Beauty ingredient research

Beauty ingredients explained in plain English

Browse the review database to understand what an ingredient is, what it does in a beauty formula, when it is useful, and when it deserves caution across skincare, haircare, bodycare, makeup, and more.

20769

Reviewed ingredients

524

Low-concern standouts

2884

Need usage caution

Showing 60 of 1,375
AllUV absorberUV filterabrasiveabsorbentacne treatmentactiveactive ingredientadhesivealkalizing agentamino acidanti-aginganti-androgenanti-cavityanti-cavity agentanti-inflammatoryanti-irritantanticariesanticavity agentantidandruffantifungalantimicrobialantioxidantantiperspirantantiplaqueastringentbarrier repairbarrier supportbarrier-repairbarrier-supportbinderbinding agentbiotechbiotechnologybond-builderbotanicalbotanical extractbotanical oilbotanical waterbrighteningbrightening agentbufferbuffering agentcell-communicating ingredientceramidechelating agentchemicalchemical intermediateclaycleansercleansingcleansing agentcolorantconditionerconditioningconditioning agentcooling agentcosmeticcosmetic additivecosmetic colorantcosmetic ingredientcosmetic pigmentcosmetic powdercosmetic-texturizercosmetic-waxcosmeticscrosslinking agentdelivery agentdelivery systemdenaturantdeodorantdeodorant agentdepigmenting agentdepilatorydepilatory agentdesensitizing agentdyedye intermediatedye precursordye-intermediateemollientemulsifierenzymeessential oilexfoliantexperimentaleyelashfermentfilm formerfilm-formerfilm-formingfilm-forming agentfirming agentfixativeflavoring agentformulationfragrancefragrance ingredientfunctional ingredientgashair carehair colorhair coloranthair conditionerhair dyehair removalhair-carehair-colorhaircarehumectantindustrialinsecticideintermediatelashlash carelash enhancerlash-and-browlip carelipidmakeupmarine extractmasking agentmicrobiomemicrobiome modulatormineralmoisturizernail carenail-careocclusiveoilopacifieropacifying agentoptical agentoral careotheroxidative dyeoxidative dye precursoroxidizing agentpH adjusterpain reliefpenetration enhancerpeptidepersonal careph adjusterpharmaceuticalpheromonepigmentplant oilplasticizerpolymerpolymer precursorprebioticprescription-drugpreservativepreservative boosterprobioticprocessing agentprocessing aidpropellantproteinpurifyingreducing agentretinoidscalp caresebum regulatorsebum-regulatorself-tannerself-tanningsensory additivesensory agentsensory modifiersiliconeskin barrierskin barrier supportskin conditionerskin conditioningskin conditioning agentskin lighteningskin protectantskin-conditioningskin-conditioning agentskin-identicalskin-identical ingredientskin-lighteningskin-lightening agentskincaresolventsoothingsoothing agentstabilizerstimulantsunscreensurfactantsyntheticsynthetic colorantsynthetic dyesynthetic resinsynthetic-coloranttexture enhancertexturizerthickenertoneruv-absorberuv-filtervasoactivevasodilatorviscosity controlviscosity controllingviscosity controlling agentvitaminwax

Film Former

Chitosan PCA

Chitosan PCA

4.0

Chitosan PCA is a gentle, film-forming humectant that helps skin retain moisture and provides light hold for hair without heavy residue.

Irritation

low

Source

semi-synthetic

beautyskincarehaircare
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Humectant

Chitosan Propylsulfonate

CHITOSAN PROPYLSULFONATE

4.0

A gentle, water-soluble chitosan derivative that provides light hydration and a protective film on skin and hair.

Irritation

low

Source

semi-synthetic

beautyskincarehaircare
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Film Former

Chitosan Rice Branamide Sulfonate

Sodium Chitosan Rice Branamide Hydroxypropylsulfonate

4.0

A gentle, semi-synthetic ingredient that forms a protective film on hair and skin, improving feel and moisture retention without irritation.

Irritation

low

Source

semi-synthetic

beautyskincarehaircare
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Antistatic Agent

Cinnamidopropyltrimonium Chloride

CINNAMIDOPROPYLTRIMONIUM CHLORIDE

3.8

A gentle conditioning ingredient that helps smooth hair and reduce static, with a mild cinnamon-derived scent.

Irritation

low

Source

semi-synthetic

beautyhaircareconditioning agent
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Antistatic Agent

Cocamidopropyltrimonium Chloride

Cocamidopropyltrimonium Chloride

3.8

A gentle conditioning ingredient that reduces static and improves hair manageability, but may cause mild irritation in sensitive individuals.

Irritation

low

Source

semi-synthetic

beautyskincarehaircare
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Surfactant

Cocamine Oxide

Cocamine Oxide

4.0

A gentle, coconut-derived surfactant that helps create a rich lather and is less stripping than harsher cleansers.

Irritation

low

Source

natural

beautyskincarehaircaresurfactant
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Conditioning Agent

Coco Glucoside Derivative Conditioner

Laurdimoniumhydroxypropyl Coco-Glucosides Chloride

4.0

A gentle, plant-derived conditioning ingredient that makes hair feel softer and reduces frizz without heavy buildup.

Irritation

low

Source

semi-synthetic

beautyhaircareconditioning agent
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Antistatic Agent

Coco-Ethyldimonium Ethosulfate

Coco-Ethyldimonium Ethosulfate

4.0

A gentle, coconut-derived conditioner that helps reduce static and soften hair without heavy buildup.

