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 60 of 539
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-aging agent

Hexapeptide-32

Hexapeptide-32

4.0

Hexapeptide-32 is a lab-made peptide that may help soften expression lines and improve skin firmness, with a good safety profile for most skin types.

Irritation

low

Source

synthetic

beautyskincarepeptide
Read ingredient review

Skin conditioning agent

Hexapeptide-33

Hexapeptide-33

3.8

Hexapeptide-33 is a gentle synthetic peptide that may help support skin firmness and resilience, but research is still early.

Irritation

low

Source

synthetic

beautyskincarepeptide
Read ingredient review

Anti-wrinkle agent

Hexapeptide-36

Hexapeptide-36

3.8

Hexapeptide-36 is a synthetic peptide that may help soften expression lines by temporarily relaxing facial muscles, similar to how a gentle muscle relaxant works.

Irritation

low

Source

synthetic

beautyskincarepeptide
Read ingredient review

Anti-aging agent

Hexapeptide-40

Hexapeptide-40

3.8

Hexapeptide-40 is a synthetic peptide that may help improve skin firmness and reduce fine lines, but research is still limited compared to more established peptides.

Irritation

low

Source

synthetic

beautyskincarepeptide
Read ingredient review

Anti-aging agent

Hexapeptide-44

Hexapeptide-44

4.0

Hexapeptide-44 is a synthetic peptide that may help support skin firmness and reduce the appearance of fine lines, but research is still limited.

Irritation

low

Source

synthetic

beautyskincarepeptide
Read ingredient review

Anti-aging agent

Hexapeptide-45

Hexapeptide-45

4.0

A synthetic peptide that temporarily softens expression lines by calming muscle contractions, similar to a milder version of Argireline.

Irritation

low

Source

synthetic

beautyskincarepeptide
Read ingredient review

Skin conditioning agent

Hexapeptide-47

Hexapeptide-47

3.8

Hexapeptide-47 is a synthetic peptide that may help calm skin and strengthen the moisture barrier, but research is still early.

Irritation

low

Source

synthetic

beautyskincarepeptide
Read ingredient review

Anti-aging agent

Hexapeptide-48 HCl

Hexapeptide-48 HCl

4.0

A synthetic peptide that may help soften expression lines and improve skin firmness with consistent use.

Irritation

low

Source

synthetic

beautyskincarepeptide
Read ingredient review

Anti-aging agent

Hexapeptide-52

Hexapeptide-52

4.0

Hexapeptide-52 is a synthetic peptide that may help soften expression lines and improve skin firmness, but human data is still limited.

Irritation

low

Source

synthetic

beautyskincarepeptide
Read ingredient review

Anti-aging

Hexapeptide-53

Hexapeptide-53

3.8

Hexapeptide-53 is a lab-made peptide that may help support skin firmness and smooth fine lines, but research is still early.

Irritation

low

Source

synthetic

beautyskincarepeptide
Read ingredient review

Anti-aging

Hexapeptide-56 Tripeptide-1

Hexapeptide-56, Tripeptide-1

4.0

A peptide duo that may help smooth wrinkles and improve skin firmness, but results vary and more human studies are needed.

Irritation

low

Source

synthetic

beautyskincarepeptide
Read ingredient review

Anti-aging agent

Hexapeptide-57

Hexapeptide-57

3.8

Hexapeptide-57 is a synthetic peptide that may help soften expression lines and improve skin firmness, but research is still emerging and results vary.

Irritation

low

Source

synthetic

beautyskincarepeptide
Read ingredient review

Anti-aging

Hexapeptide-58

Hexapeptide-58

3.8

Hexapeptide-58 is a lab-made peptide that may help soften expression lines and improve skin firmness, but research is still early.

Irritation

low

Source

synthetic

beautyskincarepeptide
Read ingredient review

Anti-aging agent

Hexapeptide-61 Dimer

Hexapeptide-61 Dimer

4.0

A synthetic peptide that may help soften expression lines and improve skin firmness, but human data is still limited.

Irritation

low

Source

synthetic

beautyskincarepeptide
Read ingredient review

Anti-aging agent

Hexapeptide-62 Dimer

Hexapeptide-62 Dimer

4.0

A synthetic peptide that may help smooth fine lines and improve skin firmness, but human data is still limited.

Irritation

low

Source

synthetic

beautyskincarepeptide
Read ingredient review

Anti-aging agent

Hexapeptide-63

Hexapeptide-63

4.0

Hexapeptide-63 is a synthetic peptide that may help support the look of firmer, smoother skin, but research is still emerging.

Irritation

low

Source

synthetic

beautyskincarepeptide
Read ingredient review

Skin conditioning agent

Hexapeptide-64

Hexapeptide-64

4.0

Hexapeptide-64 is a synthetic peptide that may help reduce the appearance of fine lines by supporting the skin's natural repair processes.

