Beauty ingredients explained in plain English

A synthetic film-former that helps products stay put and resist water, but offers no active skincare benefit.

A synthetic emollient that helps improve skin feel and may support the delivery of other ingredients, but research on its specific benefits is limited.

A mild, effective cleanser that respects your skin barrier and is ideal for sensitive or dry skin.

A gentle silicone emulsifier that stabilizes formulas and leaves skin feeling smooth without clogging pores.

A gentle silicone emollient that improves product feel and spreadability with a very low risk of irritation or clogged pores.

A gentle silicone emulsifier that improves product texture and stability without clogging pores.

A synthetic ingredient that may help improve skin firmness and smooth fine lines, but research is still emerging.

Bis-Coumaramidobutane is a synthetic ingredient that may help improve skin firmness and reduce wrinkle depth, but research is still emerging and results vary.

A synthetic polymer that helps products stay put longer, but may feel heavy or tight on some skin types.

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

A gentle, synthetic ingredient that helps calm redness and support a healthy skin barrier, making it a good choice for sensitive or reactive skin.

A gentle silicone copolymer that helps products spread smoothly and leaves a soft, non-greasy film on skin or hair.

A safe, synthetic red pigment that adds vibrant color to makeup but offers no skincare benefits.

A gentle silicone that helps products glide on smoothly and lock in moisture without clogging pores.

A lightweight silicone that makes products feel silky and spread easily, with a very low risk of irritation or clogged pores.

A gentle film-forming polymer that helps skincare and makeup stay put without feeling heavy.

A lightweight synthetic emollient that helps products glide on smoothly without a greasy feel.

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

A gentle silicone that helps products glide on smoothly without clogging pores, making it a good choice for oily or sensitive skin.

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

A widely used synthetic UVA filter that helps protect skin from aging and sun damage with a good safety profile.

A synthetic polymer that helps products stay put without feeling overly stiff or heavy.

A gold-standard sunscreen ingredient that offers broad-spectrum protection without the white cast of older mineral filters.

A silicone polymer that improves sunscreen performance and water resistance without feeling heavy.

A stable, synthetic antioxidant that may help protect skin from environmental damage and support a more even tone.

A gentle, water-soluble silicone that smooths hair and skin without the heavy feel of traditional silicones.

A gentle, stable vitamin C derivative that brightens skin and fights free radicals without the irritation of pure L-ascorbic acid.

A synthetic film-former that helps makeup and nail polish last longer, but it's not a hydrating or active skincare ingredient.

A gentle silicone emulsifier that creates smooth, lightweight textures without clogging pores.

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

A synthetic film-former that helps products stay put and resist water, but offers no active skincare benefit.

A synthetic polymer that helps makeup and sunscreen stay put longer, but may feel heavy on some skin types.

A synthetic film former that helps makeup and sunscreen stay put longer, but may feel tight on some skin types.

A gentle synthetic polymer that forms a flexible, breathable film to improve product wear, water resistance, and skin feel without clogging pores.

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

A synthetic film-former that helps makeup and sunscreen stay put without feeling overly stiff or sticky.

A synthetic film-former that helps products stay put and resist water, but may feel heavy on some skin types.

A synthetic film-former that helps makeup and sunscreen stay put longer without feeling heavy.

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

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

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

A synthetic film-former that helps makeup and sunscreen stay put longer, but it may feel tight or heavy on very dry skin.

A synthetic film-former that helps makeup and skincare stay put longer, but may feel tight or heavy on sensitive skin.

A synthetic polymer that helps makeup last longer and resist water, but may feel stiff or tight on some skin types.

A synthetic film-former that helps makeup and skincare stay put, resist water, and feel flexible on skin.

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

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

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

A synthetic polymer that helps makeup and sunscreen stay put longer, but may feel heavy on some skin types.

A gentle silicone that helps products spread smoothly and feel silky without clogging pores.

Bis-hexamethylene triamine is a synthetic pH adjuster that helps keep formulas stable, but it can be irritating for sensitive skin at higher levels.

A lightweight, non-greasy emollient derived from amino acids that helps soften and smooth skin without clogging pores.

A mild, amino-acid-based surfactant that cleanses without stripping the skin barrier — a good choice for sensitive or dry skin.

A synthetic film-former that helps makeup and hair products resist water and humidity, but may feel stiff or heavy on some.

A gentle silicone that helps products glide on smoothly and leaves a soft, non-greasy finish.

A gentle silicone that detangles hair and softens skin with minimal risk of irritation or clogged pores.

A synthetic antioxidant that may help shield skin from pollution and UV damage, but research is still limited compared to more established antioxidants like vitamin C or E.

A gentle silicone that gives skin a silky, smooth feel without clogging pores, commonly used to improve product texture and spreadability.

A gentle, silicone-modified wax that smooths skin and locks in moisture without feeling greasy.

A gentle silicone-based ingredient that improves product texture and feel without clogging pores.