Beauty ingredients explained in plain English

A synthetic film-former that helps nail and makeup products last longer, but may cause irritation in sensitive individuals.

A synthetic film-former used in nail products; effective for durability but may cause skin irritation in sensitive individuals.

A synthetic film former used in nail products; may cause skin irritation in sensitive individuals and is not typically found in leave-on facial skincare.

A synthetic film-former found mainly in nail and lash glues; effective but can be a skin sensitizer for some people.

A synthetic crosslinker that strengthens nail and hair formulas, but may cause irritation in sensitive individuals.

A synthetic crosslinker used in nail products; potential skin sensitizer and not for leave-on facial skincare.

Phenethyl methacrylate is a synthetic film-forming ingredient used mainly in nail products; it can be a skin sensitizer for some people.

A synthetic film former that gives nail polish and hair products a tough, glossy finish, but its long-term safety data is limited.

Polyoxymethylene melamine is a synthetic film former found mainly in nail and hair products, not a typical skincare ingredient, and has limited safety data.

A synthetic resin used in nail products to create a durable, glossy film, but with limited safety data and potential for formaldehyde release under certain conditions.

A synthetic resin used mainly in nail products for durability, but with limited safety data for leave-on skincare.

Polyoxymethylene urea is a synthetic resin that creates a hard, glossy film on nails, but it may release trace formaldehyde and is not commonly found in everyday skincare.

A synthetic film former used in nail products; effective for durability but may cause irritation in sensitive individuals.

A synthetic film-former that helps nail polish and long-wear makeup stay put, but it offers no skincare benefit and may feel stiff on flexible surfaces.

A synthetic film-former that helps nail products last longer, but may cause irritation for sensitive skin or nail beds.

A synthetic film former found mainly in nail products; can be a skin sensitizer and is not recommended for everyday skincare.

A synthetic film-former that helps nail polish last longer, but may cause irritation in sensitive individuals.

A synthetic ester that improves product texture and flexibility, especially in nail and lip formulas, with a low irritation profile.

Rosin/Formaldehyde Copolymer is a film-forming resin used in nail products, but its formaldehyde content raises safety concerns for sensitive individuals.

A fast-evaporating solvent that helps nail products apply smoothly and dry quickly, but can be drying or irritating with frequent use.

Shellac is a natural resin that creates a hard, glossy film in nail polishes and some hair and lip products, but it's not a common skincare ingredient.

A synthetic film-former that gives nail polish a hard, glossy finish, but contains a phthalate that raises environmental and health concerns.

A synthetic polymer that helps nail polish dry hard and stay glossy, but its safety relies on proper formulation and avoiding inhalation during application.

Toluene is an effective solvent for nail products but is not recommended for skincare due to irritation and inhalation risks.

Tosylamide helps nail products stay flexible and durable, but it may cause irritation in sensitive individuals and has raised some safety concerns.

A synthetic resin that helps nail polish stick better and last longer, but it may be a concern for those with sensitive skin or allergies.

An effective film former for nail products, but carries concerns over formaldehyde release and potential allergenicity.

A synthetic film former that helps nail polish and long-wear makeup stay put, but may cause sensitivity in some users.

A synthetic film-former that helps nail and lip products resist chipping and smudging, but may cause sensitivity in a small number of users.

Tricyclopentadiene is a synthetic solvent used in nail products and some cosmetics, but it has limited research on skin safety and is not a beneficial skincare ingredient.

A synthetic crosslinker for nail coatings, not a beneficial skincare ingredient; may cause skin irritation in sensitive individuals.

A synthetic ingredient that strengthens nail coatings but may cause skin irritation in sensitive individuals.

A synthetic crosslinker that strengthens nail and hair formulas but can be a skin sensitizer for some people.

Triphenyl phosphate is a synthetic plasticizer used in nail products, but it has raised some health concerns due to potential endocrine disruption and skin irritation.

A synthetic film-former used in nail products to create strong, flexible coatings, but may cause skin irritation in sensitive individuals.