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

SH-Polypeptide-108

SH-Polypeptide-108

4.0

A synthetic peptide that signals skin to build more collagen, helping reduce fine lines and improve firmness with low irritation risk.

Irritation

low

Source

synthetic

beautyskincarepeptide
Read ingredient review

Anti-aging agent

SH-Polypeptide-111

SH-Polypeptide-111

4.0

SH-Polypeptide-111 is a synthetic peptide that may help reduce fine lines and support firmer-looking skin, but human studies are limited.

Irritation

low

Source

synthetic

beautyskincarepeptide
Read ingredient review

Anti-aging agent

SH-Polypeptide-14

SH-Polypeptide-14

4.0

SH-Polypeptide-14 is a lab-made peptide that may help reduce fine lines by signaling skin to produce more collagen.

Irritation

low

Source

synthetic

beautyskincarepeptide
Read ingredient review

Anti-Aging Agent

SH-Polypeptide-17

SH-Polypeptide-17

4.0

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

Irritation

low

Source

synthetic

beautyskincarepeptide
Read ingredient review

Anti-aging agent

SH-Polypeptide-28

SH-Polypeptide-28

4.0

SH-Polypeptide-28 is a synthetic peptide that may help reduce fine lines and improve skin firmness by signaling collagen production, but research is still emerging.

Irritation

low

Source

synthetic

beautyskincarepeptide
Read ingredient review

Anti-Aging Agent

SH-Polypeptide-30

SH-Polypeptide-30

4.0

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

Irritation

low

Source

synthetic

beautyskincarepeptide
Read ingredient review

Anti-aging agent

SH-Polypeptide-32

SH-Polypeptide-32

3.8

SH-Polypeptide-32 is a lab-made peptide that may help support collagen and improve skin firmness, but research is still emerging.

Irritation

low

Source

synthetic

beautyskincarepeptide
Read ingredient review

Anti-Aging Agent

SH-Polypeptide-41

SH-Polypeptide-41

4.0

SH-Polypeptide-41 is a lab-made peptide that may help reduce fine lines by encouraging the skin to produce more collagen, but research is still emerging.

Irritation

low

Source

synthetic

beautyskincarepeptide
Read ingredient review

Anti-Aging Agent

SH-Polypeptide-47

SH-Polypeptide-47

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

SH-Polypeptide-48

SH-Polypeptide-48

4.0

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

Irritation

low

Source

synthetic

beautyskincarepeptide
Read ingredient review

Anti-Aging Agent

SH-Polypeptide-56

SH-Polypeptide-56

3.8

SH-Polypeptide-56 is a lab-made peptide that may help soften expression lines, but research is still early and results vary.

Irritation

low

Source

synthetic

beautyskincarepeptide
Read ingredient review

Anti-Aging Agent

SH-Polypeptide-64

SH-Polypeptide-64

4.0

A synthetic peptide that may help reduce fine lines and support firmer-looking skin, but human studies are limited.

Irritation

low

Source

synthetic

beautyskincarepeptide
Read ingredient review

Anti-Aging Agent

SH-Polypeptide-66

SH-Polypeptide-66

3.8

A lab-made peptide that may help support collagen and reduce fine lines, but human research is still limited.

Irritation

low

Source

synthetic

beautyskincarepeptide
Read ingredient review

Anti-Aging Agent

SH-Polypeptide-75

SH-Polypeptide-75

4.0

SH-Polypeptide-75 is a lab-made peptide that signals skin to produce more collagen, helping reduce fine lines and improve firmness with minimal irritation risk.

Irritation

low

Source

synthetic

beautyskincarepeptide
Read ingredient review

Anti-aging agent

SH-Polypeptide-81

SH-Polypeptide-81

4.0

A promising synthetic peptide that may help firm skin and reduce fine lines, but research is still early.

Irritation

low

Source

synthetic

beautyskincarepeptide
Read ingredient review

Anti-aging agent

SH-Tetrapeptide-1

SH-Tetrapeptide-1

4.0

A synthetic peptide that may help support collagen and improve skin firmness with low irritation risk.

Irritation

low

Source

synthetic

beautyskincarepeptide
Read ingredient review

Anti-aging agent

SH-Tetrapeptide-39

SH-Tetrapeptide-39

3.8

A lab-made peptide that may help firm skin and soften fine lines, but human studies are still limited.

Irritation

low

Source

synthetic

beautyskincarepeptide
Read ingredient review

Anti-aging agent

Shikimoyl Hexapeptide-48

Shikimoyl Hexapeptide-48

4.0

A lab-made peptide that aims to mimic the skin-firming effects of shikimic acid, but clinical data is still limited.

Irritation

low

Source

semi-synthetic

beautyskincarepeptide
Read ingredient review

Anti-aging agent

Shikimoyl SH-Nonapeptide-12

SH-Nonapeptide-12

4.0

A lab-made peptide that may help smooth wrinkles and improve skin firmness, but human studies are still limited.

