Beauty ingredients explained in plain English

Polyurethane is a synthetic film-former that helps makeup and sunscreen stay put longer without feeling heavy or sticky.

A synthetic film-former that helps makeup and skincare last longer without feeling heavy.

A synthetic polymer that creates a flexible, water-resistant film on skin or lashes, commonly used in long-wear and waterproof cosmetics.

Polyurethane-37 is a synthetic film-former that helps makeup and sunscreen stay put without feeling heavy or sticky.

Polyurethane-38 is a synthetic film-former that helps makeup last longer and resist water, but it may feel heavy on some skin types.

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

A synthetic film-former that helps makeup last longer and resist water, but offers no active skincare benefit.

Polyurethane-49 is a synthetic polymer that helps makeup and skincare products last longer and feel smoother, with a generally low risk of irritation.

Polyurethane-50 is a synthetic film-former that helps makeup and skincare last longer and resist water, but it offers no active skincare benefits.

Polyurethane-51 helps makeup and sunscreen stay put longer by forming a flexible, water-resistant film, but it can feel heavy on some skin types.

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

A synthetic film-former that helps makeup last longer and resist water, but may feel heavy on some skin types.

A synthetic polymer that helps makeup and skincare stay put, but offers no active skin benefit.

Polyurethane-57 is a synthetic film-former that helps makeup and skincare products resist water, sweat, and transfer, but it offers no active skin benefits.

A synthetic film-former that helps makeup and skincare last longer and feel smoother, with a low risk of irritation.

Polyurethane-59 is a synthetic film-former that helps makeup and skincare last longer and resist water, but it offers no active skincare benefits.

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

Polyurethane-62 is a synthetic film-former that helps makeup and skincare last longer, feel smooth, and resist water, but it offers no active skincare benefits.

A synthetic film-former that helps makeup and skincare last longer without clogging pores.

A synthetic film-former that helps makeup and skincare last longer and feel smoother, with a good safety profile for most skin types.

Polyurethane-65 is a safe, synthetic film-former that helps makeup and sunscreen stay put without feeling heavy or sticky.

Polyurethane-68 is a synthetic film-former that helps makeup and skincare last longer and feel smoother, with a generally low risk of irritation.

Polyurethane-69 is a synthetic film-former that helps makeup and skincare products last longer and feel smoother, with a low risk of irritation.

Polyurethane-72 is a flexible film-former that helps makeup and hair products resist water, sweat, and smudging without feeling stiff or heavy.

Polyurethane-73 is a synthetic film-former that helps products resist water and wear longer, but it offers no active skincare benefit.

Polyurethane-74 is a synthetic film-former that helps makeup and skincare products last longer and feel smoother, with a low risk of irritation.

Polyurethane-77 is a synthetic film-former that helps makeup and sunscreen stay put longer, but it may feel heavy on some skin types.

Polyurethane-79 is a synthetic film-former that helps makeup last longer and resist water, but it may feel heavy on some skin types.

Polyurethane-80 is a synthetic polymer that helps makeup and skincare products stay put longer and feel smoother, with a low risk of irritation.

Polyurethane-84 is a synthetic film-former that helps makeup and skincare stay put longer without feeling heavy or sticky.

Polyvinyl alcohol creates a satisfying peel-off film in masks, but it's a synthetic polymer with limited skin benefit beyond the temporary tightening sensation.

A synthetic film-former that gives peel-off masks their satisfying peel, but may feel tight or drying for some skin types.

A synthetic film-former that helps makeup and hair products resist water and last longer, but it's not a skincare active.

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

A synthetic film-former that helps products stay put and resist water, but offers no active skincare benefits.

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

A synthetic film-former that helps products spread smoothly and feel lightweight on skin.

A synthetic film-former that helps products stay put and resist water, but offers no active skincare benefits.

A synthetic film-former that helps create peel-off masks and gives a smooth, tight feel on skin.

A synthetic film-former used for water resistance and durability, not a beneficial skincare active.

A gentle, algae-derived film-former that helps skin feel smooth and hydrated without clogging pores.

A synthetic film-former that helps makeup and sunscreen stay put longer, especially in water or sweat.

A gentle, plant-derived film former that helps products spread smoothly and leaves a comfortable, non-sticky feel on skin.

Potassium Silicate helps create a smooth, protective film on skin but can be drying or irritating at high concentrations.

A synthetic polymer that helps makeup and skincare stay put longer without feeling heavy or greasy.

A gentle, modified cellulose that helps condition hair and skin by forming a lightweight, non-greasy film.

A synthetic film-former that helps makeup and sunscreen stay put longer, but may feel tight or heavy on some skin types.

A synthetic film-former that helps products spread smoothly and feel lightweight, but offers no active skincare benefits.

A synthetic polymer that helps products stay put on skin and resist water, but offers no active skincare benefit.

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

A synthetic polymer that helps makeup and sunscreen stay put longer, but offers no direct skin benefit.

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

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

A pine-derived film former that helps makeup last longer and resist water, but may feel tacky or heavy on some skin types.

A silicone polymer that forms a flexible, breathable film on skin to improve product wear and feel.

A synthetic polymer that helps makeup and skincare stay put longer without feeling heavy or sticky.

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

Protamine sulfate is a gentle film-forming protein that can help condition hair and skin, but its benefits are mild and not well-studied in cosmetics.

A gentle, hydrating seaweed extract that helps skin retain moisture and feel smoother.

A synthetic ingredient that creates a smooth, water-resistant film on skin, but its environmental persistence raises concerns.