Irritation

low

Source

synthetic

beautyskincarepeptide
Read ingredient review

Anti-aging agent

Hexapeptide-66

Hexapeptide-66

4.0

Hexapeptide-66 is a lab-made peptide that may help soften expression lines and support firmer-looking skin over time.

Irritation

low

Source

synthetic

beautyskincarepeptide
Read ingredient review

Anti-aging agent

Isooctanoyl Tetrapeptide-25

Isooctanoyl Tetrapeptide-25

4.0

A lab-made peptide that may help soften expression wrinkles and improve skin firmness with minimal irritation risk.

Irritation

low

Source

synthetic

beautyskincarepeptide
Read ingredient review

Skin brightening agent

Kojyl Carboxy SH-Oligopeptide-75 Amide

KOJYL CARBOXY SH-OLIGOPEPTIDE-75 AMIDE

4.0

A synthetic peptide that aims to brighten skin and reduce fine lines by combining a kojic acid-like signal with a collagen-supporting peptide.

Irritation

low

Source

synthetic

beautyskincarepeptide
Read ingredient review

Anti-aging agent

Lauroyl SH-Oligopeptide-76

Lauroyl SH-Oligopeptide-76

3.8

A synthetic peptide designed to support skin firmness and reduce fine lines, but research is still emerging.

Irritation

low

Source

synthetic

beautyskincarepeptide
Read ingredient review

Anti-aging agent

Lauroyl SH-Tetrapeptide-1

Lauroyl SH-Tetrapeptide-1

4.0

A synthetic peptide that may help improve skin firmness and reduce fine lines, but research is still emerging.

Irritation

low

Source

synthetic

beautyskincarepeptide
Read ingredient review

Firming agent

Lysinamido Ornithine

Lysinamido Ornithine

4.0

A peptide that helps reduce under-eye puffiness by encouraging fluid drainage, but results are subtle and not permanent.

Irritation

low

Source

synthetic

beautyskincarepeptide
Read ingredient review

Skin conditioning agent

Manganese Tripeptide-1

Manganese Tripeptide-1

4.0

A gentle peptide that may help firm skin and calm irritation, but human research is still limited.

Irritation

low

Source

synthetic

beautyskincarepeptide
Read ingredient review

Anti-aging agent

Marine Peptide Complex

SR-(Tripeptide-68, Mussel Polypeptide-1, Mussel Oligopeptide-1, Mussel Polypeptide-1, Dipeptide-40)

3.8

A marine-inspired peptide blend that may help plump and firm skin, but research is still emerging.

Irritation

low

Source

semi-synthetic

beautyskincarepeptide
Read ingredient review

Anti-inflammatory

Melittin

MELITTIN

3.0

Melittin is a bee venom peptide with promising lab research, but it's a strong irritant and not well-studied in cosmetic use—caution is advised.

Irritation

high

Source

natural

beautyskincarepeptide
Read ingredient review

Skin conditioning agent

Methionyl SH-Polypeptide-1

METHIONYL SH-POLYPEPTIDE-1

4.0

A synthetic peptide that may help support skin firmness and repair, but research is still emerging.

Irritation

low

Source

synthetic

beautyskincarepeptide
Read ingredient review

Anti-aging agent

Methionyl SH-Polypeptide-101

METHIONYL SH-POLYPEPTIDE-101

3.8

A synthetic peptide that may help support collagen and improve skin firmness, but research is still emerging and results vary.

Irritation

low

Source

synthetic

beautyskincarepeptide
Read ingredient review

Skin conditioning agent

Methionyl SH-Polypeptide-9

METHIONYL SH-POLYPEPTIDE-9

4.0

A synthetic peptide that may help firm skin and soften fine lines, but human data is still limited.

Irritation

low

Source

synthetic

beautyskincarepeptide
Read ingredient review

Anti-aging agent

Methotrexoyl Oligopeptide-59

METHOTREXOYL OLIGOPEPTIDE-59

3.8

A lab-made peptide that may help smooth wrinkles and firm skin, but research is still early and it's not a replacement for proven anti-aging ingredients.

Irritation

low

Source

synthetic

beautyskincarepeptide
Read ingredient review

Anti-aging

Mevalonoyl Tetrapeptide-36

Mevalonoyl Tetrapeptide-36

4.0

A lab-made peptide that may help tighten loose skin by signaling collagen support, but research is still early.

Irritation

low

Source

synthetic

beautyskincarepeptide
Read ingredient review

Skin conditioning agent

Mevalonoyl Tripeptide-1

Mevalonoyl Tripeptide-1

4.0

A synthetic peptide that mimics a natural skin signal to help support collagen and improve firmness, but research is still emerging.

