Beauty ingredients explained in plain English

Ethyl Tafluprostamide can help eyelashes grow longer and thicker, but it may cause eye irritation and darkening of the eyelid skin.

A synthetic fragrance ingredient that adds scent but offers no skincare benefits; generally safe at low levels but may cause irritation in sensitive individuals.

Ethyl Thioglycolate is an effective hair-removal chemical but can be irritating and has a strong odor, so it requires careful formulation and use.

Ethyl Tiglate is a synthetic fragrance ingredient that adds a fruity, floral note to products; it is generally safe at low levels but may cause sensitivity in some individuals.

Ethyl Tosylamide is a synthetic plasticizer that makes nail polish more flexible and durable, but it can be a skin sensitizer for some people.

A synthetic fragrance ester that adds a fruity, green note to products; generally safe at low concentrations but may cause sensitivity in some individuals.

A synthetic fragrance ester that adds a pleasant floral-herbal scent but offers no direct skin benefit beyond sensory appeal.

A synthetic ingredient that can lengthen and thicken lashes, but may cause eye irritation and darkening of the iris or eyelid skin.

A synthetic fragrance ingredient that provides a fresh, woody scent but offers no direct skincare benefits.

A synthetic scent ingredient that adds a warm, woody note to products; generally safe but may cause sensitivity in some individuals.

A lightweight silicone that helps products glide on smoothly and leaves a silky finish without clogging pores.

A gentle synthetic emollient that softens skin and improves product texture, but it's not a standout ingredient for specific skin concerns.

A lightweight, non-greasy emollient that helps soften skin and improve product texture without clogging pores.

Ethyl Valerate is a mild synthetic ester used for scent and slight skin feel, but it offers no active skincare benefits.

Ethyl Vanillate is a gentle, vanilla-scented antioxidant that adds a pleasant fragrance to skincare, but it's not a powerhouse ingredient for skin benefits.

Ethyl vanillin is a synthetic vanilla-scented fragrance ingredient that is generally safe at low concentrations but may cause irritation in sensitive individuals.

A gentle, wheat-derived emollient that helps soften and condition skin without clogging pores.

A gentle plant-derived emollient that helps soothe and soften skin, though research is still emerging.

Ethyl-3-Alpha is a synthetic ingredient with limited public data; it appears safe at low levels but lacks robust research.

A synthetic hair dye ingredient that helps create specific shades but may cause skin irritation in sensitive individuals.

A synthetic peptide-like ingredient that may help soften expression lines by temporarily relaxing facial muscles, similar to a milder, topical alternative to injectables.

A synthetic peptide-like ingredient that may help improve skin firmness and reduce wrinkle depth, but human data is limited.

A gentler, more stable form of vitamin C that works well for most skin types without the sting of pure L-ascorbic acid.

A synthetic preservative booster that helps keep products fresh but may cause irritation for sensitive skin.

A potent synthetic antioxidant that helps protect skin from environmental damage and supports a healthy-looking complexion.

A synthetic fragrance ingredient that adds a pleasant scent but offers no skincare benefits; safe at low levels but may cause sensitivity in some individuals.

A gentle film-former that helps products spread smoothly and stay put without clogging pores.

A synthetic diol used mainly as a solvent or viscosity adjuster; not a star active ingredient but generally considered safe at low concentrations.

A synthetic fragrance ingredient that adds a pleasant scent but offers no skincare benefits; generally considered safe at low concentrations.

A widely used synthetic musk that provides a pleasant scent with a generally good safety profile, but may cause irritation in sensitive individuals.

Ethylene carbonate is a synthetic solvent that helps products spread and dry, but it can be drying or irritating for sensitive skin.

A synthetic wax that helps thicken and stabilize products, but offers no direct skin benefit.

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

Ethylene Dioleamide is a synthetic thickener and opacifier used mainly in rinse-off products; it is generally considered safe but has limited direct skin benefit.

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

Ethylene Dodecanedioate is a synthetic ester that adds a pleasant musky scent to products and helps condition the skin, but it offers no active skincare benefits.

A safe, 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, resist water, and feel smooth, but offers no active skincare benefit.

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

A synthetic polymer that helps create flexible, water-resistant films in makeup and skincare, generally considered safe and non-irritating.

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

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

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

A safe, synthetic film-former that helps makeup and sunscreen stay put without clogging pores.

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

Ethylenediamine is a synthetic pH adjuster with a high irritation and sensitization potential, making it unsuitable for most leave-on skincare products.

A synthetic polymer that helps products stay put, but its tallow-derived origin may not suit everyone.

A synthetic polymer that helps skincare and makeup stay put longer, especially in water-resistant formulas.

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.

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, resist water, and feel smooth, but offers no active skincare benefit.

Ethylhexanal is a synthetic fragrance ingredient that adds a fresh, citrusy scent but may cause irritation in sensitive individuals.

A gentle synthetic ingredient that helps calm irritated skin and reduce redness, ideal for sensitive or reactive skin types.

Ethylhexanol is a synthetic alcohol used as a solvent or fragrance ingredient, not a direct skin care active; it can be irritating at high concentrations.

A gentle synthetic surfactant that helps cleanse skin without over-drying, making it a good choice for sensitive or dry skin types.

A gentle pH adjuster and preservative booster that helps keep your products stable and fresh without harshness.