Beauty ingredient research

Beauty ingredients explained in plain English

Browse the review database to understand what an ingredient is, what it does in a beauty formula, when it is useful, and when it deserves caution across skincare, haircare, bodycare, makeup, and more.

20769

Reviewed ingredients

524

Low-concern standouts

2884

Need usage caution

Showing 60 of 20,303
AllUV absorberUV filterabrasiveabsorbentacne treatmentactiveactive ingredientadhesivealkalizing agentamino acidanti-aginganti-androgenanti-cavityanti-cavity agentanti-inflammatoryanti-irritantanticariesanticavity agentantidandruffantifungalantimicrobialantioxidantantiperspirantantiplaqueastringentbarrier repairbarrier supportbarrier-repairbarrier-supportbinderbinding agentbiotechbiotechnologybond-builderbotanicalbotanical extractbotanical oilbotanical waterbrighteningbrightening agentbufferbuffering agentcell-communicating ingredientceramidechelating agentchemicalchemical intermediateclaycleansercleansingcleansing agentcolorantconditionerconditioningconditioning agentcooling agentcosmeticcosmetic additivecosmetic colorantcosmetic ingredientcosmetic pigmentcosmetic powdercosmetic-texturizercosmetic-waxcosmeticscrosslinking agentdelivery agentdelivery systemdenaturantdeodorantdeodorant agentdepigmenting agentdepilatorydepilatory agentdesensitizing agentdyedye intermediatedye precursordye-intermediateemollientemulsifierenzymeessential oilexfoliantexperimentaleyelashfermentfilm formerfilm-formerfilm-formingfilm-forming agentfirming agentfixativeflavoring agentformulationfragrancefragrance ingredientfunctional ingredientgashair carehair colorhair coloranthair conditionerhair dyehair removalhair-carehair-colorhaircarehumectantindustrialinsecticideintermediatelashlash carelash enhancerlash-and-browlip carelipidmakeupmarine extractmasking agentmicrobiomemicrobiome modulatormineralmoisturizernail carenail-careocclusiveoilopacifieropacifying agentoptical agentoral careotheroxidative dyeoxidative dye precursoroxidizing agentpH adjusterpain reliefpenetration enhancerpeptidepersonal careph adjusterpharmaceuticalpheromonepigmentplant oilplasticizerpolymerpolymer precursorprebioticprescription-drugpreservativepreservative boosterprobioticprocessing agentprocessing aidpropellantproteinpurifyingreducing agentretinoidscalp caresebum regulatorsebum-regulatorself-tannerself-tanningsensory additivesensory agentsensory modifiersiliconeskin barrierskin barrier supportskin conditionerskin conditioningskin conditioning agentskin lighteningskin protectantskin-conditioningskin-conditioning agentskin-identicalskin-identical ingredientskin-lighteningskin-lightening agentskincaresolventsoothingsoothing agentstabilizerstimulantsunscreensurfactantsyntheticsynthetic colorantsynthetic dyesynthetic resinsynthetic-coloranttexture enhancertexturizerthickenertoneruv-absorberuv-filtervasoactivevasodilatorviscosity controlviscosity controllingviscosity controlling agentvitaminwax

Anti-aging agent

SH-Polypeptide-36

SH-Polypeptide-36

4.0

SH-Polypeptide-36 is a synthetic peptide that may help reduce fine lines by signaling skin cells to produce more collagen, but human studies are limited.

Irritation

low

Source

synthetic

beautyskincareanti-aging
Read ingredient review

Anti-aging agent

SH-Polypeptide-37

SH-Polypeptide-37

4.0

SH-Polypeptide-37 is a lab-made peptide that signals skin cells to produce more collagen, helping reduce fine lines and improve firmness with consistent use.

Irritation

low

Source

synthetic

beautyskincareanti-aging
Read ingredient review

Anti-Aging Agent

SH-Polypeptide-38

SH-Polypeptide-38

4.0

A synthetic peptide that signals skin cells to produce more collagen, helping reduce fine lines and improve firmness with consistent use.

Irritation

low

Source

synthetic

beautyskincareanti-aging
Read ingredient review

Anti-aging agent

SH-Polypeptide-39

SH-Polypeptide-39

4.0

A lab-made peptide that signals skin to produce more collagen, potentially reducing fine lines over time.

