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 6 of 6
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 agent

Eggshell Membrane Powder

OVUM SHELL MEMBRANE POWDER

3.8

A natural film-forming ingredient that may temporarily smooth skin and support moisture retention, but research is still early.

Irritation

low

Source

natural

beautyskincarefilm-forming agent
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Film-Forming Agent

Ethyl Ester of Hydrolyzed Keratin

ETHYL ESTER OF HYDROLYZED KERATIN

4.0

A gentle, modified keratin protein that forms a protective film on hair and skin to improve strength, moisture retention, and manageability.

Irritation

low

Source

semi-synthetic

beautyskincarehaircarefilm-forming agent
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Film-Forming Agent

Gliadin

GLIADIN

3.8

Gliadin is a wheat protein that creates a temporary tightening film on skin, often used for a quick firming effect.

Irritation

low

Source

natural

beautyskincarefilm-forming agent
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Film-Forming Agent

PEG-1182 Methyl Ester Sericin

PEG-1182 METHYL ESTER SERICIN

3.8

A modified silk protein that forms a lightweight film on skin, offering temporary smoothing and moisture retention, but with limited independent research on this specific PEGylated form.

Irritation

low

Source

semi-synthetic

beautyskincarefilm-forming agent
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Film-Forming Agent

Serica

Serica

4.0

Serica is a silk-derived ingredient that gives skin a silky, smooth feel and helps lock in moisture, but it may not suit those with silk allergies.

Irritation

low

Source

natural

beautyskincarefilm-forming agent
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