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 6 of 6
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

Stimulant

Capsaicin

Capsaicin

3.5

Capsaicin can temporarily stimulate circulation and create a warming sensation, but it is highly irritating and not suitable for sensitive skin or regular use in most skincare routines.

Irritation

high

Source

natural

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Skin Conditioning Agent

Capsicum Annuum Resin

CAPSICUM ANNUUM RESIN

3.0

Capsicum Annuum Resin creates a temporary warming sensation and mild skin plumping, but its high irritation potential makes it unsuitable for sensitive or reactive skin.

Irritation

high

Source

natural

beautyskincarestimulant
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Skin conditioning

Capsicum Chinense Fruit Extract

Capsicum Chinense Fruit Extract

3.2

A warming, circulation-boosting extract from habanero pepper that may temporarily plump skin but carries a high risk of stinging and irritation.

Irritation

high

Source

natural

beautyskincarestimulant
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Skin Conditioning Agent

Capsicum Fruit Resin

CAPSICUM FRUTESCENS RESIN

3.0

A potent, warming plant resin that can temporarily boost circulation but carries a high risk of stinging and irritation, especially for sensitive skin.

Irritation

high

Source

natural

beautyskincarestimulant
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Skin Conditioning

Cayenne Pepper Fruit Extract

Capsicum Frutescens Fruit Extract

3.5

A warming plant extract that may temporarily boost circulation and skin firmness, but can cause stinging or irritation, especially for sensitive skin.

Irritation

high

Source

natural

beautyskincarestimulant
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Stimulant

Cayenne Pepper Powder

Capsicum Frutescens Fruit Powder

3.5

A potent, warming plant powder that can temporarily boost circulation but poses a high risk of stinging and irritation, especially for sensitive skin.

Irritation

high

Source

natural

beautyskincarestimulant
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