Irritation

low

Source

synthetic

beautyskincareanti-aging
Read ingredient review

Anti-aging agent

SH-Polypeptide-40

SH-Polypeptide-40

4.0

SH-Polypeptide-40 is a lab-made peptide that may help support skin firmness and reduce the look of fine lines, but research is still early.

Irritation

low

Source

synthetic

beautyskincareanti-aging
Read ingredient review

Anti-Aging Agent

SH-Polypeptide-41

SH-Polypeptide-41

4.0

SH-Polypeptide-41 is a lab-made peptide that may help reduce fine lines by encouraging the skin to produce more collagen, but research is still emerging.

Irritation

low

Source

synthetic

beautyskincarepeptide
Read ingredient review

Anti-Aging Agent

SH-Polypeptide-42

SH-Polypeptide-42

4.0

A synthetic peptide that may help soften fine lines and improve skin firmness, but research is still emerging and results vary by person.

Irritation

low

Source

synthetic

beautyskincareanti-aging
Read ingredient review

Anti-aging agent

SH-Polypeptide-43

SH-Polypeptide-43

4.0

A synthetic peptide that may help soften fine lines and improve skin firmness, but human data is still limited.

Irritation

low

Source

synthetic

beautyskincareanti-aging
Read ingredient review

Anti-Aging Agent

SH-Polypeptide-44

SH-Polypeptide-44

4.0

A synthetic peptide that signals skin to produce more collagen, helping reduce fine lines and improve firmness with low irritation risk.

Irritation

low

Source

synthetic

beautyskincareanti-aging
Read ingredient review

Anti-aging agent

SH-Polypeptide-45

SH-Polypeptide-45

3.8

SH-Polypeptide-45 is a lab-made peptide that may help support firmer-looking skin, but research is still early and results vary.

Irritation

low

Source

synthetic

beautyskincareactive
Read ingredient review

Anti-aging agent

SH-Polypeptide-46

SH-Polypeptide-46

4.0

SH-Polypeptide-46 is a lab-made peptide that signals skin cells to boost collagen, helping smooth wrinkles over time with minimal irritation.

Irritation

low

Source

synthetic

beautyskincareanti-aging
Read ingredient review

Anti-Aging Agent

SH-Polypeptide-47

SH-Polypeptide-47

4.0

A lab-made peptide that signals skin to produce more collagen, helping reduce fine lines and improve firmness with low irritation risk.

Irritation

low

Source

synthetic

beautyskincarepeptide
Read ingredient review

Anti-Aging Agent

SH-Polypeptide-48

SH-Polypeptide-48

4.0

A synthetic peptide that may help reduce fine lines and improve skin firmness, but more human studies are needed to confirm its effects.

Irritation

low

Source

synthetic

beautyskincarepeptide
Read ingredient review

Anti-aging agent

SH-Polypeptide-49

SH-Polypeptide-49

3.8

SH-Polypeptide-49 is a lab-made peptide that may help support skin firmness and smooth fine lines, but research is still emerging and results vary.

Irritation

low

Source

synthetic

beautyskincareanti-aging
Read ingredient review

Anti-aging agent

SH-Polypeptide-50

SH-Polypeptide-50

4.0

A synthetic peptide that may help smooth fine lines and support skin firmness, but human data is still limited compared to well-studied peptides.

Irritation

low

Source

synthetic

beautyskincareanti-aging
Read ingredient review

Anti-Aging Agent

SH-Polypeptide-50 / SH-Polypeptide-56

SH-Polypeptide-50, SH-Polypeptide-56

4.0

SH-Polypeptide-50 and SH-Polypeptide-56 are synthetic peptides designed to mimic natural signaling molecules that encourage firmer, smoother skin with minimal irritation risk.

Irritation

low

Source

synthetic

beautyskincareanti-aging
Read ingredient review

Anti-Aging Agent

SH-Polypeptide-51

SH-Polypeptide-51

3.8

SH-Polypeptide-51 is a lab-made peptide that may help signal skin to produce more collagen, but research is still limited compared to more established peptides.