Irritation

low

Source

synthetic

beautyskincarepeptide
Read ingredient review

Anti-aging agent

Signal Peptide Complex

SH-Polypeptide-56, Tripeptide-44, SH-Oligopeptide-1

4.0

A synthetic peptide trio that signals skin to produce more collagen, but results are gradual and not instant.

Irritation

low

Source

synthetic

beautyskincarepeptide
Read ingredient review

Skin conditioning agent

Silkworm Oligopeptide-2

SILKWORM SH-OLIGOPEPTIDE-2

3.8

A gentle peptide from silkworm silk that may help support skin firmness and hydration, though research is still emerging.

Irritation

low

Source

natural

beautyskincarepeptide
Read ingredient review

Anti-aging agent

Snail Oligopeptide-1

SNAIL OLIGOPEPTIDE-1

3.8

A lab-made peptide that mimics snail proteins, showing early promise for skin firmness and wrinkle reduction, but human studies are still limited.

Irritation

low

Source

synthetic

beautyskincarepeptide
Read ingredient review

Skin Conditioning Agent

Soy Peptide

Glycine Soja Peptide

4.0

A gentle, plant-derived peptide that may help support skin firmness and hydration with minimal irritation risk.

Irritation

low

Source

natural

beautyskincarepeptide
Read ingredient review

Anti-aging agent

SR-Dog Polypeptide-1

SR-Dog Polypeptide-1

3.5

SR-Dog Polypeptide-1 is a synthetic peptide that may support collagen production and skin firmness, but human research is very limited.

Irritation

low

Source

synthetic

beautyskincarepeptide
Read ingredient review

Skin-conditioning agent

SR-Oligopeptide-1

SR-Oligopeptide-1

4.0

A gentle peptide that may help improve skin firmness and texture over time, but results are subtle and require consistent use.

Irritation

low

Source

synthetic

beautyskincarepeptide
Read ingredient review

Skin conditioning agent

SR-Spider Oligopeptide-1

SR-Spider Oligopeptide-1

3.8

A lab-made peptide inspired by spider silk that may help firm and smooth skin, but human research is still limited.

Irritation

low

Source

synthetic

beautyskincarepeptide
Read ingredient review

Skin conditioning agent

SR-Spider Polypeptide-1

SR-Spider Polypeptide-1

3.8

A lab-made peptide inspired by spider silk that may help temporarily firm and smooth skin, but human research is very limited.

Irritation

low

Source

biotech

beautyskincarepeptide
Read ingredient review

Skin conditioning agent

SR-Spider Polypeptide-2

SR-Spider Polypeptide-2

3.8

A lab-made peptide inspired by spider silk that may help support skin firmness, but human research is still limited.

Irritation

low

Source

synthetic

beautyskincarepeptide
Read ingredient review

Skin conditioning agent

SR-Spider Polypeptide-3

SR-Spider Polypeptide-3

3.8

A lab-made peptide that mimics spider silk to temporarily tighten and smooth skin, but long-term anti-aging evidence is still limited.

Irritation

low

Source

synthetic

beautyskincarepeptide
Read ingredient review

Antioxidant

Succinoyl Ascorbate Pentapeptide-6

Succinoyl Ascorbate Pentapeptide-6

4.0

A gentle, hybrid peptide-vitamin C ingredient that may support brightness and collagen, but research is still early.

Irritation

low

Source

semi-synthetic

beautyskincareantioxidantpeptide
Read ingredient review

Skin-conditioning agent

Synthetic Conotoxin Peptide

S-MU-CONOTOXIN CNIIIC

2.5

A novel synthetic peptide inspired by cone snail venom, marketed as a neurotoxin-like anti-wrinkle ingredient, but with very limited human safety and efficacy data.

Irritation

moderate

Source

synthetic

beautyskincarepeptide
Read ingredient review

Anti-aging agent

Tetracarboxymethyl Lauroyl Dipeptide-12

Tetracarboxymethyl Lauroyl Dipeptide-12

4.0

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

Irritation

low

Source

synthetic

beautyskincarepeptide
Read ingredient review

Anti-aging agent

Tetrapeptide-1

Tetrapeptide-1

4.0

Tetrapeptide-1 is a gentle peptide that may help support collagen and reduce fine lines, but research is still emerging.

Irritation

low

Source

synthetic

beautyskincarepeptide
Read ingredient review

Anti-aging

Tetrapeptide-15

Tetrapeptide-15

3.8

Tetrapeptide-15 is a synthetic peptide that may help support collagen and reduce the appearance of fine lines, but research is still emerging.

Irritation

low

Source

synthetic

beautyskincarepeptide
Read ingredient review

Anti-aging agent

Tetrapeptide-16

Tetrapeptide-16

4.0

A lab-made peptide that may help firm skin and reduce fine lines, but research is still emerging.