Irritation

low

Source

semi-synthetic

beautyhaircareconditioning agent
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Antistatic Agent

Cocoalkonium Chloride

Cocoalkonium Chloride

3.5

Cocoalkonium chloride is a synthetic conditioning ingredient that helps reduce static and improve manageability, but it may cause irritation or clog pores in sensitive or acne-prone individuals.

Irritation

moderate

Source

synthetic

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Surfactant

Cocoaspartamide Surfactant

SODIUM DIETHYLAMINOPROPYL COCOASPARTAMIDE

4.0

A gentle, amino-acid-based surfactant that effectively cleanses while being kind to sensitive skin.

Irritation

low

Source

semi-synthetic

beautyskincarehaircarecleanser
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Hair Conditioning Agent

Cocodimonium Hydroxypropyl Hydrolyzed Casein

Cocodimonium Hydroxypropyl Hydrolyzed Casein

3.8

A gentle conditioning protein that helps hair feel softer and more manageable, but may not suit protein-sensitive hair types.

Irritation

low

Source

semi-synthetic

beautyskincarehaircareconditioning agent
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Surfactant

Cocoglucoside Quaternary

Myristyldimoniumhydroxypropyl Cocoglucosides Chloride

4.0

A gentle, biodegradable conditioning ingredient that helps hair feel soft and detangled without heavy buildup.

Irritation

low

Source

semi-synthetic

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Antistatic Agent

Cocotrimonium Chloride

Cocotrimonium Chloride

4.0

A gentle, coconut-derived conditioner that reduces static and softens hair without heavy buildup.

Irritation

low

Source

semi-synthetic

beautyhaircareconditioning agent
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Antistatic Agent

Cocotrimonium Methosulfate

Cocotrimonium Methosulfate

4.0

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

Irritation

low

Source

semi-synthetic

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Surfactant

Cocoyl Argininamide

Cocoyl Argininamide

4.3

A mild, amino-acid based cleanser that effectively removes dirt and oil without stripping the skin or scalp.

Irritation

low

Source

semi-synthetic

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Film Former

Cocoyl Hydrolyzed Elastin

Cocoyl Hydrolyzed Elastin

3.8

A mild, protein-based conditioning ingredient that temporarily smooths hair and softens skin without heavy buildup.

Irritation

low

Source

semi-synthetic

beautyskincarehaircareconditioning agent
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Hair Conditioner

Cocoyl Hydrolyzed Keratin

COCOYL HYDROLYZED KERATIN

4.0

Cocoyl hydrolyzed keratin is a gentle, protein-rich conditioner that helps strengthen and smooth hair without weighing it down.

Irritation

low

Source

semi-synthetic

beautyhaircareconditioning agent
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Conditioning Agent

Cocoyl Hydrolyzed Silk

Cocoyl Hydrolyzed Silk

4.0

A gentle, silk-derived conditioner that adds softness and shine without heavy buildup.

Irritation

low

Source

semi-synthetic

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Surfactant

Cocoyl Hydrolyzed Soy Protein

Cocoyl Hydrolyzed Soy Protein

4.0

A mild, protein-enriched cleansing agent that cleans without stripping, making it ideal for sensitive or dry skin and hair.

Irritation

low

Source

semi-synthetic

beautyskincarehaircaresurfactant
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Surfactant

Cocoyl Hydrolyzed Wheat Protein

Cocoyl Hydrolyzed Wheat Protein

4.0

A mild, protein-enriched cleansing ingredient that helps clean without stripping, making it ideal for sensitive or dry skin and hair.

Irritation

low

Source

semi-synthetic

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Conditioning Agent

Cocoyl Hydrolyzed Wool

Cocoyl Hydrolyzed Wool

4.0

A gentle, protein-rich conditioner that helps strengthen hair and soften skin without heavy buildup.

Irritation

low

Source

semi-synthetic

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Surfactant

Cocoylcholine Methosulfate

Cocoylcholine Methosulfate

4.0

A gentle, coconut-derived conditioning agent that helps soften and detangle hair without weighing it down.

Irritation

low

Source

semi-synthetic

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Film Former

Corn Gluten Protein

ZEA MAYS GLUTEN PROTEIN

4.0

A gentle plant protein that coats hair and skin to improve moisture retention and strength without irritation.

Irritation

low

Source

natural

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Emollient

Cyclohexasiloxane

Cyclohexasiloxane

4.0

A lightweight silicone that creates a smooth, silky feel on skin and hair without clogging pores.

Irritation

low

Source

synthetic

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Emollient

Cyclomethicone

Cyclomethicone

4.0

A lightweight, volatile silicone that provides a silky feel and helps other ingredients spread evenly, but its environmental persistence raises concerns.

Irritation

low

Source

synthetic

beautyskincarehaircare
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Emollient

Cyclopentasiloxane

Cyclopentasiloxane

3.8

A common silicone that makes products feel silky and spread easily, but its environmental persistence has raised concerns.

Irritation

low

Source

synthetic

beautyskincarehaircare
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Emollient

Cyclophenylmethicone

Cyclophenylmethicone

3.8

A gentle silicone that improves product texture and feel without clogging pores, though it offers no active skincare benefits.

Irritation

low

Source

synthetic

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Hair Conditioner

Cystine Bis-PG-Propyl Silanetriol

Cystine Bis-PG-Propyl Silanetriol

4.0

A hybrid ingredient that combines amino acids with silicon to help strengthen hair and support skin barrier function.

Irritation

low

Source

semi-synthetic

beautyskincarehaircare
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Emollient

Decyl Dimethicone

Decyl Dimethicone

4.3

A lightweight silicone that smooths skin and hair without heaviness, generally well-tolerated and non-comedogenic.

Irritation

low

Source

synthetic

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