Beauty ingredients explained in plain English

A synthetic resin that helps makeup stay put, but offers no skincare benefit and may feel heavy on sensitive skin.

A gentle conditioning ingredient that helps skin and hair feel smooth and soft without being heavy.

A gentle, modified silk protein that adds softness and shine to hair and skin without heavy buildup.

A gentle conditioning ingredient that reduces static and improves softness without heavy buildup.

A synthetic polymer that helps makeup and sunscreen stay put, but may feel heavy or tight on some skin types.

A synthetic emollient that softens skin and improves product feel, but research on its long-term effects is limited.

A synthetic soothing ingredient that mimics natural skin-signaling peptides to help reduce visible redness and discomfort.

A synthetic emollient that helps skin feel smooth and soft without being greasy, with a low risk of irritation or clogged pores.

Isostearyl Acetate is a lightweight emollient that helps skin feel soft and smooth, but it may clog pores in acne-prone individuals.

A mild, amino-acid-based moisturizer that supports the skin’s natural hydration without clogging pores.

A gentle fatty alcohol that softens skin and improves product texture without clogging pores.

A gentle, plant-derived emollient that softens skin and helps restore the moisture barrier without clogging pores.

A mild, effective conditioning ingredient that helps detangle and soften hair while being gentle enough for sensitive skin.

A gentle, non-greasy emollient that softens skin and improves product texture without clogging pores.

Isostearyl Benzoate is a lightweight, non-greasy emollient that helps soften skin and improve product texture, with a low risk of irritation or clogging pores.

A gentle silicone emulsifier that improves texture and stability without common silicone downsides.

A mild, effective emulsifier that creates stable, silky formulas without stripping the skin — ideal for sensitive and dry skin types.

A gentle, conditioning surfactant that cleanses without stripping, making it a good choice for sensitive or dry skin and hair.

Isostearyl Erucate is a gentle, non-greasy emollient that helps soften skin and improve product texture, with a low risk of irritation or clogged pores.

A lightweight, non-greasy emollient that helps skin feel smooth and soft without clogging pores.

A gentle, oil-soluble antioxidant that helps protect skin from environmental stress and supports a more even-looking complexion.

A mild, sugar-based emulsifier that helps create stable, creamy textures without irritating the skin.

A gentle synthetic emollient that hydrates and smooths skin without clogging pores, suitable for most skin types.

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

A lightweight, non-greasy emollient that softens skin and improves product texture without clogging pores.

A mild synthetic conditioner that helps rinse-off products feel softer without heavy buildup.

A lightweight, non-greasy emollient that helps soften skin and improve product texture with a low risk of irritation or clogged pores.

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

A lightweight, non-greasy emollient that softens skin and improves product texture without clogging pores.

A lightweight, non-greasy emollient that softens skin and improves product texture without clogging pores.

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

A lightweight, non-greasy emollient that softens skin and improves product texture without clogging pores.

A lightweight, non-greasy emollient that softens skin without clogging pores, making it a good choice for oily or combination skin.

A synthetic conditioning ingredient that reduces static and softens hair, but may cause irritation for sensitive scalps.

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

A reliable emollient that makes skin feel soft, but may clog pores for those prone to breakouts.

A mild, amino-acid-based surfactant that cleanses without stripping the skin's natural moisture barrier.

A lightweight synthetic emollient that gives skin a smooth, silky finish without clogging pores, making it a popular choice in non-greasy formulas.

A lightweight synthetic emollient that softens skin without heavy greasiness, but may clog pores for some people.

A gentle, non-greasy emollient that helps soften and smooth skin while supporting the skin's natural moisture barrier.

A mild, conditioning surfactant that cleanses without stripping, making it a good choice for sensitive or dry skin and hair.

A gentle, non-greasy emollient that improves product texture and leaves skin feeling soft without clogging pores.

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

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

A gentle synthetic alcohol that softens skin and helps dissolve other ingredients, but offers no active benefits on its own.

A lightweight, non-greasy emollient that helps skin feel soft and smooth without clogging pores.

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

A lightweight synthetic emollient that softens skin but may clog pores for some people.

A mild synthetic emulsifier that helps products feel smooth and spread easily, with a low risk of irritation.

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

A synthetic emollient that softens skin but may clog pores for some people.

Isovaleric acid is mainly used for its scent and to adjust product pH, but it can be irritating for sensitive skin at higher concentrations.

Italian Cypress Extract offers antioxidant and astringent benefits, making it a gentle option for oily or combination skin, but research on its topical efficacy is still emerging.

Itraconazole is a prescription-strength antifungal that can treat stubborn fungal skin infections, but it is not a routine cosmetic ingredient and should only be used under medical guidance.

A gentle, biodegradable natural exfoliant that polishes skin without microplastics, but may feel too coarse for very sensitive skin.

A gentle botanical extract that may help calm skin and fight free radicals, but research is still early.

A gentle antioxidant extract from ivy gourd seeds that may help protect skin from environmental stress, though research is still early.

A lab-grown plant cell extract that may help protect skin from environmental stress, but research is still early.

A mild botanical water that may help calm skin and tighten pores, but research is limited and it's not a powerhouse ingredient.

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