Beauty ingredients explained in plain English

A gentle synthetic polymer that improves product feel and wear without clogging pores or causing irritation.

A safe, synthetic polymer that improves product texture and water resistance without common irritation concerns.

A safe, effective thickener that gives lightweight, non-greasy textures to water-based skincare products.

A safe, synthetic film-former that helps products stay put and resist water without feeling heavy.

A gentle synthetic thickener that helps create smooth, stable lotions and creams without clogging pores.

A synthetic film-former that helps products stay put and resist water, but may feel slightly tight or heavy on some skin types.

A synthetic film-former that improves water resistance and wear time in makeup and sunscreens, generally considered safe and non-irritating.

A synthetic film-former that helps products stay put and resist water, but offers no active skincare benefit.

A synthetic polymer that helps products stay put and resist water, but offers no skincare benefit.

A safe, common film-former that helps products stay put and feel smooth, but offers no active skincare benefit.

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

A synthetic film-former that helps products stay put and resist water, but offers no active skincare benefit.

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

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

A safe, synthetic film-former that helps products stay put and feel smooth, but offers no active skincare benefits.

Acrylic acid is a synthetic building block for common thickeners and stabilizers, but it is rarely used directly in skincare due to potential irritation.

A synthetic polymer that helps products spread smoothly, hold styles, and leave a soft, non-sticky finish.

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

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

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

A synthetic polymer that helps products stay put and feel smooth, but offers no direct skin benefit.

A synthetic polymer that helps hold hairstyles and gives products a smooth, non-sticky feel, but may build up on hair over time.

A gentle synthetic polymer that improves product texture and helps ingredients stay on skin without clogging pores.

A safe, synthetic film-former that helps products stay put and feel lightweight on skin or hair.

A synthetic thickener and film former that helps create a smooth, lightweight feel in gels and serums, with a low risk of irritation.

A synthetic film-former that helps products stay put and resist water, but offers no active skincare benefit.

A metallic pigment that adds shine but is generally safe for external use in small amounts.

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

A synthetic film-former that helps makeup and sunscreen last longer, but offers no active skincare benefit.

A safe, synthetic powder that helps products feel silky and controls shine without clogging pores.

A synthetic film former that helps makeup and hair products resist water and last longer, but offers no skincare benefit.

A synthetic thickener that helps create smooth, stable gel textures without common irritation concerns.

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

A synthetic film-former that helps products stay put on skin and resist water, but it's not a moisturizer or active ingredient.

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

A synthetic film-former that helps products stay put and resist water, but offers no active skincare benefit.

A synthetic film-former that helps products adhere to skin or nails, but may cause irritation in sensitive individuals.

A synthetic film-former that helps products stay put and resist water, but offers no direct skin benefit.

A synthetic film-forming ingredient used in nail products; limited safety data and potential for skin irritation in sensitive individuals.

A synthetic conditioning agent that helps reduce static and improve manageability, but may cause irritation in sensitive individuals at higher concentrations.

A silicone-based film former that helps makeup last longer and resist water, but may feel slightly tight on dry skin.

A gentle fern extract with antioxidant potential, but research is limited and benefits are not yet well-established in human skin.

Activated clay is a gentle, natural absorbent that helps draw out excess oil and surface debris without stripping the skin.

A synthetic antioxidant that may help protect skin from environmental stress, but research is still early.

A synthetic retinoid-like ingredient that may help smooth fine lines and improve skin texture, but can cause irritation in sensitive skin.

A newer synthetic ingredient that may help firm skin and reduce wrinkles, but research is still early.

A lab-made compound that may help support collagen, but research is still early and it's not a proven must-have.

A lab-made antioxidant that may help protect skin from pollution and UV damage, but research is still early.

A synthetic compound with potential antioxidant benefits, but research is very limited and it is rarely seen in mainstream products.

A synthetic ingredient that mimics a natural signaling peptide to help improve skin firmness and smooth wrinkles, but research is still emerging.

A synthetic compound that may reduce skin sensitivity by calming nerve signals, but research is still early.

A gentle fern extract with antioxidant and soothing potential, but research is limited and benefits are not yet well-established.

Adenine is a gentle, naturally derived ingredient that may help support skin repair, but research in cosmetics is still limited.

A gentle, antioxidant-rich root extract that may help calm skin and fight free radical damage, though research is still early.

A gentle plant extract with antioxidant potential, but research is limited and benefits are not yet well-established.

Adenosine is a gentle, science-backed anti-aging ingredient that helps smooth fine lines and improve skin firmness without irritation.

A cellular messenger that may help support skin firmness and resilience, but research in topical cosmetics is still limited.

Adenosine phosphate is a gentle, energy-boosting ingredient that may help smooth fine lines and support skin firmness over time.

Adenosine triphosphate (ATP) is the energy currency of cells, and when applied topically, it may help energize skin cells to support a firmer, more youthful appearance.

A gentle, antioxidant-rich oil from Patagonia that helps soothe and soften skin without clogging pores.