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 7 of 7
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

Skin-conditioning agent

Biotin

Biotin

3.8

Biotin is a gentle B vitamin that supports skin barrier health and may help hair and nails, but topical benefits are modest compared to oral intake.

Irritation

low

Source

synthetic

beautyskincarevitamin
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Skin conditioning agent

Cobamamide

Cobamamide

3.8

Cobamamide is a gentle, active form of vitamin B12 that may help calm redness and support skin repair, but research in topical skincare is still limited.

Irritation

low

Source

biotech

beautyskincarevitamin
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Skin conditioning agent

Ergocalciferol

Ergocalciferol

3.5

Ergocalciferol (vitamin D2) may support skin health and calm inflammation, but research in topical skincare is still emerging and it is less potent than vitamin D3.

Irritation

low

Source

natural

beautyskincarevitamin
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Skin conditioning agent

Folic Acid

Folic Acid

3.8

Folic acid is a gentle B vitamin that may help support skin renewal and barrier health, but research on topical use is still emerging.

Irritation

low

Source

synthetic

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Skin Restorative

Niacin

Niacin

4.0

Niacin is a well-studied form of vitamin B3 that helps strengthen the skin barrier and even out skin tone, but it can cause temporary flushing in some people.

Irritation

low

Source

synthetic

beautyskincarevitamin
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Skin conditioning agent

Pyridoxal 5-Phosphate

PYRIDOXAL 5-PHOSPHATE

4.0

A gentle, active form of vitamin B6 that helps calm skin and strengthen the moisture barrier without irritation.

Irritation

low

Source

semi-synthetic

beautyskincarevitamin
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Skin conditioning agent

Pyridoxine

Pyridoxine

3.8

Pyridoxine (vitamin B6) is a gentle, water-soluble vitamin that may help regulate oil production and support skin barrier health, though research is still emerging.

Irritation

low

Source

synthetic

beautyskincarevitamin
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