Beauty ingredient research

Beauty ingredients explained in plain English

Browse the review database to understand what an ingredient is, what it does in a beauty formula, when it is useful, and when it deserves caution across skincare, haircare, bodycare, makeup, and more.

20769

Reviewed ingredients

524

Low-concern standouts

2884

Need usage caution

Showing 60 of 20,303
AllUV absorberUV filterabrasiveabsorbentacne treatmentactiveactive ingredientadhesivealkalizing agentamino acidanti-aginganti-androgenanti-cavityanti-cavity agentanti-inflammatoryanti-irritantanticariesanticavity agentantidandruffantifungalantimicrobialantioxidantantiperspirantantiplaqueastringentbarrier repairbarrier supportbarrier-repairbarrier-supportbinderbinding agentbiotechbiotechnologybond-builderbotanicalbotanical extractbotanical oilbotanical waterbrighteningbrightening agentbufferbuffering agentcell-communicating ingredientceramidechelating agentchemicalchemical intermediateclaycleansercleansingcleansing agentcolorantconditionerconditioningconditioning agentcooling agentcosmeticcosmetic additivecosmetic colorantcosmetic ingredientcosmetic pigmentcosmetic powdercosmetic-texturizercosmetic-waxcosmeticscrosslinking agentdelivery agentdelivery systemdenaturantdeodorantdeodorant agentdepigmenting agentdepilatorydepilatory agentdesensitizing agentdyedye intermediatedye precursordye-intermediateemollientemulsifierenzymeessential oilexfoliantexperimentaleyelashfermentfilm formerfilm-formerfilm-formingfilm-forming agentfirming agentfixativeflavoring agentformulationfragrancefragrance ingredientfunctional ingredientgashair carehair colorhair coloranthair conditionerhair dyehair removalhair-carehair-colorhaircarehumectantindustrialinsecticideintermediatelashlash carelash enhancerlash-and-browlip carelipidmakeupmarine extractmasking agentmicrobiomemicrobiome modulatormineralmoisturizernail carenail-careocclusiveoilopacifieropacifying agentoptical agentoral careotheroxidative dyeoxidative dye precursoroxidizing agentpH adjusterpain reliefpenetration enhancerpeptidepersonal careph adjusterpharmaceuticalpheromonepigmentplant oilplasticizerpolymerpolymer precursorprebioticprescription-drugpreservativepreservative boosterprobioticprocessing agentprocessing aidpropellantproteinpurifyingreducing agentretinoidscalp caresebum regulatorsebum-regulatorself-tannerself-tanningsensory additivesensory agentsensory modifiersiliconeskin barrierskin barrier supportskin conditionerskin conditioningskin conditioning agentskin lighteningskin protectantskin-conditioningskin-conditioning agentskin-identicalskin-identical ingredientskin-lighteningskin-lightening agentskincaresolventsoothingsoothing agentstabilizerstimulantsunscreensurfactantsyntheticsynthetic colorantsynthetic dyesynthetic resinsynthetic-coloranttexture enhancertexturizerthickenertoneruv-absorberuv-filtervasoactivevasodilatorviscosity controlviscosity controllingviscosity controlling agentvitaminwax

Skin conditioner

Diretinyl Ether

Diretinyl Ether

3.8

Diretinyl ether is a synthetic retinoid derivative that may offer anti-aging benefits similar to retinol, but with less irritation potential, though research is still emerging.

Irritation

moderate

Source

synthetic

beautyskincareanti-aging
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Solvent

Disiloxane

Disiloxane

3.8

Disiloxane is a fast-evaporating silicone that helps products glide on smoothly without leaving a heavy residue.

Irritation

low

Source

synthetic

beautyskincarehaircare
Read ingredient review

Surfactant

Disodium 2-Sulfolaurate

DISODIUM 2-SULFOLAURATE

4.3

A gentle, biodegradable surfactant that cleans effectively without stripping the skin barrier.

Irritation

low

Source

semi-synthetic

beautyskincarecleansing
Read ingredient review

Surfactant

Disodium 2-Sulfopalmitate

DISODIUM 2-SULFOPALMITATE

4.0

A gentle, sulfate-free surfactant that cleanses effectively while being kind to sensitive skin.

Irritation

low

Source

semi-synthetic

beautyskincarecleanser
Read ingredient review

Skin conditioning agent

Disodium Adenosine Phosphate

Disodium Adenosine Phosphate

4.0

A gentle, energy-boosting ingredient that helps skin cells function better and may improve firmness over time.

Irritation

low

Source

biotech

beautyskincareactive
Read ingredient review

Skin conditioning agent

Disodium Adenosine Triphosphate

Disodium Adenosine Triphosphate

4.0

Disodium Adenosine Triphosphate delivers cellular energy to skin cells, potentially boosting repair and reducing signs of aging.

Irritation

low

Source

biotech

beautyskincareactive
Read ingredient review

Buffering Agent

Disodium Aluminate Complex

DISODIUM ALUMINATE GLUCARATE/GLUCONATE/GLYCOLATE/TARTRATE/OXALATE

3.0

An uncommon aluminum-based pH adjuster with limited safety data; best avoided in leave-on products until more research is available.

