
synthetic
A lightweight, non-greasy emollient that helps skin feel soft and smooth without clogging pores.
Irritation
low
Source
synthetic
A gentle, plant-based emollient that helps moisturizers feel silky without clogging pores or irritating sensitive skin.
Irritation
low
Source
natural
A gentle, waxy emollient that helps creams feel silky and spread smoothly without clogging pores.
Irritation
low
Source
semi-synthetic
A gentle, plant-based emollient that softens skin and improves product feel without clogging pores.
Irritation
low
Source
natural
Cetearyl Stearate is a gentle, waxy ingredient that helps creams feel rich and smooth without clogging pores.
Irritation
low
Source
semi-synthetic
Cetonal is a synthetic emollient that helps soften and smooth the skin, but it's not a standout ingredient and is best used as part of a broader formulation.
Irritation
low
Source
synthetic
Cetyl acetate is a gentle emollient that softens skin and improves product texture without clogging pores.
Irritation
low
Source
synthetic
A gentle, plant-derived emollient that softens and smooths skin without clogging pores.
Irritation
low
Source
semi-synthetic
Cetyl alcohol is a safe, non-drying fatty alcohol that helps thicken and stabilize products while leaving skin soft and smooth.
Irritation
low
Source
natural
A gentle, synthetic emollient that helps skin feel soft and smooth without clogging pores.
Irritation
low
Source
synthetic
A lightweight, plant-based emollient that hydrates and softens skin without clogging pores.
Irritation
low
Source
natural
Cetyl Behenate is a gentle, non-greasy emollient that helps moisturizers feel smooth and spread easily without clogging pores.
Irritation
low
Source
synthetic
A gentle silicone emollient that smooths skin and improves product feel without clogging pores.
Irritation
low
Source
synthetic
A gentle, non-greasy emollient that helps moisturizers feel silky without clogging pores.
Irritation
low
Source
synthetic
Cetyl Caprylate is a gentle, non-greasy emollient that improves product feel and skin softness, with a low risk of irritation or clogged pores.
Irritation
low
Source
semi-synthetic
A gentle silicone that softens skin and improves product feel, widely considered safe and non-irritating.
Irritation
low
Source
synthetic
A gentle synthetic emollient that improves skin feel and helps lock in moisture without clogging pores.
Irritation
low
Source
synthetic
A lightweight synthetic emollient that softens skin without clogging pores, ideal for oily and combination skin types.
Irritation
low
Source
synthetic
A gentle synthetic emollient that helps soften and smooth skin with a low risk of irritation or clogged pores.
Irritation
low
Source
synthetic
A lightweight, non-greasy emollient that softens skin and improves product texture without clogging pores.
Irritation
low
Source
synthetic
A gentle emollient that helps soften skin and stabilize formulas, with a low risk of irritation or clogged pores.
Irritation
low
Source
semi-synthetic
Cetyl Glycol is a gentle, non-irritating ingredient that helps moisturize skin and improve the texture and stability of creams and lotions.
Irritation
low
Source
synthetic
A gentle synthetic emollient that helps moisturizers feel silky and spread easily, with a very low risk of irritation or clogged pores.
Irritation
low
Source
synthetic
A gentle silicone that smooths skin, boosts water resistance, and improves product feel without clogging pores.
Irritation
low
Source
synthetic