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

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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

Skin conditioning agent

7-Dehydrocholesteryl Palmitate

7-DEHYDROCHOLESTERYL PALMITATE

3.8

A gentle, oil-soluble derivative of provitamin D3 that may help support skin barrier function, though human evidence is still limited.

Irritation

low

Source

semi-synthetic

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Antioxidant

Aspergillus/Soybean Germ Ferment Filtrate

ASPERGILLUS/SOYBEAN GERM FERMENT FILTRATE

4.0

A fermented soybean germ filtrate that offers antioxidant benefits and supports skin barrier function, generally well-tolerated and suitable for most skin types.

Irritation

low

Source

biotech

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Skin Conditioning Agent

Bacillus Silk Soybean Ferment

Bacillus/Silk/Soybean Ferment Filtrate

4.0

A gentle, fermented ingredient that may help soothe and condition skin, but research is still early.

Irritation

low

Source

biotech

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Antioxidant

Cordyceps & Plum Ferment

CORDYCEPS MILITARIS/PRUNUS MUME FRUIT/SUCROSE FERMENT FILTRATE

3.8

A gentle fermented ingredient that may help protect skin from environmental stress, but research is still early.

Irritation

low

Source

biotech

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Skin conditioning agent

Diethyl Trioxopimelate

DIETHYL TRIOXOPIMELATE

3.5

A synthetic ingredient that may help improve skin texture and tone, but research is still limited compared to more established actives.

Irritation

low

Source

synthetic

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Skin Conditioning Agent

Ergosterol

Ergosterol

3.8

Ergosterol is a gentle, yeast-derived sterol that may support skin barrier function and antioxidant defense, but human skincare research is still limited.

Irritation

low

Source

natural

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Skin Conditioning Agent

Ethyl Hydroxy Picolinium Lactate

Ethyl Hydroxy Picolinium Lactate

3.5

A gentle synthetic ingredient that helps condition the skin, but research on its long-term benefits is still emerging.

Irritation

low

Source

synthetic

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Skin Conditioning Agent

Ethylhexyl Cyclohexyl Urea

Ethylhexyl Cyclohexyl Urea

3.8

A gentle synthetic ingredient that makes skin feel smooth and silky without clogging pores or causing irritation.

Irritation

low

Source

synthetic

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Emollient

Fermented Canola Seed Oil Complex

KLUYVEROMYCES/LACTOBACILLUS/BRASSICA NAPUS SEED OIL FERMENT FILTRATE

4.0

A gentle, fermented oil complex that may help strengthen the skin barrier and improve hydration with minimal irritation risk.

Irritation

low

Source

biotech

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Skin conditioning

Fermented Cherry-Soy Complex

Bacillus/Monascus/Prunus Tomentosa Fruit/Soybean Ferment Filtrate

4.0

A gentle, fermented botanical blend that may help soothe and condition skin, but research is still early.

Irritation

low

Source

biotech

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Antioxidant

Fermented Longan & Soybean Complex

BACILLUS/DIMOCARPUS LONGAN FRUIT/SOYBEAN FERMENT FILTRATE

4.0

A gentle, fermented botanical complex that may help protect skin from environmental stress and improve hydration, though human research is still limited.

Irritation

low

Source

biotech

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Skin conditioner

Fermented Multi-Extract Complex

Saccharomyces/Antler Velvet/Arbutin/Citrus Limon Fruit/Ganoderma Lucidum Stem/Panax Ginseng Root/Pinus Sylvestris Bud/Propagermanium/Royal Jelly/Salmon Egg/Turtle Oil Ferment Extract Filtrate

3.5

A complex fermented blend with potential antioxidant benefits, but limited research and possible irritation for sensitive skin.

Irritation

moderate

Source

mixed

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Antioxidant

Fermented Pomegranate & Soybean Complex

BACILLUS/MONASCUS/PUNICA GRANATUM FRUIT/SOYBEAN FERMENT FILTRATE

4.0

A fermented botanical complex that delivers antioxidants and amino acids to support skin health, with low irritation potential.

Irritation

low

Source

biotech

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Skin conditioner

Fermented Pueraria & Rice Bran Complex

BACILLUS/MONASCUS/PUERARIA MIRIFICA ROOT/RICE BRAN FERMENT FILTRATE

3.8

A fermented botanical blend that may support skin hydration and antioxidant defense, but research is limited to traditional use and lab studies.

Irritation

low

Source

biotech

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Emollient

Fermented Safflower Oil Complex

KLUYVEROMYCES/LACTOBACILLUS/SAFFLOWER SEED OIL FERMENT FILTRATE

4.0

A gentle fermented oil that may help strengthen the skin barrier and improve hydration, but research is still early.

Irritation

low

Source

biotech

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Skin Conditioning

Fermented Soybean Filtrate

Aspergillus/Soybean Seed Ferment Filtrate

4.0

A gentle, fermented ingredient that helps hydrate and condition skin without irritation, ideal for sensitive and dry skin types.

Irritation

low

Source

biotech

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Skin Conditioning Agent

Hydrolyzed Oyster Shell Extract

Hydrolyzed Oyster Shell Extract

3.8

A gentle, mineral-rich extract that may help soothe and condition the skin, but research is still early.

Irritation

low

Source

natural

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Skin Conditioning Agent

Isopropylcyclohexene Carboxylic Acid

ISOPROPYLCYCLOHEXENE-CARBOXYLIC ACID

3.5

A synthetic ingredient that helps condition skin and improve product feel, but research on its long-term benefits is still limited.

