Beauty ingredients explained in plain English

A gentle emollient that helps soften skin and stabilize formulas, with a low risk of irritation or clogged pores.

A gentle film-forming polymer that helps lock in moisture and gives a smooth, non-greasy feel to skincare products.

Cetyl Glycol is a gentle, non-irritating ingredient that helps moisturize skin and improve the texture and stability of creams and lotions.

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

A gentle silicone that smooths skin, boosts water resistance, and improves product feel without clogging pores.

A silicone polymer that creates a smooth, silky feel on skin and helps products spread evenly without clogging pores.

A gentle, non-irritating thickener that improves product texture and stability without clogging pores.

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

A gentle, plant-derived emollient that helps soften and smooth skin without clogging pores.

Cetyl Lactate is a gentle, non-greasy emollient that helps keep skin soft and smooth without clogging pores.

Cetyl Laurate is a lightweight, non-greasy emollient that helps soften and smooth the skin without clogging pores.

Cetyl Myristate is a gentle emollient that softens skin and improves product texture with a low risk of irritation or clogged pores.

Cetyl Myristoleate is a gentle emollient that helps soften and smooth skin, with some research suggesting it may support joint health when taken orally, but its topical benefits are primarily moisturizing.

Cetyl Oleate is a gentle emollient that softens skin and helps products spread smoothly, but it may clog pores for acne-prone individuals.

Cetyl Palmitate is a gentle emollient that helps moisturize and thicken formulas, but it may clog pores for some skin types.

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

Cetyl PCA is a gentle humectant that pulls moisture into the skin and leaves it feeling smooth without greasiness.

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

A gentle silicone emulsifier that helps create stable, lightweight water-in-oil formulas without heavy residue.

A gentle silicone emulsifier that creates smooth, spreadable textures without heavy residue.

A gentle emulsifier that helps create stable, creamy formulas without stripping the skin.

A gentle, synthetic surfactant that cleanses without stripping the skin, making it a good choice for sensitive or dry skin types.

Cetyl Ricinoleate is a gentle, non-greasy emollient that helps soften and smooth skin without clogging pores.

A gentle, non-greasy emollient that improves product texture and helps pigments spread evenly, with a very low risk of irritation or clogged pores.

A gentle, waxy ingredient that helps creams feel smooth and rich without clogging pores.

Cetyl Tallowate is a rich emollient that softens skin but may be too heavy for oily or acne-prone types.

A gentle, oil-soluble brightener that helps fade dark spots and even skin tone without the irritation of traditional brighteners.

A silicone-based conditioning ingredient that helps reduce frizz and improve slip, but its complex synthetic nature and phthalate-related name may raise concerns for some users.

A silicone-based film former that adds a silky feel and water resistance to products, generally well-tolerated but not a treatment ingredient.

A gentle synthetic emollient that softens skin and improves product texture without common irritation or clogging concerns.

A synthetic ceramide mimic that strengthens the skin barrier and reduces moisture loss, ideal for dry or sensitive skin.

A gentle, low-irritation surfactant blend that cleanses effectively without stripping the skin, making it a great choice for sensitive or dry skin types.

A gentle, plant-derived conditioning ingredient that leaves hair soft and skin smooth without heavy buildup.

A gentle silicone that helps products glide on smoothly and resist water, but may not suit those avoiding silicones entirely.

A mild, positively charged emulsifier that helps blend ingredients and leaves skin and hair feeling soft without heavy residue.

A synthetic peptide that mimics natural collagen signals to help improve skin firmness and reduce fine lines.

A gentle silicone that smooths and softens skin without clogging pores, ideal for dry or sensitive types.

A synthetic ingredient that helps condition skin and stabilize formulas, but research on its long-term effects is limited.

Cetylpyridinium chloride is an effective antimicrobial that helps reduce plaque and gingivitis in oral care, but it can be irritating for sensitive skin or mucous membranes.

A natural exfoliating powder with antioxidant benefits, but can be irritating for sensitive skin due to its essential oil content.

A fragrant leaf extract with antioxidant and antimicrobial benefits, but it can irritate sensitive skin and is best used in low concentrations.

A potent essential oil with antimicrobial benefits, but high risk of skin irritation and sensitization—best used in very low concentrations or avoided by sensitive skin.

A gentle, antioxidant-rich flower extract that may help calm skin and fight environmental stress, though research is still early.

A gentle, antioxidant-rich plant extract that may help protect skin from environmental stress, though human studies are limited.

A marine-sourced antioxidant extract that may help protect skin from environmental stress, but human studies are limited.

A gentle, antioxidant-rich mushroom ferment that may help calm and protect skin, though research is still emerging.

Chaga mushroom extract is a gentle antioxidant-rich ingredient that may help protect skin from environmental stress and support a calm, even complexion.

A fermented chaga mushroom extract that may help calm skin and defend against environmental stress, though research is still emerging.

A fermented Chaga mushroom extract that may help calm skin and fight free radical damage, though human studies are limited.

Chalk is a safe, natural mineral that helps absorb oil and add opacity in makeup, but it can be drying for some skin types.

A gentle botanical extract with antioxidant potential, but research is still early—think of it as a nice bonus in a well-formulated product, not a hero ingredient.

Chamazulene is a gentle, blue-hued antioxidant from chamomile that helps calm redness and soothe sensitive skin.

A gentle, fragrant flower extract blend that may help calm irritated skin and provide antioxidant benefits.

Chamomile extract is a time-tested, gentle soother for sensitive or irritated skin, but those with ragweed allergies should patch test first.

A gentle, time-tested botanical that helps calm irritated skin and reduce redness, ideal for sensitive or reactive skin types.

Chamomile flower juice is a gentle, natural soother for sensitive or irritated skin, but its effectiveness depends on the concentration and formulation.

A gentle, aromatic oil that helps calm irritated skin and adds a pleasant herbal scent to products.

A gentle, soothing botanical powder that can calm irritated skin and add a mild exfoliating texture, but may not be suitable for those with ragweed allergies.

A mild, plant-derived water that can help calm sensitive or irritated skin, but its benefits are subtle and not a substitute for targeted treatments.

Chamomile extract is a gentle, time-tested botanical that helps calm redness and irritation, making it a favorite for sensitive skin.