A lab-made peptide that may help firm skin and soften lines, but human studies are still limited.
Irritation
low
Source
synthetic
Beauty ingredient research
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
A lab-made peptide that may help firm skin and soften lines, but human studies are still limited.
Irritation
low
Source
synthetic
Hexapeptide-64 is a synthetic peptide that may help reduce the appearance of fine lines by supporting the skin's natural repair processes.
Irritation
low
Source
synthetic
Hexapeptide-65 is a synthetic peptide that may help soften expression lines and improve skin firmness, but human data is still limited.
Irritation
low
Source
synthetic
Hexapeptide-66 is a lab-made peptide that may help soften expression lines and support firmer-looking skin over time.
Irritation
low
Source
synthetic
A synthetic peptide designed to support collagen and reduce fine lines, generally well-tolerated but with limited independent research.
Irritation
low
Source
semi-synthetic
Hexene is a synthetic solvent used in small amounts; it has no direct skincare benefit and may cause irritation for sensitive skin.
Irritation
moderate
Source
synthetic
A natural fragrance compound that adds a fresh, green scent but may cause irritation in sensitive skin.
Irritation
moderate
Source
natural
Hexenyl Acetate is a gentle, green-smelling fragrance ingredient that adds a fresh, leafy scent to products, with a low risk of irritation for most people.
Irritation
low
Source
natural
A synthetic scent ingredient that adds a pleasant aroma but offers no skincare benefits and may be unnecessary for sensitive skin.
Irritation
low
Source
synthetic
Hexenyl Tiglate is a synthetic fragrance compound that adds a green, fruity note to products, but offers no skincare benefits beyond scent.
Irritation
low
Source
synthetic
A synthetic scent ingredient that adds a sweet, fruity note to products, but offers no skincare benefits and may trigger sensitivities in some people.
Irritation
low
Source
synthetic
A synthetic scent ingredient that adds a sweet, caramel-like note to products, but offers no skincare benefit and may cause sensitivity in some individuals.
Irritation
low
Source
synthetic
A synthetic fragrance ingredient that provides a fresh scent but may cause irritation in sensitive individuals.
Irritation
moderate
Source
synthetic
A gentle, synthetic cleansing agent that effectively removes impurities without stripping the skin's natural moisture barrier.
Irritation
low
Source
synthetic
Hexeth-5 is a mild synthetic emulsifier that helps mix oil and water, but may cause irritation for very sensitive skin at higher concentrations.
Irritation
moderate
Source
synthetic
Hexetidine is an antiseptic that can help reduce bacteria on skin and in the mouth, but it may cause irritation for sensitive users.
Irritation
moderate
Source
synthetic
Hexyl Acetate is a synthetic fragrance ingredient that adds a fruity, pear-like scent to products; it is generally considered safe at low concentrations but may cause sensitivity in some individuals.
Irritation
low
Source
synthetic
Hexyl alcohol is a mild fatty alcohol that helps dissolve other ingredients and adds a silky feel, but it's not a drying alcohol like denatured alcohol.
Irritation
low
Source
synthetic
Hexyl Aminolevulinate HCl is a medical photosensitizer used in photodynamic therapy, not a standard cosmetic ingredient, and should only be applied under professional supervision.
Irritation
high
Source
synthetic
Hexyl Benzoate is a gentle, lightweight emollient that helps products feel silky without clogging pores, making it a good choice for oily and sensitive skin types.
Irritation
low
Source
synthetic
Hexyl Butyrate is a safe, low-irritation fragrance ingredient that adds a fruity scent to products but offers no direct skincare benefits.
Irritation
low
Source
synthetic
Hexyl Cinnamal is a common synthetic fragrance that adds a floral scent, but it is a known allergen that must be listed on labels in the EU.
Irritation
low
Source
synthetic
Hexyl Crotonate is a synthetic fragrance ingredient that adds a subtle scent to products, but it offers no skincare benefits and may cause sensitivity in some individuals.
Irritation
low
Source
synthetic
A synthetic dye ingredient that helps create vivid hair colors, but may cause skin irritation in sensitive individuals.
Irritation
moderate
Source
synthetic
Hexyl Dimethicone is a gentle silicone that improves product feel and spreadability, making it a common choice for smooth, non-greasy formulations.
Irritation
low
Source
synthetic
A lightweight synthetic emollient that softens skin without greasiness, commonly used to improve product texture.
Irritation
low
Source
synthetic
A synthetic humectant that helps hydrate skin and improve the texture of products, but research on its long-term effects is still limited.
Irritation
low
Source
synthetic
A synthetic humectant that helps hydrate skin and improve product texture, but research on its long-term effects is still limited.
Irritation
low
Source
synthetic
Hexyl Formate is a synthetic fragrance ingredient that adds a fruity, apple-like scent to products, but offers no direct skincare benefits.
Irritation
low
Source
synthetic
Hexyl Hexanoate is a lightweight synthetic emollient that helps soften skin without clogging pores, commonly used to improve product texture and spreadability.
