Beauty ingredients explained in plain English

A safe, functional thickener and opacifier that helps give products a creamy texture and uniform appearance.

Aluminum PCA effectively reduces sweat and tightens skin, but its aluminum content raises concerns for sensitive or irritated skin.

Aluminum Phenolsulfonate works as an astringent and antimicrobial to reduce sweat and odor, but may cause irritation for sensitive skin.

A safe, FDA-approved metallic pigment for sparkle, but not a skincare active.

A common antiperspirant ingredient that effectively reduces sweat but may cause irritation for sensitive skin.

A safe, non-irritating mineral that helps control oil and improve product texture, but offers no active skincare benefits.

A safe, non-irritating powder that soaks up excess oil and gives a smooth, silky feel to makeup and skincare.

Aluminum Stearate is a safe, widely used texture enhancer that helps keep makeup smooth and stable, but it has no direct skin benefit.

A safe, effective thickener and emulsifier that improves product texture without common irritation concerns.

A gentle barrier-forming ingredient that helps soothe and protect compromised or irritated skin.

Aluminum sulfate works as an astringent to tighten skin and reduce sweat, but it can be irritating for sensitive skin and raises environmental concerns.

Aluminum Triformate works as an astringent to reduce sweat and tighten pores, but may cause irritation for sensitive skin.

Aluminum Triphosphate is a safe, low-irritation stabilizer that helps maintain product pH and texture, but it offers no direct skin benefit.

A film-forming ingredient that helps smooth skin and improve product feel, but its aluminum content raises questions for some users.

A mineral powder that helps absorb oil and control shine, but its use is limited to specific product types.

A common antiperspirant active that effectively reduces sweat but may cause irritation for sensitive skin.

Effective at reducing sweat, but may cause irritation for sensitive skin and has been the subject of long-standing safety debates.

A gentle, soothing ingredient that may help calm redness and reduce shine, but research is still limited.

A gentle botanical extract with antioxidant potential, but research is limited and benefits are not well-established.

A gentle botanical extract blend that may help protect skin from environmental stress and calm minor irritation.

A gentle, antioxidant-rich plant extract that helps hydrate and protect skin from environmental stress.

A gentle, plant-based oil that hydrates and provides antioxidant protection, suitable for most skin types.

A gentle, plant-based oil that hydrates and protects skin without clogging pores.

Ambergris extract is a historical fragrance fixative with limited modern cosmetic use due to ethical and sustainability concerns.

Ambrein is a rare, natural fragrance fixative with mild skin-conditioning benefits, but its use is limited by ethical and sustainability concerns.

A synthetic musk that adds a pleasant, long-lasting scent to products with a very low risk of irritation.

A plant extract with potential antioxidant benefits, but limited research and a possible allergy risk for those sensitive to ragweed.

A gentle, plant-based oil that helps moisturize and soften skin with a subtle, warm scent.

A plant-derived flavonoid with antioxidant and soothing potential, but research in topical skincare is still emerging.

A fragrant essential oil with some antimicrobial and antioxidant potential, but limited research on topical benefits and a moderate risk of skin irritation.

American Basil Oil adds a fresh herbal scent to products, but its benefits are mostly aromatic and it may irritate sensitive skin.

A gentle botanical extract with antioxidant and soothing potential, but research is limited and it's not a standout ingredient.

A gentle, plant-based extract with antioxidant potential, but research on its skincare benefits is still limited.

A gentle, antioxidant-rich flower extract that helps calm irritated skin and provides mild protection against environmental stress.

A gentle, lightly fragrant oil that may help soothe and soften skin, but research is limited and it is best used as a supporting ingredient.

American pennyroyal extract is a fragrant botanical that poses notable skin irritation risks and is not recommended for routine skincare use.

A traditional botanical extract with potential soothing and antioxidant benefits, but limited modern research and a moderate risk of skin irritation for sensitive types.

A gentle botanical extract with antioxidant potential, but research on its specific benefits for skin is still limited.

A gentle plant extract with antioxidant and soothing potential, though research in cosmetics is still limited.

Amethyst extract is a trendy, gemstone-based ingredient with minimal scientific backing for skincare benefits beyond its visual appeal.

Amethyst powder adds sparkle and a luxury feel to products, but has no proven skincare benefits beyond aesthetics.

Amidinocysteine is a synthetic antioxidant that may help protect skin from environmental stress, but research is still emerging.

Amidinoproline is a synthetic peptide-like ingredient that may help firm and smooth skin, but research is still emerging.

A gentle, amino-acid-based surfactant that cleanses without stripping the skin barrier.

A gentle, multi-amino-acid surfactant that cleanses without stripping the skin barrier.

A synthetic peptide that may help reduce fine lines and improve skin firmness by interfering with collagen-degrading enzymes.

Aminobutyric acid is a neuroactive amino acid that may temporarily relax expression lines, but results are subtle and short-lived compared to alternatives like retinol or peptides.

A synthetic peptide that mimics the effects of a neuropeptide to temporarily soften expression lines, offering a gentler alternative to injectables.

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

A synthetic ingredient that may help improve skin firmness and reduce fine lines by supporting collagen and hyaluronic acid production.

A gentle synthetic pH adjuster that helps keep your skincare products at the right acidity for your skin without causing irritation.

A mild synthetic surfactant that helps cleanse and adjust pH, but may cause irritation in sensitive skin at higher concentrations.

A safe, synthetic film-former that improves water resistance and wear time without clogging pores.

A gentle silicone that smooths hair and skin without heavy buildup, but may not suit those avoiding all silicones.

A gentle chelating agent that helps keep your skincare stable and effective by neutralizing unwanted metals.

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

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

A synthetic ingredient that temporarily plumps lashes and brows without hormones or prostaglandins, but long-term research is still limited.

A synthetic pH adjuster with limited cosmetic history; potential for skin irritation at higher concentrations.

Aminolevulinic Acid Phosphate is a medical photosensitizer used in photodynamic therapy, not a typical skincare ingredient, and can cause significant irritation and sun sensitivity.