Beauty ingredients explained in plain English

Ammonium bisulfite is a chemical reducing agent used in professional hair treatments, but it can be irritating and is not common in everyday skincare.

Ammonium Persulfate is an effective hair bleach but can cause severe skin and respiratory irritation; it is not recommended for sensitive individuals or at-home use without precautions.

Ammonium sulfite is an effective reducing agent for hair restructuring but can be irritating and has a strong odor, making it more common in salon treatments than daily-use products.

A strong chemical that breaks hair bonds for removal or straightening, but can irritate skin and requires careful use.

A lab-made peptide that encourages hair and nail growth by mimicking natural signaling molecules.

A gentle synthetic film-former that smooths hair and reduces frizz without heavy buildup.

A gentle conditioning ingredient that helps smooth hair and soften skin, but is less common than other cholesterol derivatives.

A synthetic conditioning agent that reduces static and softens hair, but may cause irritation for sensitive scalps.

Cysteine is a gentle antioxidant and hair-strengthening amino acid that supports skin's natural defenses and may help with hair texture, but it's not a standalone solution for major skin concerns.

Cystine is a gentle antioxidant amino acid that may help protect skin from environmental stress and support hair strength, but it is not a standout anti-aging ingredient.

A synthetic prostaglandin analog that may help with hair growth, but evidence is limited and irritation is possible.

A gentle amino-acid derivative that helps strengthen hair and support skin firmness without irritation.

Dihydroxyindole is a natural melanin precursor that may help enhance pigmentation and provide antioxidant benefits, but its cosmetic use is still emerging and not widely studied in humans.

A gentle amino acid derivative that helps reinforce hair structure, making strands feel stronger and less prone to breakage.

A gentle, science-backed ingredient that helps rebuild damaged hair from the inside out by delivering cysteine, a key building block of hair proteins.

A gentle amino-acid derivative that helps condition hair and skin without heavy buildup.

A synthetic film former that helps hold hairstyles and improve product wear, but offers no skin benefit beyond texture.

A mild, synthetic conditioning agent that helps reduce static and improve hair manageability without heavy buildup.

A synthetic ingredient that may help strengthen hair and skin by forming disulfide bonds, but research is still limited.

A synthetic bond-builder that helps strengthen damaged hair by reforming disulfide bridges inside the hair fiber.

A strong chemical that breaks hair bonds for removal or reshaping, but can irritate skin if not used carefully.

Ethyl Biotinate is a more absorbable form of biotin that may help strengthen hair and nails when applied topically, but its effects are modest and not a substitute for internal nutrition.

Ethyl Cysteinate HCl is an effective hair-softening ingredient in depilatory and straightening products, but it can be irritating and should be used with caution.

Ethylene carbonate is a synthetic solvent that helps products spread and dry, but it can be drying or irritating for sensitive skin.

A strong chemical reducing agent used in professional hair straightening and color removal, but it can be irritating and is not recommended for regular at-home use.

HC Blue No. 11 is a synthetic hair dye that can provide vibrant blue color, but it may cause skin irritation or allergic reactions in sensitive individuals.

HC Blue No. 18 is a synthetic hair dye that adds blue tones to semi-permanent formulas; it is generally considered safe for external use but may cause mild irritation in sensitive individuals.

HC Blue No. 2 is a synthetic hair dye that delivers blue color but may cause irritation in sensitive individuals.

HC Red No. 17 is a synthetic hair dye that adds red tones but may cause scalp irritation in sensitive individuals.

HC Violet No. 1 is a synthetic dye that adds violet tones to hair, commonly used to neutralize brassiness or create cool shades, but it may cause mild irritation in sensitive individuals.

HC Yellow No. 13 is a synthetic colorant used in hair dyes, generally considered safe in rinse-off products but may cause irritation for sensitive scalps.

HC Yellow No. 15 is a synthetic yellow dye for hair color, generally considered safe in rinse-off products but may cause irritation in sensitive individuals.

HC Yellow No. 16 is a synthetic colorant used in hair dyes, generally considered safe in regulated concentrations but may cause irritation in sensitive individuals.

A gentle, modified keratin that helps strengthen hair and reduce frizz without the harshness of some other protein treatments.

A synthetic hair conditioning agent that helps detangle and soften hair without heavy buildup, but has limited research on long-term effects.

A gentle, plant-derived conditioning ingredient that helps reduce frizz and static without heavy buildup.

A synthetic conditioning agent that helps soften hair and reduce static, but may cause irritation for sensitive scalps.

A synthetic ingredient that helps nail and hair products stick better and last longer, but may cause irritation for sensitive users.

A synthetic ingredient that helps nail polish and hair products stick better and last longer, but may cause irritation in sensitive individuals.

A synthetic ingredient that helps nail and hair products stick better and last longer, but with limited safety data.

An experimental hybrid that aims to combine minoxidil's hair-growth effects with hyaluronic acid's moisture, but clinical data on the combined molecule is very limited.

A newer minoxidil variant that may offer better scalp tolerance, but research is still limited compared to standard minoxidil.

A lab-made peptide that borrows minoxidil's hair-signaling concept, but with far less evidence and no drug status.

A novel peptide that aims to support hair growth with less irritation than traditional minoxidil, but clinical evidence is still limited.

A synthetic hair conditioner that helps detangle and soften hair, but has limited published safety data.

A synthetic conditioning agent that reduces static and softens hair, but may cause irritation for sensitive scalps.

A synthetic crosslinker that strengthens nail and hair formulas, but may cause irritation in sensitive individuals.

A synthetic film former that gives nail polish and hair products a tough, glossy finish, but its long-term safety data is limited.

Polyoxymethylene melamine is a synthetic film former found mainly in nail and hair products, not a typical skincare ingredient, and has limited safety data.

A gentle synthetic polymer that smooths hair and reduces static without heavy buildup.

Polyquaternium-84 is a gentle, synthetic conditioning polymer that smooths hair and reduces static without heavy buildup.

Polyquaternium-86 is a gentle conditioning polymer that helps detangle hair and reduce frizz without heavy buildup.

Potassium Persulfate is a strong oxidizer used in hair bleach; it can cause skin and eye irritation and is not suitable for everyday skincare.

A synthetic molecule that may help reduce hair thinning by supporting hair follicle activity, but research is still limited.

Quaternium-43 is a synthetic conditioning ingredient that helps reduce static and improve hair manageability, but it may not suit very sensitive scalps.

Quaternium-82 is a synthetic conditioning ingredient that helps reduce static and improve hair feel, but it may build up on fine or low-porosity hair over time.

A synthetic conditioning ingredient that helps reduce flyaways and static in hair, generally considered safe for most users.

Quaternium-95 is a synthetic conditioning ingredient that helps detangle and soften hair with a low risk of irritation.

A synthetic conditioning agent that reduces static and softens hair, but may not suit those avoiding ethoxylated ingredients.

A gentle, protein-based conditioning ingredient that helps reduce frizz and static without heavy buildup.