Beauty ingredients explained in plain English

Polysorbate 61 is a gentle emulsifier that keeps oil and water mixed in creams and lotions, with a low risk of irritation.

Polysorbate 65 is a gentle emulsifier that keeps oil and water mixed in creams and lotions, with a very low risk of irritation or clogged pores.

Polysorbate 80 is a widely used, gentle emulsifier that helps mix oil and water in skincare, but it can be slightly drying for very sensitive skin at high concentrations.

A gentle emulsifier that helps mix water and oil in skincare, with a low risk of irritation.

A gentle emulsifier with antioxidant potential, but research on its skin benefits is still limited.

Polysorbate 81 is a gentle emulsifier that helps mix oil and water in products, with a low risk of irritation or clogged pores.

Polysorbate 85 is a gentle emulsifier that helps mix oil and water in formulas, with a low risk of irritation or clogged pores.

A synthetic film-former that helps makeup last longer and resist water, but may feel heavy on very oily skin.

A gentle, fern-derived antioxidant that may help calm skin and fight environmental stress, though research is still early.

A fern-derived antioxidant that may help calm skin and fight free radicals, but research is still early.

Polystyrene is a synthetic plastic used mainly in nail polish and peel-off masks; it's generally safe in small amounts but raises environmental concerns.

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

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

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

A synthetic film-former that helps makeup and sunscreen last longer, but offers no active skincare benefit.

A synthetic polymer that helps products spread smoothly and stay put, with a low risk of irritation.

Polyurea Crosspolymer-5 is a synthetic polymer that helps makeup and skincare products last longer and feel smoother on the skin.

Polyurethane is a synthetic film-former that helps makeup and sunscreen stay put longer without feeling heavy or sticky.

A gentle synthetic polymer that gives a smooth, flexible finish to makeup and skincare without clogging pores.

A synthetic film-former that helps makeup and skincare last longer without feeling heavy.

A synthetic polymer that creates a flexible, water-resistant film on skin or lashes, commonly used in long-wear and waterproof cosmetics.

A synthetic polymer that helps makeup and sunscreen stay put longer without feeling heavy or greasy.

Polyurethane-33 is a synthetic film former that helps makeup and sunscreen stay put longer, but it may feel heavy on some skin types.

A synthetic polymer that helps makeup and sunscreen stay put without feeling heavy or stiff.

Polyurethane-37 is a synthetic film-former that helps makeup and sunscreen stay put without feeling heavy or sticky.

Polyurethane-38 is a synthetic film-former that helps makeup last longer and resist water, but it may feel heavy on some skin types.

Polyurethane-41 is a safe, flexible film-former that helps makeup and sunscreen stay put without feeling heavy or stiff.

A synthetic film-former that helps makeup and skincare stay put without feeling heavy or sticky.

Polyurethane-43 is a synthetic film former that helps makeup and sunscreen stay put longer, but it offers no active skincare benefits.

Polyurethane-45 is a synthetic film-former that helps makeup last longer and resist water, but it may feel heavy on some skin types.

A synthetic film-former that helps makeup last longer and resist water, but offers no active skincare benefit.

Polyurethane-49 is a synthetic polymer that helps makeup and skincare products last longer and feel smoother, with a generally low risk of irritation.

Polyurethane-50 is a synthetic film-former that helps makeup and skincare last longer and resist water, but it offers no active skincare benefits.

Polyurethane-51 helps makeup and sunscreen stay put longer by forming a flexible, water-resistant film, but it can feel heavy on some skin types.

Polyurethane-52 is a synthetic polymer that helps makeup and sunscreens stay put longer without feeling heavy or sticky.

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

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

A synthetic polymer that helps makeup and skincare stay put, but offers no active skin benefit.

Polyurethane-57 is a synthetic film-former that helps makeup and skincare products resist water, sweat, and transfer, but it offers no active skin benefits.

A synthetic film-former that helps makeup and skincare last longer and feel smoother, with a low risk of irritation.

Polyurethane-59 is a synthetic film-former that helps makeup and skincare last longer and resist water, but it offers no active skincare benefits.

A synthetic film-former that helps products stay put and feel smooth, but offers no active skincare benefits.

Polyurethane-62 is a synthetic film-former that helps makeup and skincare last longer, feel smooth, and resist water, but it offers no active skincare benefits.

A synthetic film-former that helps makeup and skincare last longer without clogging pores.

A synthetic film-former that helps makeup and skincare last longer and feel smoother, with a good safety profile for most skin types.

Polyurethane-65 is a safe, synthetic film-former that helps makeup and sunscreen stay put without feeling heavy or sticky.

Polyurethane-68 is a synthetic film-former that helps makeup and skincare last longer and feel smoother, with a generally low risk of irritation.

Polyurethane-69 is a synthetic film-former that helps makeup and skincare products last longer and feel smoother, with a low risk of irritation.

Polyurethane-72 is a flexible film-former that helps makeup and hair products resist water, sweat, and smudging without feeling stiff or heavy.

Polyurethane-73 is a synthetic film-former that helps products resist water and wear longer, but it offers no active skincare benefit.

Polyurethane-74 is a synthetic film-former that helps makeup and skincare products last longer and feel smoother, with a low risk of irritation.

A synthetic film-former that helps makeup last longer and resist water, but may feel heavy or tight on some skin types.

Polyurethane-77 is a synthetic film-former that helps makeup and sunscreen stay put longer, but it may feel heavy on some skin types.

Polyurethane-79 is a synthetic film-former that helps makeup last longer and resist water, but it may feel heavy on some skin types.

Polyurethane-80 is a synthetic polymer that helps makeup and skincare products stay put longer and feel smoother, with a low risk of irritation.

A synthetic film-former that helps makeup and hair products last longer, but may feel stiff or heavy for some.

Polyurethane-84 is a synthetic film-former that helps makeup and skincare stay put longer without feeling heavy or sticky.

Polyvinyl acetate is a safe, synthetic film-former that helps products like hairsprays and peel-off masks create a flexible, water-resistant layer without clogging pores.

Polyvinyl alcohol creates a satisfying peel-off film in masks, but it's a synthetic polymer with limited skin benefit beyond the temporary tightening sensation.

A synthetic film-former that gives peel-off masks their satisfying peel, but may feel tight or drying for some skin types.