Beauty ingredient research

Beauty ingredients explained in plain English

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

Showing 22 of 1,342
AllUV absorberUV filterabrasiveabsorbentacne treatmentactiveactive ingredientadhesivealkalizing agentamino acidanti-aginganti-androgenanti-cavityanti-cavity agentanti-inflammatoryanti-irritantanticariesanticavity agentantidandruffantifungalantimicrobialantioxidantantiperspirantantiplaqueastringentbarrier repairbarrier supportbarrier-repairbarrier-supportbinderbinding agentbiotechbiotechnologybond-builderbotanicalbotanical extractbotanical oilbotanical waterbrighteningbrightening agentbufferbuffering agentcell-communicating ingredientceramidechelating agentchemicalchemical intermediateclaycleansercleansingcleansing agentcolorantconditionerconditioningconditioning agentcooling agentcosmeticcosmetic additivecosmetic colorantcosmetic ingredientcosmetic pigmentcosmetic powdercosmetic-texturizercosmetic-waxcosmeticscrosslinking agentdelivery agentdelivery systemdenaturantdeodorantdeodorant agentdepigmenting agentdepilatorydepilatory agentdesensitizing agentdyedye intermediatedye precursordye-intermediateemollientemulsifierenzymeessential oilexfoliantexperimentaleyelashfermentfilm formerfilm-formerfilm-formingfilm-forming agentfirming agentfixativeflavoring agentformulationfragrancefragrance ingredientfunctional ingredientgashair carehair colorhair coloranthair conditionerhair dyehair removalhair-carehair-colorhaircarehumectantindustrialinsecticideintermediatelashlash carelash enhancerlash-and-browlip carelipidmakeupmarine extractmasking agentmicrobiomemicrobiome modulatormineralmoisturizernail carenail-careocclusiveoilopacifieropacifying agentoptical agentoral careotheroxidative dyeoxidative dye precursoroxidizing agentpH adjusterpain reliefpenetration enhancerpeptidepersonal careph adjusterpharmaceuticalpheromonepigmentplant oilplasticizerpolymerpolymer precursorprebioticprescription-drugpreservativepreservative boosterprobioticprocessing agentprocessing aidpropellantproteinpurifyingreducing agentretinoidscalp caresebum regulatorsebum-regulatorself-tannerself-tanningsensory additivesensory agentsensory modifiersiliconeskin barrierskin barrier supportskin conditionerskin conditioningskin conditioning agentskin lighteningskin protectantskin-conditioningskin-conditioning agentskin-identicalskin-identical ingredientskin-lighteningskin-lightening agentskincaresolventsoothingsoothing agentstabilizerstimulantsunscreensurfactantsyntheticsynthetic colorantsynthetic dyesynthetic resinsynthetic-coloranttexture enhancertexturizerthickenertoneruv-absorberuv-filtervasoactivevasodilatorviscosity controlviscosity controllingviscosity controlling agentvitaminwax

Emulsifier

TEA-Diricinoleate

TEA-DIRICINOLEATE

3.8

A gentle emulsifier that helps mix oil and water in skincare products, with low irritation potential.

Irritation

low

Source

semi-synthetic

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Emulsifier

TIPA Myristate

TIPA-MYRISTATE

3.5

TIPA Myristate helps blend oil and water in creams, but may clog pores for acne-prone skin.

Irritation

low

Source

synthetic

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Emulsifier

TIPA Stearate

TIPA-STEARATE

3.8

TIPA Stearate is a reliable emulsifier that helps create smooth, stable creams and lotions, but it may not suit those seeking entirely natural ingredients.

Irritation

low

Source

synthetic

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Emulsifier

Tribehenin PEG-20 Esters

TRIBEHENIN PEG-20 ESTERS

4.0

A gentle emulsifier that helps create smooth, stable creams and lotions with a silky feel.

Irritation

low

Source

semi-synthetic

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Emulsifier

Tricetyl Phosphate

Tricetyl Phosphate

4.0

A mild synthetic emulsifier that helps blend oil and water in creams and lotions, with a low risk of irritation.

Irritation

low

Source

synthetic

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Surfactant

Trideceth-20

Trideceth-20

4.0

A gentle, water-soluble surfactant that helps cleanse without stripping the skin’s natural moisture barrier.

Irritation

low

Source

semi-synthetic

beautyskincarecleansingemulsifier
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Emulsifier

Trideceth-7

TRIDECETH-7

4.0

Trideceth-7 is a gentle synthetic emulsifier that helps mix water and oil in skincare products, with a low risk of irritation.

Irritation

low

Source

synthetic

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Emulsifier

Triethanolamine Sesquistearate

Triethanolamine Sesquistearate

3.8

A reliable emulsifier that helps create smooth, stable creams and lotions, but may cause mild irritation in sensitive skin at high concentrations.

Irritation

low

Source

synthetic

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Emulsifier

Triglycereth-7 Citrate

TRIGLYCERETH-7 CITRATE

4.0

A gentle, citrate-modified emulsifier that stabilizes formulas while offering mild skin conditioning, suitable for sensitive skin.

Irritation

low

Source

semi-synthetic

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Emulsifier

Triisostearin PEG-6 Esters

Triisostearin PEG-6 Esters

3.8

A gentle synthetic emulsifier that helps create stable, creamy textures in skincare, but may not suit those avoiding PEG compounds.

Irritation

low

Source

synthetic

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Emulsifier

Triolein PEG-6 Esters

TRIOLEIN PEG-6 ESTERS

3.8

A gentle synthetic emulsifier that helps mix oil and water, but may not suit those avoiding PEG compounds.

Irritation

low

Source

synthetic

beautyskincareemulsifier
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Emulsifier

Tristearyl Phosphate

TRISTEARYL PHOSPHATE

3.8

A synthetic emulsifier that helps blend oil and water in creams and lotions, generally considered safe and non-irritating.

Irritation

low

Source

synthetic

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Emulsifier

Undecylenoyl Inulin

Undecylenoyl Inulin

4.3

A mild, plant-based emulsifier that helps create smooth, stable lotions and creams without common irritation.

Irritation

low

Source

semi-synthetic

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Emulsifier

Xylitan Caprylate

Xylitan Caprylate

4.3

A mild, plant-derived emulsifier that helps create stable, creamy textures while being very gentle on skin.

Irritation

low

Source

semi-synthetic

beautyskincareemulsifier
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