Beauty ingredients explained in plain English

A synthetic fragrance compound that adds a pleasant woody scent but offers no skincare benefits and may cause sensitivity in some individuals.

A widely used synthetic musk that provides a long-lasting clean scent, but has raised some environmental persistence concerns.

A synthetic azulene derivative that adds a subtle fragrance and may offer mild soothing benefits, but research is limited and it's best for those without fragrance sensitivities.

A synthetic fragrance ingredient that adds a warm, woody scent but offers no skincare benefits and may be unnecessary for sensitive skin.

A synthetic fragrance ingredient that adds a warm, woody scent but offers no skincare benefits and may cause irritation in sensitive individuals.

A synthetic scent ingredient that adds a warm, floral note but may cause skin sensitivity in some people.

A synthetic scent ingredient that adds a sweet, creamy note to products but offers no skincare benefit.

A synthetic scent ingredient that adds a pleasant floral-woody note but offers no skincare benefit and may cause sensitivity in some people.

A synthetic scent ingredient that adds a warm, woody aroma but offers no skincare benefits and may be unnecessary for sensitive skin.

A lightweight, fast-evaporating silicone that improves product feel and spreadability without clogging pores.

A synthetic wax that helps create a smooth, creamy texture in lip and skin products without clogging pores.

Hexamethylene diisocyanate is a synthetic crosslinker used in nail products for durability, but it is a known irritant and sensitizer, making it unsuitable for leave-on skincare.

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

A synthetic scent ingredient that adds a warm, woody note but offers no skincare benefit and may trigger sensitivity in some people.

A widely used synthetic musk that provides a pleasant scent but has raised some environmental and skin sensitivity concerns.

Hexamidine is a gentle synthetic preservative that helps keep products fresh and may offer mild skin-soothing benefits.

A gentle synthetic preservative that helps keep products fresh and may offer mild soothing benefits for the skin.

A gentle synthetic preservative that helps keep skincare products fresh and safe from microbes, with a low irritation profile.

Hexamidine Paraben is a synthetic preservative that helps keep products fresh, but it may cause irritation for sensitive skin types.

Hexanal is a fragrance ingredient that adds a fresh scent but may cause skin irritation in sensitive individuals at higher concentrations.

A synthetic fragrance ingredient that adds a fresh, green scent but offers no skincare benefits and may be a concern for those with fragrance sensitivities.

Hexanediamine is a synthetic pH adjuster with limited direct skin benefit; it may cause irritation in sensitive individuals and is best left to professional or rinse-off products.

Hexanediol is a gentle, multi-tasking ingredient that helps dissolve other ingredients, adds light hydration, and supports product preservation.

Hexanediol Beeswax is a gentle, semi-synthetic emollient that helps lock in moisture and improve product texture without clogging pores.

A gentle exfoliating ester that helps smooth skin and improve texture with low irritation potential.

A gentle emollient that helps skin feel soft and smooth without heavy greasiness.

A gentle, non-greasy film former that helps products spread evenly and stay put without clogging pores.

A synthetic polymer that helps cosmetics last longer and resist water, but offers no active skincare benefits.

A gentle, semi-synthetic wax that helps products feel smooth and stay stable, but offers no active skincare benefits.

A peptide that mimics the action of botulinum toxin to soften expression lines, but with milder and temporary effects.

Hexapeptide-1 is a synthetic peptide that may help soften expression lines by temporarily relaxing facial muscles, similar to a milder, topical version of neuromodulators.

Hexapeptide-10 is a synthetic peptide that may help support collagen and elastin for firmer, smoother skin, but research is still emerging.

Hexapeptide-11 is a synthetic peptide that may help support skin firmness and reduce fine lines, but research is still emerging and results vary.

A novel hybrid of peptide and vitamin C that may support collagen and antioxidant defense, but research is still early.

Hexapeptide-32 is a lab-made peptide that may help soften expression lines and improve skin firmness, with a good safety profile for most skin types.

Hexapeptide-33 is a gentle synthetic peptide that may help support skin firmness and resilience, but research is still early.

Hexapeptide-34 is a synthetic peptide that may help support skin firmness and reduce fine lines, but research is still emerging and results vary.

Hexapeptide-36 is a synthetic peptide that may help soften expression lines by temporarily relaxing facial muscles, similar to how a gentle muscle relaxant works.

Hexapeptide-40 is a synthetic peptide that may help improve skin firmness and reduce fine lines, but research is still limited compared to more established peptides.

A synthetic peptide that may help soften fine lines and improve skin firmness, but research is still emerging.

Hexapeptide-44 is a synthetic peptide that may help support skin firmness and reduce the appearance of fine lines, but research is still limited.

A synthetic peptide that temporarily softens expression lines by calming muscle contractions, similar to a milder version of Argireline.

Hexapeptide-47 is a synthetic peptide that may help calm skin and strengthen the moisture barrier, but research is still early.

Hexapeptide-48 is a synthetic peptide that may help support skin firmness and reduce fine lines, but human research is still limited.

A synthetic peptide that may help soften expression lines and improve skin firmness with consistent use.

Hexapeptide-49 is a lab-made peptide that may help improve skin firmness and reduce fine lines, but research is still early and results vary.

Hexapeptide-50 is a synthetic peptide that may help support skin firmness and reduce fine lines, but research is still emerging and results vary.

Hexapeptide-51 is a synthetic peptide that may help support skin firmness and reduce fine lines, but research is still emerging and results vary.

Hexapeptide-52 is a synthetic peptide that may help soften expression lines and improve skin firmness, but human data is still limited.

Hexapeptide-53 is a lab-made peptide that may help support skin firmness and smooth fine lines, but research is still early.

A synthetic peptide designed to support collagen and reduce fine lines, with low irritation potential.

Hexapeptide-56 is a lab-made peptide that may help support skin firmness and reduce fine lines, but research is still early and it's less studied than more common peptides.

A peptide duo that may help smooth wrinkles and improve skin firmness, but results vary and more human studies are needed.

Hexapeptide-57 is a synthetic peptide that may help soften expression lines and improve skin firmness, but research is still emerging and results vary.

Hexapeptide-58 is a lab-made peptide that may help soften expression lines and improve skin firmness, but research is still early.

Hexapeptide-61 is a synthetic peptide that may help support skin firmness and reduce the look of fine lines, though research is still emerging.

A synthetic peptide that may help soften expression lines and improve skin firmness, but human data is still limited.

Hexapeptide-62 is a synthetic peptide that may help soften expression lines by temporarily relaxing facial muscles, similar to other peptide ingredients.

A synthetic peptide that may help smooth fine lines and improve skin firmness, but human data is still limited.

Hexapeptide-63 is a synthetic peptide that may help support the look of firmer, smoother skin, but research is still emerging.