Beauty ingredients explained in plain English

An effective synthetic surfactant that helps cleanse and emulsify, but may be drying or irritating for sensitive skin.

A gentle, citrate-based surfactant that helps cleanse without stripping the skin's natural moisture barrier.

A gentle, stable vitamin C derivative that brightens skin and fights free radicals without the sting or instability of pure ascorbic acid.

A silicone-based film former that helps products stay put and feel silky, but offers no active skincare benefits.

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

A gentle synthetic emollient that softens skin and improves product feel without heavy greasiness.

A synthetic polymer that creates a flexible, water-resistant film on skin, ideal for long-wear and waterproof formulas.

A synthetic stabilizer that helps keep oils fresh, but it's not a star active for skin benefits.

A synthetic conditioning ingredient that smooths hair and reduces static, but may cause irritation or clog pores in sensitive individuals.

A gentle conditioning ingredient that improves softness and manageability without heavy buildup.

A gentle silicone hybrid that conditions hair and skin without heavy buildup, but its complex chemistry may not suit minimalists.

A gentle, barrier-strengthening fatty acid that helps lock in moisture without clogging pores.

A synthetic polymer that helps makeup and sunscreen stay put longer, but offers no direct skin benefit beyond its film-forming function.

A gentle, plant-derived film former that helps makeup and sunscreen last longer without clogging pores or irritating skin.

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

A gentle film-forming polymer that helps skincare and makeup stay put without clogging pores or irritating skin.

A gentle film-forming polymer that helps products spread smoothly and stay put without clogging pores.

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

Dill extract offers mild antioxidant and soothing benefits, but research on its cosmetic efficacy is still limited.

Dill Herb Oil adds a fresh herbal scent and mild antimicrobial benefits, but can be irritating for sensitive skin.

Dill leaf powder is a gentle botanical ingredient with antioxidant potential, but research on its cosmetic benefits is limited.

Dill Seed Oil adds a fresh, herbal scent to skincare products and may offer mild antioxidant benefits, but it can be irritating for sensitive skin and is mainly used for fragrance.

A gentle, conditioning surfactant that cleanses without stripping, ideal for sensitive or dry skin.

A gentle conditioning ingredient that helps reduce static and improve softness without heavy buildup.

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

A safe, synthetic film-former that helps products stay put and resist water without clogging pores.

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

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

A gentle, amino-acid-based ingredient that helps condition skin and stabilize formulas without common irritation.

A gentle, non-greasy emollient that improves product texture and spreadability without clogging pores.

A gentle, plant-derived emollient that forms a breathable film on skin to reduce water loss and improve product feel without clogging pores.

A synthetic polymer that helps makeup and skincare stay put without feeling heavy or greasy.

A film-forming ester that helps makeup and sunscreen stay put longer, but may feel heavy on oily skin.

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

Dimer Rosin is a modified tree resin that helps makeup and hair products stay put, but it may feel sticky or heavy on some skin types.

A lab-made peptide that may help support collagen and improve skin firmness, but human studies are limited.

A well-studied silicone that provides a silky feel and temporary barrier without clogging pores for most people.

A gentle silicone that gives a smooth, matte finish without clogging pores — great for oily or combination skin.

A gentle silicone powder that gives a silky finish and helps makeup stay put without clogging pores.

A gentle silicone powder that gives a silky, matte finish and helps control shine without clogging pores.

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

A silicone polymer that helps products feel silky and last longer, but it's purely synthetic and not a treatment ingredient.

A gentle silicone emulsifier that helps create stable, smooth formulas without heavy residue.

A gentle silicone derivative that smooths hair and skin without heavy buildup, but may not suit those avoiding all silicones or PEG compounds.

A gentle silicone emulsifier that improves texture and stability, but may not suit those avoiding silicones or ethoxylated ingredients.

A gentle silicone emollient that combines the smoothing power of dimethicone with the nourishing properties of avocado oil, making it a good choice for dry or sensitive skin.

A gentle silicone-coconut hybrid that helps mix oil and water, leaving skin and hair feeling soft without heavy residue.

A gentle silicone emulsifier that helps create smooth, spreadable products without heavy residue.

A gentle silicone derivative that improves product feel and skin softness, generally well-tolerated by most skin types.

A gentle silicone emulsifier that helps create smooth, stable formulas without heavy residue.

A gentle silicone emulsifier that helps create smooth, stable formulas while adding a light, non-greasy feel.

A gentle silicone emulsifier that helps mix water and oil, making formulas feel smooth without heavy residue.

A silicone-based emulsifier that helps formulas feel smooth and spread easily, but its phthalate component raises unnecessary concern despite being chemically different from controversial phthalates.

A gentle silicone emulsifier that helps create smooth, spreadable products without heavy residue.

A gentle silicone-based cleanser that helps remove dirt and oil while leaving hair and skin feeling soft, but may not suit those avoiding silicones.

A gentle silicone emulsifier that helps products spread smoothly and feel silky, with very low irritation potential.

A gentle silicone emollient that helps products glide on smoothly and leaves skin feeling soft without clogging pores.

A hybrid silicone-and-avocado emollient that smooths skin and improves product feel without heavy greasiness.

A silicone-wax hybrid that gives products a smooth, silky feel and helps them stay put, but may feel heavy on oily skin.

A gentle silicone derivative that improves product texture and feel without clogging pores or causing irritation.