Beauty ingredients explained in plain English

A gentle, cholesterol-derived ingredient that helps soften skin and improve product feel without clogging pores.

A gentle emulsifier that helps blend water and oil in formulas, with a structure similar to skin-friendly cholesterol.

A synthetic scent ingredient that makes products smell pleasant but offers no skincare benefit and may trigger sensitivity in some people.

A synthetic fragrance ester that adds a pleasant scent but offers no skincare benefits; safe at low concentrations for most people.

A synthetic scent ingredient that adds a pleasant floral note but offers no skincare benefits and may cause sensitivity in some people.

Dihydroeugenol is a gentle antioxidant that helps protect skin from environmental stress while offering mild conditioning benefits.

Dihydrofarnesol is a gentle, naturally derived fragrance ingredient that also offers mild skin-conditioning benefits, making it a safer alternative to synthetic perfumes.

A mild, plant-derived conditioning agent that softens hair without heavy buildup.

A mild, palm-derived conditioning ingredient that smooths hair without heavy buildup.

A conditioning agent that reduces static and softens hair, but may cause irritation or clog pores in sensitive individuals.

A safe, effective thickener and stabilizer that improves product texture and feel, but is not a functional skincare active.

A gentle conditioning ingredient derived from tallow that reduces static and softens hair without heavy buildup.

An effective conditioning agent for dry or damaged hair, but may be too heavy for fine hair or oily skin.

A synthetic emollient that helps products feel smooth and stay put, but may be too heavy for oily or acne-prone skin.

A synthetic film-forming ingredient that helps products spread smoothly and hold their shape, but its safety data is limited and it may not suit sensitive or acne-prone skin.

A gentle conditioning ingredient that reduces static and softens hair, but its tallow origin may not suit all preferences.

A gentle conditioning ingredient that reduces static and softens hair without heavy buildup.

A gentle conditioning ingredient that reduces static and softens hair without heavy buildup.

A gentle conditioning ingredient that reduces static and softens hair without heavy buildup.

A synthetic fragrance ingredient that adds a long-lasting scent to products; generally considered safe at low concentrations but may cause sensitivity in some individuals.

A synthetic scent ingredient that adds a pleasant aroma but offers no skincare benefits; safe at low levels but may cause sensitivity in some.

Dihydrogeranyl Tiglate is a synthetic fragrance ingredient that adds a pleasant scent to products; it is generally considered safe at low concentrations but may cause sensitivity in some individuals.

A synthetic fragrance ingredient that adds a fresh, green scent; generally safe at low levels but may cause irritation in sensitive individuals.

A synthetic compound with early research suggesting antioxidant and soothing benefits, but more studies are needed to confirm its efficacy in skincare.

Dihydrojasmone is a synthetic jasmine-like fragrance that adds a pleasant scent to products but offers no skincare benefits and may be a concern for those with fragrance sensitivities.

A gentle, lanolin-derived emollient that helps maintain skin softness without clogging pores.

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

Dihydromyrcene is a synthetic scent ingredient that adds a fresh, citrus-like aroma but offers no skincare benefits.

A common synthetic fragrance that adds a pleasant scent but may cause irritation in sensitive individuals.

A plant-derived antioxidant that helps calm skin and defend against environmental stress, with emerging research for anti-aging benefits.

A gentle, plant-derived emollient that helps soften and smooth skin without clogging pores, making it suitable for most skin types.

Dihydropseudoionone is a synthetic scent ingredient that adds a pleasant floral note, but it offers no skincare benefits and may cause sensitivity in those allergic to fragrance.

A powerful plant-based antioxidant that helps defend skin against pollution and UV damage, with a good safety profile.

A novel antioxidant that combines two well-known skin protectors, but research is still early and it may not be widely available in consumer products yet.

A potent, oil-soluble antioxidant that may help protect skin from environmental damage and support a more even tone.

A potent, oil-friendly antioxidant that helps defend skin against pollution and UV damage without the stability issues of pure dihydroquercetin.

Dihydroterpinyl Acetate is a synthetic scent ingredient that gives a fresh, woodsy aroma but may cause irritation in sensitive skin.

A synthetic antioxidant that may help protect skin from environmental stress, but research is still limited.

A synthetic antioxidant that helps shield skin from pollution and UV damage while supporting a brighter, more even complexion.

DHA is the gold standard for sunless tanning, providing a natural-looking tan without UV exposure, but requires careful application to avoid streaks and uneven color.

DHA is the most common active ingredient in sunless tanners, providing a temporary tan without UV exposure.

A lab-made molecule that aims to mimic the skin-firming effects of certain peptides, but human research is still limited.

A synthetic brightener that targets uneven skin tone and dark spots with low irritation potential.

A synthetic brightening compound with early evidence for reducing pigmentation, but limited long-term safety data.

A gentle antioxidant from the chalcone family that may help calm skin and defend against pollution and UV damage.

A gentle surfactant that helps create a rich, stable foam while being less stripping than traditional sulfates.

A gentle surfactant that helps create a rich foam while being less stripping than traditional sulfates.

A gentle surfactant that helps create a rich, creamy foam while being less stripping than traditional sulfates.

A gentle, coconut-derived cleansing ingredient that helps remove dirt and oil without stripping the skin.

A gentle, coconut-derived surfactant that helps create a rich lather while being less stripping than traditional sulfates.

A gentle, coconut-derived surfactant that boosts foam and cleanses without stripping the skin, making it a good choice for sensitive skin.

A gentle, amino-acid-based surfactant that cleanses effectively without stripping the skin, making it a great choice for sensitive or dry skin types.

A mild, plant-derived cleansing ingredient that effectively removes dirt and oil without stripping the skin.

A gentle emulsifier and conditioner from soybean oil that helps blend oils and water while softening hair and skin, but may be too heavy for oily or acne-prone types.

A gentle, conditioning surfactant that helps create rich foam without stripping the skin or hair.

A mild, effective conditioning agent that leaves skin and hair feeling soft without heavy buildup.

A mild, tallow-derived surfactant that cleanses without stripping, but may raise concerns for those avoiding animal-derived ingredients.

A gentle conditioning ingredient that softens hair and skin, but may be too heavy for oily or acne-prone skin.

An effective cleanser and antistatic agent from tallow, but may be drying or irritating for sensitive skin.

A gentle conditioning ingredient that softens hair but may be too heavy for oily scalps or acne-prone skin.