Irritation
low
Source
synthetic
A mild, plant-derived ingredient that helps refine skin texture and support a smoother, more even complexion without irritation.
Irritation
low
Source
semi-synthetic
Hexyl Isobutyrate is a synthetic fragrance ingredient that adds a fruity, sweet scent to products; it is generally considered safe at low concentrations but may cause sensitivity in some individuals.
Irritation
low
Source
synthetic
Hexyl Isostearate is a lightweight, non-greasy emollient that helps soften skin and improve product texture without clogging pores.
Irritation
low
Source
synthetic
Hexyl Isovalerate is a safe, low-irritation fragrance ingredient that adds a pleasant scent but offers no direct skincare benefits.
Irritation
low
Source
synthetic
A gentle synthetic exfoliant that may help smooth skin texture without the irritation of traditional acids.
Irritation
low
Source
synthetic
Hexyl Laurate is a gentle, non-greasy emollient that leaves skin feeling soft without clogging pores.
Irritation
low
Source
semi-synthetic
A gentle, lab-made ingredient that helps dial down skin reactivity and soothe irritation without harsh side effects.
Irritation
low
Source
synthetic
A gentle, amino-acid-based surfactant that effectively cleanses while being kind to sensitive and dry skin.
Irritation
low
Source
semi-synthetic
Hexyl Methacrylate is a synthetic film-former that helps products adhere and last longer, but it can be a skin sensitizer for some people.
Irritation
moderate
Source
synthetic
Hexyl Methicone is a gentle silicone that smooths skin and reduces tackiness, making it a popular choice for lightweight, non-greasy formulas.
Irritation
low
Source
synthetic
Hexyl Methyl Ketone is a synthetic fragrance ingredient that adds a fruity, floral scent but offers no skincare benefits.
Irritation
low
Source
synthetic
A synthetic fragrance ester that adds a fruity, apple-like scent to products; generally considered safe at low concentrations but offers no skincare benefits.
Irritation
low
Source
synthetic
Hexyl Neopentanoate is a well-tolerated synthetic emollient that gives products a lightweight, non-greasy feel, making it a popular choice for oil-free and matte formulations.
Irritation
low
Source
synthetic
Hexyl Nicotinate creates a temporary warming or tingling sensation by dilating blood vessels, but it can cause irritation and is not a long-term solution for skin concerns.
Irritation
moderate
Source
synthetic
Hexyl Octanoate is a gentle, lightweight emollient that softens skin without clogging pores, making it a great choice for oily and acne-prone skin types.
Irritation
low
Source
synthetic
Hexyl Propionate is a synthetic fragrance ingredient that adds a fruity, apple-like scent; it is generally considered safe at low concentrations but offers no skincare benefits.
Irritation
low
Source
synthetic
Hexyl Salicylate is a widely used synthetic fragrance that adds a pleasant floral note to products, but it may cause sensitivity in some individuals.
Irritation
low
Source
synthetic
A synthetic fragrance ingredient that adds a pleasant scent but offers no direct skincare benefits; generally safe at low concentrations.
Irritation
low
Source
synthetic
Hexylcyclopentanone is a synthetic scent ingredient that makes products smell pleasant, but it offers no skincare benefits and may cause sensitivity in some people.
Irritation
low
Source
synthetic
A gentle, non-greasy emollient that helps soften and smooth skin without clogging pores.
Irritation
low
Source
synthetic
Hexyldecanol is a gentle fatty alcohol that softens skin and helps products spread smoothly, with a very low risk of irritation or clogged pores.
Irritation
low
Source
synthetic
Hexyldeceth-2 is a gentle, synthetic surfactant that helps cleanse without stripping the skin, making it a good choice for sensitive formulas.
Irritation
low
Source
synthetic
Hexyldeceth-20 is a gentle, effective emulsifier and cleanser that helps mix oil and water without stripping the skin.
Irritation
low
Source
semi-synthetic
A lightweight, non-greasy emollient that improves product texture and skin feel, with a low risk of irritation or clogging pores.
Irritation
low
Source
synthetic
A lightweight synthetic emollient that spreads easily and leaves skin feeling smooth without heavy residue.
Irritation
low
Source
synthetic
A lightweight, synthetic emollient that softens skin without clogging pores, ideal for oily and combination skin types.
Irritation
low
Source
synthetic
A modified collagen that helps skin feel smooth and hydrated, but its anti-aging effects are mostly surface-level.
Irritation
low
Source
semi-synthetic
A lightweight synthetic emollient that makes products feel silky and spread easily, but may be moderately clogging for acne-prone skin.
Irritation
low
Source
synthetic
A lightweight, non-greasy emollient that improves product texture and skin feel, with a low risk of irritation or clogged pores.
Irritation
low
Source
synthetic
Skin conditioning agent
Hexyldecyl Myristoyl Methylaminopropionate
A mild, semi-synthetic conditioning ingredient that softens skin and hair without clogging pores or causing irritation.
Irritation
low
Source
semi-synthetic