Beauty ingredients explained in plain English

A gentle silicone emollient that adds a silky feel and light hydration, generally safe for most skin types.

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

A gentle silicone-lanolin hybrid that helps products spread smoothly and feel silky, but may not suit those avoiding silicones or lanolin derivatives.

A silicone emulsifier that helps mix oil and water, but may not suit everyone due to its synthetic nature and potential for buildup.

A gentle silicone-based emollient that spreads easily and leaves skin feeling silky without clogging pores.

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

A gentle silicone emulsifier that helps create stable, lightweight formulas without clogging pores.

A silicone derivative that helps products spread smoothly and form a film, but its phthalate component raises some safety questions.

A gentle silicone film-former that helps products feel silky and stay put, but may not suit those avoiding silicones.

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

A gentle silicone emulsifier that helps blend water and oil in formulas, offering a smooth feel without heavy residue.

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

A gentle silicone emulsifier that helps mix water and oil in products, but may not suit those avoiding silicones or PEG compounds.

A gentle silicone derivative that conditions hair and skin without the heavy feel of traditional silicones.

A gentle silicone that gives a silky, smooth feel to products without clogging pores or causing irritation.

A gentle silicone polymer that helps makeup and hair products last longer without feeling heavy or greasy.

A silicone polymer that helps products glide on smoothly, feel silky, and stay put without clogging pores.

A silicone film former that helps products resist water and last longer, but may feel heavy on fine hair or oily skin.

A gentle silicone that helps products spread smoothly and feel silky, but offers no active skincare benefits.

A gentle silicone polymer that creates a smooth, breathable film on skin, improving product feel and wear without clogging pores.

A gentle silicone that helps products glide on smoothly and feel lightweight, but may not suit those avoiding silicones.

A silicone polymer that helps products feel silky and spread evenly without clogging pores.

A gentle silicone polymer that improves product feel and wear without clogging pores or irritating skin.

A silicone polymer that creates a smooth, velvety feel on skin and helps other ingredients spread evenly without clogging pores.

A gentle silicone gel that smooths skin and adds a touch of hydration without feeling heavy or greasy.

A silicone polymer that creates a smooth, breathable film on skin, improving product feel and longevity without clogging pores.

A silicone polymer that helps makeup and skincare last longer by forming a flexible, breathable film that resists water and sweat.

A silicone powder that helps products feel silky and stay put without clogging pores.

A silicone powder that blurs pores and controls shine without feeling heavy or greasy.

Dimethiconol is a gentle silicone that smooths skin and hair without clogging pores, making it a safe choice for most skin types.

A gentle silicone-arginine hybrid that smooths hair and skin without heavy buildup, but may not suit those avoiding silicones entirely.

A silicone-infused wax that gives products a silky, smooth feel without the heavy greasiness of traditional waxes.

A gentle silicone ester that smooths skin and locks in moisture without feeling heavy or greasy.

A gentle silicone-oil hybrid that smooths skin and hair without heavy greasiness, with added fatty acid benefits from borage oil.

A gentle silicone-wax hybrid that gives products a silky, non-greasy feel and helps them stay put.

A gentle silicone wax that helps makeup and skincare last longer without feeling heavy or greasy.

A gentle silicone-butter hybrid that softens skin without greasiness, but research is limited.

A high-performance silicone that creates a durable, water-repelling shield without feeling heavy or greasy.

A gentle silicone derivative that improves product feel and spreadability, suitable for most skin types including sensitive skin.

A hybrid silicone-butter ingredient that provides rich, non-greasy moisture and a silky finish.

A gentle silicone ester that smooths skin and hair without heavy greasiness, but offers limited active benefits beyond surface feel.

A gentle, silicone-like emollient that softens skin without greasiness, ideal for dry or sensitive skin.

A hybrid silicone-lactic acid ingredient that smooths skin and provides light moisture without heavy residue.

A gentle, silicone-based emollient that softens skin and hair without greasiness, ideal for dry or sensitive types.

A gentle silicone-amino acid hybrid that smooths hair and softens skin without heavy buildup.

A gentle, silicone-enhanced butter that provides a silky, non-greasy feel on skin and hair.

A gentle silicone-panthenol hybrid that smooths hair and skin while adding a touch of moisture, but may feel heavy for fine hair or oily skin.

A lightweight silicone ester that provides a silky, smooth feel without heavy greasiness, making it a popular choice for modern formulations.

A gentle silicone-based emollient that helps products glide on smoothly without clogging pores, making it a good option for sensitive or acne-prone skin.

A silicone polymer that forms a flexible, breathable film for long-lasting wear and water resistance.

A gentle silicone polymer that helps products spread smoothly and leaves a soft, velvety finish without clogging pores.

A silicone powder that soaks up excess oil and gives a silky, non-greasy feel—great for shine control and blurring pores.

A gentle silicone film-former that improves wear time and water resistance without feeling heavy or greasy.

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

A gentle silicone derivative that helps detangle hair and reduce frizz without heavy buildup.

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

A synthetic antioxidant that may help calm skin and fight free radicals, but research is still limited.

A synthetic soothing ingredient that helps calm reactive skin and reduce visible redness without irritation.

A mild synthetic fragrance ingredient that also helps preserve formulas, generally considered safe at low concentrations.

A potent synthetic brightener that targets dark spots by blocking melanin production, but may cause irritation for sensitive skin.