A gentle, plant-based emollient that softens skin without feeling greasy, ideal for dry or sensitive skin.
Irritation
low
Source
semi-synthetic
Beauty ingredient research
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
A gentle, plant-based emollient that softens skin without feeling greasy, ideal for dry or sensitive skin.
Irritation
low
Source
semi-synthetic
A gentle, plant-derived emollient that helps moisturize and soften skin without clogging pores.
Irritation
low
Source
semi-synthetic
A gentle, olive-derived emollient that helps skin feel smooth and soft without clogging pores.
Irritation
low
Source
semi-synthetic
A gentle, non-greasy emollient from olive oil that helps soothe and strengthen the skin barrier without clogging pores.
Irritation
low
Source
natural
A rich, stable emollient that softens skin but raises sustainability concerns due to its deep-sea fish source.
Irritation
low
Source
natural
A stable, non-greasy emollient that softens skin without clogging pores, ideal for dry or sensitive skin types.
Irritation
low
Source
semi-synthetic
A gentle, plant-derived emollient that helps strengthen the skin barrier without clogging pores.
Irritation
low
Source
natural
A stable, animal-derived emollient that softens skin and locks in moisture, but lacks extensive human research.
Irritation
low
Source
natural
A gentle, plant-based emollient that helps maintain skin softness without clogging pores.
Irritation
low
Source
natural
A gentle, plant-derived emollient that softens and smooths skin without clogging pores.
Irritation
low
Source
natural
A gentle, plant-based emollient that softens skin and helps stabilize formulas, with a very low risk of irritation.
Irritation
low
Source
natural
A gentle, plant-derived surfactant that helps create a rich lather and cleanse without stripping the skin.
Irritation
low
Source
natural
A gentle, plant-based emollient that helps moisturize and smooth skin without clogging pores.
Irritation
low
Source
natural
A conditioning ingredient that reduces static and softens hair, but may be too heavy for fine hair or acne-prone skin.
Irritation
moderate
Source
semi-synthetic
A gentle, non-greasy emollient that strengthens the skin barrier and is well-tolerated by most skin types.
Irritation
low
Source
semi-synthetic
A gentle, plant-derived emollient that softens and smooths skin without clogging pores, ideal for dry or sensitive skin.
Irritation
low
Source
natural
A stable, non-greasy emollient derived from pine seeds that helps soften skin and improve product texture.
Irritation
low
Source
semi-synthetic
A gentle, non-greasy emollient that helps soften and smooth skin without clogging pores.
Irritation
low
Source
semi-synthetic
A gentle, non-greasy emollient that locks in moisture and improves product texture without clogging pores.
Irritation
low
Source
semi-synthetic
A stable, non-greasy emollient derived from plum seeds that softens skin and gives products a luxurious, buttery feel.
Irritation
low
Source
semi-synthetic
Emollient
Prunus Domestica/Hydrogenated Prunus Domestica Seed Oil Esters
A gentle, plant-derived emollient that hydrates and smooths skin without clogging pores, ideal for sensitive and dry skin types.
Irritation
low
Source
semi-synthetic
A lightweight, non-greasy synthetic emollient that helps products spread smoothly without clogging pores.
Irritation
low
Source
synthetic
A silky, non-greasy synthetic emollient that mimics the feel of natural oils without clogging pores.
Irritation
low
Source
synthetic
A gentle, synthetic emollient that gives a smooth, silky feel without clogging pores or causing irritation.
Irritation
low
Source
synthetic
Film Former
HYDROGENATED POLYBUTADIENE/GLYCOL/HDI COPOLYMER
A synthetic polymer that helps makeup and skincare last longer, resist water, and feel smooth — generally safe but not biodegradable.
Irritation
low
Source
synthetic
A safe, non-greasy emollient that gives products a silky, smooth feel without clogging pores.
Irritation
low
Source
synthetic
A safe, non-comedogenic synthetic resin that helps makeup last longer and feel smoother on skin.
Irritation
low
Source
synthetic
A silky, lightweight synthetic oil that hydrates without clogging pores — a great option for oily and sensitive skin types.
Irritation
low
Source
synthetic
A synthetic polymer that helps makeup last longer and feel smooth, but offers no skincare benefits.
Irritation
low
Source
synthetic
A synthetic emollient that spreads easily, feels lightweight, and helps other ingredients absorb without clogging pores.
Irritation
low
Source
synthetic
A safe synthetic polymer that improves product texture, water resistance, and wear without clogging pores.
