Beauty ingredients explained in plain English

A lightweight, non-greasy emollient that softens skin and improves product texture without clogging pores.

A gentle, plant-derived emollient that helps soften and smooth skin without clogging pores.

Cetyl Lactate is a gentle, non-greasy emollient that helps keep skin soft and smooth without clogging pores.

Cetyl Laurate is a lightweight, non-greasy emollient that helps soften and smooth the skin without clogging pores.

Cetyl Myristate is a gentle emollient that softens skin and improves product texture with a low risk of irritation or clogged pores.

Cetyl Myristoleate is a gentle emollient that helps soften and smooth skin, with some research suggesting it may support joint health when taken orally, but its topical benefits are primarily moisturizing.

Cetyl Oleate is a gentle emollient that softens skin and helps products spread smoothly, but it may clog pores for acne-prone individuals.

Cetyl Palmitate is a gentle emollient that helps moisturize and thicken formulas, but it may clog pores for some skin types.

A gentle, non-greasy emollient that helps soften and smooth skin without clogging pores.

Cetyl PCA is a gentle humectant that pulls moisture into the skin and leaves it feeling smooth without greasiness.

Cetyl Ricinoleate is a gentle, non-greasy emollient that helps soften and smooth skin without clogging pores.

A gentle, non-greasy emollient that improves product texture and helps pigments spread evenly, with a very low risk of irritation or clogged pores.

A gentle, waxy ingredient that helps creams feel smooth and rich without clogging pores.

Cetyl Tallowate is a rich emollient that softens skin but may be too heavy for oily or acne-prone types.

A gentle synthetic emollient that softens skin and improves product texture without common irritation or clogging concerns.

A synthetic ceramide mimic that strengthens the skin barrier and reduces moisture loss, ideal for dry or sensitive skin.

A gentle silicone that smooths and softens skin without clogging pores, ideal for dry or sensitive types.

Cherry seed oil is a gentle, non-greasy moisturizer rich in antioxidants and essential fatty acids, suitable for most skin types.

Chia Seed Oil is a lightweight, non-greasy oil that hydrates and soothes skin, making it a great choice for sensitive or dry skin types.

Chicory seed oil is a gentle, plant-based emollient that helps soften and condition skin without clogging pores.

Chimyl Alcohol is a gentle emollient that softens and smooths skin, but its sourcing from shark liver raises sustainability concerns.

Chimyl Isostearate is a gentle, non-greasy emollient that helps soften and smooth the skin with a low risk of irritation or clogged pores.

Chimyl Stearate is a gentle emollient that helps soften and condition skin without clogging pores, making it a safe choice for most skin types.

A lightweight, nutrient-rich oil from microalgae that hydrates and defends skin without feeling greasy.

Cholesterol is a skin-identical lipid that strengthens the moisture barrier and soothes dryness without clogging pores.

A cholesterol-based emollient that helps restore the skin barrier, making it ideal for dry or compromised skin without clogging pores.

A skin-friendly ester blend that mimics natural lipids to strengthen the skin barrier and lock in moisture.

Cholesteryl Acetate is a gentle, cholesterol-based emollient that supports the skin barrier and helps lock in moisture without clogging pores.

Cholesteryl butyrate is a gentle, barrier-supporting lipid that may help calm and moisturize skin, but research is still early.

A gentle, cholesterol-based emollient that helps reinforce the skin barrier and improve moisture retention without clogging pores.

A gentle, skin-friendly lipid that supports the skin barrier and locks in moisture without clogging pores.

A gentle, cholesterol-based emollient that mimics the skin's natural lipids to support barrier function without clogging pores.

A gentle, cholesterol-based emollient that helps reinforce the skin barrier without clogging pores, making it suitable for most skin types.

A gentle, non-greasy emollient that improves product feel and skin softness, with a low risk of irritation or clogged pores.

A gentle, lanolin-derived emollient that helps restore the skin barrier and lock in moisture, but may be too rich for oily or acne-prone skin.

A gentle, cholesterol-based emollient that mimics the skin's natural lipids to improve softness and barrier function without clogging pores.

A gentle, cholesterol-based emollient that helps reinforce the skin barrier without clogging pores.

Cholesteryl Oleate is a skin-friendly lipid that helps reinforce the skin barrier and soften the skin without clogging pores.

A gentle, biomimetic lipid that supports the skin barrier without clogging pores.

Cholesteryl Stearate is a gentle emollient that mimics the skin's natural lipids to support barrier function without clogging pores.

A gentle cholesterol-based ingredient that helps reinforce the skin's natural barrier and lock in moisture.

A gentle, multi-chain ester that helps soften skin and improve product texture without clogging pores.

A gentle, cholesterol-based emollient that helps reinforce the skin barrier without clogging pores.

A gentle, semi-synthetic emollient derived from rock rose extract, used to soften skin and improve product texture.

A gentle plant wax that helps lock in moisture and gives products a smooth, creamy texture without clogging pores.

A gentle, antioxidant-rich oil from a rare citrus seed that helps moisturize and protect the skin, though research is still emerging.

A gentle plant wax that adds richness and stability to balms and creams without clogging pores.

Cloudberry seed oil is a lightweight, antioxidant-rich oil that helps nourish and protect the skin without clogging pores.

Coco-Caprylate is a gentle, coconut-derived emollient that provides a silky, non-greasy feel, making it a popular silicone alternative in skincare and haircare.

A silky, plant-based alternative to silicones that hydrates without clogging pores.

A gentle, coconut-derived emollient that softens skin without clogging pores, ideal for dry or sensitive skin.

A lightweight, plant-based emollient that softens skin without clogging pores or leaving a greasy residue.

A mild, plant-based emollient that softens skin without clogging pores, ideal for sensitive and dry skin types.

A gentle, plant-derived emollient that helps soften skin and stabilize formulas without clogging pores.

Cocoa butter is a classic, deeply moisturizing emollient that softens skin and helps protect its barrier, but it can be comedogenic for some people.

A gentle, cocoa-derived emollient that softens skin without the heavy feel of plain cocoa butter.

A gentle, water-friendly emollient that delivers cocoa butter's moisturizing benefits in a lighter, less greasy form.

A mild, coconut-derived emollient that helps moisturize and soften skin with a low risk of irritation or clogged pores.

A gentle, plant-based emollient that hydrates without clogging pores, ideal for sensitive and oily skin types.

A gentle, hydrating extract from coconut fruit that helps soften and soothe skin without the heavy feel of coconut oil.