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 10 of 10
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

Crosslinking Agent

Bis-Isocyanatomethyl Cyclohexane

1,3-BIS-(ISOCYANATOMETHYL) CYCLOHEXANE

1.0

This is an industrial chemical used in nail coatings, not a skincare ingredient; it poses significant irritation and sensitization risks and is not recommended for leave-on skin products.

Irritation

high

Source

synthetic

beautynail-careindustrial
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Solvent

Butyl Ethyl Ketone

BUTYL ETHYL KETONE

2.0

Butyl ethyl ketone is a strong solvent used mainly in nail products; it can be drying and irritating, and is not a beneficial skincare ingredient.

Irritation

moderate

Source

synthetic

beautynail-caresolvent
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Polymerization Accelerator

Dimethyltolylamine

Dimethyltolylamine

2.0

Dimethyltolylamine is a synthetic accelerator for acrylic hardening, not a skincare ingredient; it may cause skin irritation and is best avoided in leave-on products.

Irritation

moderate

Source

synthetic

beautynail-careindustrial
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Film Former

Glycol Dimethacrylate

Glycol Dimethacrylate

3.5

Glycol Dimethacrylate is a synthetic ingredient used mainly in nail products to improve durability, but it can cause skin irritation or allergic reactions in some people.

Irritation

moderate

Source

synthetic

beautynail-carepolymer
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Film Former

Phenoxyethyl Methacrylate

PHENOXYETHYL METHACRYLATE

3.5

A synthetic film-former mainly used in nail products; generally safe but can be a mild irritant for sensitive skin.

Irritation

moderate

Source

synthetic

beautyskincarenail-care
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Film Former

Phthalic Acid / Epoxy / Alkyd Resin Complex

PHTHALIC ACID DENATURED WITH EPOXY RESIN ALKYD RESIN

1.5

This is an industrial resin complex rarely used in modern skincare; it may appear in nail products but is not recommended for leave-on facial care due to potential sensitization and lack of skin benefit.

Irritation

moderate

Source

synthetic

beautynail-carefilm-former
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Film Former

Sec-Butyl Methacrylate

SEC-BUTYL METHACRYLATE

3.0

A synthetic film-forming monomer found mainly in nail products; it helps create a durable, glossy coating but can be a skin sensitizer for some people.

Irritation

moderate

Source

synthetic

beautyskincarenail-care
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Film Former

t-Butylaminoethyl Methacrylate

t-Butylaminoethyl Methacrylate

3.0

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

Irritation

moderate

Source

synthetic

beautynail-carehair-care
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Film Former

Tetrahydrofurfuryl Methacrylate

TETRAHYDROFURFURYL METHACRYLATE

2.5

A synthetic monomer used in nail products for adhesion and film formation; not a common skincare ingredient and may pose irritation risks in high concentrations.

Irritation

moderate

Source

synthetic

beautynail-carefilm-former
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Film Former

Tripropylene Glycol Diacrylate

TRIPROPYLENE GLYCOL DIACRYLATE

1.0

This is an industrial adhesive ingredient, not a skincare active; it may cause skin irritation and is best avoided in leave-on products.

Irritation

high

Source

synthetic

beautynail-careadhesive
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