Irritation

low

Source

synthetic

beautyskincareanti-aging
Read ingredient review

Anti-Aging Agent

SH-Polypeptide-53

SH-Polypeptide-53

3.8

SH-Polypeptide-53 is a lab-made peptide that may help reduce fine lines by encouraging the skin to produce more collagen, but research is still early.

Irritation

low

Source

synthetic

beautyskincareanti-aging
Read ingredient review

Anti-aging agent

SH-Polypeptide-54

SH-Polypeptide-54

3.8

SH-Polypeptide-54 is a lab-made peptide that may help support collagen and elastin for firmer, smoother skin, but research is still early.

Irritation

low

Source

synthetic

beautyskincareanti-aging
Read ingredient review

Anti-aging agent

SH-Polypeptide-55

SH-Polypeptide-55

4.0

SH-Polypeptide-55 is a lab-made peptide that may help reduce fine lines and improve skin firmness, but research is still emerging.

Irritation

low

Source

synthetic

beautyskincareanti-aging
Read ingredient review

Anti-Aging Agent

SH-Polypeptide-56

SH-Polypeptide-56

3.8

SH-Polypeptide-56 is a lab-made peptide that may help soften expression lines, but research is still early and results vary.

Irritation

low

Source

synthetic

beautyskincarepeptide
Read ingredient review

Anti-aging agent

SH-Polypeptide-57

SH-Polypeptide-57

3.8

SH-Polypeptide-57 is a lab-made peptide that may help support collagen and make skin look firmer, but research is still early.

Irritation

low

Source

synthetic

beautyskincareanti-aging
Read ingredient review

Anti-Aging Agent

SH-Polypeptide-58

SH-Polypeptide-58

4.0

SH-Polypeptide-58 is a synthetic peptide that signals skin cells to produce more collagen, helping reduce fine lines and improve firmness with low irritation risk.

Irritation

low

Source

synthetic

beautyskincareanti-aging
Read ingredient review

Anti-Aging Agent

SH-Polypeptide-59

SH-Polypeptide-59

4.2

A synthetic peptide that may help reduce fine lines and improve skin firmness, but results vary and it works best in a consistent routine.

Irritation

low

Source

synthetic

beautyskincareanti-aging
Read ingredient review

Anti-aging

SH-Polypeptide-6

SH-Polypeptide-6

4.2

A popular peptide that mimics the effects of Botox by temporarily relaxing facial muscles to soften expression lines.

Irritation

low

Source

synthetic

beautyskincareanti-aging
Read ingredient review

Anti-Aging Agent

SH-Polypeptide-60

SH-Polypeptide-60

3.8

SH-Polypeptide-60 is a lab-made peptide that may help support collagen and reduce fine lines, but long-term human data is still limited.

Irritation

low

Source

synthetic

beautyskincareanti-aging
Read ingredient review

Anti-aging agent

SH-Polypeptide-61

SH-Polypeptide-61

4.0

A synthetic peptide that may help reduce fine lines by signaling skin to produce more collagen, but research is still emerging.

Irritation

low

Source

synthetic

beautyskincareanti-aging
Read ingredient review

Anti-aging agent

SH-Polypeptide-62

SH-Polypeptide-62

3.8

SH-Polypeptide-62 is a lab-made peptide that may help support collagen and elastin for a firmer, smoother look, but research is still early.

Irritation

low

Source

synthetic

beautyskincareanti-aging
Read ingredient review

Anti-Aging Agent

SH-Polypeptide-64

SH-Polypeptide-64

4.0

A synthetic peptide that may help reduce fine lines and support firmer-looking skin, but human studies are limited.

Irritation

low

Source

synthetic

beautyskincarepeptide
Read ingredient review

Anti-Aging Agent

SH-Polypeptide-66

SH-Polypeptide-66

3.8

A lab-made peptide that may help support collagen and reduce fine lines, but human research is still limited.

Irritation

low

Source

synthetic

beautyskincarepeptide
Read ingredient review

Anti-Aging Agent

SH-Polypeptide-67

SH-Polypeptide-67

4.0

SH-Polypeptide-67 is a lab-made peptide that may help reduce fine lines and support skin firmness, but human studies are limited.

Irritation

low

Source

synthetic

beautyskincareanti-aging
Read ingredient review

Anti-aging agent

SH-Polypeptide-69

SH-Polypeptide-69

3.8

SH-Polypeptide-69 is a lab-made peptide that may help signal skin to produce more collagen, but research is still early and results vary.

