Beauty ingredients explained in plain English

A gentle, plant-derived surfactant that helps create a rich lather and cleanse without stripping the skin.

A gentle, plant-based emollient that helps moisturize and smooth skin without clogging pores.

A conditioning ingredient that reduces static and softens hair, but may be too heavy for fine hair or acne-prone skin.

A gentle, non-greasy emollient that strengthens the skin barrier and is well-tolerated by most skin types.

A gentle, plant-derived emollient that softens and smooths skin without clogging pores, ideal for dry or sensitive skin.

A stable, non-greasy emollient derived from pine seeds that helps soften skin and improve product texture.

A gentle, non-greasy emollient that helps soften and smooth skin without clogging pores.

A gentle, non-greasy emollient that locks in moisture and improves product texture without clogging pores.

A stable, non-greasy emollient derived from plum seeds that softens skin and gives products a luxurious, buttery feel.

A gentle, plant-derived emollient that hydrates and smooths skin without clogging pores, ideal for sensitive and dry skin types.

A lightweight, non-greasy synthetic emollient that helps products spread smoothly without clogging pores.

A silky, non-greasy synthetic emollient that mimics the feel of natural oils without clogging pores.

A gentle, synthetic emollient that gives a smooth, silky feel without clogging pores or causing irritation.

A synthetic polymer that helps makeup and skincare last longer, resist water, and feel smooth — generally safe but not biodegradable.

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

A safe, non-comedogenic synthetic resin that helps makeup last longer and feel smoother on skin.

A silky, lightweight synthetic oil that hydrates without clogging pores — a great option for oily and sensitive skin types.

A synthetic polymer that helps makeup last longer and feel smooth, but offers no skincare benefits.

A synthetic emollient that spreads easily, feels lightweight, and helps other ingredients absorb without clogging pores.

A safe synthetic polymer that improves product texture, water resistance, and wear without clogging pores.

A gentle, non-greasy emollient that strengthens the skin barrier and is well-tolerated by most skin types.

A gentle, plant-derived powder that helps absorb excess oil and gives products a silky, smooth feel without clogging pores.

A gentle, non-greasy emollient that strengthens the skin barrier and is well-tolerated by most skin types.

A gentle, plant-based fatty alcohol that softens skin and improves product texture without irritation.

A gentle, plant-based emollient that hydrates and smooths skin without clogging pores, ideal for sensitive and dry skin types.

A gentle, plant-based film former that helps makeup and skincare stay put without clogging pores.

A gentle, non-greasy emollient that locks in moisture and gives a smooth feel, ideal for dry or sensitive skin.

A gentler, stabilized form of retinol that aims to reduce wrinkles and improve skin texture with less irritation than traditional retinol.

A plant-based wax that helps create a smooth, protective film on skin or lips, but research on its specific benefits is limited.

A gentle, plant-based wax that adds smoothness and structure to products without clogging pores.

A stable, non-greasy emollient derived from rosehip oil, ideal for dry or sensitive skin in balms and sticks.

A gentle, non-greasy emollient that strengthens the skin barrier and is well-tolerated by most skin types.

A gentle, antioxidant-rich botanical extract that may help calm skin, but research is limited and hydrogenation alters its natural composition.

A rich emollient that softens skin, but its shark-derived origin raises ethical and sustainability concerns.

A shelf-stable, non-greasy shea butter that locks in moisture and softens skin without the natural nutty scent.

A stabilized, non-greasy shea derivative that adds richness and slip to formulas without the meltiness of raw shea butter.

A gentle, synthetic lipid that helps reinforce the skin barrier and improve moisture retention, with limited but promising research.

A gentle, plant-derived emollient that softens skin without clogging pores, ideal for dry or sensitive skin.

A gentle soy-derived emulsifier that helps blend oil and water in products, but its DEA component raises minor safety questions in high concentrations.

A gentle, skin-friendly lipid that strengthens the moisture barrier and helps calm dry, sensitive skin.

A mild, sugar-derived humectant that hydrates without clogging pores or irritating sensitive skin.

A gentle, non-sticky humectant derived from corn or potato starch that hydrates skin without irritation.

A synthetic polymer that helps makeup last longer and resist water, but may feel heavy on some skin types.

A synthetic polymer that helps makeup last longer and resist water, but offers no skincare benefit and may feel heavy on some.

A synthetic polymer that helps cosmetics glide on smoothly, feel silky, and stay put longer without clogging pores.

A synthetic film-former that helps makeup and skincare last longer and resist water, but offers no active skin benefits.

A gentle, non-greasy emollient derived from sunflower oil that softens skin without clogging pores.

A gentle, plant-derived emollient that softens skin and strengthens the moisture barrier without clogging pores.

A gentle, non-greasy emollient that strengthens the skin barrier and gives products a smooth, creamy feel.

A mild, plant-based emulsifier that creates stable, creamy textures without common irritation.

A gentle, non-greasy emollient that locks in moisture and softens skin without clogging pores.

A gentle, non-greasy emollient that helps strengthen the skin barrier without clogging pores.

A thick, emollient fatty acid from animal fat that helps create rich creams and balms, but may clog pores for some skin types.

A fatty alcohol from animal fat that softens and thickens products, but may clog pores for some skin types.

A thickener and stabilizer from hydrogenated tallow, effective but may be too heavy for oily or acne-prone skin.

A mild, animal-derived surfactant that cleans effectively without over-drying, suitable for sensitive skin.

A rich, plant-like emollient from beef tallow that locks in moisture but may clog pores for acne-prone skin.

A gentle, semi-synthetic emollient that softens skin and improves product texture, but its animal-derived origin may not suit all preferences.

A gentle, semi-synthetic emollient that softens skin but may be too heavy for acne-prone types.

A safe, effective thickener for makeup and creams, but its animal-derived origin may not suit everyone.