Beauty ingredients explained in plain English

A gentle, starch-based polymer that improves product feel and wear without common irritants.

A reliable synthetic thickener that gives a silky, non-sticky feel to water-based products, with a strong safety profile.

A synthetic polymer that improves product feel and spreadability, but has limited research on long-term skin benefits.

A gentle modified starch that improves product feel and absorbs excess oil without clogging pores.

Stearamide is a synthetic thickener and stabilizer that helps give creams and lotions a smooth, rich texture with a low risk of irritation.

A synthetic thickener and stabilizer that helps give creams a rich texture, but may be too heavy for oily or acne-prone skin.

A synthetic powder that improves product feel and absorbs excess oil, but offers no active skincare benefits.

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

A gentle, plant-based powder that soaks up excess oil and gives a smooth, non-greasy feel without clogging pores.

A safe, effective thickener that gives your skincare products a pleasant gel or cream texture without clogging pores.

A gentle, starch-based ingredient that improves product feel and stability without clogging pores or causing irritation.

A synthetic skin-conditioning ingredient that improves product feel without major safety concerns.

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

A gentle, dual-purpose ingredient that thickens formulas and offers mild antimicrobial support without irritation.

A silicone crosspolymer that gives a silky, smooth feel to products without clogging pores or causing irritation.

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

A silicone powder that gives a silky, matte finish and helps products glide on smoothly without clogging pores.

Wheat starch is a gentle, natural oil-absorber that gives makeup a smooth, matte finish without clogging pores.

Wollastonite is a natural mineral used mainly as a filler and texture modifier in powder cosmetics, but it has limited skincare benefits and its safety in inhaled forms is a concern.

A gentle thickening and opacifying agent that also helps skin feel smooth, but it's not a star active ingredient.

Zinc Palmitate is a safe, non-irritating ingredient that helps give makeup and creams a smooth, silky feel without clogging pores.

Zinc Phosphate is a safe, non-irritating mineral powder used to add bulk and opacity to makeup, but it offers no active skincare benefits.

Zinc Silicate is a safe, non-irritating mineral powder that helps absorb oil and gives a smooth finish, but it offers no active skincare benefits.