Irritation

low

Source

synthetic

beautyskincareactive
Read ingredient review

Anti-aging agent

SH-Polypeptide-7 / SH-Oligopeptide-1

SH-Polypeptide-7, SH-Oligopeptide-1

4.0

A duo of synthetic peptides that signal skin to boost collagen, helping reduce fine lines and improve firmness with low irritation risk.

Irritation

low

Source

synthetic

beautyskincareanti-aging
Read ingredient review

Anti-Aging Agent

SH-Polypeptide-70

SH-Polypeptide-70

3.8

SH-Polypeptide-70 is a lab-made peptide that may help firm skin and soften lines, but research is still early.

Irritation

low

Source

synthetic

beautyskincareanti-aging
Read ingredient review

Anti-aging agent

SH-Polypeptide-71

SH-Polypeptide-71

4.0

A synthetic peptide that signals skin cells to produce more collagen, helping reduce fine lines and improve firmness with consistent use.

Irritation

low

Source

synthetic

beautyskincareanti-aging
Read ingredient review

Anti-Aging Agent

SH-Polypeptide-72

SH-Polypeptide-72

4.0

SH-Polypeptide-72 is a lab-made peptide that signals skin to produce more collagen, helping reduce fine lines and improve firmness with minimal irritation risk.

Irritation

low

Source

synthetic

beautyskincareanti-aging
Read ingredient review

Anti-Aging Agent

SH-Polypeptide-73

SH-Polypeptide-73

4.0

A synthetic peptide that may help reduce fine lines by signaling skin to produce more collagen, but long-term human data is still limited.

Irritation

low

Source

synthetic

beautyskincareanti-aging
Read ingredient review

Anti-Aging Agent

SH-Polypeptide-74

SH-Polypeptide-74

3.8

SH-Polypeptide-74 is a lab-made peptide that may help reduce the look of fine lines by signaling skin cells to act younger, but research is still early.

Irritation

low

Source

synthetic

beautyskincareanti-aging
Read ingredient review

Anti-Aging Agent

SH-Polypeptide-75

SH-Polypeptide-75

4.0

SH-Polypeptide-75 is a lab-made peptide that signals skin to produce more collagen, helping reduce fine lines and improve firmness with minimal irritation risk.

Irritation

low

Source

synthetic

beautyskincarepeptide
Read ingredient review

Anti-Aging Agent

SH-Polypeptide-76

SH-Polypeptide-76

4.0

A lab-made peptide that signals skin to look firmer and smoother, with low irritation risk and moderate research support.

Irritation

low

Source

synthetic

beautyskincareanti-aging
Read ingredient review

Anti-Aging Agent

SH-Polypeptide-77

SH-Polypeptide-77

4.0

SH-Polypeptide-77 is a lab-made peptide that may help reduce fine lines by encouraging your skin to produce more collagen, but results vary and it works best with consistent use.

Irritation

low

Source

synthetic

beautyskincareanti-aging
Read ingredient review

Anti-aging agent

SH-Polypeptide-78

SH-Polypeptide-78

4.0

SH-Polypeptide-78 is a synthetic peptide that signals skin to produce more collagen, helping reduce fine lines and improve firmness with consistent use.

Irritation

low

Source

synthetic

beautyskincareanti-aging
Read ingredient review

Skin conditioning agent

SH-Polypeptide-80

SH-Polypeptide-80

3.8

SH-Polypeptide-80 is a lab-made peptide that may help support firmer-looking skin, but research is still emerging.

Irritation

low

Source

synthetic

beautyskincareanti-aging
Read ingredient review

Anti-aging agent

SH-Polypeptide-81

SH-Polypeptide-81

4.0

A promising synthetic peptide that may help firm skin and reduce fine lines, but research is still early.

Irritation

low

Source

synthetic

beautyskincarepeptide
Read ingredient review

Anti-Aging Agent

SH-Polypeptide-82

SH-Polypeptide-82

3.8

A lab-made peptide that may help support collagen and improve skin firmness, but research is still early and results vary.

