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 37 of 577
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

Soothing Agent

Wheat Flour Extract

Triticum Vulgare Flour Extract

3.8

A gentle, plant-derived extract that helps calm skin and support the moisture barrier, but research on its benefits is still limited.

Irritation

low

Source

natural

beautyskincaresoothing agent
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Soothing Agent

Wheat Flour Ferment Extract

PANTOEA AGGLOMERANS/WHEAT FLOUR FERMENT EXTRACT

4.0

A gentle, fermented ingredient that may help calm irritation and support the skin barrier, though research is still emerging.

Irritation

low

Source

biotech

beautyskincaresoothing agent
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Soothing agent

Wheat Grain Extract

TRITICUM VULGARE (WHEAT) GRAIN EXTRACT

3.8

Wheat grain extract is a gentle, natural ingredient that helps soothe and hydrate skin, but those with gluten sensitivity should check labels.

Irritation

low

Source

natural

beautyskincaresoothing agent
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Soothing Agent

Wheat Seed Extract

TRITICUM VULGARE SEED EXTRACT

3.8

Wheat Seed Extract is a gentle, natural ingredient that helps calm and hydrate the skin, making it a good choice for sensitive or irritated skin types.

Irritation

low

Source

natural

beautyskincaresoothing agent
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Soothing Agent

Wheat Seed Ferment Extract

Saccharomyces/Triticum Aestivum Seed Ferment Extract

4.0

A gentle, fermented wheat seed extract that helps soothe and hydrate the skin, ideal for sensitive or reactive skin types.

Irritation

low

Source

biotech

beautyskincaresoothing agent
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Soothing agent

Wheat Straw Water

TRITICUM VULGARE STRAW WATER

3.8

Wheat Straw Water is a gentle, plant-derived water that may help soothe and hydrate the skin, but research is limited.

Irritation

low

Source

natural

beautyskincaresoothing agent
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Soothing Agent

White Birch Oil

Betula Alba Oil

3.8

White Birch Oil offers soothing and clarifying benefits but may cause irritation in sensitive skin due to its essential oil nature.

Irritation

moderate

Source

natural

beautyskincaresoothing agent
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Soothing Agent

White Mugwort Herb Oil

Artemisia Herba-Alba Herb Oil

3.8

White Mugwort Herb Oil offers soothing and antimicrobial benefits but may irritate sensitive skin due to its essential oil nature.

Irritation

moderate

Source

natural

beautyskincaresoothing agent
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Soothing Agent

Wild Lettuce Leaf Extract

Lactuca Scariola Sativa Leaf Extract

3.8

A gentle botanical extract with traditional use for soothing skin, but limited modern research on its cosmetic benefits.

Irritation

low

Source

natural

beautyskincaresoothing agent
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Soothing Agent

Wild Rice Stem Extract

Zizania Latifolia Stem Extract

3.8

A gentle, plant-derived extract that may help calm skin and provide antioxidant support, though research is still emerging.

Irritation

low

Source

natural

beautyskincaresoothing agent
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Soothing Agent

Wild Turmeric Root Oil

CURCUMA AROMATICA ROOT OIL

4.0

Wild turmeric root oil is a gentle, antioxidant-rich essential oil that helps calm skin and add a warm, earthy scent to products.

Irritation

low

Source

natural

beautyskincaresoothing agent
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Soothing Agent

Willowherb Leaf Extract

Epilobium Angustifolium Leaf Extract

4.0

Willowherb leaf extract is a gentle botanical that helps calm redness and provides antioxidant protection, making it a good choice for sensitive or reactive skin.

Irritation

low

Source

natural

beautyskincaresoothing agent
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Soothing Agent

Winter Grass Extract

CYMBOPOGON WINTERIANUS HERB EXTRACT MODIFIED

3.8

A gentle plant extract that may help calm skin, but research is limited and it's often used for its mild scent.

Irritation

low

Source

natural

beautyskincaresoothing agent
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Soothing agent

Wrightia Tinctoria Leaf Oil

WRIGHTIA TINCTORIA LEAF OIL

3.8

A gentle, plant-based oil with traditional roots in soothing skin, but modern research is still limited.

Irritation

low

Source

natural

beautyskincaresoothing agent
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Soothing agent

Yarrow Flower Water

ACHILLEA MILLEFOLIUM FLOWER WATER

3.8

Yarrow flower water is a mild, soothing botanical water that may help calm irritated skin and provide gentle astringent benefits, but research on its cosmetic efficacy is limited.

Irritation

low

Source

natural

beautyskincaresoothing agent
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Soothing Agent

Yarrow Juice

ACHILLEA MILLEFOLIUM FLOWER/LEAF/STEM JUICE

4.0

Yarrow juice is a gentle, plant-based ingredient that helps calm redness and provides antioxidant protection, making it a good choice for sensitive or irritated skin.

Irritation

low

Source

natural

beautyskincaresoothing agent
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Soothing Agent

Yeast Fermented Artichoke Tuber Extract

Saccharomyces/Hydrolyzed Stachys Affinis Tuber Ferment Extract

4.0

A gentle, fermented botanical extract that may help calm irritation and support skin hydration, though research is still early.

Irritation

low

Source

biotech

beautyskincaresoothing agent
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Soothing agent

Yellow Horned Poppy Leaf Extract

GLAUCIUM FLAVUM LEAF EXTRACT

3.8

A gentle botanical extract with soothing potential, but research is limited and it may not be a standout ingredient for most routines.

