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 8 of 8
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

Film-Forming

AMP-Isostearoyl Hydrolyzed Elastin

AMP-ISOSTEAROYL HYDROLYZED ELASTIN

3.8

A gentle, modified protein that may temporarily support skin firmness and moisture, but long-term anti-aging effects are not well established.

Irritation

low

Source

semi-synthetic

beautyskincarefilm-forming
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Film-Forming

Egg Shell Membrane Extract

EGG SHELL MEMBRANE EXTRACT

4.0

A natural film-forming ingredient that helps smooth the skin's surface and lock in moisture, but research is still emerging.

Irritation

low

Source

natural

beautyskincarefilm-forming
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Film-Forming Agent

Hydrolyzed Albumen

Hydrolyzed Albumen

3.8

Hydrolyzed albumen is a gentle protein that helps strengthen hair and temporarily smooth skin by forming a light film.

Irritation

low

Source

natural

beautyskincarefilm-forming
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Humectant

Hydrolyzed Silk

Hydrolyzed Silk

4.0

Hydrolyzed silk is a gentle protein that helps skin feel soft and smooth, but its benefits are mostly surface-level and temporary.

Irritation

low

Source

natural

beautyskincarehumectantfilm-forming
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Humectant

Sericin

Sericin

4.0

Sericin is a gentle silk protein that helps skin hold onto moisture and feel smooth, but it's not a miracle anti-aging ingredient.

Irritation

low

Source

natural

beautyskincarehumectantfilm-forming
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Humectant

Silanetriol Trehalose Ether

Silanetriol Trehalose Ether

4.0

A gentle, hydrating ingredient that forms a breathable film to lock in moisture and smooth the skin's surface.

Irritation

low

Source

semi-synthetic

beautyskincarehumectantfilm-forming
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Humectant

Succinoyl Atelocollagen

Succinoyl Atelocollagen

4.0

A modified collagen that helps plump and hydrate skin with low irritation potential, but evidence is mostly from ingredient supplier studies.

Irritation

low

Source

semi-synthetic

beautyskincarehumectantfilm-forming
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