Beauty ingredients explained in plain English

A synthetic scent ingredient that adds a fresh, woody note but may cause irritation in sensitive individuals.

An effective but controversial preservative that may cause skin irritation in sensitive individuals.

Dimethylol Glycol is an effective preservative booster, but it may cause irritation in sensitive skin and is best avoided in leave-on products for those prone to reactions.

A synthetic polymer that helps products form a film and may boost preservative power, but its safety data is limited and it can be irritating for sensitive skin.

A synthetic humectant that helps hydrate skin and improve product feel, generally well-tolerated but less studied than glycerin.

A mild synthetic pH adjuster that helps keep your skincare products stable and gentle on skin.

A synthetic conditioning ingredient that helps reduce static and improve hair manageability, but offers no long-term repair.

A common synthetic fragrance ingredient that is generally well-tolerated but may cause sensitivity in some individuals.

A synthetic fragrance compound that adds scent but offers no skin benefit and may cause irritation for sensitive individuals.

A synthetic fragrance compound that adds a nutty, roasted scent to products; generally safe at low levels but offers no skincare benefit.

A synthetic fragrance compound with limited cosmetic safety data; best avoided by sensitive skin.

A hybrid of hyaluronic acid and silicon that aims to hydrate and support skin firmness, though research is still emerging.

A synthetic scent ingredient that adds a warm, woody note to products, but offers no skincare benefit and may cause sensitivity in some people.

A synthetic fragrance ingredient that adds a floral note but may cause skin sensitivity in some people.

A synthetic fragrance compound with limited safety data; best avoided by those with sensitive skin or fragrance allergies.

A synthetic fragrance ingredient that adds a fresh scent but may cause irritation in sensitive individuals.

A gentle, plant-derived antioxidant that helps protect skin from environmental stress while offering mild soothing benefits.

A synthetic UV filter that provides broad-spectrum sun protection with low irritation potential, but its use is limited to certain regions.

A gentle, stable vitamin C derivative that brightens skin and fights free radicals without the irritation of pure L-ascorbic acid.

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

A gentle synthetic emulsifier that helps blend oil and water in creams and lotions, with a low risk of irritation or clogged pores.

A gentle emollient that softens skin without clogging pores, commonly used to improve the feel of creams and lotions.

A gentle synthetic antioxidant that helps keep oils and butters in your skincare products fresh and stable.

A synthetic cleansing agent that helps remove dirt and oil, but may be drying or irritating for sensitive skin.

A gentle, synthetic emollient that softens skin and reduces water loss, but offers no active benefits beyond basic moisturization.

A gentle, synthetic emollient that softens skin without clogging pores, commonly used in moisturizers and makeup.

A mild, amino-acid-based surfactant that cleanses without stripping the skin barrier, ideal for sensitive skin.

A mild, amino-acid-based surfactant that cleanses without stripping the skin barrier.

A lightweight, non-greasy emollient derived from amino acids that helps soften skin without clogging pores.

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

A silky, non-comedogenic emollient that hydrates without clogging pores, ideal for oily and acne-prone skin.

A lightweight, non-greasy emollient that helps products spread easily and leaves skin feeling soft without clogging pores.

A lightweight synthetic emollient that softens skin without clogging pores, ideal for oily or combination skin types.

A synthetic film-former that helps makeup last longer and resist water, but it's not well-studied for long-term skin effects.

A synthetic emollient that helps soften and smooth skin with a low risk of irritation or clogged pores.

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

A gentle, amino-acid-based emollient that helps soften and condition skin without clogging pores or causing irritation.

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

A synthetic conditioning agent that reduces static and softens hair, but may cause irritation for sensitive scalps at higher concentrations.

A gentle, effective conditioning ingredient that helps soften hair and reduce static without heavy buildup.

A synthetic conditioning agent that helps reduce static and improve softness in hair and skin, but may feel heavy for very fine hair.

A synthetic emulsifier that helps cleanse and stabilize formulas, but may be drying or irritating for sensitive skin.

Dioleyl Phosphate is a mild synthetic emulsifier that helps blend oil and water in formulas, generally considered safe and low-irritation for most skin types.

A novel ingredient that may support collagen and skin firmness, but human research is still limited.

A novel peptide-ingredient hybrid that may help support skin firmness, but research is still early and benefits are not yet proven in large human studies.

Diosmin is a plant-derived flavonoid that helps protect skin from oxidative stress and may reduce puffiness, but research in topical skincare is still emerging.

Dioxolane is a synthetic solvent that helps products spread and absorb, but it can be drying or irritating for sensitive skin.

Dipalmitamine is a gentle synthetic ingredient that helps condition hair and stabilize formulas, but it's not a star active.

A gentle amino-acid derivative that may help strengthen hair and support skin barrier function, but research is still limited.

A stabilized, fat-soluble glutathione that may help brighten skin and fight oxidative stress, but human evidence is still limited.

A skin-friendly phospholipid that strengthens the moisture barrier and soothes dryness without irritation.

A gentle, collagen-supporting ingredient that helps improve skin firmness and elasticity with low irritation risk.

A gentle conditioning ingredient that reduces static and softens hair, but may be too heavy for fine or oily hair types.

A gentle synthetic conditioning agent that helps soften hair and skin without heavy buildup.

A lightweight, synthetic emollient that helps products spread smoothly without clogging pores or feeling greasy.

A lightweight, synthetic emollient that makes products feel silky and spread easily without clogging pores or causing irritation.

A synthetic film-former mainly used in nail products to create a durable, glossy finish; less common in leave-on skincare.

A high-performance emollient that gives a silky, non-greasy feel and helps products spread smoothly.

A lightweight, non-greasy emollient that helps products spread smoothly and leaves skin feeling soft without clogging pores.

A gentle, non-greasy ester that improves texture and wear in color cosmetics and skincare.