Beauty ingredients explained in plain English

A gentle texture enhancer that improves product feel and stability without common irritation concerns.

A gentle, starch-derived ingredient that improves product feel and stability without common irritants.

A gentle, starch-based ingredient that improves the feel and stability of products without common irritation concerns.

A synthetic gelling agent that creates elegant, clear gel textures with low irritation potential.

A synthetic gelling agent that gives lip and stick products a smooth, clear, non-sticky texture without water.

A synthetic ingredient that improves the feel of skincare products without adding heavy oils or silicones.

A gentle silicone powder that gives a silky, matte finish and helps control shine without clogging pores.

A gentle silicone that helps products glide on smoothly and feel lightweight, but may not suit those avoiding silicones.

A silicone powder that blurs pores and controls shine without feeling heavy or greasy.

A silky, skin-friendly powder that improves product feel without clogging pores.

A synthetic thickener and stabilizer that gives a smooth, non-greasy feel to creams and lip products, with a low risk of irritation.

A gentle, modified starch that helps control shine and improve product feel without clogging pores.

A gentle, starch-based ingredient that improves product feel and stability without common irritants.

A gentle, starch-based thickener that improves product feel without common irritation or clogging concerns.

A gentle, starch-based powder that absorbs oil and improves product feel without clogging pores.

A synthetic thickener that helps give creams and lotions a rich, stable texture with a low risk of irritation.

A safe, synthetic thickener that improves product texture but offers no direct skin benefit.

A safe, synthetic polymer that helps products spread smoothly and resist water, but offers no active skin benefit.

A safe, 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 synthetic dendrimer that helps deliver active ingredients deeper into the skin while improving product feel, but research on long-term safety is still limited.

Glass is used in cosmetics mainly as a physical exfoliant or visual additive, but it can be harsh and is not a beneficial skincare ingredient for most people.

Hectorite is a gentle clay that helps control shine and thicken formulas without stripping the skin.

A mild, plant-derived ingredient that helps refine skin texture and support a smoother, more even complexion without irritation.

A synthetic polymer that helps products spread smoothly and stay put, but offers no active skincare benefit.

A safe synthetic polymer that improves product texture, water resistance, and wear without clogging pores.

A gentle, plant-derived powder that helps absorb excess oil and gives products a silky, smooth feel without clogging pores.

A gentle, plant-derived ingredient that helps products feel silky and spread smoothly without clogging pores.

A gentle, plant-derived powder that helps control shine and improve product feel without clogging pores.

A safe, synthetic thickener that gives lightweight gels and creams a smooth, non-sticky feel.

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

A safe, plant-derived thickener that gives products a smooth, non-greasy feel and helps stabilize formulas.

A synthetic laminated powder that provides gentle exfoliation but raises environmental concerns due to microplastic content.

Lauroyl Lysine is a gentle, amino-acid-based powder that gives cosmetics a silky, smooth feel without clogging pores or irritating skin.

A silicone polymer that improves product feel and spreadability without clogging pores.

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

A safe synthetic thickener that improves product texture and stability without common irritation concerns.

Lithium Myristate is a synthetic thickener that helps give lipsticks and balms a smooth, stable texture, but it has no direct skin benefit and is rarely used in water-based skincare.

Magnesium Sodium Fluorosilicate is a synthetic mineral salt used mainly as an anti-caking agent in powders, but it has limited research on skin benefits and may pose irritation risks at higher concentrations.

A gentle silicone powder that gives a silky feel and helps control shine without clogging pores.

A synthetic polymer that gives a silky, smooth feel to skincare and makeup without clogging pores or causing irritation.

A gentle, plant-derived thickener that improves product texture without clogging pores or irritating skin.

A safe, plant-based texturizer that improves product feel and absorbs excess oil without clogging pores.

A multi-mineral oxide blend that adds texture and stability to cosmetics, with silver oxide providing mild antimicrobial benefits.

A mineral blend that helps control shine and improve product feel, generally safe for most skin types.

Nylon-6 is a safe synthetic ingredient that improves the feel and wear of makeup and skincare, but it has no active skin benefits.

Nylon-66 is a safe, non-irritating synthetic powder that improves the feel and wear of makeup, but it is not biodegradable.

A gentle, modified natural gum that helps stabilize formulas and leaves a smooth, non-sticky feel on skin.

A gentle, plant-derived thickener that helps create a smooth, non-greasy feel in creams and lotions.

Orange fiber is a natural, gentle ingredient that helps absorb excess oil and improve product texture without clogging pores.

Orthoclase is a gentle mineral powder that helps absorb oil and improve texture in makeup, but its skincare benefits are minimal.

A gentle, plant-derived powder that helps control oil and improve product feel without clogging pores.

A safe, synthetic thickener that improves product feel and stability without major skin concerns.

A silicone polymer that gives products a silky, smooth feel and helps stabilize formulas without clogging pores.

A silicone polymer that stabilizes formulas and gives a silky, smooth feel without clogging pores.

A synthetic polymer that helps create a smooth, silky feel on skin and improves product spreadability.

A high-tech synthetic polymer that helps other ingredients penetrate better and gives a silky feel, but is not a standalone active.

A gentle synthetic polymer that helps products feel silky and spread evenly without clogging pores.

A versatile synthetic polymer that improves product feel and spreadability without common irritation concerns.

A gentle synthetic polymer that helps products feel smooth and spread evenly without clogging pores.