Beauty ingredients explained in plain English

TEA-Polyphosphate is a gentle chelating agent that helps preserve product freshness and enhances the performance of other ingredients.

TEA-Rosinate helps makeup and sunscreen stay put longer, but it may not suit those with very sensitive skin or allergies to rosin derivatives.

TEA-Sorbate is a gentle preservative that helps keep your products fresh, but it may cause mild irritation for very sensitive skin.

TEA-Stearate helps cleansers foam and creams stay smooth, but it may be drying or irritating for sensitive skin.

TEA-Tallate helps cleansers foam and remove oil, but it can be drying or irritating for sensitive skin.

A gentle, amino-acid-based surfactant that effectively cleanses without stripping the skin barrier, ideal for sensitive or dry skin.

An effective synthetic cleanser that can be drying or irritating for sensitive skin, but is generally safe in rinse-off formulas.

An effective cleansing and antimicrobial agent, but may be drying for sensitive or dry skin types.

A gentle, semi-synthetic ingredient that helps condition skin and may offer mild antimicrobial support, but its collagen benefits are limited to surface-level hydration.

A gentle bark extract with antioxidant potential, but research is limited and benefits are not yet well-established.

A gentle plant extract with antioxidant potential, but limited human studies to back its skincare claims.

Teff Seed Extract is a gentle, antioxidant-rich ingredient that may help protect skin from environmental stress and support hydration, though research is still emerging.

A gentle, plant-based oil that hydrates and softens skin with a light feel, though research on its specific benefits is still limited.

Telmesteine is a synthetic peptide-like ingredient that may help firm and smooth skin, but research is still emerging and it is not widely studied in humans.

A gentle, fragrant flower extract with antioxidant potential, but research is limited and benefits are mostly theoretical.

A gentle, biotech-derived ingredient from marine bacteria that may help calm skin and fight oxidative stress, though research is still early.

Teprenone is a synthetic ingredient that may help calm skin and support the skin barrier, but research in cosmetics is still emerging.

Tepyl acetate is a synthetic scent ingredient that adds a fresh, herbal note to products, but it offers no skincare benefits and may cause sensitivity in some individuals.

A highly photostable, broad-spectrum UVA filter that offers reliable sun protection with a low irritation profile.

A gentle, antioxidant-rich fruit powder that helps protect skin from environmental stress and may calm minor irritation.

A gentle, antioxidant-rich oil that helps hydrate and protect the skin, with a low risk of irritation or clogged pores.

A gentle, antioxidant-rich oil that helps protect skin from environmental stress and supports a healthy-looking complexion.

A gentle, antioxidant-rich botanical extract that helps protect skin from environmental stress while supporting a calm, even-looking complexion.

A potent natural antioxidant from Kakadu plum that helps brighten skin and fight environmental damage, but its vitamin C content can be unstable in water-based formulas.

A gentle, antioxidant-rich seed oil that moisturizes and protects skin, though research on its unique benefits is still emerging.

A gentle, plant-based antioxidant extract that may help calm skin and fight free radical damage, though research is still early.

Terpene alcohol acetates are natural fragrance compounds that add pleasant scents to products but may cause irritation in sensitive individuals.

A fragrant terpene blend that adds scent but may irritate sensitive skin.

Terpineol adds a pleasant floral scent to products but may cause irritation in sensitive skin, especially at higher concentrations.

Terpineol Acetate is a naturally derived fragrance ingredient that adds a pleasant floral scent but may cause irritation in sensitive skin.

Terpinolene is a natural antioxidant and fragrance ingredient, but its strong scent and moderate irritation potential mean it's best for those without sensitive skin.

Terpinyl Formate is a synthetic fragrance ingredient with a pleasant floral-herbal scent; it is generally considered safe at low levels but offers no skincare benefits beyond scent.

Terpinyl Isobutyrate is a synthetic fragrance ingredient with a pleasant floral-herbal scent; it is generally considered safe at low concentrations but offers no skincare benefits.

Terpinyl Propionate is a synthetic fragrance ester that adds a pleasant floral-herbal scent to products, but it offers no skincare benefits and may cause sensitivity in those with fragrance allergies.

Terrein is a promising fungal-derived ingredient that may help brighten skin and fight oxidative stress, but research is still early.

A synthetic floral scent that can cause irritation in sensitive skin; best avoided if you react to fragrance.

A synthetic fragrance compound with limited public data; generally considered safe at low concentrations but best for those who tolerate added fragrance.

A synthetic fragrance compound with limited safety data; best for those who tolerate added scents well.

A synthetic scent ingredient that adds a unique woody note but may cause irritation in sensitive individuals.

An unusual animal-derived ingredient with limited research; may offer hydration but raises ethical and safety questions.

A gentle silicone that helps products glide on smoothly and leaves skin feeling soft without clogging pores.

A gentle, lipid-like ingredient that supports the skin's natural barrier and helps lock in moisture.

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

Tetrabromophenol Blue is a synthetic dye with no proven skincare benefits; its use in cosmetics is rare and primarily as a colorant.

A lightweight silicone that smooths skin and reduces tackiness without clogging pores.

Tetrabutyl Ethylidenebisphenol is a synthetic antioxidant that helps keep skincare products stable, but it is less studied than common alternatives like vitamin E.

A synthetic UV filter that helps protect skin from sun damage and stabilizes other sunscreen ingredients.

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

A synthetic peptide that may help support skin firmness and reduce wrinkle depth, but human studies are limited.

A synthetic peptide that may help improve skin firmness and reduce fine lines, with low irritation potential.

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

A gentle antioxidant derived from citrus flavonoids that helps calm skin and fight free radical damage.

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

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

Tetradecene is a lightweight synthetic emollient that helps products glide on smoothly without a greasy feel, but it offers no active skincare benefits.

A synthetic peptide that mimics the effects of certain neuropeptides to soften expression lines, but results are subtle and temporary.

A gentle, non-irritating fatty acid that helps soften and smooth the skin without clogging pores.

A gentle, non-greasy emollient that helps soften and smooth the skin without clogging pores.

A gentle, non-greasy emollient that helps moisturize and improve the feel of skincare products without clogging pores.

A gentle, synthetic fatty acid that softens and smooths skin with a very low risk of irritation or clogged pores.