Beauty ingredients explained in plain English

Docosane is a gentle, non-greasy wax that helps skincare products feel smooth and stay put without clogging pores.

A synthetic scent ingredient that adds a warm, woody note to products, but offers no skincare benefit and may be a concern for those avoiding fragrance.

A synthetic amber scent that adds warmth to fragrances but offers no skincare benefits.

A synthetic fragrance ingredient that adds a warm, woody scent but offers no skincare benefits and may cause sensitivity in some individuals.

Dodecane is a lightweight, volatile oil that helps products spread smoothly and evaporate quickly without leaving a greasy feel.

A gentle, oil-soluble acid that helps control shine and smooth skin texture without the irritation of stronger exfoliants.

A gentle film-forming polymer that helps skincare and makeup stay put longer without feeling heavy or sticky.

Dodecanenitrile is a synthetic fragrance ingredient that adds a fresh, citrusy scent, but it offers no skincare benefits and may cause sensitivity in some individuals.

Dodecene is a lightweight synthetic oil that helps dissolve makeup and sebum without feeling greasy, but it offers no active skincare benefits.

A synthetic solvent and emollient that helps dissolve other ingredients and provides a lightweight feel, but lacks extensive skin-benefit research.

A synthetic film-former that helps products resist water and wear longer, but with limited independent safety data.

A synthetic film-former that helps products stay put on skin or hair, but offers no active skincare benefit.

Dodecyl gallate is a synthetic antioxidant that helps preserve cosmetic formulas, but it has limited direct skin benefits and may be unnecessary in well-formulated products.

An effective conditioning and antistatic agent for hair, but can be irritating for sensitive skin or eyes.

A synthetic fragrance compound that adds a pleasant scent but offers no skincare benefits and may cause sensitivity in some individuals.

A gentle, synthetic fatty alcohol that softens skin and improves product texture with a low risk of irritation or clogged pores.

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

A synthetic conditioning agent that reduces static and softens hair, but may be irritating or pore-clogging for some skin types.

A gentle, non-greasy emollient that softens skin and improves product texture with minimal irritation risk.

An effective preservative but may cause irritation in sensitive individuals; not a common or well-known ingredient in mainstream skincare.

An effective synthetic conditioning agent that reduces static and improves manageability, but may cause irritation for sensitive scalps.

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

Dodoxynol-12 is a synthetic emulsifier that helps cleanse and stabilize formulas, but it may be slightly drying or irritating for very sensitive skin.

Dodoxynol-13 is a synthetic cleansing agent that helps remove dirt and oil, but may be slightly drying or irritating for sensitive skin.

Dodoxynol-5 is a synthetic cleansing agent that helps remove dirt and oil, but may be drying or irritating for sensitive skin.

Dodoxynol-6 is a synthetic cleansing agent that helps remove dirt and oil, but it may be slightly drying or irritating for very sensitive skin.

Dodoxynol-7 is a synthetic cleansing agent that helps products foam and remove dirt, but it may be slightly drying or irritating for sensitive skin.

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

A marine extract that may help hydrate and condition skin, but research is limited and sustainability concerns exist.

A gentle plant-based antioxidant from horse gram callus that may help calm skin and fight free radicals, but research is still early.

Dolomite is a safe, natural mineral powder that helps absorb oil and provide gentle physical exfoliation, but it offers no active skincare benefits.

A gentle, probiotic-inspired ingredient that helps calm irritation and reinforce the skin's natural defenses.

Domiphen Bromide is an effective preservative but can be irritating for sensitive skin, especially in leave-on products.

Donkey milk is a gentle, nutrient-rich moisturizer that may soothe sensitive skin, but scientific evidence for its cosmetic benefits is still limited.

A gentle, protein-rich ingredient that helps hydrate and soothe the skin, but scientific evidence is still limited.

A gentle botanical extract with antioxidant potential, but research is limited and it's not a standout ingredient.

A gentle, aromatic botanical water that adds a fresh scent and mild skin-conditioning benefits, but lacks strong clinical evidence for specific skincare claims.

A fragrant essential oil from Douglas fir that adds a woodsy scent and may offer mild antioxidant benefits, but can be irritating for sensitive skin.

A gentle plant-based antioxidant that may help protect skin from environmental stress, though research is still limited.

A gentle, antioxidant-rich botanical extract that may help calm and protect the skin, though research is still emerging.

A gentle botanical extract with antioxidant potential, but research in cosmetics is still early.

A gentle, lab-grown plant extract that may help protect skin from environmental stress and calm irritation, though human studies are limited.

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

A gentle plant extract with antioxidant potential, but research is limited and benefits are not yet well-established in human skin.

A gentle plant extract with antioxidant potential, but research on its skincare benefits is still emerging.

A gentle botanical extract with antioxidant potential, but research on its skincare benefits is still limited.

A gentle Amazonian plant extract with potential soothing and antioxidant benefits, but research is still early.

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

Dragon Fruit Extract is a gentle, antioxidant-rich ingredient that helps hydrate and protect the skin, though research on its topical benefits is still emerging.

A gentle, water-based ingredient that adds light hydration and antioxidant protection, but its benefits are not as well-studied as more common fruit extracts.

A plant resin extract with antioxidant potential, but human skin studies are limited.

Drometrizole is a synthetic UV filter that helps protect skin from sun damage, but it is less common in the US than in Europe.

A highly effective, photostable sunscreen ingredient that provides broad-spectrum protection without leaving a white cast.

A gentle botanical extract with antioxidant potential, but research on its specific benefits in skincare is still limited.

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

A gentle botanical extract with potential soothing and antioxidant benefits, but research is limited and it may be unfamiliar to many consumers.

Duck embryo extract is a novel, protein-rich ingredient that may support skin hydration and texture, but scientific evidence is limited.

Duck fat is a rich emollient that can deeply moisturize dry skin, but its moderate comedogenic rating means it may clog pores for some people.

A gentle, hydrating seaweed extract that may help soothe and protect the skin, but research is still emerging.

A gentle, antioxidant-rich leaf extract from a wild blueberry species that may help calm skin and defend against environmental stress.