Irritation

low

Source

synthetic

beautyskincarepeptide
Read ingredient review

Skin-conditioning agent

Tetrapeptide-2

TETRAPEPTIDE-2

4.0

Tetrapeptide-2 is a gentle peptide that may help firm skin and reduce under-eye bags, but research is still emerging.

Irritation

low

Source

synthetic

beautyskincarepeptide
Read ingredient review

Anti-aging agent

Tetrapeptide-28 Argininamide

Tetrapeptide-28 Argininamide

4.0

A lab-made peptide that may help firm skin and soften fine lines, but results are subtle and require consistent use.

Irritation

low

Source

synthetic

beautyskincarepeptide
Read ingredient review

Anti-aging

Tetrapeptide-29 Argininamide

Tetrapeptide-29 Argininamide

4.0

A synthetic peptide that may help firm skin and soften fine lines, with good tolerability for most skin types.

Irritation

low

Source

synthetic

beautyskincarepeptide
Read ingredient review

Skin conditioning agent

Tetrapeptide-3

Tetrapeptide-3

4.0

Tetrapeptide-3 is a gentle peptide that may help firm skin and reduce under-eye puffiness, but research is still emerging.

Irritation

low

Source

synthetic

beautyskincarepeptide
Read ingredient review

Anti-aging agent

Tetrapeptide-36

Tetrapeptide-36

3.8

Tetrapeptide-36 is a synthetic peptide that may help support skin firmness and reduce fine lines, but research is still emerging and results vary.

Irritation

low

Source

synthetic

beautyskincarepeptide
Read ingredient review

Skin conditioning agent

Tetrapeptide-4

Tetrapeptide-4

4.0

A gentle peptide that may help reduce under-eye puffiness and support firmer-looking skin over time.

Irritation

low

Source

synthetic

beautyskincarepeptide
Read ingredient review

Anti-aging agent

Tetrapeptide-40

Tetrapeptide-40

4.0

Tetrapeptide-40 is a lab-made peptide that may help support skin structure and reduce signs of aging, but research is still early.

Irritation

low

Source

synthetic

beautyskincarepeptide
Read ingredient review

Skin conditioning agent

Tetrapeptide-41

Tetrapeptide-41

3.8

Tetrapeptide-41 is a lab-made peptide that may help support skin firmness and smoothness, but research is still early and results vary.

Irritation

low

Source

synthetic

beautyskincarepeptide
Read ingredient review

Skin conditioning agent

Tetrapeptide-44 Nicotinate

Tetrapeptide-44 Nicotinate

3.8

A lab-made peptide fused with a form of vitamin B3, aimed at supporting skin structure, but with limited independent research.

Irritation

low

Source

synthetic

beautyskincarepeptide
Read ingredient review

Anti-Aging Agent

Tetrapeptide-46

Tetrapeptide-46

4.0

Tetrapeptide-46 is a lab-made peptide that may help support collagen and improve skin firmness, but research is still early and results vary.

Irritation

low

Source

synthetic

beautyskincarepeptide
Read ingredient review

Anti-aging agent

Tetrapeptide-48

Tetrapeptide-48

3.8

Tetrapeptide-48 is a lab-made peptide that may help support skin firmness and reduce fine lines, but research is still early and results vary.

Irritation

low

Source

synthetic

beautyskincarepeptide
Read ingredient review

Anti-aging agent

Tetrapeptide-49

Tetrapeptide-49

3.8

Tetrapeptide-49 is a lab-made peptide that may help support skin firmness and reduce fine lines, but research is still early and results vary.

Irritation

low

Source

synthetic

beautyskincarepeptide
Read ingredient review

Anti-aging

Tetrapeptide-5

Tetrapeptide-5

4.0

Tetrapeptide-5 is a gentle, lab-made peptide that may help firm skin and reduce under-eye puffiness, but results are subtle and not instant.

Irritation

low

Source

synthetic

beautyskincarepeptide
Read ingredient review

Anti-aging agent

Tetrapeptide-51

Tetrapeptide-51

3.8

Tetrapeptide-51 is a lab-made peptide that may help firm and smooth skin by supporting collagen, but research is still early.

Irritation

low

Source

synthetic

beautyskincarepeptide
Read ingredient review

Anti-aging agent

Tetrapeptide-52

Tetrapeptide-52

4.0

Tetrapeptide-52 is a lab-made peptide that may help support collagen and improve skin firmness, but research is still early.

Irritation

low

Source

synthetic

beautyskincarepeptide
Read ingredient review

Anti-aging agent

Tetrapeptide-53

Tetrapeptide-53

3.5

Tetrapeptide-53 is a lab-made peptide that may help support collagen and firmness, but research is still early and results vary.

Irritation

low

Source

synthetic

beautyskincarepeptide
Read ingredient review

Anti-aging agent

Tetrapeptide-54

Tetrapeptide-54

3.8

Tetrapeptide-54 is a synthetic peptide that may help support collagen and improve skin firmness, but research is still early.

Irritation

low

Source

synthetic

beautyskincarepeptide
Read ingredient review