Beauty ingredients explained in plain English

A synthetic film-former that helps nail polish and lip products last longer and resist chipping.

A synthetic film-former that boosts water resistance and wear time, but its perfluoroalkyl structure raises environmental persistence concerns.

A synthetic film-former that helps lock in moisture and protect the skin barrier without feeling heavy.

A high-performance film former that helps products resist water and sweat, but its environmental persistence raises concerns.

Perfluoroheptane is a synthetic film-former that helps products spread smoothly and leaves a non-greasy, breathable layer on the skin.

A synthetic polymer that helps products stay put, especially in water-resistant sunscreens and long-wear makeup.

A synthetic film-former that helps makeup and sunscreen stay put, but its perfluoro (PFAS) chemistry raises environmental concerns.

A lightweight synthetic liquid that helps products glide on smoothly and leaves a non-greasy, breathable film on skin.

A high-tech silicone polymer that helps products stay put and resist water, but may feel heavy on some skin types.

A high-performance film-former that helps makeup last longer and resist water, but it's a synthetic ingredient with limited biodegradability.

A high-tech film former that helps makeup and sunscreen stay put, but its environmental persistence raises concerns.

A high-performance film former that helps products resist water and sweat, but its synthetic nature and potential environmental persistence raise some concerns.

A high-tech film-former that helps makeup last longer and resist water, but its environmental persistence raises concerns.

A synthetic film-former that helps products resist water and wear longer, but its environmental persistence raises concerns.

A synthetic film-former that helps products resist water and sweat, but its perfluoroalkyl chemistry raises environmental persistence concerns.

A synthetic fluorinated ingredient that forms a breathable film on skin to lock in moisture and protect against environmental stressors.

A synthetic fluorinated film-former that creates a breathable, water-resistant barrier on the skin without feeling heavy.

A synthetic polymer that creates a flexible, water-resistant film on skin or lashes to help makeup last longer.

A synthetic film-former that helps products like nail polish and mascara dry into a smooth, durable layer.

A gentle silicone polymer that helps products spread smoothly and stay put without clogging pores.

A gentle, biomimetic film-former that helps lock in moisture and improve skin feel without clogging pores.

This is an industrial resin complex rarely used in modern skincare; it may appear in nail products but is not recommended for leave-on facial care due to potential sensitization and lack of skin benefit.

A synthetic film-former that helps makeup and hair products last longer, but offers no skincare benefit and may feel heavy on some skin types.

A synthetic film-former that helps makeup and sunscreen stay put longer, but offers no active skincare benefits.

Plastics in cosmetics are effective for texture and film-forming but are controversial due to environmental persistence and potential microplastic pollution.

A synthetic film-former that helps products stay put and feel smooth, but it's not a star active ingredient.

A synthetic film-former that helps products stay put and feel smooth, but offers no direct skin benefit.

A gentle synthetic polymer that improves product texture and wear without clogging pores or irritating skin.

A gentle synthetic polymer that helps lock in moisture and create a smooth feel on skin, but research on its long-term benefits is still limited.

A gentle, plant-based polymer that helps lock in moisture and gives products a silky feel without clogging pores.

A synthetic polyester that helps products feel smooth and spread evenly, with low irritation risk.

A synthetic polymer that helps create smooth, lightweight gel textures and improves water resistance, but offers no direct skin benefit.

A synthetic film-former that helps products stay put and feel smooth, but offers no active skincare benefit.

A synthetic polymer that helps create smooth, lightweight gel textures and improves water resistance in skincare products.

A synthetic polymer that helps products spread smoothly and stay put, but offers no active skincare benefit.

Polyacrylate-40 is a synthetic film-former that helps products stay put, resist water, and feel smooth, but it offers no skin benefit and may feel heavy on some.

A safe, synthetic film-former that helps products spread smoothly and stay put without clogging pores.

A synthetic polymer that helps products stay put, but offers no active skincare benefit.

Polyacrylate-43 is a synthetic film-former that helps products stay put and resist water, but it offers no skin benefit and may feel heavy on some skin types.

A synthetic film-former that helps products spread smoothly and stay put, but offers no active skincare benefit.

A synthetic polymer that helps products stay put and resist water, but may feel tight or dry on some skin types.

A synthetic film-former that helps products spread evenly and stay put, but offers no active skincare benefit.

Polyacrylate-47 is a safe, synthetic film-former that helps products spread smoothly and stay put, but it offers no direct skin benefit.

A synthetic polymer that helps products stay put longer, especially in water-resistant sunscreens and long-wear makeup.

Polyamide-1 is a synthetic film-former that helps makeup and hair products resist water and last longer, with a low risk of irritation.

A synthetic film-former that helps makeup and skincare stay put without feeling heavy or sticky.

Polyamide-6 is a safe, synthetic film-former that helps cosmetics stay put without clogging pores.

A synthetic film-former that helps products stay put, but may feel stiff or heavy on some skin and hair types.

A synthetic film-former that helps products last longer, but with very limited published research on its safety or efficacy.

A gentle film-forming polymer that improves product texture and wear without clogging pores or irritating skin.

A synthetic polymer that helps products spread smoothly and resist water, generally considered safe for most skin types.

A gentle, water-loving ingredient that helps keep skin hydrated and smooth without feeling sticky.

Polybutene is a safe synthetic ingredient that helps products spread smoothly and stay put, but it offers no active skincare benefits.

A synthetic polymer that helps makeup and sunscreen stay put longer, but it's not a skincare active and may feel heavy on some skin types.

A synthetic polymer that helps products spread smoothly and stay put longer, with a good safety profile for most skin types.

A biodegradable synthetic polymer that helps create a flexible, peelable film in masks and improves product texture.

A synthetic plastic-like polymer that helps makeup last longer and resist smudging, but offers no skincare benefit.

Polycaprolactone is a gentle synthetic polymer that helps products spread smoothly and leaves a light, non-greasy film on skin.

A synthetic film-forming polymer that creates a breathable, water-resistant barrier on the skin, often used to enhance product longevity and protect against environmental stressors.

A synthetic polymer that helps create smooth, water-resistant films in color cosmetics, but offers no active skincare benefits.