Beauty ingredients explained in plain English

A synthetic film-former that helps hair and makeup products feel smoother and last longer, with a low risk of irritation.

A synthetic polymer that helps products stay put without feeling overly stiff or heavy.

A gentle, water-soluble silicone that smooths hair and skin without the heavy feel of traditional silicones.

A bond-repairing ingredient that helps strengthen hair from within, similar to the active in Olaplex.

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

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

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

A gentle synthetic polymer that forms a flexible, breathable film to improve product wear, water resistance, and skin feel without clogging pores.

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

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

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

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

A synthetic film-former that helps makeup and hair products resist water and humidity, but may feel stiff or heavy on some.

A gentle silicone that detangles hair and softens skin with minimal risk of irritation or clogged pores.

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

A gentle silicone copolymer that forms a breathable, flexible film for smoother skin and longer-lasting styles without heavy buildup.

A gentle, coconut-derived conditioner that reduces static and improves combability, suitable for most hair types.

A gentle synthetic conditioner that reduces static and softens hair without heavy buildup.

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

Effective for detangling and softening hair, but may cause irritation or buildup for sensitive scalps or fine hair.

A synthetic polymer that helps makeup and sunscreen stay put longer by forming a flexible, water-resistant film.

A gentle silicone polymer that helps products spread smoothly and leaves hair and skin feeling silky without heavy buildup.

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

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

A gentle conditioning polymer that helps reduce frizz and static while improving the feel of hair and skin, but its complex name can be intimidating.

A silicone ingredient that helps repair damaged hair and lock in color, but may build up with heavy use.

A synthetic film former that helps makeup and sunscreen stay put, but offers no active skincare benefit.

A gentle synthetic conditioner that helps soften hair and skin without heavy buildup, but offers limited additional benefits.

A gentle silicone ingredient that leaves skin feeling silky smooth without clogging pores.

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

A gentle silicone that helps products glide on smoothly and leaves a silky, non-greasy finish.

A gentle, non-comedogenic silicone that improves product feel and wear without clogging pores or causing irritation.

A gentle silicone that creates a silky, smooth finish on skin and hair without clogging pores or causing irritation.

Bis-Vinyldimethicone is a silicone polymer that creates a smooth, breathable film on skin and hair, improving product feel and wear without clogging pores.

A gentle silicone derivative 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 the heavy feel of traditional silicones.

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

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

A lightweight silicone that improves product texture and leaves a smooth finish without clogging pores.

A gentle, borage-derived conditioning ingredient that helps soften hair and reduce frizz without heavy buildup.

A gentle, plant-based conditioning ingredient that helps detangle hair and soften skin without heavy buildup.

Broccoli seed oil is a lightweight, non-greasy plant oil that mimics silicones, making hair soft and shiny while moisturizing skin without clogging pores.

A lightweight, plant-derived emollient that mimics silicones and offers antioxidant benefits without clogging pores.

A synthetic film-former that helps products stay put longer, but may feel tight or heavy on sensitive or dry skin.

A synthetic polymer that gives cosmetics a smooth, water-resistant finish, but may feel heavy or clog pores for some skin types.

A gentle silicone that coats hair to reduce tangles and add shine, but may build up over time with infrequent washing.

A safe, effective film-former that helps makeup and sunscreen stay put, but may feel heavy on very oily skin.

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

A 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, but may feel stiff or heavy in high concentrations.

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

A potent chemical that breaks down hair proteins, but carries a high risk of skin and eye irritation — best left to professional use.

A synthetic polymer that helps products form a flexible film, but its safety data is limited and it may not suit those avoiding synthetic ingredients.

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

A gentle, sugar-derived conditioning ingredient that reduces static and improves softness without heavy buildup.

A gentle, sugar-based surfactant that cleans without stripping and leaves skin or hair feeling soft.

A mild, plant-based conditioner that smooths hair and fights frizz without weighing it down.

A synthetic conditioning ingredient that helps reduce flyaways and static without heavy buildup.

A gentle synthetic polymer that forms a flexible film on skin or hair, improving product feel and longevity without clogging pores.

A gentle synthetic conditioner that reduces static and softens hair without heavy buildup.