Irritation
low
Source
synthetic
A gentle, non-greasy emollient that strengthens the skin barrier and is well-tolerated by most skin types.
Irritation
low
Source
semi-synthetic
A gentle, plant-derived powder that helps absorb excess oil and gives products a silky, smooth feel without clogging pores.
Irritation
low
Source
semi-synthetic
A gentle, non-greasy emollient that strengthens the skin barrier and is well-tolerated by most skin types.
Irritation
low
Source
semi-synthetic
A gentle, plant-based fatty alcohol that softens skin and improves product texture without irritation.
Irritation
low
Source
natural
A gentle, plant-based emollient that hydrates and smooths skin without clogging pores, ideal for sensitive and dry skin types.
Irritation
low
Source
natural
Film Former
Hydrogenated Brassica Campestris/Aleurites Fordii Oil Copolymer
A gentle, plant-based film former that helps makeup and skincare stay put without clogging pores.
Irritation
low
Source
semi-synthetic
A gentle, non-greasy emollient that locks in moisture and gives a smooth feel, ideal for dry or sensitive skin.
Irritation
low
Source
semi-synthetic
A gentler, stabilized form of retinol that aims to reduce wrinkles and improve skin texture with less irritation than traditional retinol.
Irritation
low
Source
semi-synthetic
A plant-based wax that helps create a smooth, protective film on skin or lips, but research on its specific benefits is limited.
Irritation
low
Source
natural
A gentle, plant-based wax that adds smoothness and structure to products without clogging pores.
Irritation
low
Source
natural
A stable, non-greasy emollient derived from rosehip oil, ideal for dry or sensitive skin in balms and sticks.
Irritation
low
Source
semi-synthetic
A gentle, non-greasy emollient that strengthens the skin barrier and is well-tolerated by most skin types.
Irritation
low
Source
semi-synthetic
A gentle, antioxidant-rich botanical extract that may help calm skin, but research is limited and hydrogenation alters its natural composition.
Irritation
low
Source
natural
A rich emollient that softens skin, but its shark-derived origin raises ethical and sustainability concerns.
Irritation
low
Source
natural
A shelf-stable, non-greasy shea butter that locks in moisture and softens skin without the natural nutty scent.
Irritation
low
Source
semi-synthetic
A stabilized, non-greasy shea derivative that adds richness and slip to formulas without the meltiness of raw shea butter.
Irritation
low
Source
semi-synthetic
Skin conditioning
Hydrogenated Sodium Cyclic Lysophosphatidic Acid
A gentle, synthetic lipid that helps reinforce the skin barrier and improve moisture retention, with limited but promising research.
Irritation
low
Source
synthetic
A gentle, plant-derived emollient that softens skin without clogging pores, ideal for dry or sensitive skin.
Irritation
low
Source
semi-synthetic
A gentle soy-derived emulsifier that helps blend oil and water in products, but its DEA component raises minor safety questions in high concentrations.
Irritation
low
Source
semi-synthetic
A gentle, skin-friendly lipid that strengthens the moisture barrier and helps calm dry, sensitive skin.
Irritation
low
Source
semi-synthetic
A mild, sugar-derived humectant that hydrates without clogging pores or irritating sensitive skin.
Irritation
low
Source
natural
A gentle, non-sticky humectant derived from corn or potato starch that hydrates skin without irritation.
Irritation
low
Source
semi-synthetic
Film Former
HYDROGENATED DICYCLOPENTADIENE/ISOPENTENE/ISOPRENE/STYRENE COPOLYMER
A synthetic polymer that helps makeup last longer and resist water, but may feel heavy on some skin types.
Irritation
low
Source
synthetic
A synthetic polymer that helps makeup last longer and resist water, but offers no skincare benefit and may feel heavy on some.
Irritation
low
Source
synthetic
A synthetic polymer that helps cosmetics glide on smoothly, feel silky, and stay put longer without clogging pores.
Irritation
low
Source
synthetic
Film Former
HYDROGENATED STYRENE/METHYL STYRENE/INDENE COPOLYMER
A synthetic film-former that helps makeup and skincare last longer and resist water, but offers no active skin benefits.
Irritation
low
Source
synthetic
A gentle, non-greasy emollient derived from sunflower oil that softens skin without clogging pores.
Irritation
low
Source
semi-synthetic
A gentle, plant-derived emollient that softens skin and strengthens the moisture barrier without clogging pores.
Irritation
low
Source
natural
A gentle, non-greasy emollient that strengthens the skin barrier and gives products a smooth, creamy feel.
Irritation
low
Source
semi-synthetic