Beauty ingredients explained in plain English

Propyl Phenylacetate is a synthetic fragrance ingredient that adds a sweet, honey-like scent to products; it is generally considered safe at low concentrations but offers no skincare benefits.

A mild synthetic solvent and fragrance ingredient that is generally safe at low concentrations but offers no direct skin benefit.

An effective hair conditioner and antistatic agent, but may cause irritation or clog pores in sensitive individuals.

A gentle silicone that makes products feel silky and helps them glide on without clogging pores.

A silicone polymer that forms a flexible, breathable film on skin to improve product wear and feel.

A lightweight silicone that gives a smooth, silky feel without clogging pores or causing irritation.

A lightweight, non-greasy emollient that softens skin and improves product texture with low irritation potential.

Propylene carbonate is an effective solvent but can be irritating for sensitive skin; it's best reserved for rinse-off or low-concentration formulas.

Propylene glycol is a widely used, effective humectant and solvent, but it can be irritating for sensitive skin at high concentrations.

A gentle, seaweed-based thickener that improves product feel and stability without common irritation concerns.

A gentle, non-greasy emollient that helps thicken and soften products without clogging pores.

A functional solvent that helps products spread and mix, but may cause irritation for sensitive skin at higher concentrations.

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

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

A gentle emollient that helps products spread smoothly and leaves skin feeling soft without greasiness.

A gentle synthetic emollient that helps products feel smooth without clogging pores.

A gentle, water-attracting ingredient that helps keep skin hydrated and balanced without common irritations.

A synthetic ester that improves product texture and flexibility, especially in nail and lip formulas, with a low irritation profile.

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

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

A lightweight, synthetic emollient that helps products spread smoothly without clogging pores or feeling heavy.

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

A gentle, coconut-derived emollient that helps soften skin without clogging pores, making it a good choice for sensitive and acne-prone skin types.

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

A lightweight synthetic emollient that helps products spread smoothly without feeling heavy or greasy.

A lightweight, non-greasy emollient that helps products glide on smoothly without clogging pores.

A synthetic emollient that makes products feel smooth and creamy, but may clog pores for some skin types.

A synthetic emollient that softens skin and improves product feel, but may be moderately pore-clogging for some.

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

A lightweight, synthetic emollient that softens skin without clogging pores, commonly used to improve product texture.

A synthetic polymer that helps makeup and skincare stay put longer without feeling heavy or sticky.

A gentle synthetic emollient that helps create a smooth, creamy texture in skincare products without clogging pores.

A gentle, non-greasy emollient that improves skin feel and helps other ingredients spread evenly.

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

A gentle emollient and emulsifier that helps products feel smooth and spread easily, with a low risk of irritation or clogged pores.

A gentle, semi-synthetic emollient that helps skincare products glide on smoothly without a greasy feel.

A gentle synthetic emulsifier that helps water and oil mix in your skincare products, generally well-tolerated by most skin types.

A gentle synthetic emulsifier that helps mix water and oil in products, generally well-tolerated by most skin types.

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

A gentle, synthetic emollient that helps soften skin and stabilize formulas without common irritation.

A gentle synthetic emulsifier that helps mix oil and water in cleansers and lotions, generally well-tolerated by most skin types.

A gentle emollient that helps soften skin and improve product texture, but offers no unique benefits over more common alternatives.

A gentle emollient that helps soften and smooth skin by replenishing essential fatty acids, with a low risk of irritation.

A synthetic emollient that softens skin and improves product feel, but may clog pores for some people.

A gentle synthetic emollient that helps products glide on smoothly without heavy greasiness.

A mild emollient and emulsifier that helps soften skin and blend ingredients, but may be slightly pore-clogging for acne-prone skin.

A reliable emulsifier that helps blend oil and water in creams, but it's not a star active ingredient for skin benefits.

A synthetic emulsifier that helps mix oil and water in products, but may cause mild irritation for sensitive skin.

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

A gentle, plant-based emollient that helps soften and smooth skin without heavy greasiness.

A reliable emulsifier that helps create smooth, stable creams and lotions with a low risk of irritation.

A reliable emulsifier that helps water and oil mix into a stable, creamy texture without common irritation concerns.

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

A silky, lightweight emollient that helps products spread smoothly without feeling heavy or greasy.

A natural fragrance compound from celery seed that adds a warm, spicy scent but offers no direct skincare benefits.

Propylparaben is an effective preservative but has raised safety concerns due to potential endocrine-disrupting effects, leading many brands to phase it out.

A synthetic polymer that coats hair and skin to reduce frizz, improve slip, and lock in moisture without heavy buildup.

A gentle, modified collagen that adds slip and softness to hair and skin without heavy buildup.

A gentle, plant-derived conditioning ingredient that adds softness and manageability to hair and a smooth feel to skin.

A marine microalgae extract that may help protect skin from environmental stress, but research is still early.