Beauty ingredients explained in plain English

A lightweight synthetic emollient that spreads easily and leaves a non-greasy finish, generally well-tolerated by most skin types.

Isopropylmethylhexenal is a synthetic fragrance compound that adds a floral-woody scent, but it may cause skin irritation or allergic reactions in sensitive individuals.

Isopropylmethylhexenol is a synthetic fragrance ingredient that adds a floral-green scent but may cause skin irritation in sensitive individuals.

A synthetic scent ingredient that can make products smell pleasant but may cause irritation in sensitive individuals.

Isopropylparaben is an effective preservative but has raised some safety concerns due to its potential endocrine activity; many brands now avoid it.

A common synthetic fragrance ingredient that provides a floral scent but can be a skin sensitizer for some people.

A synthetic fragrance ingredient that adds pleasant scent but may cause skin sensitivity in some people.

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

Isopropylphthalimide is a synthetic plasticizer that helps nail polishes and hair products stay flexible and durable, but its safety data is limited.

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

Isopulegol is a natural minty fragrance component that can be sensitizing for some, especially at higher concentrations.

Isopulegyl acetate is a synthetic fragrance ingredient that provides a fresh, minty scent but may cause skin irritation in sensitive individuals.

Isopulegyl Formate is a synthetic fragrance ingredient that adds a fresh, minty scent, but it offers no skincare benefits and may cause irritation in sensitive individuals.

A gentle plant antioxidant that helps shield skin from pollution and UV damage while supporting a brighter, more even complexion.

A gentle plant-derived antioxidant that helps defend skin against pollution and UV-related damage without irritation.

Isorhamnetin is a plant-derived antioxidant that helps shield skin from environmental stress and may calm irritation, but human studies are still limited.

Isosorbide is a gentle, plant-based humectant that hydrates skin without stickiness, making it a good alternative to glycerin or hyaluronic acid.

A lightweight, plant-derived emollient that hydrates and softens skin without feeling greasy, making it a great alternative to silicones or heavier oils.

A gentle, non-greasy emollient derived from plant sources that softens skin and improves product texture.

A lightweight, plant-derived emollient that hydrates and smooths skin without clogging pores, ideal for sensitive and oily skin types.

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

Isosorbide Oleate is a gentle, plant-derived emollient that softens skin and helps other ingredients absorb better, with a low risk of irritation or clogged pores.

Isostearamide DEA helps create rich lather and thick texture in cleansers, but it may cause mild irritation for sensitive skin.

Isostearamide MEA is a mild synthetic ingredient that helps create rich lather and thicker textures in cleansers, but it offers no direct skin benefit beyond formulation.

A mild synthetic thickener and conditioner that helps products feel creamy and rinse cleanly, but offers no active skincare benefits.

A synthetic emulsifier that helps blend oil and water in creams and lotions, generally considered safe and low-irritation for most skin types.

A gentle, foam-boosting surfactant that cleans effectively without stripping the skin barrier.

A mild, effective conditioning ingredient that improves hair feel and manageability without heavy buildup.

A gentle conditioning ingredient that helps detangle and soften hair without heavy buildup.

A synthetic conditioning ingredient that helps detangle hair and reduce static, but may not suit very sensitive scalps.

A synthetic conditioning agent that reduces static and improves hair feel, but has limited research on long-term skin effects.

A gentle synthetic conditioner that smooths hair and reduces static without heavy buildup.

A gentle synthetic conditioner that smooths hair and reduces static, but may feel heavy on fine hair.

A mild conditioning ingredient that helps reduce static and improve manageability in hair products, but is not a primary moisturizer.

A synthetic conditioning agent that reduces static and improves feel in hair and skin products, generally well-tolerated but with limited research on long-term effects.

A gentle surfactant that helps create a rich lather without stripping the skin.

A gentle conditioning ingredient that helps hair feel soft and smooth without heavy buildup, but may not suit very fine or oily hair types.

A gentle surfactant that adds foam and conditioning without stripping the skin or hair.

A synthetic conditioning agent that reduces static and softens hair, but may cause irritation or clog pores in sensitive individuals.

A gentle synthetic emulsifier that helps mix water and oil in creams and cleansers, with low irritation potential.

A gentle synthetic emulsifier that helps create stable, creamy textures in skincare without common irritation.

A gentle, semi-synthetic surfactant that effectively cleanses without stripping the skin, making it a good choice for sensitive or dry skin types.

A gentle synthetic emulsifier that helps mix oil and water in creams and cleansers, generally well-tolerated but not a standout active ingredient.

Isosteareth-15 is a gentle synthetic emulsifier that helps mix oil and water in skincare products, with a low risk of irritation or clogging pores.

Isosteareth-16 is a gentle synthetic emulsifier that helps mix oil and water in cleansers and lotions, with a low risk of irritation for most skin types.

A gentle emulsifier that helps water and oil mix, making creams and lotions smooth and stable.

A mild synthetic emulsifier that helps cleansers and lotions mix and rinse cleanly, with low irritation potential.

A gentle synthetic emulsifier that helps mix water and oil in creams and cleansers, with a low irritation profile.

A gentle emulsifier that helps oil and water mix, making creams and cleansers feel smooth without heavy residue.

A reliable synthetic emulsifier that helps blend oil and water in skincare formulas, generally well-tolerated but not a star active ingredient.

Isosteareth-22 is a gentle synthetic emulsifier that helps mix water and oil in creams and cleansers, with a low risk of irritation.

A gentle synthetic surfactant that helps mix oil and water, commonly used in rinse-off products for its mild cleansing and emulsifying properties.

Isosteareth-3 is a gentle synthetic emulsifier that helps mix oil and water in cleansers and creams, but it's an ethoxylate, which raises mild purity concerns for some users.

A gentle synthetic emollient that helps products feel silky without clogging pores, suitable for most skin types.

Isosteareth-5 is a gentle synthetic emulsifier that helps mix oil and water in products, with a low risk of irritation or clogging pores.

A gentle cleansing and emulsifying ingredient that helps mix oil and water, making it useful in cleansers and shampoos without stripping the skin.

A gentle surfactant that helps cleansers foam and remove dirt without stripping the skin's natural moisture barrier.

Isosteareth-8 is a gentle synthetic emulsifier that helps mix oil and water, but its PEG content raises mild environmental and purity concerns.

Isostearic acid is a gentle, non-greasy fatty acid that helps soften skin and stabilize formulas without clogging pores.

A gentle, semi-synthetic emollient that softens and smooths skin without clogging pores, ideal for sensitive and dry skin types.