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 22 of 22
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

Anti-cavity agent

Ammonium Fluoride

Ammonium Fluoride

2.0

Ammonium fluoride is effective for cavity prevention in toothpaste but is not used in leave-on skincare due to irritation concerns.

Irritation

moderate

Source

synthetic

beautyoral care
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Anti-cavity agent

Ammonium Fluorosilicate

AMMONIUM FLUOROSILICATE

1.5

Ammonium fluorosilicate is a fluoride source used in oral care for cavity prevention, but it is not a typical skincare ingredient and can be toxic if ingested in large amounts.

Irritation

moderate

Source

synthetic

beautyoral careanti-cavity agent
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Anticaries agent

Ammonium Monofluorophosphate

Ammonium Monofluorophosphate

4.0

A well-studied fluoride compound that helps strengthen tooth enamel and reduce cavity risk when used in oral care products.

Irritation

low

Source

synthetic

beautyoral careanticaries
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Abrasive

Calcium Fluoride

Calcium Fluoride

2.5

Calcium fluoride is a mineral abrasive found mainly in toothpaste; it is not a typical skincare ingredient and may cause irritation if inhaled or used in high concentrations on skin.

Irritation

moderate

Source

natural

beautyskincareoral care
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pH Adjuster

Calcium Glycerophosphate

CALCIUM GLYCEROPHOSPHATE

4.0

A gentle mineral salt that helps balance pH and may support skin barrier health, most commonly used in oral care for enamel protection.

Irritation

low

Source

synthetic

beautyskincareoral care
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Bleaching Agent

Calcium Peroxide

Calcium Peroxide

3.5

Calcium peroxide is a bleaching agent mainly used in oral care products; it can whiten teeth but may cause gum irritation if overused.

Irritation

moderate

Source

synthetic

beautyskincareoral care
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Anti-cavity agent

Cetylamine Hydrofluoride

Cetylamine Hydrofluoride

3.8

A fluoride compound that helps prevent cavities and reduce tooth sensitivity, commonly used in toothpaste and mouthwash.

Irritation

low

Source

synthetic

beautyoral careanti-cavity
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Surfactant

Delmopinol HCl

DELMOPINOL HCL

3.8

Delmopinol HCl is a synthetic surfactant used in oral care to disrupt plaque formation, but it may cause temporary taste disturbances or mild irritation.

Irritation

moderate

Source

synthetic

beautyoral careantiplaque
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Abrasive

Dicalcium Phosphate

Dicalcium Phosphate

4.0

Dicalcium phosphate is a gentle, non-irritating abrasive commonly used in toothpaste and some skincare powders to help polish and clean without harshness.

Irritation

low

Source

natural

beautyskincareoral care
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Flavoring Agent

Neotame

NEOTAME

2.0

Neotame is a high-intensity artificial sweetener used to improve taste in oral care and lip products, but it has no skincare benefits and is not a typical cosmetic active ingredient.

Irritation

low

Source

synthetic

beautyoral careflavoring agent
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Anti-cavity agent

Octadecenyl Ammonium Fluoride

OCTADECENYL-AMMONIUM FLUORIDE

3.5

A synthetic fluoride compound used in toothpaste to strengthen enamel and prevent cavities, but not typically found in skincare.

Irritation

low

Source

synthetic

beautyoral careanti-cavity agent
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Anti-cavity agent

Olaflur

OLAFLUR

4.0

Olaflur is a well-studied fluoride ingredient that helps prevent tooth decay by strengthening enamel and reducing acid damage.

Irritation

low

Source

synthetic

beautyoral careanti-cavity
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Surfactant

PEG-2 Oleamine Hydrofluoride

PEG-2 OLEAMINE HYDROFLUORIDE

3.5

A synthetic fluoride compound used in oral care to help prevent cavities, but it may cause irritation in sensitive mouths.

Irritation

moderate

Source

synthetic

beautyoral caresurfactant
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Oral care agent

Potassium Fluorosilicate

Potassium Fluorosilicate

2.0

Potassium fluorosilicate is a fluoride salt used in oral care for cavity prevention, but it is toxic if ingested in large amounts and requires careful formulation.

Irritation

moderate

Source

synthetic

beautyoral carecosmetic
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Desensitizing Agent

Potassium Nitrate

POTASSIUM NITRATE

3.8

Potassium nitrate is a well-studied ingredient for reducing tooth sensitivity, but it is not typically used in skincare.

Irritation

low

Source

natural

beautyoral caredesensitizing agent
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Abrasive

Sodium Calcium Zinc Phosphate

SODIUM CALCIUM ZINC PHOSPHATE

3.5

A gentle mineral abrasive often found in toothpaste and exfoliating products, considered safe and non-irritating for most people.

Irritation

low

Source

synthetic

beautyskincareoral care
Read ingredient review

Anti-caries agent

Sodium Fluoride

Sodium Fluoride

4.0

Sodium fluoride is a proven cavity-fighter in toothpaste and mouthwash, but it is not a skincare ingredient and should not be ingested in large amounts.

Irritation

low

Source

synthetic

beautyoral care
Read ingredient review

Anti-cavity agent

Sodium Fluorosilicate

Sodium Fluorosilicate

2.5

Sodium Fluorosilicate is a fluoride source for cavity prevention in toothpaste, but it is not a standard skincare ingredient and can be toxic if ingested in large amounts.

Irritation

moderate

Source

synthetic

beautyoral careanti-cavity agent
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Anticavity agent

Sodium Monofluorophosphate

SODIUM MONOFLUOROPHOSPHATE

4.5

A well-studied fluoride compound that effectively prevents cavities when used in toothpaste.

Irritation

low

Source

synthetic

beautyoral careanticavity agent
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Anti-cavity agent

Stannous Fluoride

Stannous Fluoride

4.0

Stannous fluoride is a well-researched anti-cavity ingredient that strengthens enamel and helps reduce tooth sensitivity, but it is not typically used in skincare.

Irritation

low

Source

synthetic

beautyoral careanti-cavity
Read ingredient review

Remineralizing agent

Zinc Strontium Hydroxyapatite

Zinc/Strontium Fluoride Hydroxyapatite

3.8

A mineral compound that helps strengthen enamel and reduce sensitivity, but its cosmetic skincare benefits are less established.

Irritation

low

Source

synthetic

beautyoral careskincare
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