Beauty ingredients explained in plain English

Ethyl Pyruvate is a gentle antioxidant that helps protect skin from environmental stress and supports a more even tone, but it's less studied than vitamin C or E.

A gentle, non-greasy emollient derived from castor oil that helps soften and smooth skin without clogging pores.

Ethyl Salicylate is a milder cousin of salicylic acid, offering gentle exfoliation with a lower irritation risk, but it is less studied and often used more for fragrance than efficacy.

A synthetic ingredient that helps condition skin and may add a pleasant scent, but research on its specific benefits is limited.

Ethyl Serinate is a gentle amino acid derivative that helps attract moisture to the skin, but research on its long-term benefits is still limited.

A gentle emollient that softens skin but may clog pores for some people.

Ethyl Tafluprostamide can help eyelashes grow longer and thicker, but it may cause eye irritation and darkening of the eyelid skin.

A synthetic fragrance ingredient that adds scent but offers no skincare benefits; generally safe at low levels but may cause irritation in sensitive individuals.

Ethyl Thioglycolate is an effective hair-removal chemical but can be irritating and has a strong odor, so it requires careful formulation and use.

Ethyl Tiglate is a synthetic fragrance ingredient that adds a fruity, floral note to products; it is generally safe at low levels but may cause sensitivity in some individuals.

A synthetic fragrance ester that adds a fruity, green note to products; generally safe at low concentrations but may cause sensitivity in some individuals.

A synthetic fragrance ester that adds a pleasant floral-herbal scent but offers no direct skin benefit beyond sensory appeal.

A synthetic ingredient that can lengthen and thicken lashes, but may cause eye irritation and darkening of the iris or eyelid skin.

A synthetic fragrance ingredient that provides a fresh, woody scent but offers no direct skincare benefits.

A synthetic scent ingredient that adds a warm, woody note to products; generally safe but may cause sensitivity in some individuals.

A lightweight silicone that helps products glide on smoothly and leaves a silky finish without clogging pores.

A gentle synthetic emollient that softens skin and improves product texture, but it's not a standout ingredient for specific skin concerns.

A lightweight, non-greasy emollient that helps soften skin and improve product texture without clogging pores.

Ethyl Valerate is a mild synthetic ester used for scent and slight skin feel, but it offers no active skincare benefits.

Ethyl Vanillate is a gentle, vanilla-scented antioxidant that adds a pleasant fragrance to skincare, but it's not a powerhouse ingredient for skin benefits.

Ethyl vanillin is a synthetic vanilla-scented fragrance ingredient that is generally safe at low concentrations but may cause irritation in sensitive individuals.

A gentle, wheat-derived emollient that helps soften and condition skin without clogging pores.

A gentle plant-derived emollient that helps soothe and soften skin, though research is still emerging.

Ethyl-3-Alpha is a synthetic ingredient with limited public data; it appears safe at low levels but lacks robust research.

A synthetic peptide-like ingredient that may help soften expression lines by temporarily relaxing facial muscles, similar to a milder, topical alternative to injectables.

A synthetic peptide-like ingredient that may help improve skin firmness and reduce wrinkle depth, but human data is limited.

A gentler, more stable form of vitamin C that works well for most skin types without the sting of pure L-ascorbic acid.

A synthetic preservative booster that helps keep products fresh but may cause irritation for sensitive skin.

A potent synthetic antioxidant that helps protect skin from environmental damage and supports a healthy-looking complexion.

A synthetic fragrance ingredient that adds a pleasant scent but offers no skincare benefits; safe at low levels but may cause sensitivity in some individuals.

A gentle film-former that helps products spread smoothly and stay put without clogging pores.

A synthetic diol used mainly as a solvent or viscosity adjuster; not a star active ingredient but generally considered safe at low concentrations.

A synthetic fragrance ingredient that adds a pleasant scent but offers no skincare benefits; generally considered safe at low concentrations.

A widely used synthetic musk that provides a pleasant scent with a generally good safety profile, but may cause irritation in sensitive individuals.

A synthetic wax that helps thicken and stabilize products, but offers no direct skin benefit.

A synthetic thickener that helps give creams and lotions a rich, stable texture with a low risk of irritation.

Ethylene Dioleamide is a synthetic thickener and opacifier used mainly in rinse-off products; it is generally considered safe but has limited direct skin benefit.

A safe, synthetic thickener that improves product texture but offers no direct skin benefit.

Ethylene Dodecanedioate is a synthetic ester that adds a pleasant musky scent to products and helps condition the skin, but it offers no active skincare benefits.

A safe, synthetic film-former that helps products stay put and resist water, but offers no active skincare benefit.

A synthetic polymer that helps products stay put, resist water, and feel smooth, but offers no active skincare benefit.

A synthetic polymer that helps products stay put and resist water, but offers no active skincare benefit.

A synthetic polymer that helps create flexible, water-resistant films in makeup and skincare, generally considered safe and non-irritating.

A synthetic film-former that helps products spread smoothly and resist water, but offers no direct skin benefit.

A safe, synthetic polymer that helps products spread smoothly and resist water, but offers no active skin benefit.

A synthetic polymer that helps products stay put, but offers no active skincare benefit.

A synthetic film former that helps products stay put and resist water, but offers no active skincare benefit.

A safe, synthetic thickener that gives gels and creams a smooth, non-sticky feel without clogging pores.

A safe synthetic polymer that helps products feel silky and stay put, but offers no active skincare benefit.

A safe synthetic polymer that helps products spread smoothly and feel lightweight on skin.

A safe, synthetic film-former that helps makeup and sunscreen stay put without clogging pores.

A synthetic polymer that helps products stay put on skin and resist water, but offers no active skincare benefit.

Ethylenediamine is a synthetic pH adjuster with a high irritation and sensitization potential, making it unsuitable for most leave-on skincare products.

A synthetic polymer that helps products stay put, but its tallow-derived origin may not suit everyone.

A synthetic polymer that helps skincare and makeup stay put longer, especially in water-resistant formulas.

A synthetic dendrimer that helps deliver active ingredients deeper into the skin while improving product feel, but research on long-term safety is still limited.

A synthetic film-former that helps products stay put and resist water, but offers no active skincare benefit.

A synthetic polymer that helps products stay put, resist water, and feel smooth, but offers no active skincare benefit.

Ethylhexanal is a synthetic fragrance ingredient that adds a fresh, citrusy scent but may cause irritation in sensitive individuals.

A gentle synthetic ingredient that helps calm irritated skin and reduce redness, ideal for sensitive or reactive skin types.