Irritation

moderate

Source

synthetic

beautyskincarepH adjuster
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Antioxidant

Disodium Ascorbyl Sulfate

Disodium Ascorbyl Sulfate

4.0

A gentle, stable form of vitamin C that brightens skin and fights free radicals with minimal irritation.

Irritation

low

Source

semi-synthetic

beautyskincareantioxidant
Read ingredient review

Exfoliant

Disodium Azelate

Disodium Azelate

4.0

A gentle alternative to azelaic acid that helps even skin tone and smooth texture with low irritation risk.

Irritation

low

Source

synthetic

beautyskincareexfoliant
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Surfactant

Disodium Caproamphodiacetate

Disodium Caproamphodiacetate

4.0

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

Irritation

low

Source

synthetic

beautyskincarecleanser
Read ingredient review

Surfactant

Disodium Capryloamphodipropionate

Disodium Capryloamphodipropionate

4.0

A gentle, coconut-derived surfactant that cleanses without stripping the skin — ideal for sensitive or dry skin types.

Irritation

low

Source

semi-synthetic

beautyskincarecleanser
Read ingredient review

Surfactant

Disodium Cetearyl Sulfosuccinate

DISODIUM CETEARYL SULFOSUCCINATE

4.0

A gentle, sulfate-free surfactant that cleanses effectively without stripping the skin barrier, making it ideal for sensitive or dry skin.

Irritation

low

Source

semi-synthetic

beautyskincarecleanser
Read ingredient review

Surfactant

Disodium Cetyl Sulfosuccinate

Disodium Cetyl Sulfosuccinate

4.0

A gentle, sulfate-free surfactant that effectively cleanses without stripping the skin's natural moisture barrier.

Irritation

low

Source

semi-synthetic

beautyskincarecleanser
Read ingredient review

Surfactant

Disodium Cocaminopropyl Iminodiacetate

Disodium Cocaminopropyl Iminodiacetate

4.0

A gentle, coconut-derived surfactant that effectively cleanses without stripping the skin, making it ideal for sensitive or dry skin types.

Irritation

low

Source

natural

beautyskincarecleansing agent
Read ingredient review

Surfactant

Disodium Coceth-3 Sulfosuccinate

Disodium Coceth-3 Sulfosuccinate

4.0

A gentle, coconut-derived surfactant that cleans without stripping the skin — ideal for sensitive or dry skin types.

Irritation

low

Source

semi-synthetic

beautyskincarecleansing
Read ingredient review

Surfactant

Disodium Coco-Sulfosuccinate

Disodium Coco-Sulfosuccinate

4.5

A gentle, coconut-derived surfactant that cleans effectively without stripping the skin, making it ideal for sensitive or dry skin types.

Irritation

low

Source

semi-synthetic

beautyskincarecleanser
Read ingredient review

Surfactant

Disodium Cocoamphodiacetate

Disodium Cocoamphodiacetate

4.0

A gentle, coconut-derived surfactant that cleanses without stripping the skin, making it ideal for sensitive or dry skin types.

Irritation

low

Source

semi-synthetic

beautyskincarecleanser
Read ingredient review

Surfactant

Disodium Cocoamphodipropionate

Disodium Cocoamphodipropionate

4.2

A gentle, coconut-derived surfactant that cleanses without stripping the skin, making it ideal for sensitive or dry skin types.

Irritation

low

Source

semi-synthetic

beautyskincarecleanser
Read ingredient review

Surfactant

Disodium Cocoyl Glutamate

DISODIUM COCOYL GLUTAMATE

4.5

A mild, coconut-derived surfactant that cleanses effectively while being gentle enough for sensitive skin.

Irritation

low

Source

natural

beautyskincarecleanser
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Antioxidant

Disodium Cupric Citrate

DISODIUM CUPRIC CITRATE

4.0

A gentle copper complex that helps defend skin from environmental stress and supports a healthy-looking complexion.

Irritation

low

Source

semi-synthetic

beautyskincareantioxidant
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Surfactant

Disodium Deceth-5 Sulfosuccinate

Disodium Deceth-5 Sulfosuccinate

4.0

A gentle, sulfate-free surfactant that effectively cleanses without over-drying, making it a good choice for sensitive or dry skin.

Irritation

low

Source

synthetic

beautyskincarecleanser
Read ingredient review

Surfactant

Disodium Deceth-6 Sulfosuccinate

Disodium Deceth-6 Sulfosuccinate

4.0

A gentle, sulfate-free surfactant that effectively cleanses without over-drying, making it a great choice for sensitive or dry skin.

Irritation

low

Source

synthetic

beautyskincarecleanser
Read ingredient review

UV Absorber

Disodium Distyrylbiphenyl Disulfonate

Disodium Distyrylbiphenyl Disulfonate

3.8

A synthetic UV absorber that helps brighten skin by converting UV light into visible blue light, but its role is more about optical effects than long-term skin protection.

Irritation

low

Source

synthetic

beautyskincareuv-filter
Read ingredient review

Surfactant

Disodium Dodecenylsuccinate

DISODIUM DODECENYLSUCCINATE

3.5

An effective synthetic cleanser that can be drying for sensitive skin, but is generally safe when used in rinse-off formulations.

Irritation

moderate

Source

synthetic

beautyskincarecleansing
Read ingredient review