Beauty ingredients explained in plain English

A gentle silicone that provides a silky, non-greasy feel and helps other ingredients spread evenly on skin and hair.

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

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

A gentle conditioning ingredient that reduces static and softens hair without heavy buildup.

A gentle, sugar-based conditioning ingredient that softens hair and reduces frizz without heavy buildup.

A mild, sugar-based conditioning ingredient that helps soften and detangle hair without heavy buildup or irritation.

A mild, plant-derived conditioning ingredient that helps detangle and soften hair without heavy buildup.

A gentle plant-derived conditioner that helps soften hair and skin without heavy buildup.

A synthetic polymer that helps reduce frizz and improve the feel of hair and skin, but offers no active skincare benefits.

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

A synthetic film former that helps makeup and sunscreen stay put, but may feel heavy on some skin types.

A reliable film-former that helps products stay put, but it's a synthetic polymer with no skin benefits beyond texture and wear.

A synthetic conditioning polymer that helps smooth hair and reduce static, but offers no long-term repair.

A gentle, protein-based conditioning ingredient that adds softness and manageability to hair without heavy buildup.

A sugar-derived film former that helps products stay put and resist water, but may feel slightly tacky on some skin types.

A modified keratin protein that bonds to hair to temporarily fill damage and improve strength and shine.

A gentle, protein-based ingredient that strengthens hair and forms a protective film, but may not suit protein-sensitive hair types.

A modified corn protein that may help strengthen hair and form a protective film on skin, but research is limited.

A gentle, plant-derived conditioning ingredient that helps soften and detangle hair with low irritation potential.

A gentle, plant-derived conditioning ingredient that softens hair and reduces static, ideal for those seeking a lighter alternative to silicones.

A mild, sunflower-derived conditioning ingredient that smooths hair and reduces static, suitable for most hair types including sensitive scalps.

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

A gentle, sunflower-derived conditioning ingredient that reduces static and softens hair without heavy buildup.

A gentle, silicone-based conditioning ingredient that smooths hair and skin without heavy buildup.

A mild, plant-derived conditioning ingredient that helps detangle and soften hair without the heavy feel of silicones.

A mild, sunflower-derived conditioning ingredient that helps soften hair and skin without heavy buildup.

A mild, plant-based amino acid that helps strengthen hair and hydrate skin without irritation.

A film-forming polymer from wood pulp byproducts that helps products stay put and resist water, but offers no active skincare benefit.

A conditioning agent that reduces static and improves manageability, but may cause irritation for sensitive scalps at higher concentrations.

A fatty amine conditioner from animal fat that softens hair and skin but may be too heavy for oily or acne-prone types.

A gentle conditioning ingredient from animal fat that softens hair and reduces static, but may be too heavy for oily or acne-prone skin.

An effective conditioning and antistatic ingredient derived from animal fat, but may cause irritation or clog pores for sensitive or acne-prone skin.

A gentle conditioning ingredient from animal fat that softens hair but may be too heavy for oily scalps or acne-prone skin.

Tallowtrimonium Chloride is an effective conditioning ingredient derived from animal fats, but it may cause irritation or clog pores in sensitive individuals.

A gentle, plant-derived conditioning ingredient that helps hair feel soft and smooth without heavy buildup.

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

A gentle, coconut-derived cleanser that also conditions skin and hair, but may not be ideal for very dry or sensitive scalps in high concentrations.

A mild, protein-based surfactant that cleanses gently while helping hair and skin feel soft and conditioned.

A synthetic film-former that helps makeup and sunscreen stay put longer, but may feel heavy on some skin types.

A gentle, modified collagen that helps hair and skin feel smooth and conditioned, but its benefits are mostly temporary and surface-level.

A gentle, collagen-derived surfactant that cleans without stripping, making it a good choice for sensitive skin and hair.

A mild, protein-derived surfactant that cleanses gently while helping hair and skin feel soft and conditioned.

A gentle cleansing and conditioning ingredient derived from collagen, best for rinse-off products like shampoos and body washes.

A mild cleansing and conditioning ingredient that can help clean skin and hair without stripping, but may cause irritation for sensitive skin.

A synthetic ingredient that may help reduce hair shedding and support thicker-looking hair, but evidence is still building.

A gentle synthetic conditioning agent that helps soften hair and skin without heavy buildup.

A high-performance silicone that gives a silky, non-greasy feel and helps other ingredients spread evenly.

A lightweight silicone that makes products feel silky and spread easily, with a very low risk of irritation or clogged pores.

A hybrid ingredient that combines silica's oil-absorbing power with thiosulfate's antioxidant potential, but research on its cosmetic benefits is still limited.

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

A gentle silicone that helps products spread smoothly and feel silky without clogging pores.

A modified vitamin E that sticks to hair and skin, offering antioxidant protection and conditioning without the greasy feel of plain vitamin E.

A gentle, moisture-binding ingredient that also helps reduce static and improve hair manageability.

A gentle conditioning ingredient that reduces static and softens hair without heavy buildup.

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

A gentle, modified collagen that helps hair feel softer and smoother without heavy buildup.

A silicone polymer that helps products stay put and resist water, but may feel heavy on some skin types.

A high-performance silicone that gives a silky, smooth feel and helps products spread evenly without clogging pores.

A synthetic conditioning ingredient that smooths hair and reduces static, but may build up with frequent use.

A high-performance silicone film former that helps makeup and sunscreen stay put without feeling heavy or greasy.