Beauty ingredients explained in plain English

A safe, synthetic fatty alcohol that helps products spread smoothly and feel less greasy, but offers no active skin benefits.

A gentle, oil-soluble antioxidant that helps protect skin from environmental stress without the stability issues of pure ferulic acid.

A lightweight, non-greasy emollient that spreads easily and leaves a silky feel, ideal for those who dislike heavy oils.

A lightweight synthetic emollient that softens skin without greasiness, widely used for its silky feel and compatibility with other ingredients.

A synthetic fragrance ingredient that adds a fresh scent but offers no skincare benefits; safe at low levels but may cause sensitivity in some people.

Isooctane is a lightweight solvent that helps dissolve oils and makeup, but it can be drying or irritating for sensitive skin.

Isooctanol is a synthetic alcohol that helps dissolve other ingredients and gives a silky feel, but it can be drying or irritating for sensitive skin.

A lab-made peptide that may help soften expression wrinkles and improve skin firmness with minimal irritation risk.

A lightweight, non-greasy emollient that helps soften skin and improve product texture without clogging pores.

A gentle synthetic emollient that helps soften and smooth the skin with a low risk of irritation or clogged pores.

A lightweight, non-greasy emollient that helps products spread smoothly and leaves skin feeling soft without clogging pores.

A lightweight, non-greasy emollient that helps soften skin and improve product texture, generally well-tolerated.

Isopentanal is a synthetic fragrance ingredient that adds a sweet, fruity note but may cause skin irritation in sensitive individuals at higher concentrations.

Isopentane is a lightweight solvent that helps products feel less greasy, but it can be drying for very sensitive or dry skin.

Isopentenol is a synthetic fragrance ingredient with limited safety data; it may cause irritation in sensitive individuals and is best avoided if you prefer fragrance-free skincare.

A gentle synthetic emollient that helps soften and smooth skin with a low risk of irritation or clogged pores.

A synthetic fragrance ester with limited research; generally considered safe at low concentrations but may cause sensitivity in some individuals.

A synthetic compound that may help calm skin and support its natural defenses, but research is still early.

A synthetic fragrance ester with mild skin-conditioning properties, generally safe but may cause sensitivity in those allergic to fragrance ingredients.

A gentle synthetic ingredient that helps improve the feel and conditioning of skincare and hair products, with a low risk of irritation.

A synthetic fragrance ingredient that adds a pleasant scent but offers no skincare benefits; generally safe at low concentrations.

A silicone-modified UV filter that offers broad-spectrum protection with a lightweight, non-greasy feel.

A synthetic scent ingredient that adds a pleasant floral-woody note but may cause skin irritation in sensitive individuals.

A gentle, multi-tasking humectant that hydrates skin and helps other ingredients work better without causing irritation.

A synthetic film-former that helps products stay put, but offers no active skincare benefit.

A synthetic film former that helps makeup and sunscreen stay put longer, but offers no active skincare benefits.

Isophthalic acid is a synthetic pH adjuster rarely used in leave-on skincare; it's more common in nail and hair color products where precise pH control is needed.

A gentle silicone-based emulsifier that creates stable, lightweight textures without clogging pores.

A gentle silicone emulsifier that helps create smooth, lightweight textures without heavy residue.

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

A synthetic polymer that helps makeup and sunscreen stay put and resist water, but offers no skincare benefit.

Isopropanolamine is a synthetic pH adjuster that helps keep formulas stable, but it can be a mild irritant for sensitive skin.

A gentle lanolin-based emulsifier that helps blend oil and water, but may be mildly comedogenic for acne-prone skin.

A synthetic fragrance ingredient that adds a pleasant scent but may cause irritation for sensitive skin.

Isopropoxyethyl Benzene is a synthetic fragrance ingredient with limited safety data; it may cause skin irritation in sensitive individuals.

A synthetic fragrance ingredient that adds a fruity note but offers no skincare benefit; safe at low levels but may cause sensitivity in some individuals.

A synthetic fragrance compound that adds unique sulfurous notes to products; generally safe at low concentrations but offers no skincare benefit.

Isopropyl acetate is a fast-evaporating solvent that helps products dry quickly, but it can be drying or irritating for sensitive skin.

Effective for quick-drying and sanitizing, but can be drying and irritating for sensitive or dry skin types.

A reliable synthetic emollient that softens skin but may clog pores for those prone to breakouts.

A gentle, avocado-derived emollient that hydrates and softens skin without feeling greasy.

A lightweight, plant-based emollient that gives skin a silky feel without clogging pores.

A lightweight synthetic emollient that softens skin without heavy residue, generally well-tolerated and non-comedogenic.

A lightweight synthetic emollient that helps products glide on smoothly without a greasy feel.

A lightweight synthetic ester that softens skin without a greasy feel, but may not suit those with very sensitive or acne-prone skin.

A mild synthetic surfactant that helps cleanse without stripping the skin's natural moisture barrier.

Isopropyl Cinnamate is a synthetic fragrance ingredient that adds a sweet, balsamic scent to products, but it may cause skin irritation in sensitive individuals.

Isopropyl Citrate is a gentle emollient that helps soften skin and improve product texture, with a low risk of irritation or clogged pores.

Isopropyl Cloprostenate is a synthetic ingredient that may temporarily tighten under-eye skin and reduce puffiness, but its long-term safety and efficacy are still emerging.

Isopropyl Cresols is a synthetic preservative that helps keep products fresh, but may cause irritation for sensitive skin types.

A synthetic fragrance ingredient that adds a fresh scent but may cause irritation in sensitive individuals.

A synthetic fragrance ingredient that adds scent but offers no skincare benefits and may cause irritation for sensitive skin.

A synthetic fragrance ingredient that adds a pleasant scent but may cause irritation in sensitive skin.

A lightweight synthetic emollient that softens skin without a greasy feel, generally well-tolerated.

A synthetic UVA filter that helps protect skin from sun damage, but its use has declined due to availability of more photostable alternatives.

A synthetic solvent that helps dissolve other ingredients and control product texture, but has limited direct skin benefit.

A synthetic polymer that helps products stay put, resist water, and feel flexible on skin or hair without heavy buildup.

A lightweight synthetic emollient that softens skin without greasiness, generally well-tolerated.

A gentle synthetic emollient that helps skin feel soft and smooth without clogging pores, but it's not a hydrating or active ingredient.

A synthetic cooling agent found in some cosmetics, but with limited safety data and potential for skin irritation.