Beauty ingredients explained in plain English

Pullulan is a gentle, plant-derived film former that gives skin a temporary smooth, tightened feel without clogging pores or causing irritation.

A gentle, natural film-former that hydrates and gives a smooth, plumping feel without stickiness.

PVP is a safe, synthetic film-former that helps products stay put and feel smooth, but it can feel stiff or tacky in high concentrations.

A synthetic film-former that helps products stay put longer, but it may feel slightly tacky on some skin types.

A reliable synthetic polymer that gives hair hold and flexibility without heavy buildup.

A plant-derived film former that helps makeup and sunscreen stay put longer without feeling heavy or sticky.

A gentle, plant-based protein that helps form a light film on skin to lock in moisture and improve texture.

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

A castor-oil-derived resin that helps makeup and sunscreen stay put longer without feeling heavy.

Rosin helps products stay put, but it can be a skin sensitizer for some people, especially those with allergies to pine or tree resins.

Rosin Acrylate is a reliable film-former that boosts water resistance and wear time, but it may feel stiff or heavy on sensitive skin.

A unique, jelly-like polysaccharide from a rare algae that helps hydrate and soothe skin while forming a protective film.

A mushroom-derived polysaccharide that hydrates and forms a protective film on the skin, with some research supporting its soothing and antioxidant properties.

Serum albumin is a protein that can temporarily smooth and firm the skin, but its benefits are mostly surface-level and not well-supported by modern research.

A gentle film-forming polymer that helps makeup and sunscreen stay put without feeling heavy or greasy.

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

Silk adds a silky feel and helps skin hold moisture, but it's not a must-have for everyone.

Silk fibroin is a gentle protein that helps skin feel smooth and hydrated by forming a light, breathable film.

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

A gentle, film-forming ingredient that smooths hair and skin by depositing a lightweight, protective layer.

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

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

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

A gentle, water-soluble derivative of chitin that helps hydrate and form a protective film on skin, making it a good option for sensitive or dry skin types.

A gentle, water-soluble derivative of dextran that helps hydrate and form a light film on skin, often used to improve texture and moisture retention.

A gentle, semi-synthetic film-former that helps soothe and protect the skin without clogging pores.

A gentle film-forming ingredient that helps hold styles and add shine, but research on its long-term effects is still limited.

A gentle film-forming ingredient that may help calm irritation and support skin barrier function.

A gentle film-forming ingredient that helps lock in moisture and improve skin feel without clogging pores.

A gentle, milk-derived protein that helps form a light film on skin to temporarily smooth and soften, but may not suit those with dairy allergies.

A synthetic film-former that helps products spread smoothly and feel lightweight, with a low risk of irritation.

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

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

A synthetic polymer that helps products stay put on skin or hair, but offers no active skincare benefits.

A gentle film-forming ingredient that helps products feel smooth and stay put, but offers no active skincare benefits on its own.

A dual-action ingredient that hydrates and leaves a silky, smooth finish—great for dry or dehydrated skin without clogging pores.

A gentle, biodegradable polymer that helps your skin hold onto moisture and makes products feel silky without being sticky.

Sodium Polyitaconate is a gentle synthetic film-former that helps products spread smoothly and feel lightweight on skin.

A synthetic polymer that creates a temporary film on skin, often used in peel-off masks for a satisfying removal experience.

A gentle synthetic polymer that creates a smooth, non-sticky film on skin, often used to improve texture and wear of skincare products.

A gentle, water-soluble protein blend that helps hydrate and temporarily smooth the skin's surface, but it cannot replace lost collagen in the deeper layers.

A synthetic polymer that helps products spread smoothly, resist water, and feel lightweight on skin.

A synthetic polymer that helps makeup and sunscreen stay put longer by forming a flexible film on the skin.

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

A gentle film-forming ingredient derived from gelatin that helps smooth the skin's surface and improve product feel.

A synthetic film-former that helps skincare and sunscreen stay put longer, especially in water-resistant formulas.

A surface-level collagen that temporarily smooths and plumps the look of fine lines without penetrating the skin.

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

A modified soy protein that helps products form a flexible film on skin or hair, but its phthalate modification raises questions for cautious consumers.

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

A safe synthetic polymer that helps makeup and sunscreen stay put longer without feeling heavy.

A synthetic polymer that helps products stay put on skin, but offers no active skincare benefits.

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

Stearoyl Epoxy Resin is a synthetic film-former that helps makeup last longer and feel smoother, but it offers no skincare benefits.

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

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

A synthetic film-former that helps makeup last longer and resist water, but its perfluoro components raise environmental concerns.

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

A gentle, silicone-like polymer that improves product feel and wear without the environmental concerns of silicones.

A synthetic film-former that helps products stay put and resist water, generally considered safe and non-irritating.