Beauty ingredients explained in plain English

A synthetic polymer that helps products stay put on skin and hair, but offers no active skincare benefits.

A synthetic ester that improves product texture and flexibility, but offers no direct skin benefit.

A high-performance fluorinated silicone that creates a durable, water-resistant barrier on skin and hair, but its environmental persistence raises sustainability concerns.

A high-performance silicone that helps products stay put and resist water without feeling heavy or greasy.

A high-performance silicone that creates a smooth, water-resistant film on skin and hair without feeling heavy.

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

A lightweight, water-resistant silicone that gives a smooth, non-greasy feel but may not suit those avoiding silicones entirely.

A gentle silicone that gives a smooth, velvety finish without clogging pores, ideal for primers and long-wear makeup.

A gentle silicone that gives skin and hair a silky, smooth feel without clogging pores.

A synthetic polymer that helps products stay put longer by forming a flexible, water-resistant film on skin or hair.

A gentle, modified silicone that provides slip and shine while being less likely to cause buildup than some other silicones.

A silicone film-former that helps makeup last longer and boosts water resistance without feeling heavy.

A silicone film-former that helps makeup last longer and protects skin from moisture loss without feeling heavy.

A gentle, silicone-like film-former that gives hair flexible hold and skin a smooth feel without heavy buildup.

A gentle film-forming ingredient that gives hair flexible hold and skin a smooth, water-resistant feel without heavy silicones.

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

A lightweight silicone that smooths skin and hair without feeling heavy or greasy.

A synthetic silicone that helps products resist water and sweat, but may feel heavy on some skin types.

A silicone film former that helps products spread smoothly and resist water, but offers no active skincare benefits.

A fast-evaporating silicone that gives a smooth, silky feel without heavy residue — great for lightweight formulas.

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

A gentle silicone derivative that helps products spread smoothly and resist water, but may not suit those avoiding all silicones.

A gentle conditioning ingredient with mild antimicrobial properties, best suited for rinse-off cleansers and hair products.

A gentle antistatic ingredient that smooths hair without heavy buildup, ideal for fine or oily hair types.

A gentle, semi-synthetic ingredient that conditions skin and hair while offering mild antimicrobial support, making it a good choice for sensitive formulas.

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

A synthetic film-former that gives hair flexible hold and helps skincare ingredients stay put, but can feel stiff or cause buildup with heavy use.

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

A synthetic polymer that gives hair products their hold and flexibility without excessive stiffness or flaking.

A synthetic film-former that gives hair flexible hold and humidity resistance without excessive stiffness.

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

A synthetic film-former that gives hair and makeup long-lasting, flexible hold without excessive stiffness or flaking.

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

A synthetic film-former that helps makeup and sunscreen stay put longer without feeling heavy or sticky.

A synthetic polymer that helps products stay put, but may cause buildup with frequent use.

A gentle silicone that helps products glide on smoothly and creates a breathable, non-greasy film on skin or hair.

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

A synthetic polymer that helps products spread smoothly, form a flexible film, and improve hold without heavy buildup.

A synthetic film-forming polymer that helps products stay put, resist water, and improve texture without common irritation.

A synthetic film-former that helps makeup and sunscreen stay put longer without feeling heavy or sticky.

A synthetic polymer that helps hair hold its style and adds water resistance to products, generally considered safe and non-irritating.

A safe, synthetic film-former that helps products stay put and feel smooth, but may feel stiff in high concentrations.

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

A gentle conditioning protein that helps strengthen hair and lightly moisturize skin without heavy buildup.

Wheat germ protein is a gentle, plant-based ingredient that helps strengthen hair and temporarily plump skin by depositing a protective film.

A gentle conditioning ingredient from wheat germ that helps soften hair and skin without heavy buildup.

A gentle conditioning agent that helps soften hair and skin, but its collagen component is too large to penetrate deeply.

A gentle conditioning ingredient from wheat germ that helps soften hair and skin without heavy buildup.

Wheat gluten is a natural protein that forms a protective film on hair and skin, improving moisture retention and manageability, but it is not suitable for those with celiac disease or wheat allergies.

A gentle, protein-based conditioner that helps detangle hair and add softness without heavy buildup.

A gentle, wheat-derived conditioning ingredient that helps strengthen hair and improve moisture retention without heavy buildup.

A gentle conditioning polymer that forms a protective film on hair and skin, improving softness and manageability without heavy buildup.

A gentle conditioning agent that helps detangle and add shine without heavy buildup.

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

A gentle, modified xanthan gum that thickens products and helps reduce static in hair without common irritation.