Beauty ingredients explained in plain English

A safe synthetic thickener that gives skincare products a smooth, non-greasy feel without clogging pores.

A safe, effective synthetic thickener that gives water-based products a smooth, non-sticky feel without clogging pores.

A synthetic polymer that helps products spread smoothly and stay put, but its acrylamide content raises minor purity concerns.

A safe synthetic thickener that gives products a silky, lightweight feel without clogging pores.

A safe, synthetic thickener that gives products a silky, non-greasy feel without clogging pores.

A safe, effective thickener that gives skincare products a smooth, non-sticky feel without clogging pores.

A safe, synthetic polymer that helps products spread smoothly and stay put without feeling heavy.

A safe, synthetic thickener and stabilizer that gives water-based products a silky, lightweight feel without clogging pores.

A safe, synthetic ingredient that helps products feel smooth and spread evenly without clogging pores.

A safe, effective thickener that gives water-based products a smooth, non-sticky feel.

A safe, synthetic thickener that gives gels and creams a smooth, non-sticky feel without clogging pores.

A safe, synthetic thickener that improves product texture and stability without clogging pores or irritating skin.

A safe, synthetic thickener that gives skincare products a silky, non-sticky feel without clogging pores.

A safe, synthetic thickener that gives products a smooth, non-greasy feel and helps keep ingredients evenly mixed.

A safe, synthetic thickener and stabilizer that helps create a smooth, pleasant texture in many skincare products.

A safe, silicone-based ingredient that improves product texture and spreadability without clogging pores.

A safe, widely used synthetic thickener that improves product texture and stability without clogging pores.

A reliable synthetic thickener that gives gels and creams a smooth, non-sticky feel without clogging pores.

A safe, synthetic polymer that helps products spread smoothly and feel lightweight on skin.

A safe, synthetic thickener and film-former that helps products spread smoothly and stay put, with very low irritation risk.

A safe, synthetic thickener that gives products a smooth, non-greasy feel without clogging pores.

A synthetic thickener that improves product texture and stability with a low risk of irritation.

A safe, synthetic thickener and film-former that gives products a smooth, elegant feel without common irritation concerns.

A synthetic thickener and stabilizer that helps create smooth, spreadable textures but offers no active skin benefits.

A synthetic polymer that helps create a smooth, even film on skin, improving product texture and wear.

A reliable synthetic thickener that gives gels and creams a silky, non-sticky feel without clogging pores.

A synthetic powder that helps control shine and gives a silky feel, but offers no active skincare benefits.

A synthetic polymer that helps products spread smoothly and feel silky, with a low risk of irritation.

A safe, non-irritating mineral that improves product texture and opacity but offers no direct skin benefit.

A mineral blend that improves texture and feel in powders, but with limited research on its specific benefits.

A safe, non-irritating mineral that helps control oil and improve product texture, but offers no active skincare benefits.

A gentle, soothing ingredient that may help calm redness and reduce shine, but research is still limited.

A reliable synthetic thickener that gives water-based products a smooth, non-sticky feel without clogging pores.

A reliable synthetic thickener that gives water-based products a silky, non-sticky feel without clogging pores.

A versatile synthetic thickener that creates a smooth, non-sticky gel texture and helps stabilize formulas without clogging pores.

A reliable synthetic thickener that gives products a silky, non-sticky feel without clogging pores.

A reliable synthetic thickener that gives water-based products a smooth, non-sticky feel without clogging pores.

A safe, non-comedogenic silicone that gives products a silky, smooth feel without clogging pores.

A silicone polymer that gives products a velvety, smooth feel without clogging pores.

Boron nitride is a safe, non-irritating powder that gives makeup a silky, blurring finish without clogging pores.

A synthetic polymer that helps products spread smoothly and feel lightweight, with a low risk of irritation.

A safe, synthetic polymer that improves product texture and stability without clogging pores or causing irritation.

Calcium Myristate is a safe thickening agent that gives products a creamy feel, but it may be moderately pore-clogging for acne-prone skin.

A gentle, starch-based powder that soaks up excess oil and gives skin a silky, non-greasy feel.

A gentle, starch-based powder that absorbs oil and gives a silky feel without clogging pores.

Calcium Sulfate Hydrate is a safe, mineral-based ingredient used to add texture, opacity, or absorbency in powder cosmetics, but it offers no active skincare benefits.

A safe, widely used thickener that gives gels and creams their smooth texture without clogging pores.

Carbon fiber is a synthetic material used mainly for texture and bulk in cosmetics, with minimal direct skin benefit and very limited research on long-term safety in leave-on products.

A gentle, plant-based fiber that helps absorb excess oil and adds texture to products without clogging pores.

A natural plant fiber that adds a silky feel and oil-absorbing power to powders and masks, but research on its cosmetic benefits is limited.

A gentle, plant-derived thickener that gives products a smooth, non-sticky feel and helps keep formulas stable.

A safe silicone polymer that gives products a silky feel and helps ingredients spread evenly without clogging pores.

A synthetic cholesterol relative that helps creams feel smooth and stable, but research on its specific benefits is still limited.

A gentle, effective thickener that gives products a silky, non-sticky feel while helping to stabilize emulsions.

A gentle, plant-based powder that soaks up excess oil and gives a smooth, non-greasy feel.

Cotton powder is a gentle, plant-based ingredient that helps absorb oil and improve the feel of powders and masks, but it offers no active skincare benefits.

Croscarmellose is a safe, plant-derived binder that helps solid cosmetics hold together and break apart easily on contact with water.

Cryolite Extract is a mineral ingredient with limited cosmetic research; its use is rare and may pose safety concerns due to aluminum and fluoride content.

Dextrin is a gentle, starch-derived ingredient that helps thicken formulas and improve product feel without common irritation.

A gentle, starch-based ingredient that gives products a silky, non-greasy feel and helps stabilize formulas.