Beauty ingredients explained in plain English

A gentle, plant-derived cleanser and conditioner that can be a mild alternative to sulfates, especially for those with sensitive scalps or hair.

A gentle, plant-based cleanser rich in saponins that can help clean hair and skin without stripping natural oils.

A gentle silicone that improves hair feel and manageability with minimal risk of buildup.

A gentle conditioning ingredient that helps reduce static and improve hair manageability without heavy buildup.

A gentle synthetic conditioning ingredient that reduces frizz and static while improving the feel of hair and skin without heavy buildup.

A gentle antistatic ingredient that smooths hair without heavy buildup, making it a good choice for fine or easily weighed-down hair.

A synthetic polymer that helps products stay put, but offers no skin benefit and may feel stiff on hair.

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

A synthetic polymer that helps hair feel soft and smooth while reducing frizz and static, but may cause buildup with frequent use.

A safe, 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 longer, but offers no active skincare benefit.

A synthetic polymer that helps makeup and hair products stay put, but may feel stiff or heavy on some.

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

A safe, synthetic film-former that improves product feel and wear without common irritation concerns.

A safe, synthetic film-former that improves product feel and wear without common irritation concerns.

A safe, effective film-former that improves water resistance and wear time in cosmetics, but may feel heavy on some skin types.

A safe, synthetic film-former that helps products spread evenly and stay put, but offers no active skincare benefits.

A synthetic film-former that improves water resistance and wear time, generally safe but not a functional active.

A safe, synthetic film-former that improves product feel and longevity without common irritation concerns.

A safe, synthetic film-former that improves product feel and wear without common irritation or clogging concerns.

A synthetic film-former that helps products stay put and resist water, but may feel stiff or heavy on some skin types.

A safe, synthetic polymer that improves product feel and longevity without common irritation concerns.

A gentle synthetic polymer that improves product feel and wear without clogging pores or causing irritation.

A safe, synthetic polymer that improves product texture and water resistance without common irritation concerns.

A synthetic film-former that improves water resistance and wear time in makeup and sunscreens, generally considered safe and non-irritating.

A safe, common film-former that helps products stay put and feel smooth, but offers no active skincare benefit.

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

A synthetic polymer that helps products spread smoothly, hold styles, and leave a soft, non-sticky finish.

A synthetic polymer that helps hold hairstyles and gives products a smooth, non-sticky feel, but may build up on hair over time.

A safe, synthetic film-former that helps products stay put and feel lightweight on skin or hair.

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

A synthetic conditioning agent that helps reduce static and improve manageability, but may cause irritation in sensitive individuals at higher concentrations.

A synthetic polymer that creates a flexible film on skin or hair, helping products last longer and resist water.

A gentle conditioning ingredient that helps soften hair and skin without heavy greasiness.

A gentle silicone that smooths hair and skin without heavy buildup, but may not suit those avoiding silicones.

A gentle silicone derivative that smooths hair and skin without heavy buildup, but its long-term effects are less studied than simpler silicones.

A gentle conditioning agent derived from almond oil that helps reduce static and improve manageability, but may cause mild irritation in sensitive individuals.

A gentle conditioning ingredient that helps soften hair and reduce static without heavy buildup.

A synthetic ingredient that may help slow hair thinning by preventing collagen buildup around hair follicles, but results vary and it works best as part of a comprehensive hair care routine.

A modified keratin that bonds to hair to improve strength and smoothness, but results vary by hair type and damage level.

A gentle silicone that smooths hair and skin without heavy buildup, but may not suit those avoiding all silicones.

A synthetic molecule that may help support hair density and reduce shedding by encouraging healthy follicle activity.

A gentle silicone that smooths hair cuticles and reduces frizz without heavy buildup, but may not suit very fine or low-porosity hair.

A lightweight silicone that smooths hair and skin without heavy buildup, but offers no active skincare benefits.

A synthetic silicone compound that helps makeup and skincare last longer by forming a flexible, water-resistant film on skin or hair.

Ammonia is effective for hair coloring but can be irritating to the scalp, eyes, and respiratory tract; many gentler alternatives exist.

A safe, synthetic film-former that helps products stay put and resist water, without clogging pores.

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

A safe, effective film-former that gives hair flexible hold and helps skincare products resist water and sweat.

A gentle silicone surfactant that cleanses while leaving hair and skin feeling soft, but may not suit those avoiding silicones entirely.

A gentle, salt-modified collagen that coats hair and skin to reduce frizz and add temporary softness, but its effects are not permanent.

A natural film-former from shellac that helps hold styles and create water-resistant layers, but may feel stiff or heavy in high concentrations.

A safe, synthetic film-former that helps makeup and sunscreen stay put without clogging pores or irritating skin.

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

Ammonium thiocyanate is a synthetic salt used in professional hair waving and straightening products; it is not a skin-conditioning ingredient and can be irritating if misused.

Ammonium thioglycolate is a potent chemical that permanently reshapes hair, but it requires careful handling due to its strong odor and potential for skin and eye irritation.

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

A synthetic polymer that gives hair flexible hold without flaking, commonly found in styling sprays and gels.

Amodimethicone is a gentle silicone that coats hair to reduce frizz and add shine without heavy buildup.

A gentle, water-dispersible silicone that smooths hair and softens skin without heavy buildup or irritation.