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 8 of 8
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

Emollient

Ant Egg Oil Extract

Ant Egg Oil Extract

2.5

A niche, insect-derived oil with anecdotal moisturizing benefits but very limited scientific research and potential ethical concerns.

Irritation

low

Source

natural

beautyskincareoil
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Emollient

Clary Sage Seed Oil

Salvia Sclarea Seed Oil

4.0

Clary Sage Seed Oil is a gentle, antioxidant-rich oil that helps soften and condition skin without clogging pores.

Irritation

low

Source

natural

beautyskincareoil
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Skin conditioning

Croton Glabellus Bark Oil

Croton Glabellus Bark Oil

3.5

A gentle botanical oil with antioxidant potential, but research is limited and it may be comedogenic for some skin types.

Irritation

low

Source

natural

beautyskincareoil
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Emollient

Grapefruit Seed Oil

Citrus Paradisi Seed Oil

4.0

Grapefruit seed oil is a lightweight, antioxidant-rich oil that can help moisturize and protect the skin without clogging pores.

Irritation

low

Source

natural

beautyskincareoil
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Emollient

Kunzea Seed Oil

KUNZEA POMIFERA SEED OIL

4.0

Kunzea seed oil is a gentle, non-greasy oil that helps soften skin and may offer mild antimicrobial benefits, but research is still limited.

Irritation

low

Source

natural

beautyskincareoil
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Emollient

Perilla Leaf/Stem Oil

PERILLA OCYMOIDES LEAF/STEM OIL

4.0

A gentle, antioxidant-rich oil that helps soothe and nourish skin without clogging pores.

Irritation

low

Source

natural

beautyskincareoil
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Emollient

Rosemary Stem Oil

ROSMARINUS OFFICINALIS (ROSEMARY) STEM OIL

4.0

Rosemary stem oil is a gentle, antioxidant-rich oil that helps moisturize and protect the skin without clogging pores.

Irritation

low

Source

natural

beautyskincareoil
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