Irritation

low

Source

natural

beautyskincaresoothing agent
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Soothing Agent

Yomogi Sui

Artemisia Princeps Leaf Extract

4.0

A soothing, antioxidant-rich fermented mugwort extract that helps calm irritated skin and support a healthy skin barrier.

Irritation

low

Source

natural

beautyskincaresoothing agent
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Soothing agent

Yoshino Cherry Flower & Twig Water

PRUNUS YEDOENSIS FLOWER/TWIG WATER

3.8

A gentle, aromatic water from cherry blossoms that may help soothe skin and provide antioxidant protection, though research is still emerging.

Irritation

low

Source

natural

beautyskincaresoothing agent
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Soothing Agent

Yoshino Cherry Leaf Water

Prunus Yedoensis Leaf Water

3.8

A mild, antioxidant-rich botanical water that hydrates and soothes, but with limited independent research on its specific benefits.

Irritation

low

Source

natural

beautyskincaresoothing agent
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Soothing Agent

Yucca Extract

Yucca Schidigera Leaf/Root/Stem Extract

4.0

Yucca extract is a gentle, plant-derived ingredient that can help soothe skin and support mild cleansing, but it is not a powerhouse active.

Irritation

low

Source

natural

beautyskincaresoothing agent
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Soothing Agent

Yucca Glauca Root Extract

Yucca Glauca Root Extract

3.8

A gentle, plant-derived extract that may help calm irritation and lightly cleanse without stripping the skin.

Irritation

low

Source

natural

beautyskincaresoothing agent
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Soothing agent

Yucca Leaf/Root Extract

Yucca Aloifolia Leaf/Root Extract

3.8

A gentle plant extract that may help calm irritation and provide antioxidant protection, though research is still emerging.

Irritation

low

Source

natural

beautyskincaresoothing agent
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Soothing Agent

Yucca Root Extract

Yucca Schidigera Root Extract

4.0

Yucca root extract is a gentle, plant-based ingredient that may help soothe skin and support a healthy-looking complexion, but research on its cosmetic benefits is still limited.

Irritation

low

Source

natural

beautyskincaresoothing agent
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Soothing agent

Yucca Schidigera Fruit Extract

YUCCA SCHIDIGERA FRUIT EXTRACT

3.8

A gentle, plant-based extract that may help calm redness and provide antioxidant protection, though research is still emerging.

Irritation

low

Source

natural

beautyskincaresoothing agent
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Soothing Agent

Yucca Stem Extract

YUCCA SCHIDIGERA STEM EXTRACT

3.8

Yucca Stem Extract is a gentle, plant-based ingredient that helps soothe skin and support mild cleansing, but research on its cosmetic benefits is still emerging.

Irritation

low

Source

natural

beautyskincaresoothing agent
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Soothing Agent

Yucca Vera Extract

Yucca Vera Leaf/Root Extract

3.8

Yucca Vera Extract is a gentle, plant-based ingredient that may help soothe skin and support mild cleansing, but research on its cosmetic benefits is still limited.

Irritation

low

Source

natural

beautyskincaresoothing agent
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Soothing agent

Zinc Azelate Hydroxide

ZINC AZELATE HYDROXIDE

4.0

A gentle, multi-tasking ingredient that combines the benefits of zinc and azelaic acid to calm skin and reduce shine.

Irritation

low

Source

synthetic

beautyskincaresoothing agent
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Soothing Agent

Zinc Eicosapentaenoate Hydroxide

Zinc Eicosapentaenoate Hydroxide

3.8

A gentle, zinc-based omega-3 derivative that may help calm irritation and support the skin barrier, though research is still emerging.

Irritation

low

Source

semi-synthetic

beautyskincaresoothing agent
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Soothing agent

Zinc Gluconate

Zinc Gluconate

4.2

Zinc gluconate is a well-tolerated form of zinc that helps calm irritation and balance oil production without drying out the skin.

Irritation

low

Source

semi-synthetic

beautyskincaresoothing agent
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Soothing agent

Zinc Glycyrrhetinate

ZINC GLYCYRRHETINATE

4.0

A gentle, dual-action ingredient that combines licorice root's anti-inflammatory power with zinc's protective benefits to calm redness and support skin recovery.

Irritation

low

Source

semi-synthetic

beautyskincaresoothing agent
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Soothing Agent

Zinc Indoleacetate Hydroxide

Zinc Indoleacetate Hydroxide

3.8

A gentle zinc compound that may help calm irritation and balance oil production, though research is still limited.

Irritation

low

Source

synthetic

beautyskincaresoothing agent
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Soothing Agent

Zinc Isomerized Linoleate Hydroxide

Zinc Isomerized Linoleate Hydroxide

3.8

A gentle zinc-based ingredient that may help calm irritation and support the skin barrier, though research is still emerging.

Irritation

low

Source

semi-synthetic

beautyskincaresoothing agent
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Soothing agent

Zinc Pyridoxal 5-Phosphate

Zinc Pyridoxal 5-Phosphate

4.0

A gentle, multitasking ingredient that combines vitamin B6 and zinc to help calm skin and balance oil production.

Irritation

low

Source

semi-synthetic

beautyskincaresoothing agent
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