Irritation

low

Source

synthetic

beautyskincareactive
Read ingredient review

Anti-aging agent

SH-Polypeptide-85

SH-Polypeptide-85

4.0

A lab-made peptide that may help firm skin and soften wrinkles, but long-term human data is still limited.

Irritation

low

Source

synthetic

beautyskincareanti-aging
Read ingredient review

Anti-aging agent

SH-Polypeptide-86

SH-Polypeptide-86

4.0

SH-Polypeptide-86 is a synthetic peptide that may help reduce fine lines by signaling skin cells to produce more collagen, but long-term human data is still limited.

Irritation

low

Source

synthetic

beautyskincareanti-aging
Read ingredient review

Anti-Aging Agent

SH-Polypeptide-89

SH-Polypeptide-89

4.0

SH-Polypeptide-89 is a lab-made peptide that may help improve skin firmness and hydration, but research is still emerging.

Irritation

low

Source

synthetic

beautyskincareanti-aging
Read ingredient review

Anti-aging agent

SH-Polypeptide-90

SH-Polypeptide-90

4.0

SH-Polypeptide-90 is a soy-derived peptide that may help firm and smooth skin by supporting collagen production, but more human studies are needed to confirm its effects.

Irritation

low

Source

semi-synthetic

beautyskincareanti-aging
Read ingredient review

Anti-aging agent

SH-Polypeptide-91

SH-Polypeptide-91

4.0

SH-Polypeptide-91 is a lab-made peptide that may help reduce fine lines by signaling skin cells to produce more collagen, though human studies are limited.

Irritation

low

Source

synthetic

beautyskincareanti-aging
Read ingredient review

Anti-Aging Agent

SH-Polypeptide-92

SH-Polypeptide-92

3.8

SH-Polypeptide-92 is a lab-made peptide that may help reduce fine lines by signaling skin to produce more collagen, but research is still early.

Irritation

low

Source

synthetic

beautyskincareanti-aging
Read ingredient review

Anti-aging agent

SH-Polypeptide-93

SH-Polypeptide-93

4.0

A lab-made peptide that may help reduce fine lines by signaling skin to produce more collagen, but research is still early.

Irritation

low

Source

synthetic

beautyskincareanti-aging
Read ingredient review

Anti-Aging Agent

SH-Polypeptide-94

SH-Polypeptide-94

4.0

A synthetic peptide that may help support collagen and reduce fine lines, but research is still emerging and results vary.

Irritation

low

Source

synthetic

beautyskincareanti-aging
Read ingredient review

Anti-Aging Agent

SH-Polypeptide-95

SH-Polypeptide-95

4.0

A synthetic peptide that may help reduce fine lines and improve skin firmness, but more human studies are needed to confirm its effectiveness.

Irritation

low

Source

synthetic

beautyskincareanti-aging
Read ingredient review

Anti-aging agent

SH-Polypeptide-97

SH-Polypeptide-97

4.0

SH-Polypeptide-97 is a lab-made peptide that may help reduce fine lines by encouraging the skin to produce more collagen, though research is still early.

Irritation

low

Source

synthetic

beautyskincareactive ingredient
Read ingredient review

Anti-aging agent

SH-Polypeptide-98

SH-Polypeptide-98

4.0

A synthetic peptide that may help reduce fine lines and support firmer-looking skin, but more human studies are needed to confirm its effects.

Irritation

low

Source

synthetic

beautyskincareanti-aging
Read ingredient review

Anti-aging agent

SH-Polypeptide-98 Hexapeptide-40

SH-Polypeptide-98, Hexapeptide-40

4.0

A synthetic peptide duo that may help soften fine lines and support firmer-looking skin, though long-term human data is still emerging.

Irritation

low

Source

synthetic

beautyskincareanti-aging
Read ingredient review

Anti-aging agent

SH-Polypeptide-99

SH-Polypeptide-99

3.8

SH-Polypeptide-99 is a synthetic peptide that may help support skin firmness and reduce fine lines, but research is still emerging.

Irritation

low

Source

synthetic

beautyskincareanti-aging
Read ingredient review

Anti-aging agent

SH-Tetrapeptide-1

SH-Tetrapeptide-1

4.0

A synthetic peptide that may help support collagen and improve skin firmness with low irritation risk.

Irritation

low

Source

synthetic

beautyskincarepeptide
Read ingredient review