Beauty ingredients explained in plain English

A reliable film-former that helps makeup stay put without feeling heavy or sticky.

A gentle, plant-based emollient that softens skin and helps blend oil and water in formulas without irritation.

A gentle, plant-derived emollient that helps soften and smooth skin without clogging pores.

A gentle, sugar-derived humectant that hydrates without stickiness, suitable for sensitive and dry skin types.

A gentle silicone emollient that improves product texture and leaves skin feeling smooth without clogging pores.

A gentle emollient that helps moisturize and soften skin without feeling greasy.

A gentle, plant-derived ester that improves product texture and wear, especially in lip and color cosmetics.

A gentle emollient that helps soften and smooth skin by replenishing its natural lipid barrier.

A gentle, palm-derived emollient that helps moisturize and soften skin without clogging pores.

A gentle, plant-based emollient that mimics the skin's own lipids to improve softness and barrier function without clogging pores.

A gentle retinoid alternative that delivers anti-aging benefits with less irritation than traditional retinol.

A gentle, plant-based emollient that softens skin and improves product feel without clogging pores.

A synthetic film-former that helps makeup and sunscreen stay put without feeling heavy or sticky.

A reliable, low-irritation emulsifier that helps create smooth, stable creams and lotions without clogging pores.

A gentle emollient that helps soften and smooth skin without clogging pores, commonly used in moisturizers and lip care.

A lightweight, non-greasy emollient that hydrates and improves product feel without clogging pores.

A synthetic UV filter that helps protect skin from sunburn and long-term sun damage, but it's less common in modern formulations due to availability of newer filters.

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

A lightweight, non-greasy emollient that hydrates and improves product feel without clogging pores.

A gentle, plant-based emollient that helps moisturize and soften skin without clogging pores.

A pine-derived film former that helps makeup and sunscreens stay put, but may feel heavy on some skin types.

A gentle, plant-based emollient that helps soften and smooth skin without clogging pores.

A mild, non-irritating emulsifier that helps create stable, creamy textures while also softening the skin.

A gentle, semi-synthetic emollient that softens and smooths skin without clogging pores, making it suitable for most skin types.

A gentle, synthetic emollient that helps moisturize and soften skin without clogging pores, commonly used in creams and lotions.

A gentle, synthetic emollient that helps moisturizers feel silky and spread easily without clogging pores.

A gentle emollient and emulsifier that helps soften skin and stabilize formulas, generally well-tolerated by most skin types.

A gentle, synthetic emollient that softens skin and improves product feel without clogging pores.

A gentle, lanolin-based emollient that helps soften and protect dry skin, but may be too heavy for oily or acne-prone skin.

A mild emulsifier that helps blend oil and water in skincare products while offering gentle skin conditioning—safe for most skin types.

A gentle, semi-synthetic emollient that helps soften skin and improve product feel without clogging pores.

A gentle emulsifier that helps blend water and oil in creams and lotions, with mild antimicrobial properties.

A gentle emulsifier that helps blend oil and water in products while providing mild skin conditioning.

A gentle, glycerin-based surfactant that helps cleanse without stripping the skin's natural moisture barrier.

A gentle, skin-friendly emollient that helps replenish moisture and support a healthy skin barrier without clogging pores.

A gentle, skin-softening ingredient that helps maintain the skin barrier without clogging pores.

A gentle, plant-derived wax that softens skin and gives products a smooth, non-greasy feel.

A gentle, non-greasy emollient that helps soften skin and stabilize creams without clogging pores.

A gentle, amino-acid-based cleanser that effectively removes dirt and oil without stripping the skin barrier.

A mild, plant-based emulsifier that helps create stable, creamy textures while also softening the skin.

A gentle, plant-derived emulsifier that helps blend oil and water in creams and lotions while also softening the skin.

A mild, plant-derived emulsifier that helps blend water and oil in creams and lotions while also softening the skin.

A gentle emollient and emulsifier that helps soften skin and stabilize formulas, generally safe for most skin types.

A mild, olive-derived ingredient that softens skin and helps blend water and oil in creams and lotions.

A gentle, plant-based emollient that hydrates and softens skin without clogging pores, ideal for sensitive and dry skin types.

A mild, palm-derived emollient that helps soften skin and keeps oil-and-water ingredients mixed together in creams and lotions.

A mild, lactic-acid-based emollient that hydrates and supports the skin barrier without irritation.

A gentle, skin-friendly emollient and emulsifier that helps moisturize and stabilize formulations without clogging pores.

A gentle, skin-softening ester that mimics natural skin lipids, making it a good choice for dry or sensitive skin.

A gentle emollient that helps soften and smooth skin without clogging pores, suitable for most skin types.

A safe, synthetic film-former that gives water-based products a silky, non-greasy feel and helps other ingredients stay on skin longer.

A gentle film former that helps products stay put and resist water, commonly found in sunscreens and long-wear makeup.

A gentle synthetic polymer that improves product feel and helps other ingredients stay on the skin longer.

A synthetic polymer that helps makeup and skincare products stay put and feel smooth, but it's not a hydrating or active ingredient.

A mild, castor-oil-derived ingredient that hydrates and smooths skin without clogging pores.

A mild emulsifier that helps mix water and oil while also softening the skin, making it a gentle choice for sensitive formulas.

Glyceryl Rosinate is a natural film-forming ingredient that helps makeup and hair products last longer, but it may cause sensitivity in those allergic to pine or tree resins.

A gentle emulsifier that helps blend water and oil in creams and lotions, with a low risk of irritation or clogged pores.

Glyceryl starch is a gentle, non-sticky humectant that helps hydrate the skin by attracting moisture, making it a good option for sensitive or dry skin types.

A gentle, widely used emulsifier that helps create smooth, stable creams and lotions with low irritation potential.