Beauty ingredients explained in plain English

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

A gentle silicone copolymer that forms a breathable, flexible film for smoother skin and longer-lasting styles without heavy buildup.

A synthetic silicone polymer that helps makeup and sunscreen stay put longer, especially in water or sweat.

A gentle synthetic conditioner that reduces static and softens hair without heavy buildup.

A gentle, water-friendly form of vitamin E that helps protect skin from environmental damage without the greasy feel of traditional vitamin E oil.

A gentle pH adjuster that helps keep your skincare products stable and comfortable on skin without causing irritation.

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

A gentle silicone that improves product feel and skin softness, widely considered safe and non-irritating for most skin types.

A gentle silicone emollient that leaves skin feeling silky and smooth without clogging pores.

A silicone polymer that helps products stay put, resist water, and feel smooth, with a good safety profile for most skin types.

A synthetic polymer that helps makeup and sunscreen stay put longer by forming a flexible, water-resistant film.

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

A gentle silicone emulsifier that improves product texture and stability without common irritation concerns.

A gentle silicone polymer that helps products spread smoothly and leaves hair and skin feeling silky without heavy buildup.

A gentle silicone polymer that helps products spread smoothly and resist water, but may not suit those avoiding all silicones.

A gentle silicone emulsifier that improves product texture and stability without common irritation.

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

A silicone-based ingredient that smooths hair and skin without heavy buildup, but may not suit those avoiding silicones.

A synthetic stabilizer that helps maintain product consistency, but with limited research on long-term skin effects.

A synthetic polymer that helps makeup and skincare products last longer and feel smoother on the skin.

A gentle, plant-derived emollient that softens skin and improves product feel without clogging pores or causing irritation.

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

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

A gentle conditioning polymer that helps reduce frizz and static while improving the feel of hair and skin, but its complex name can be intimidating.

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

A synthetic polymer that helps products spread smoothly and form a light, non-greasy film on skin.

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

A synthetic solvent that helps other ingredients dissolve and improves product feel, but offers no direct skin benefit.

A gentle synthetic ingredient that helps products feel silky and stay put without clogging pores or causing irritation.

A synthetic film former that helps makeup and sunscreen stay put, but offers no active skincare benefit.

A gentle film-forming polymer that improves product feel and wear without common irritation concerns.

A gentle synthetic conditioner that helps soften hair and skin without heavy buildup, but offers limited additional benefits.

A lab-enhanced version of a natural algae sunscreen compound that shows promise for UV protection, but human research is still limited.

A gentle emulsifier that helps blend oil and water, improving product texture and stability without common irritation concerns.

A gentle synthetic emollient that helps skin feel smooth and soft, but it's not a powerhouse active.

A gentle silicone that hydrates and smooths skin without a heavy or greasy feel.

A gentle silicone emulsifier that helps create smooth, stable formulas without heavy or greasy feel.

A silicone polymer that creates a flexible, water-resistant film on skin for longer-lasting wear and a smooth feel.

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

A silicone copolymer that helps products spread smoothly, feel silky, and stay put longer without clogging pores.

A gentle silicone emulsifier that improves product texture and feel without common silicone downsides.

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

A gentle silicone-wax hybrid that smooths skin, reduces water loss, and improves product texture without heavy greasiness.

A synthetic silicone polymer that helps products stay put longer, especially in sunscreens and long-wear makeup.

A gentle silicone emulsifier that helps create smooth, spreadable formulas without clogging pores or causing irritation.

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

A gentle silicone humectant that hydrates and smooths skin without clogging pores, ideal for sensitive and oily skin types.

A gentle silicone emulsifier that improves product texture and helps ingredients mix together without clogging pores.

A gentle, PEG-based emulsifier that helps create stable, lightweight formulas without heavy residue.

A gentle silicone emulsifier that improves product texture and spreadability without common silicone downsides.

A gentle silicone emulsifier that improves product texture and spreadability without clogging pores or causing irritation.

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

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

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

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

A gentle silicone emulsifier that creates smooth, spreadable textures and helps formulas feel lightweight.

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

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

A synthetic polymer that helps makeup and sunscreen stay put longer, especially in water or sweat.

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