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 11 of 11
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

Skin conditioning agent

Alkaline Phosphatase

Alkaline Phosphatase

3.5

Alkaline Phosphatase is a gentle enzyme that may help support skin renewal, but research is still emerging and it's not a proven powerhouse ingredient.

Irritation

low

Source

biotech

beautyskincareenzyme
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Exfoliant

Carboxylesterase

CARBOXYLESTERASE

3.8

A gentle enzyme that helps loosen dead skin cells by breaking down surface bonds, offering mild exfoliation without harsh scrubbing.

Irritation

low

Source

biotech

beautyskincareenzyme
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Skin-conditioning agent

Decapeptide-1 with Bromelain

SH-DECAPEPTIDE-1 SR-PINEAPPLE STEM BROMELAIN

3.5

A novel blend of a signaling peptide and a fruit enzyme that may support skin renewal, but research is limited and irritation is possible.

Irritation

moderate

Source

mixed

beautyskincarepeptideenzyme
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Exfoliant

Deoxyribonuclease

Deoxyribonuclease

3.5

An enzyme that targets DNA to break down biofilm and dead cells, but its skincare benefits are still being studied.

Irritation

low

Source

biotech

beautyskincareenzyme
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Exfoliant

Glucose Oxidase

Glucose Oxidase

4.0

Glucose oxidase is a gentle enzyme exfoliant that helps brighten skin and support a healthy barrier by breaking down surface dead cells and producing hydrogen peroxide for mild antimicrobial action.

Irritation

low

Source

biotech

beautyskincareenzyme
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Penetration enhancer

Hyaluronidase

Hyaluronidase

3.0

Hyaluronidase is an enzyme that breaks down hyaluronic acid in the skin, which can temporarily increase ingredient absorption but also risks irritation and moisture loss.

Irritation

moderate

Source

biotech

beautyskincareenzyme
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Skin brightener

Laccase

Laccase

3.8

Laccase is a gentle enzyme that can help fade dark spots and even out skin tone without the harshness of some chemical brighteners.

Irritation

low

Source

biotech

beautyskincareenzyme
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Skin conditioning agent

Lactate Dehydrogenase

Lactate Dehydrogenase

3.5

Lactate Dehydrogenase is a naturally occurring enzyme that may support skin barrier function, but its cosmetic benefits are still being explored and are not yet well-established.

Irritation

low

Source

biotech

beautyskincareenzyme
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Antimicrobial

Lysozyme

Lysozyme

3.8

Lysozyme is a gentle enzyme that helps control unwanted bacteria on the skin, making it a mild alternative to harsher antimicrobial ingredients.

Irritation

low

Source

natural

beautyskincareenzyme
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Film Former

Transglutaminase

Transglutaminase

3.8

Transglutaminase is a biotech enzyme that may help reinforce the skin's structure, but its benefits in cosmetics are still being explored.

Irritation

low

Source

biotech

beautyskincareenzyme
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Exfoliant

Urease

UREASE

3.0

Urease is a natural enzyme that can gently exfoliate by breaking down urea, but its use in skincare is rare and may cause irritation if not carefully formulated.

Irritation

moderate

Source

natural

beautyskincareenzyme
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