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 11

All UV absorber UV filter abrasive absorbent acne treatment active active ingredient adhesive alkalizing agent amino acid anti-aging anti-androgen anti-cavity anti-cavity agent anti-inflammatory anti-irritant anticaries anticavity agent antidandruff antifungal antimicrobial antioxidant antiperspirant antiplaque astringent barrier repair barrier support barrier-repair barrier-support binder binding agent biotech biotechnology bond-builder botanical botanical extract botanical oil botanical water brightening brightening agent buffer buffering agent cell-communicating ingredient ceramide chelating agent chemical chemical intermediate clay cleanser cleansing cleansing agent colorant conditioner conditioning conditioning agent cooling agent cosmetic cosmetic additive cosmetic colorant cosmetic ingredient cosmetic pigment cosmetic powder cosmetic-texturizer cosmetic-wax cosmetics crosslinking agent delivery agent delivery system denaturant deodorant deodorant agent depigmenting agent depilatory depilatory agent desensitizing agent dye dye intermediate dye precursor dye-intermediate emollient emulsifier enzyme essential oil exfoliant experimental eyelash ferment film former film-former film-forming film-forming agent firming agent fixative flavoring agent formulation fragrance fragrance ingredient functional ingredient gas hair care hair color hair colorant hair conditioner hair dye hair removal hair-care hair-color haircare humectant industrial insecticide intermediate lash lash care lash enhancer lash-and-brow lip care lipid makeup marine extract masking agent microbiome microbiome modulator mineral moisturizer nail care nail-care occlusive oil opacifier opacifying agent optical agent oral care other oxidative dye oxidative dye precursor oxidizing agent pH adjuster pain relief penetration enhancer peptide personal care ph adjuster pharmaceutical pheromone pigment plant oil plasticizer polymer polymer precursor prebiotic prescription-drug preservative preservative booster probiotic processing agent processing aid propellant protein purifying reducing agent retinoid scalp care sebum regulator sebum-regulator self-tanner self-tanning sensory additive sensory agent sensory modifier silicone skin barrier skin barrier support skin conditioner skin conditioning skin conditioning agent skin lightening skin protectant skin-conditioning skin-conditioning agent skin-identical skin-identical ingredient skin-lightening skin-lightening agent skincare solvent soothing soothing agent stabilizer stimulant sunscreen surfactant synthetic synthetic colorant synthetic dye synthetic resin synthetic-colorant texture enhancer texturizer thickener toner uv-absorber uv-filter vasoactive vasodilator viscosity control viscosity controlling viscosity controlling agent vitamin wax

Hair Dye Intermediate

2-Methoxymethyl-P-Phenylenediamine Sulfate

2-METHOXYMETHYL-P-PHENYLENEDIAMINE SULFATE

3.0

A common hair dye intermediate that helps create natural-looking permanent color, but requires careful formulation to minimize skin irritation.

Irritation

moderate

Source

synthetic

beautyhair colorsynthetic

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Hair colorant intermediate

3-Amino-2,6-Dimethylphenol

2.8

A synthetic hair dye intermediate that helps create certain shades but may cause skin irritation in sensitive individuals.

Irritation

moderate

Source

synthetic

beautyhair colorsynthetic

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Photoinitiator

Diisopropyl Nonyl Phosphine Oxide

DIISOPROPYL NONYL PHOSPHINE OXIDE

2.5

This is a photoinitiator for UV-cured products, not a skincare ingredient; it may cause skin irritation in some people.

Irritation

moderate

Source

synthetic

beautynail caresynthetic

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Hair Dye Intermediate

Hydroxyethyl Methylenedioxyaniline HCl

HYDROXYETHYL-3,4-METHYLENEDIOXYANILINE HCL

2.5

A synthetic hair dye intermediate that helps create long-lasting color but may cause skin irritation in sensitive individuals.

Irritation

moderate

Source

synthetic

beautyhair-colorsynthetic

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Hair Dye Intermediate

M-Aminophenol Sulfate

M-AMINOPHENOL SULFATE

3.5

A synthetic hair dye intermediate that helps create cool, ash tones in permanent color, but may cause irritation in sensitive individuals.

Irritation

moderate

Source

synthetic

beautyhair-colorsynthetic

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Hair dye intermediate

Methylenebis Aminophenol

2,2'-METHYLENEBIS-4-AMINOPHENOL

3.0

A synthetic hair dye intermediate that helps create long-lasting color but may cause skin irritation in sensitive individuals.

Irritation

moderate

Source

synthetic

beautyhair colorsynthetic

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Colorant

Methylenebis Aminophenol HCl

2,2'-METHYLENEBIS-4-AMINOPHENOL HCL

3.5

A synthetic hair dye intermediate that helps create long-lasting color but may cause skin irritation in sensitive individuals.

Irritation

moderate

Source

synthetic

beautyhair colorsynthetic

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Hair Colorant

P-Methylaminophenol

P-METHYLAMINOPHENOL

2.5

P-Methylaminophenol is a common hair dye ingredient that helps develop color but may cause skin irritation in sensitive individuals.

Irritation

moderate

Source

synthetic

beautyhair-colorsynthetic

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Hair colorant

P-Phenylenediamine Sulfate

P-PHENYLENEDIAMINE SULFATE

2.0

A powerful but potentially irritating hair dye ingredient that requires careful patch testing before use.

Irritation

high

Source

synthetic

beautyhair colorsynthetic

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Hair colorant

PEG-3 2,2'-Di-p-phenylenediamine

3.0

A synthetic hair dye ingredient that helps color develop and last, but may cause irritation in sensitive individuals.

Irritation

moderate

Source

synthetic

beautyhair colorsynthetic

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Hair colorant

Toluene-2,5-Diamine

TOLUENE-2,5-DIAMINE

3.0

A common hair dye ingredient that delivers long-lasting color but can cause skin irritation and allergic reactions in sensitive individuals.

Irritation

moderate

Source

synthetic

beautyhair colorsynthetic

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