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 15 of 15
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

Cooling Agent

Aminopropyl Menthyl Phosphate

Aminopropyl Menthyl Phosphate

4.0

A synthetic cooling ingredient that delivers a refreshing, mint-like sensation without the strong odor or potential irritation of menthol.

Irritation

low

Source

synthetic

beautyskincaresensory modifier
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Cooling Agent

Butylcyclohexanol

CIS-2-TERT-BUTYLCYCLOHEXANOL

3.8

A synthetic cooling agent that creates a refreshing sensation on skin, commonly used in products for a 'cooling' feel without actual temperature change.

Irritation

low

Source

synthetic

beautyskincaresensory modifier
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Sensory Enhancer

Dimethyl 9-Decenamide

Dimethyl 9-Decenamide

3.5

A synthetic ingredient that improves the sensory feel of products without adding heavy oils or silicones.

Irritation

low

Source

synthetic

beautyskincaresensory modifier
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Cooling agent

Dimethylcyclohexyl Ethylcarbamate

DIMETHYLCYCLOHEXYL ETHYLCARBAMATE

3.8

A synthetic cooling ingredient that provides a gentle, refreshing sensation without the strong minty smell of menthol.

Irritation

low

Source

synthetic

beautyskincaresensory modifier
Read ingredient review

Cooling Agent

Menthane Carboxamide Cooling Agent

CYANOMETHYLPHENYL MENTHANE CARBOXAMIDE

4.0

A synthetic cooling agent that creates a refreshing, minty sensation without actual temperature change, ideal for post-exercise or warm-weather products.

Irritation

low

Source

synthetic

beautyskincaresensory modifier
Read ingredient review

Cooling Agent

Menthane Carboxamide Ethylpyridine

Menthane Carboxamide Ethylpyridine

3.8

A synthetic cooling agent that provides a refreshing, non-minty cooling sensation, ideal for soothing or invigorating skincare products.

Irritation

low

Source

synthetic

beautyskincaresensory modifier
Read ingredient review

Cooling Agent

Menthane Carboxamidoethyl Acetate

Menthane Carboxamidoethyl Acetate

4.0

A synthetic cooling ingredient that delivers a refreshing, non-minty sensation without the strong odor or volatility of menthol.

Irritation

low

Source

synthetic

beautyskincaresensory modifier
Read ingredient review

Cooling Agent

Menthone Glycerin Acetal

Menthone Glycerin Acetal

4.0

A gentle, long-lasting cooling ingredient that adds a refreshing sensation without the strong odor or irritation of menthol.

Irritation

low

Source

synthetic

beautyskincaresensory modifier
Read ingredient review

Cooling Agent

Menthyl Ethylamido Oxalate

Menthyl Ethylamido Oxalate

4.0

A synthetic cooling agent that provides a long-lasting, non-minty cooling feel, ideal for after-sun or refreshing skincare products.

Irritation

low

Source

synthetic

beautyskincaresensory modifier
Read ingredient review

Cooling Agent

Menthyl Phenylacetate

MENTHYL PHENYLACETATE

4.0

A gentle synthetic cooling ingredient that adds a refreshing feel to skincare without the strong mint scent or irritation potential of menthol.

Irritation

low

Source

synthetic

beautyskincaresensory modifier
Read ingredient review

Cooling Agent

Methyl Diisopropyl Propionamide

METHYL DIISOPROPYL PROPIONAMIDE

3.8

A synthetic cooling agent that provides a refreshing sensation without the volatility of menthol, making it a gentler alternative for sensitive skin.

Irritation

low

Source

synthetic

beautyskincaresensory modifier
Read ingredient review

Cooling agent

P-Menthen-6-Yl Propanone

P-MENTHEN-6-YL-PROPANONE

4.0

A synthetic cooling ingredient that creates a refreshing, minty sensation on skin without the strong scent of actual mint.

Irritation

low

Source

synthetic

beautyskincaresensory modifier
Read ingredient review

Cooling Agent

Sodium Menthyl Succinate

Sodium Menthyl Succinate

4.0

A gentle, non-irritating cooling ingredient that adds a pleasant chill to skincare without the strong smell or sting of menthol.

Irritation

low

Source

semi-synthetic

beautyskincaresensory modifier
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Cooling agent

trans-2-tert-Butylcyclohexanol

trans-2-tert-Butylcyclohexanol

3.8

A synthetic cooling ingredient that creates a refreshing, minty sensation on skin without the strong scent of menthol, but may cause mild irritation in sensitive individuals.

Irritation

low

Source

synthetic

beautyskincaresensory modifier
Read ingredient review

Cooling agent

Trimethylbicyclo Heptyloxyethanol

Trimethylbicyclo-2-heptyloxyethanol

3.5

A synthetic cooling ingredient that provides a refreshing, minty sensation without actual mint, but may cause mild irritation in sensitive individuals.

Irritation

low

Source

synthetic

beautyskincaresensory modifier
Read ingredient review