Beauty ingredients explained in plain English

A high-performance silicone that gives a silky, smooth feel and helps products spread evenly without clogging pores.

A gentle silicone that helps products glide on smoothly and resist water, but offers no active skincare benefits.

A gentle, silicon-stabilized amino acid that may support collagen and improve skin firmness with low irritation risk.

A high-performance silicone film former that helps makeup and sunscreen stay put without feeling heavy or greasy.

Triethyl citrate is a gentle, plant-derived solvent and plasticizer that helps products spread evenly and keeps formulas stable, with a low risk of irritation.

A synthetic solvent that helps thin out thick formulas and dissolve other ingredients, generally considered safe at cosmetic levels.

Triethylamine is an effective pH adjuster but can be irritating at higher concentrations; it's rarely used in leave-on products.

A synthetic pH adjuster that helps stabilize salicylate ingredients, but may cause irritation in sensitive skin.

A synthetic polymer that helps products stay put on skin and hair, but offers no active skincare benefits.

Triethylene glycol is a safe, effective humectant that helps keep skin hydrated and improves product feel, but it's less common than glycerin or propylene glycol.

A synthetic ester that improves product texture and flexibility, but offers no direct skin benefit.

A film-forming ingredient that helps makeup and sunscreen stay put longer without feeling overly sticky.

A pine-derived film former that helps makeup and sunscreen stay put, but may feel stiff or tacky on skin.

A synthetic chelator that helps preserve formula integrity by neutralizing trace metals, but it is rarely highlighted as a standalone active.

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

A lightweight, non-greasy emollient derived from citric acid that improves product texture and skin feel.

A lightweight, non-greasy emollient that helps products glide on smoothly and resist water, with a low risk of irritation or clogged pores.

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

A high-performance fluorinated silicone that creates a durable, water-resistant barrier on skin and hair, but its environmental persistence raises sustainability concerns.

A synthetic ingredient that may help eyelashes appear longer and fuller, but it comes with potential side effects and limited long-term safety data.

A synthetic prostaglandin analog that may promote eyelash growth but carries risks of irritation and potential side effects.

A synthetic UV filter that helps protect skin from sun damage, but its use is limited to certain regions and formulations due to regulatory and stability considerations.

A lightweight fluorinated silicone that enhances product feel and spreadability, but its environmental persistence raises concerns.

A volatile silicone that gives a silky, dry-touch finish but raises environmental persistence concerns.

A lightweight silicone that helps products glide on smoothly and dry quickly, but its environmental persistence raises concerns.

A fluorinated silicone that creates a breathable, water-resistant barrier on skin, offering a silky feel without heavy greasiness.

A high-performance silicone that helps products stay put and resist water without feeling heavy or greasy.

A silicone polymer that helps products stay put and resist water, but may feel heavy on some skin types.

A high-performance silicone that creates a smooth, water-resistant film on skin and hair without feeling heavy.

A high-performance silicone that helps products stay put and resist water, but may feel heavy on some skin types.

A lightweight, water-resistant silicone that gives a smooth, non-greasy feel but may not suit those avoiding silicones entirely.

A high-performance film former that helps makeup and sunscreen stay put through sweat, water, and humidity without feeling heavy.

A gentle, citrate-modified emulsifier that stabilizes formulas while offering mild skin conditioning, suitable for sensitive skin.

Triheptanoin is a silky, non-greasy emollient that hydrates and softens skin, making it a great choice for sensitive and oily skin types.

A lightweight synthetic emollient that softens skin without a greasy feel, ideal for oilier or acne-prone skin types.

A gentle, non-greasy emollient derived from citric acid and fatty alcohols that softens skin and improves product feel without clogging pores.

A gentle antioxidant from the flavonoid family that may help calm skin and protect against environmental stress, though research is still early.

Trihydroxychalcone is a gentle antioxidant that helps calm skin and defend against daily pollution and UV stress.

A gentle antioxidant that may help brighten skin and reduce signs of irritation, though research is still emerging.

A gentle synthetic emollient that makes products feel silky and spread easily without clogging pores.

A synthetic ceramide mimic that strengthens the skin barrier and locks in moisture without clogging pores.

Trihydroxystearin is a reliable thickener and stabilizer that helps keep cosmetic products smooth and consistent without common irritation concerns.

A gentle, plant-derived emollient that hydrates and softens skin without clogging pores, ideal for sensitive and oily skin types.

A lightweight synthetic emollient that gives a silky, non-greasy feel and is generally well-tolerated by most skin types.

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

Triisopropanolamine is a workhorse pH adjuster that helps keep your products stable and gentle, but it can be irritating in high concentrations or for sensitive skin.

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

A lightweight synthetic ester that softens skin without clogging pores, ideal for oily or combination skin types.

Triisostearin is a lightweight, non-greasy emollient that helps moisturize and improve product texture, with a low risk of irritation or clogged pores.

A gentle synthetic emulsifier that helps create stable, creamy textures in skincare, but may not suit those avoiding PEG compounds.

A gentle, oil-soluble vitamin C that delivers brightening and antioxidant benefits with minimal irritation.

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

A gentle, plant-derived emollient that helps soften and smooth skin without clogging pores, commonly found in lip and makeup products.

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

Trilactin is a gentle, hydrating exfoliant that helps smooth skin texture without the irritation often associated with stronger acids.

A gentle, lanolin-derived emulsifier that helps mix oil and water in cleansers and creams, with low irritation potential.

A mild synthetic surfactant that helps cleansers foam and rinse cleanly, but may be slightly drying for very sensitive skin.

A gentle, citrate-based surfactant that cleans without stripping the skin, making it a good choice for sensitive or dry skin types.

Trilaurin is a gentle, coconut-derived emollient that helps soften skin without clogging pores, making it a safe choice for most skin types.

A gentle, non-greasy emollient that softens skin and improves the feel of creams and sunscreens without clogging pores.