Irritation

low

Source

synthetic

beautyskincarepeptide
Read ingredient review

Skin-conditioning agent

Miradenafil

Miradenafil

2.0

Miradenafil is a little-known synthetic compound with very limited published research; its cosmetic benefits and safety profile remain uncertain.

Irritation

moderate

Source

synthetic

beautyskincarepeptide
Read ingredient review

Skin conditioning agent

Mouse Polypeptide-1

SR-MOUSE POLYPEPTIDE-1

3.0

A synthetic peptide with limited human research; its benefits are largely theoretical and based on animal studies.

Irritation

low

Source

synthetic

beautyskincarepeptide
Read ingredient review

Anti-aging agent

Myristoyl Dipeptide-13

Myristoyl Dipeptide-13

4.0

A synthetic peptide that may help improve skin firmness and reduce fine lines, but more human studies are needed to confirm its effectiveness.

Irritation

low

Source

synthetic

beautyskincarepeptide
Read ingredient review

Anti-aging agent

Myristoyl Hexapeptide-13

MYRISTOYL HEXAPEPTIDE-13

4.0

A synthetic peptide that may help reduce fine lines and improve skin firmness by signaling collagen production.

Irritation

low

Source

synthetic

beautyskincarepeptide
Read ingredient review

Anti-aging agent

Myristoyl Hexapeptide-4

MYRISTOYL HEXAPEPTIDE-4

4.0

A well-studied peptide that may help soften fine lines by signaling skin to produce more collagen, but results are gradual and subtle.

Irritation

low

Source

synthetic

beautyskincarepeptide
Read ingredient review

Anti-aging agent

Myristoyl Hexapeptide-5

Myristoyl Hexapeptide-5

4.2

A synthetic peptide that may help soften the look of expression lines and improve skin firmness with consistent use.

Irritation

low

Source

synthetic

beautyskincarepeptide
Read ingredient review

Anti-aging agent

Myristoyl Octapeptide-1

MYRISTOYL OCTAPEPTIDE-1

4.0

A synthetic peptide that may help improve skin firmness and reduce fine lines, but research is still emerging.

Irritation

low

Source

synthetic

beautyskincarepeptide
Read ingredient review

Anti-aging

Myristoyl Pentapeptide-11

MYRISTOYL PENTAPEPTIDE-11

4.0

A lab-made peptide that signals skin to produce more collagen, helping reduce fine lines and improve firmness with low irritation risk.

Irritation

low

Source

synthetic

beautyskincarepeptide
Read ingredient review

Anti-aging agent

Myristoyl Pentapeptide-14

MYRISTOYL PENTAPEPTIDE-14

4.0

A synthetic peptide that may help improve skin firmness and reduce fine lines, with low irritation potential.

Irritation

low

Source

synthetic

beautyskincarepeptide
Read ingredient review

Anti-aging agent

Myristoyl Pentapeptide-15

MYRISTOYL PENTAPEPTIDE-15

4.0

A lab-made peptide that signals skin to produce more collagen, helping smooth fine lines over time.

Irritation

low

Source

synthetic

beautyskincarepeptide
Read ingredient review

Skin conditioning agent

Myristoyl Pentapeptide-16

MYRISTOYL PENTAPEPTIDE-16

4.0

A synthetic peptide that may help improve skin firmness and reduce sagging, but more independent human studies are needed.

Irritation

low

Source

synthetic

beautyskincarepeptide
Read ingredient review

Anti-aging agent

Myristoyl Pentapeptide-17

MYRISTOYL PENTAPEPTIDE-17

4.0

A synthetic peptide that may help improve skin firmness and reduce fine lines, but research is still emerging.

Irritation

low

Source

synthetic

beautyskincarepeptide
Read ingredient review

Anti-aging agent

Myristoyl Pentapeptide-4

MYRISTOYL PENTAPEPTIDE-4

4.3

A well-studied peptide that may help reduce fine lines and improve skin firmness with consistent use, though results are gradual.

Irritation

low

Source

synthetic

beautyskincarepeptide
Read ingredient review

Anti-aging agent

Myristoyl Pentapeptide-8

MYRISTOYL PENTAPEPTIDE-8

4.0

A synthetic peptide that may help soften expression lines and improve skin firmness with consistent use.

Irritation

low

Source

synthetic

beautyskincarepeptide
Read ingredient review

Anti-aging agent

Myristoyl Tetrapeptide-12

MYRISTOYL TETRAPEPTIDE-12

4.0

A lab-made peptide that may help firm skin and soften fine lines, but results vary and it works best in a consistent routine.

Irritation

low

Source

synthetic

beautyskincarepeptide
Read ingredient review