Beauty ingredients explained in plain English

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

A synthetic film-former that boosts water resistance and wear time in makeup and sunscreen without common irritation.

A safe, effective film-former that improves water resistance and wear time in cosmetics, but may feel heavy on some skin types.

A safe, synthetic film-former that helps products spread evenly and stay put, but offers no active skincare benefits.

A safe, synthetic thickener and stabilizer that helps create a smooth, elegant texture in skincare products.

A synthetic film-former that improves water resistance and wear time, generally safe but not a functional active.

A safe, synthetic film-former that helps makeup and sunscreen stay put without clogging pores.

A safe, synthetic film-former that helps makeup and sunscreen stay put without clogging pores.

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

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

A safe, synthetic film-former that improves product feel and longevity without common irritation concerns.

A safe, synthetic film-former that improves product feel and wear without common irritation or clogging concerns.

A safe synthetic film-former that helps products stay put and resist water, but offers no active skin benefit.

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

A safe, synthetic film-former that helps products spread smoothly, resist water, and last longer without common irritation.

A safe, synthetic film-former that helps makeup and sunscreen stay put without clogging pores.

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

A safe, synthetic polymer that helps products spread smoothly and feel lightweight on skin.

A safe, synthetic polymer that improves product feel and longevity without common irritation concerns.

A synthetic polymer that helps create a smooth, even film on skin, commonly used to improve texture and water resistance.

A safe, synthetic film-former that helps makeup and sunscreen last longer without feeling heavy.

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

A safe film-forming polymer that helps makeup and sunscreen stay put without clogging pores.

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

A safe, synthetic polymer that improves product texture and water resistance without common irritation concerns.

A safe, effective thickener that gives lightweight, non-greasy textures to water-based skincare products.

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

A gentle synthetic thickener that helps create smooth, stable lotions and creams without clogging pores.

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

A synthetic film-former that improves water resistance and wear time in makeup and sunscreens, generally considered safe and non-irritating.

A synthetic film-former 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 skincare benefit.

A safe, common film-former that helps products stay put and feel smooth, but offers no active skincare benefit.

A safe, synthetic thickener and film-former that helps products spread smoothly and stay put, with very low irritation risk.

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

A safe, synthetic thickener that gives products a smooth, non-greasy feel without clogging pores.

A safe, synthetic thickener that gives gels and creams a smooth, non-sticky feel without clogging pores.

A safe, synthetic film-former that helps products stay put and feel smooth, but offers no active skincare benefits.

Acrylic acid is a synthetic building block for common thickeners and stabilizers, but it is rarely used directly in skincare due to potential irritation.

A synthetic polymer that helps products spread smoothly, hold styles, and leave a soft, non-sticky finish.

A synthetic thickener that improves product texture and stability with a low risk of irritation.

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

A safe, synthetic thickener and film-former that gives products a smooth, elegant feel without common irritation concerns.

A synthetic polymer that helps products stay put and feel smooth, but offers no direct skin benefit.

A synthetic polymer that helps hold hairstyles and gives products a smooth, non-sticky feel, but may build up on hair over time.

A gentle synthetic polymer that improves product texture and helps ingredients stay on skin without clogging pores.

A safe, synthetic film-former that helps products stay put and feel lightweight on skin or hair.

A synthetic thickener and film former that helps create a smooth, lightweight feel in gels and serums, with a low risk of irritation.

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

A metallic pigment that adds shine but is generally safe for external use in small amounts.

A synthetic thickener and stabilizer that helps create smooth, spreadable textures but offers no active skin benefits.

A synthetic film-former that helps makeup and sunscreen last longer, but offers no active skincare benefit.

A safe, synthetic powder that helps products feel silky and controls shine without clogging pores.

A synthetic film former that helps makeup and hair products resist water and last longer, but offers no skincare benefit.

A synthetic thickener that helps create smooth, stable gel textures without common irritation concerns.

A synthetic polymer that helps create a smooth, even film on skin, improving product texture and wear.

A synthetic film-former that helps products stay put on skin and resist water, but it's not a moisturizer or active ingredient.

A reliable synthetic thickener that gives gels and creams a silky, non-sticky feel without clogging pores.

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

A synthetic film-former that helps products adhere to skin or nails, but may cause irritation in sensitive individuals.