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 11 of 131
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

UV Absorber

Thymol Trimethoxycinnamate

THYMOL TRIMETHOXYCINNAMATE

3.5

A synthetic UV filter that helps shield skin from sun damage, but research on its long-term safety and efficacy is still limited.

Irritation

low

Source

synthetic

beautyskincaresunscreen
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UV Filter

Titanium Dioxide

Titanium Dioxide

4.5

A well-studied mineral sunscreen ingredient that provides broad-spectrum UV protection with minimal irritation risk.

Irritation

low

Source

natural

beautyskincaresunscreenpigment
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UV Filter

Titanium Salicylate

Titanium Salicylate

3.5

Titanium Salicylate is a synthetic UV filter that helps protect skin from sun damage, but its use is less common than other filters and may require more research for long-term safety.

Irritation

low

Source

synthetic

beautyskincaresunscreen
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UV Filter

Trifluoromethylbipyridyl Bromobenzimidazole

TRIFLUOROMETHYLBIPYRIDYL BROMOBENZIMIDAZOLE

3.8

A synthetic UV filter that helps protect skin from sun damage, but its use is limited to certain regions and formulations due to regulatory and stability considerations.

Irritation

low

Source

synthetic

beautyskincaresunscreen
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UV Absorber

Trimethylbenzophenone

TRIMETHYLBENZOPHENONE

3.5

Trimethylbenzophenone is a synthetic UV filter that helps protect skin from sun damage, but it may cause irritation for sensitive skin and raises some environmental concerns.

Irritation

moderate

Source

synthetic

beautyskincaresunscreen
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UV Filter

Tris-Biphenyl Triazine

TRIS-BIPHENYL TRIAZINE

4.5

A highly effective, photostable UV filter that provides broad-spectrum protection with minimal irritation risk.

Irritation

low

Source

synthetic

beautyskincaresunscreen
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Sunscreen Agent

Zinc Oxide

ZINC OXIDE

4.5

A safe, effective mineral sunscreen that sits on top of skin to reflect UV rays, ideal for sensitive skin.

Irritation

low

Source

natural

beautyskincaresunscreenmineral
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