Beauty ingredients explained in plain English

A gentle, starch-based ingredient that improves product feel and stability without common irritants.

A gentle, starch-based thickener that improves product feel without common irritation or clogging concerns.

A gentle, starch-based powder that absorbs oil and improves product feel without clogging pores.

A safe, effective thickener and stabilizer that helps keep formulas smooth and ingredients evenly mixed.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

A mild, effective conditioning ingredient that helps detangle and soften hair without heavy buildup.

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

A gentle, waxy emollient that helps thicken and stabilize creams without clogging pores.

A mild, amino-acid-derived emulsifier that creates stable, creamy textures without stripping the skin.

A mild, amino-acid-based surfactant that cleanses effectively while being gentle on the skin barrier.

A synthetic film-former that helps products spread smoothly and hold their shape, but it has limited research and is not widely used.

A gentle emollient and stabilizer that helps keep products smooth and extends their shelf life, with a very low risk of irritation.

A gentle synthetic conditioner that softens hair and skin without heavy buildup, but its synthetic origin may not appeal to all.

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

A gentle conditioning ingredient that helps detangle hair and reduce static without heavy buildup.

A natural citrus oil that adds a fresh scent and mild antimicrobial benefits, but can be irritating for sensitive skin.

A gentle, plant-based antioxidant extract that may help calm skin and fight free radical damage, though research is still early.

A gentle botanical extract with antioxidant potential, but research is still early and benefits are not yet proven in human skin.

A synthetic polymer that helps detangle and soften hair, but may not suit very fine or oily hair types.

A fatty amine conditioner from animal sources that softens hair but may be heavy for fine hair or oily skin.

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

Ditallowdimonium Chloride is an effective hair conditioner and antistatic agent, but it may cause irritation or clog pores in sensitive individuals.

A synthetic conditioning agent that reduces static and softens hair, but may not suit very fine or oily hair types.

An effective hair-softening ingredient from animal-derived tallow, but may be too heavy for oily or acne-prone skin.

Dithiaoctanediol is a synthetic antioxidant that may help protect skin from environmental stress, but research is still early.

A synthetic ingredient that may help strengthen hair and skin by forming disulfide bonds, but research is still limited.

A synthetic bond-builder that helps strengthen damaged hair by reforming disulfide bridges inside the hair fiber.

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

Dithiodiglycolic acid is a synthetic sulfur compound that may offer antioxidant benefits, but research is limited and it can be irritating for sensitive skin.

Dithiomethylbenzamide is a synthetic preservative booster with limited public research; it may help extend product shelf life but could cause irritation in sensitive individuals.

Dithiothreitol is a lab-made reducing agent occasionally used in skincare to break disulfide bonds, but it's not a common or well-studied ingredient for cosmetic benefits and may cause irritation at higher concentrations.

A lightweight, non-greasy emollient that helps skin feel soft and smooth without clogging pores.

Ditridecyl phthalate is a plasticizer that helps products spread and flex, but its phthalate nature raises potential endocrine concerns, so many brands avoid it.

A gentle synthetic surfactant that effectively cleanses without stripping the skin, making it a good alternative to harsher sulfates.

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

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

A lightweight synthetic emollient that softens skin without clogging pores, commonly used to improve product texture and spreadability.

A silky, plant-derived emollient that hydrates without clogging pores, ideal for sensitive and oily skin types.

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

A lightweight, non-greasy emollient that helps skin feel smooth and soft without clogging pores.

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

A gentle, non-greasy emollient that improves the feel of skincare and makeup without clogging pores.

A lightweight synthetic ester that softens skin without greasiness, widely used in moisturizers and sunscreens.

A gentle, antioxidant-rich botanical extract that may help calm skin and defend against environmental stress, though research is still emerging.

A gentle, hydrating marine extract with soothing potential, but research is still emerging.

A gentle silicone polymer that helps products spread smoothly, feel silky, and last longer without clogging pores.

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

A silicone powder that gives a silky, blurring finish and helps control oil without clogging pores.

A silicone crosspolymer that gives a silky, non-greasy feel and helps products spread smoothly, but offers no active skincare benefits.

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

DMDM Hydantoin is an effective preservative but releases small amounts of formaldehyde, which can be irritating for sensitive skin.

A synthetic polymer that helps products stay put and resist water, but may feel heavy on some skin types.

DNA is a gentle humectant and film former that helps hydrate and temporarily plump skin, but its anti-aging claims are not strongly backed by independent human studies.

DHA is a gentle omega-3 fatty acid that helps calm inflammation and support a healthy skin barrier, but it is sensitive to oxidation and best used in stable formulations.