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

Occlusive

Ceramide 1

Ceramide 1

4.5

A skin-identical lipid that strengthens the moisture barrier and reduces water loss.

Irritation

low

Source

semi-synthetic

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Occlusive

Dimethicone

Dimethicone

4.2

A well-studied silicone that provides a silky feel and temporary barrier without clogging pores for most people.

Irritation

low

Source

synthetic

beautyskincareocclusive
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Occlusive

Hydrogenated Mineral Oil

HYDROGENATED MINERAL OIL

3.8

A reliable, non-irritating occlusive that locks in moisture, but may feel heavy on oily or acne-prone skin.

Irritation

low

Source

semi-synthetic

beautyskincareocclusive
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Occlusive

Mineral Oil

Paraffinum Liquidum

3.8

Mineral oil is a safe, effective occlusive that locks in moisture, but its heavy texture may not suit oily or acne-prone skin.

Irritation

low

Source

synthetic

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Occlusive

Paraffin

Paraffin

3.8

Paraffin is a highly effective moisturizer that seals in hydration, but it can feel heavy and may clog pores for some skin types.

Irritation

low

Source

synthetic

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Occlusive

Perfluoromethyldecalin

PERFLUOROMETHYLDECALIN

3.8

A synthetic oxygen carrier that may temporarily boost skin oxygenation and help other ingredients absorb better, but its long-term benefits are still being studied.

Irritation

low

Source

synthetic

beautyskincareocclusive
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Occlusive

Petrolatum

Petrolatum

4.5

Petrolatum is a time-tested, highly effective occlusive that locks in moisture and protects the skin barrier, with a strong safety record when properly refined.

Irritation

low

Source

synthetic

beautyskincareocclusive
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Occlusive

Red Petrolatum

Petrolatum (and) CI 15850

3.8

Red Petrolatum is a tinted occlusive that locks in moisture and adds a pop of color, but may clog pores for some skin types.

Irritation

low

Source

semi-synthetic

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Occlusive

Silicones

Dimethicone, Cyclomethicone, Amodimethicone, and other silicone polymers

3.8

Silicones are safe, non-comedogenic film-formers that give a smooth feel, but they can cause buildup and may not suit all skin types.

Irritation

low

Source

synthetic

beautyskincareocclusiveemollient
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Occlusive

Synthetic Petrolatum

Synthetic Petrolatum

4.0

Synthetic Petrolatum is a reliable, non-comedogenic occlusive that locks in moisture without the impurities of natural petroleum jelly.

Irritation

low

Source

synthetic

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