Beauty ingredients explained in plain English

Isopentane is a lightweight solvent that helps products feel less greasy, but it can be drying for very sensitive or dry skin.

Isopropyl acetate is a fast-evaporating solvent that helps products dry quickly, but it can be drying or irritating for sensitive skin.

Effective for quick-drying and sanitizing, but can be drying and irritating for sensitive or dry skin types.

A synthetic solvent that helps dissolve other ingredients and control product texture, but has limited direct skin benefit.

A synthetic solvent and fragrance ingredient with limited research; may cause irritation in sensitive skin.

Mesitylene is a synthetic solvent with limited cosmetic use; it may pose irritation risks and is not a common skincare ingredient.

A synthetic solvent that helps products spread and dry, but may cause irritation for sensitive skin in high concentrations.

A synthetic solvent that helps nail polish glide on smoothly and dry quickly, but may cause mild irritation for sensitive skin or prolonged contact.

Methyl acetate is an effective solvent for removing nail polish, but it can be drying and irritating if used frequently or on sensitive skin.

Methyl alcohol is a harsh solvent that can be drying and irritating; it is generally avoided in leave-on skincare and is more common in industrial or nail products.

Methyl hexyl ether is a synthetic solvent that helps blend ingredients, but it has limited published safety data and may cause irritation in sensitive skin.

MIBK is a strong industrial solvent with limited cosmetic use; it can be irritating and is best avoided in leave-on skincare.

A strong solvent that can thin formulas but may irritate sensitive skin; best avoided in leave-on products.

A functional solvent that helps products spread and feel lighter, but may cause irritation in sensitive individuals at high concentrations.

A fast-drying, non-greasy fluid that helps products spread smoothly and feel lightweight on skin.

A fast-evaporating synthetic fluid that helps products spread smoothly and feel weightless, but its environmental persistence raises concerns.

Methyl pyrrolidone is a powerful solvent that can help ingredients absorb deeper, but its potential for irritation and safety concerns make it a less preferred choice in modern skincare.

Methylal is an effective solvent that helps products spread and dry quickly, but it may cause irritation in sensitive skin and raises mild concerns about formaldehyde release.

Mineral spirits are harsh petroleum solvents with high irritation potential, best avoided in everyday skincare.

A synthetic diol that helps control product texture and stability, but is rarely a star ingredient on its own.

Nitroethane is a synthetic solvent with limited cosmetic use; it may pose irritation risks and is not a common skincare ingredient.

Nonane is a lightweight, volatile solvent that helps products spread easily and evaporate quickly, but it offers no active skincare benefits.

Octane is a synthetic hydrocarbon that may act as a solvent in cosmetics, but it is rarely used in leave-on skincare and has limited safety data for topical use.

Octene is a synthetic solvent that helps products spread smoothly and dissolve oils, but it offers no direct skin benefit.

A solvent blend that helps dissolve other ingredients and may add a light scent, but can be drying or irritating for sensitive skin.

Olive alcohol is a natural astringent that can help degrease oily skin but may be drying or irritating for sensitive types.

A gentle synthetic solvent and humectant that helps other ingredients dissolve and spread, but offers no unique skin benefit on its own.

A gentle synthetic solvent and humectant that helps other ingredients dissolve and spread, but offers no unique skin benefit on its own.

PEG-400 is a widely used synthetic ingredient that helps dissolve other ingredients and improve texture, but its safety depends on purity and molecular weight.

A gentle, water-soluble polymer that helps other ingredients absorb better and leaves skin feeling smooth without stickiness.

A gentle, water-soluble polymer that helps other ingredients spread and absorb without leaving a greasy feel.

A gentle, water-soluble polymer that helps other ingredients absorb better and leaves skin feeling smooth without greasiness.

Pentane is a safe, fast-evaporating solvent used in sprays and mousses, but it offers no direct skin benefit.

Pentanone is a strong solvent rarely used in skincare; it may cause irritation and is not a typical beneficial ingredient for skin health.

Pentylene Glycol is a gentle, effective humectant that hydrates skin and helps preserve formulas without common irritation.

Perfluorohexane is a lightweight synthetic liquid that helps products spread smoothly and evaporate quickly, but its environmental persistence raises concerns.

A lightweight, volatile liquid that helps products spread smoothly and evaporates quickly, leaving a non-greasy feel—generally safe but best for those who tolerate silicones.

A fast-evaporating synthetic liquid that helps products spread and dry quickly, but its environmental persistence raises concerns.

PPG-16 is a safe, synthetic ingredient that helps other ingredients spread and absorb, but it offers no direct skin benefit.

A safe, synthetic solvent that helps dissolve other ingredients and leaves a light, non-greasy feel on skin.

A fast-evaporating solvent that helps products spread and dry quickly, but can be drying or irritating for sensitive skin.

A gentle synthetic ingredient that helps products spread smoothly and feel lightweight on skin.

A gentle synthetic solvent that helps other ingredients spread evenly without leaving a greasy feel.

A synthetic solvent that helps products spread and dissolve oils, generally safe but not a star ingredient.

Prenol is a synthetic alcohol used mainly as a solvent or fragrance component; it has little to no proven skincare benefit and may cause irritation in sensitive individuals.

Propyl Acetate helps products spread and dry quickly, but it can be drying or irritating for sensitive skin, especially around nails.

Propyl alcohol is a solvent that helps ingredients mix and can kill bacteria, but it may strip moisture and irritate sensitive or dry skin.

A mild synthetic solvent and fragrance ingredient that is generally safe at low concentrations but offers no direct skin benefit.

Propylene carbonate is an effective solvent but can be irritating for sensitive skin; it's best reserved for rinse-off or low-concentration formulas.

A functional solvent that helps products spread and mix, but may cause irritation for sensitive skin at higher concentrations.

SD Alcohol 1 is a fast-evaporating solvent that can help products feel lightweight but may be drying and irritating for sensitive skin.

SD Alcohol 23-A is a fast-evaporating solvent that can help products feel lightweight but may be drying or irritating for some skin types.

Effective for quick-drying and oil control, but can be drying and irritating for sensitive or dry skin.

SD Alcohol 23-H is a fast-evaporating solvent that can help products feel lightweight but may dry or irritate sensitive skin.

SD Alcohol 27-B is a fast-evaporating solvent that can help products feel lightweight but may be drying or irritating for sensitive skin.

SD Alcohol 31-A is a strong drying solvent that can help with oil control and product feel but may irritate sensitive or dry skin.

SD Alcohol 36 is a fast-drying solvent that can help with oil control and product penetration, but it may strip the skin barrier and cause irritation with frequent use.

SD Alcohol 37 helps products dry fast and feel clean, but can be drying and irritating for sensitive or dry skin.

SD Alcohol 38-B is a fast-evaporating solvent that can help products feel lightweight but may be drying or irritating for sensitive skin.

SD Alcohol 38-C helps products dry quickly and feel light, but can be drying or irritating for sensitive skin.