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

Showing 60 of 20,303
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

Emollient

Hydrogenated Orange Seed Oil

Hydrogenated Orange Seed Oil

4.0

A stable, non-greasy emollient that softens skin without clogging pores, ideal for dry or sensitive skin types.

Irritation

low

Source

semi-synthetic

beautyskincareemollient
Read ingredient review

Emollient

Hydrogenated Ostrich Oil

Hydrogenated Ostrich Oil

3.8

A stable, animal-derived emollient that softens skin and locks in moisture, but lacks extensive human research.

Irritation

low

Source

natural

beautyskincareemollient
Read ingredient review

Emollient

Hydrogenated Palm Glycerides

Hydrogenated Palmitic/Stearic/Oleic/Linoleic Glycerides

4.0

A gentle, plant-derived emollient that softens and smooths skin without clogging pores.

Irritation

low

Source

natural

beautyskincareemollient
Read ingredient review

Antistatic Agent

Hydrogenated Paltrimonium Chloride

Hydrogenated Paltrimonium Chloride

3.5

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

beautyskincarehaircare
Read ingredient review

Emollient

Hydrogenated Peach Kernel Oil

HYDROGENATED PEACH KERNEL OIL

4.0

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

Irritation

low

Source

natural

beautyskincareemollient
Read ingredient review

Emollient

Hydrogenated Pine Seed Oil

Hydrogenated Pinus Pinaster Seed Oil

4.0

A stable, non-greasy emollient derived from pine seeds that helps soften skin and improve product texture.

Irritation

low

Source

semi-synthetic

beautyskincareemollient
Read ingredient review

Emollient

Hydrogenated Plum Seed Oil

HYDROGENATED PRUNUS DOMESTICA SEED OIL

4.3

A stable, non-greasy emollient derived from plum seeds that softens skin and gives products a luxurious, buttery feel.

Irritation

low

Source

semi-synthetic

beautyskincareemollient
Read ingredient review

Emollient

Hydrogenated Plum Seed Oil Esters

Prunus Domestica/Hydrogenated Prunus Domestica Seed Oil Esters

4.3

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

beautyskincareemollient
Read ingredient review

Emollient

Hydrogenated Polydecene

Hydrogenated Polydecene

4.5

A silky, lightweight synthetic oil that hydrates without clogging pores — a great option for oily and sensitive skin types.

Irritation

low

Source

synthetic

beautyskincareemollient
Read ingredient review

Emollient

Hydrogenated Polydodecene

Hydrogenated Polydodecene

4.0

A synthetic emollient that spreads easily, feels lightweight, and helps other ingredients absorb without clogging pores.

Irritation

low

Source

synthetic

beautyskincareemollient
Read ingredient review

Absorbent

Hydrogenated Potato Starch

Hydrogenated Potato Starch

4.0

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

beautyskincaretexturizer
Read ingredient review

Emollient

Hydrogenated Rapeseed Glycerides

HYDROGENATED RAPESEED GLYCERIDES

4.0

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

Irritation

low

Source

natural

beautyskincareemollient
Read ingredient review

Anti-Aging Agent

Hydrogenated Retinol

Hydrogenated Retinol

4.0

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

beautyskincareanti-aging
Read ingredient review

Emollient

Hydrogenated Rosehip Oil

Hydrogenated Rosa Canina Fruit Oil

4.0

A stable, non-greasy emollient derived from rosehip oil, ideal for dry or sensitive skin in balms and sticks.

Irritation

low

Source

semi-synthetic

beautyskincareemollient
Read ingredient review

Soothing Agent

Hydrogenated Saussurea Lappa Extract

SAUSSUREA LAPPA EXTRACT HYDROGENATED

3.8

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

beautyskincaresoothing agent
Read ingredient review

Emollient

Hydrogenated Shea Butter

Hydrogenated Shea Butter

4.3

A shelf-stable, non-greasy shea butter that locks in moisture and softens skin without the natural nutty scent.

Irritation

low

Source

semi-synthetic

beautyskincareemollient
Read ingredient review

Emollient

Hydrogenated Shea Oil

Hydrogenated Shea Oil

4.0

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

beautyskincareemollient
Read ingredient review

Emollient

Hydrogenated Soy Glyceride

Hydrogenated Soy Glyceride

4.3

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

Irritation

low

Source

semi-synthetic

beautyskincareemollient
Read ingredient review

Emulsifier

Hydrogenated Soy Polyglycerides

Hydrogenated Soy Polyglycerides / Soyamide DEA

3.8

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

beautyskincareemulsifier
Read ingredient review

Skin Barrier Repair

Hydrogenated Sphingolipids

Hydrogenated Sphingolipids

4.5

A gentle, skin-friendly lipid that strengthens the moisture barrier and helps calm dry, sensitive skin.

Irritation

low

Source

semi-synthetic

beautyskincareemollient
Read ingredient review

Film Former

Hydrogenated Styrene Copolymer

HYDROGENATED DICYCLOPENTADIENE/ISOPENTENE/ISOPRENE/STYRENE COPOLYMER

3.8

A synthetic polymer that helps makeup last longer and resist water, but may feel heavy on some skin types.

Irritation

low

Source

synthetic

beautyskincarefilm-former
Read ingredient review