Beauty ingredients explained in plain English

A gentle, plant-derived film former that helps makeup and sunscreen stay put without clogging pores or irritating skin.

A mild, plant-based emulsifier that keeps formulas stable and skin-friendly, ideal for sensitive skin.

A gentle, high-performance emulsifier that helps water and oil mix into a stable, creamy texture without irritation.

A gentle, plant-derived emulsifier that helps create stable, smooth lotions and creams without common irritation.

A mild, plant-based emulsifier that helps create stable, creamy textures without common irritation.

A gentle, plant-derived emulsifier that helps oil and water mix, making creams and lotions smooth and stable without irritation.

A silicone alternative that forms a flexible, breathable film on skin and hair, offering long-lasting hold and moisture without heavy buildup.

An effective emulsifier and antistatic agent, but may cause irritation or clog pores in sensitive individuals.

A gentle, plant-derived emollient that improves product texture and skin feel without clogging pores or causing irritation.

A gentle, nourishing emollient that helps soften and smooth skin without clogging pores.

A synthetic fragrance ingredient that adds a warm, woody scent but has limited published safety data compared to more common fragrance materials.

A safe synthetic polymer that improves product feel and stability without clogging pores.

A lightweight, plant-derived emollient that mimics skin's natural oils for a silky feel without greasiness.

A gentle, olive-derived emollient that hydrates and softens skin without clogging pores, suitable for most skin types.

A lightweight, non-greasy emollient derived from sesame oil that helps soften skin and improve product texture.

A lightweight, plant-derived emollient that hydrates without greasiness and is well-tolerated by most skin types.

A gentle, plant-based polymer that helps products stay put without feeling sticky or heavy.

A gentle, antioxidant-rich oil that helps moisturize and soothe skin without clogging pores.

A gentle, plant-derived film former that helps makeup and hair products stay put without feeling sticky.

A gentle, plant-derived film former that helps products stay put and resist water without feeling heavy.

A gentle, hydrogenated oil that softens and protects skin without clogging pores, but offers limited antioxidant benefits compared to unprocessed grapefruit seed oil.

A gentle, non-greasy emollient derived from grapefruit seeds that helps soften skin and support the moisture barrier without irritation.

A gentle, non-greasy emollient that strengthens the skin barrier without clogging pores.

A synthetic fragrance ingredient with limited safety data; best for those who tolerate added scents.

A stable, non-greasy emollient that locks in moisture without clogging pores, ideal for dry or sensitive skin.

A gentle, non-greasy emollient that strengthens the skin barrier and adds richness to products without clogging pores.

A stable, less sticky version of honey that hydrates and soothes skin without the mess of raw honey.

A rich, animal-derived emollient that softens and seals in moisture, but may be too heavy for oily or acne-prone skin.

A gentle, olive-derived emollient that hydrates and softens skin without clogging pores.

A lightweight, non-greasy emollient that closely resembles skin's natural oils, making it an excellent choice for all skin types, especially oily or acne-prone skin.

A gentle, plant-based wax that adds structure and a smooth feel to balms and sticks without common irritation.

A gentle, plant-based emollient that improves product texture and skin feel without clogging pores or causing irritation.

A gentle, non-greasy wax that locks in moisture and gives products a smooth, silky feel without clogging pores.

A gentle, plant-based wax that locks in moisture and gives products a smooth, creamy feel without clogging pores.

A gentle, non-greasy emollient that strengthens the skin barrier without clogging pores.

A plant-based wax that gives lip and cream products a smooth, glossy feel, but research on its specific benefits is limited.

A gentle, lanolin-derived emulsifier that helps blend water and oil in formulas, with a low risk of irritation for most skin types.

A gentle, lanolin-derived emulsifier that helps mix oil and water in skincare, with low irritation risk but potential allergy concerns for those sensitive to lanolin.

Hydrogenated Laneth-5 is a gentle, lanolin-derived emollient that helps soften skin and stabilize mixtures of oil and water, but it may not suit those with lanolin allergies.

A gentle, lanolin-derived emollient that softens skin and helps stabilize formulas, but may clog pores for some.

A gentle, lard-derived emollient that softens skin but may not suit vegans or those avoiding animal ingredients.

Hydrogenated lime seed oil is a gentle, stable emollient that softens skin without clogging pores, making it a good choice for dry or sensitive skin types.

A gentle, plant-derived emollient that supports skin barrier function without clogging pores.

A gentle, stabilized botanical extract that may offer antioxidant benefits, but research on the hydrogenated form is limited.

A gentle emulsifier that helps mix oil and water in formulas and may support skin barrier function without irritation.

A skin-friendly phospholipid that improves ingredient delivery and supports the moisture barrier without irritation.

A gentle, non-greasy emollient that mimics skin's natural oils, ideal for dry or sensitive skin.

A gentle, non-greasy emollient that strengthens the skin barrier and resists oxidation, ideal for dry or sensitive skin.

A gentle, fish-derived emollient that softens skin and improves product texture, but may not suit vegans or those with fish allergies.

A gentle, plant-derived film former that helps makeup and skincare stay put without clogging pores.

A safe, non-irritating wax that gives lipsticks and balms their smooth, firm texture without clogging pores.

A gentle, milk-derived emollient that strengthens the skin barrier without clogging pores — ideal for dry or sensitive skin.

A reliable, non-irritating occlusive that locks in moisture, but may feel heavy on oily or acne-prone skin.

Hydrogenated mink oil is an effective emollient, but its animal origin and ethical concerns make it a poor fit for most modern skincare routines.

A mild, non-stripping cleanser derived from moringa oil and sugar, ideal for sensitive or dry skin.

A stable, non-greasy emollient that adds a silky feel to products without clogging pores.

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

A gentle, plant-based emollient that softens and smooths skin without feeling greasy.

A lightweight, plant-derived emollient that hydrates and softens skin without clogging pores.

A gentle, plant-derived emollient that helps lock in moisture without feeling greasy.