Irritation

low

Source

synthetic

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Humectant

Lactobacillus Collagen Ferment Filtrate

LACTOBACILLUS/HYDROLYZED COLLAGEN FERMENT FILTRATE EXTRACT

4.0

A gentle, fermented collagen ingredient that may help hydrate and support the skin barrier, though research is still emerging.

Irritation

low

Source

biotech

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Skin Conditioning Agent

Lanthanum Chloride

LANTHANUM CHLORIDE

3.5

Lanthanum Chloride is a rare earth salt that may help calm skin, but it's not well-studied in cosmetics and is used at very low levels.

Irritation

low

Source

synthetic

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Antioxidant

Micrococcus Milk Ferment

MICROCOCCUS/HYDROLYZED NONFAT MILK FERMENT

3.8

A fermented milk ingredient that may help protect skin from environmental stress, but research is still early and benefits are not fully proven.

Irritation

low

Source

biotech

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Skin Conditioning Agent

Mother of Pearl Extract

MOTHER OF PEARL EXTRACT

3.5

A gentle, natural ingredient that may add a subtle glow and skin conditioning benefits, but scientific evidence is limited and mostly traditional.

Irritation

low

Source

natural

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Antioxidant

Multi-Fruit & Botanical Ferment Extract

Acetobacter/Aspergillus/Lactobacillus/Leuconostoc/Pediococcus/Saccharomyces/Zygosaccharomyces/Citrus Unshiu Fruit/Citrus Japonica Fruit/Citrus Junos Fruit/Apple Fruit/Banana Fruit/Papaya Fruit/Pyrus Serotina Fruit/Diospyros Kaki Fruit/Watermelon Fruit/Peach Fruit/Prunus Mume Fruit/Fig Fruit/Chaenomeles Sinensis Fruit/Eriobotrya Japonica Fruit/Apricot Fruit/Zizyphus Jujuba Fruit/Cucurbita Maxima Fruit/Castanea Crenata Fruit/Vitis Coignetiae Fruit/Raspberry Fruit/Momordica Grosvenorii Fruit/Lycium Chinense Fruit/Glycine Max Seed/Phaseolus Angularis Seed/Canavalia Ensiformis Seed/Rice Seed/Hordeum Vulgare Seed/Coix Lacryma-Jobi Ma-Yuen Seed/Echinochloa Crus-Galli Seed/Setaria Italica Seed/Millet Seed/Hemerocallis Fulva Flower/Cabbage Leaf/Stem/Morus Bombycis Leaf/Perilla Frutescens Leaf/Ipomoea Batatas Root/Colocasia Antiquorum Tuber/Dioscorea Batatas Rhizome/Iridea Laminarioides/Laminaria Japonica/Nemacystus Decipiens/Undaria Pinnatifida/Radish Root/Turnip Root/Carrot Root/Arctium Lappa Root/Nelumbo Nucifera Rhizome/Onion Bulb/Lilium Auratum Bulb/Licorice Root/Sagittaria Trifolia Root/Sesame Seed/Ginkgo Biloba Seed/Juglans Subcordiformis Fruit/Panax Ginseng Seed/Actinidia Polygama Fruit/Hydnum Erinaceum Fruiting Body/Grifola Frondosa Fruiting Body/Prunus Salicina Fruit/Akebia Quinata Fruit/Crataegus Cuneata Fruit/Cornus Officinalis Fruit/Nephelium Longana Fruit/Houttuynia Cordata/Artemisia Princeps/Sasa Veitchii Leaf/Glechoma Hederacea/Chamomilla Recutita Flower/Equisetum Arvense/Cassia Obtusifolia Seed/Taraxacum Officinale/Isodon Japonicus/Safflower Flower/Plantago Asiatica/Smallanthus Sonchifolius Root/Garlic Bulb/Ginger Rhizome/Beet Rhizome/Polygonum Odoratum Rhizome/Turmeric Rhizome/Acanthopanax Sieboldianus Root/Pinus Koraiensis Seed/Lentinus Edodes Fruiting Body/Auricularia Auricula/Vitis Labrusca Fruit/Helianthus Tuberosus Tuber Ferment Extract

4.0

A rich, fermented blend of many plant ingredients that may offer antioxidant and soothing benefits, but its complexity makes it hard to pinpoint exact effects.

Irritation

low

Source

natural

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Antioxidant

PEG-45 Thioctic Acid

METHOXY PEG-45 THIOCTATE

3.5

A PEG-modified form of alpha-lipoic acid that offers antioxidant benefits with improved water solubility and stability, but its effectiveness depends on formulation and concentration.

Irritation

low

Source

semi-synthetic

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Skin Conditioning

Perfluorotetralin

PERFLUOROTETRALIN

3.5

Perfluorotetralin is a synthetic fluorinated liquid that may help deliver oxygen to the skin, but its benefits are still being studied and it is not a mainstream ingredient.

Irritation

low

Source

synthetic

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Skin conditioning

Pine & Soy Ferment Filtrate

BACILLUS/(PINUS DENSIFLORA/PARVIFLORA/THUNBERGII) LEAF/SOYBEAN FERMENT FILTRATE

4.0

A gentle, fermented botanical blend that may support skin hydration and antioxidant defense, but research is still emerging.

Irritation

low

Source

biotech

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Skin Conditioning Agent

Sec-Butylphenyl Glyceryl Ether

SEC-BUTYLPHENYL GLYCERYL ETHER

4.0

A synthetic skin conditioner that helps products feel smooth and non-greasy, with a low risk of irritation.

Irritation

low

Source

synthetic

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Skin Conditioning Agent

Uracil

URACIL

3.5

Uracil is a gentle, naturally derived skin conditioner with early research suggesting soothing benefits, but it is not yet a well-studied or widely used ingredient.

Irritation

low

Source

natural

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