Beauty ingredients explained in plain English

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

Isopropylamine is a synthetic pH adjuster used in tiny amounts to stabilize formulas, but it can be irritating and is rarely a featured ingredient in skincare.

A strong synthetic detergent that effectively removes oil and dirt but may be drying or irritating for sensitive skin.

A synthetic berberine derivative with antimicrobial potential, but limited human safety data and a moderate irritation risk.

A widely used synthetic fragrance that adds a warm, woody scent; generally safe but may cause sensitivity in some individuals.

A potentially gentler cousin of classic benzoyl peroxide that fights acne bacteria and helps clear pores, but may still cause dryness or irritation in sensitive skin.

A novel synthetic compound that may help reduce the look of fine lines and wrinkles, but research is still early and it's found mainly in premium products.

A synthetic ingredient that helps condition skin and improve product feel, but research on its long-term benefits is still limited.

A synthetic peptide-like ingredient that helps soften expression lines by temporarily relaxing facial muscles, offering a gentler alternative to injectables.

A gentle, coconut-derived emollient that softens skin without feeling greasy, suitable for most skin types.

A synthetic film former that helps nail products adhere and resist chipping, but it's not a moisturizer or active skincare ingredient.

A synthetic fragrance ingredient that adds scent but may cause irritation in sensitive individuals.

A synthetic film-former that helps products spread smoothly and stay put, but its connection to bisphenol A raises caution for some users.

A synthetic film-forming ingredient used in nail products to improve durability and adhesion, but it is chemically related to bisphenol A, which raises some safety questions.

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

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

Isopropylindanone is a synthetic scent ingredient that adds a woody note but may cause irritation in sensitive individuals.

A lightweight synthetic emollient that spreads easily and leaves a non-greasy finish, generally well-tolerated by most skin types.

Isopropylmethylhexenal is a synthetic fragrance compound that adds a floral-woody scent, but it may cause skin irritation or allergic reactions in sensitive individuals.

Isopropylmethylhexenol is a synthetic fragrance ingredient that adds a floral-green scent but may cause skin irritation in sensitive individuals.

A synthetic scent ingredient that can make products smell pleasant but may cause irritation in sensitive individuals.

Isopropylparaben is an effective preservative but has raised some safety concerns due to its potential endocrine activity; many brands now avoid it.

A common synthetic fragrance ingredient that provides a floral scent but can be a skin sensitizer for some people.

A synthetic fragrance ingredient that adds pleasant scent but may cause skin sensitivity in some people.

A common synthetic fragrance that adds a pleasant floral scent but may cause skin irritation in sensitive individuals.

Isopropylphthalimide is a synthetic plasticizer that helps nail polishes and hair products stay flexible and durable, but its safety data is limited.

Isopropylquinoline is a synthetic fragrance ingredient with limited safety data; it may cause skin irritation in sensitive individuals.

Isopulegol is a natural minty fragrance component that can be sensitizing for some, especially at higher concentrations.

Isopulegyl acetate is a synthetic fragrance ingredient that provides a fresh, minty scent but may cause skin irritation in sensitive individuals.

Isopulegyl Formate is a synthetic fragrance ingredient that adds a fresh, minty scent, but it offers no skincare benefits and may cause irritation in sensitive individuals.

A gentle plant antioxidant that helps shield skin from pollution and UV damage while supporting a brighter, more even complexion.

A gentle plant-derived antioxidant that helps defend skin against pollution and UV-related damage without irritation.

Isorhamnetin is a plant-derived antioxidant that helps shield skin from environmental stress and may calm irritation, but human studies are still limited.

Isosorbide is a gentle, plant-based humectant that hydrates skin without stickiness, making it a good alternative to glycerin or hyaluronic acid.

A lightweight, plant-derived emollient that hydrates and softens skin without feeling greasy, making it a great alternative to silicones or heavier oils.

A gentle, non-greasy emollient derived from plant sources that softens skin and improves product texture.

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

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

Isosorbide Oleate is a gentle, plant-derived emollient that softens skin and helps other ingredients absorb better, with a low risk of irritation or clogged pores.

Isostearamide DEA helps create rich lather and thick texture in cleansers, but it may cause mild irritation for sensitive skin.

Isostearamide MEA is a mild synthetic ingredient that helps create rich lather and thicker textures in cleansers, but it offers no direct skin benefit beyond formulation.

A mild synthetic thickener and conditioner that helps products feel creamy and rinse cleanly, but offers no active skincare benefits.

A synthetic emulsifier that helps blend oil and water in creams and lotions, generally considered safe and low-irritation for most skin types.

A gentle, foam-boosting surfactant that cleans effectively without stripping the skin barrier.

A mild, effective conditioning ingredient that improves hair feel and manageability without heavy buildup.

A gentle conditioning ingredient that helps detangle and soften hair without heavy buildup.

A gentle, effective conditioning ingredient that improves hair feel and detangling without heavy buildup.

A synthetic conditioning ingredient that helps detangle hair and reduce static, but may not suit very sensitive scalps.

A synthetic conditioning agent that reduces static and improves hair feel, but has limited research on long-term skin effects.

A gentle synthetic conditioner that smooths hair and reduces static without heavy buildup.

A gentle synthetic conditioner that helps detangle and soften hair without heavy buildup.

A gentle synthetic conditioner that smooths hair and reduces static, but may feel heavy on fine hair.

A mild conditioning ingredient that helps reduce static and improve manageability in hair products, but is not a primary moisturizer.

A synthetic conditioning agent that reduces static and improves feel in hair and skin products, generally well-tolerated but with limited research on long-term effects.

A gentle surfactant that helps create a rich lather without stripping the skin.

A gentle conditioning ingredient that helps hair feel soft and smooth without heavy buildup, but may not suit very fine or oily hair types.

A gentle surfactant that adds foam and conditioning without stripping the skin or hair.

A synthetic conditioning agent that reduces static and softens hair, but may cause irritation or clog pores in sensitive individuals.

A gentle synthetic emulsifier that helps mix water and oil in creams and cleansers, with low irritation potential.

A gentle synthetic emulsifier that helps create stable, creamy textures in skincare without common irritation.