Beauty ingredients explained in plain English

A safe, synthetic thickener that helps products feel smooth and spread evenly, but offers no active skincare benefits.

A gentle synthetic humectant that helps keep skin hydrated and improves product feel without common irritation.

A reliable synthetic emulsifier that helps mix oil and water in creams and lotions, but may not suit those avoiding PEG compounds.

A reliable emulsifier that helps mix oil and water in cleansers and creams, but may not suit those avoiding PEG compounds.

A synthetic polymer that helps products spread smoothly and feel lightweight, but offers no direct skin benefit.

A safe, synthetic thickener that improves product texture and stability, but offers no active skincare benefits.

A gentle synthetic humectant that helps products feel smooth and hydrating without greasiness.

A gentle, water-soluble polymer that helps hydrate and smooth skin without clogging pores.

A gentle, water-binding ingredient that helps products feel smooth and non-greasy without clogging pores.

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

A gentle silicone that improves product feel and spreadability, generally well-tolerated by most skin types.

A gentle synthetic polymer that helps products feel smooth and spread easily without clogging pores.

A synthetic emulsifier that helps mix oil and water in skincare, generally well-tolerated but not a star active ingredient.

A gentle synthetic emulsifier that helps mix water and oil in skincare products, with a low risk of irritation.

A synthetic thickener that helps create rich, stable textures in cleansers and lotions, generally well-tolerated but not biodegradable.

A gentle, modified vitamin E that helps protect skin from environmental stress without the greasiness of pure vitamin E.

A synthetic polymer that helps products stay put and feel smooth, but offers no skin benefit beyond texture.

A gentle, modified vitamin E that offers antioxidant protection and skin conditioning without the stability issues of pure vitamin E.

A lightweight silicone that makes products feel silky and spread easily, with a very low risk of irritation or clogged pores.

A gentle synthetic polymer that helps products spread smoothly and feel lightweight, but offers no active skin benefits.

A water-friendly version of vitamin E that helps protect skin from environmental damage without the greasy feel of pure tocopherol.

A gentle, water-binding polymer that helps keep skin hydrated and products feel smooth without clogging pores.

A water-friendly version of vitamin E that helps protect skin from environmental stress without feeling greasy.

A gentle synthetic polymer that helps blend oil and water, making cleansers and lotions feel smooth without heavy irritation.

A gentle, water-soluble ingredient that helps products feel smooth and hydrating without greasiness.

A gentle, water-soluble polymer that helps other ingredients absorb better and leaves skin feeling smooth without greasiness.

A gentle synthetic humectant that hydrates and improves product feel without common irritation.

A gentle silicone that makes products feel silky and spread easily, but may not suit those avoiding silicones entirely.

A safe, synthetic ingredient that helps products feel smooth and spread evenly while lightly hydrating the skin.

A gentle, coconut-derived cleansing and softening ingredient that helps products rinse cleanly without stripping the skin.

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

A gentle silicone emulsifier that improves texture and spreadability, but may not suit those avoiding silicones.

A gentle, modified glycerin that pulls moisture into the skin without feeling sticky, making it a great option for dry or sensitive skin.

A gentle synthetic humectant that helps products feel smooth and non-sticky, but offers only surface-level hydration.

A gentle synthetic emulsifier that helps mix oil and water in skincare, generally well-tolerated but not a star active ingredient.

A synthetic humectant that helps hydrate and smooth the skin, but offers limited unique benefits compared to more established ingredients.

A water-friendly version of vitamin E that helps protect skin from environmental stress without the greasy feel of pure vitamin E.

A synthetic polymer that helps makeup and skincare last longer by forming a flexible film on the skin.

A versatile silicone emulsifier that improves product texture and spreadability with a low risk of irritation.

A safe, synthetic ingredient that helps products feel smooth and spread evenly without clogging pores.

A gentle synthetic emulsifier that helps mix water and oil, generally well-tolerated but not biodegradable.

A gentle, water-friendly silicone that gives products a silky feel without heavy buildup.

A reliable synthetic emulsifier that helps create stable, creamy formulas, but may not suit those avoiding PEGs.

A synthetic emulsifier that helps mix oil and water in cleansers and creams, generally well-tolerated but not a star active ingredient.

A gentle synthetic polymer that helps products feel silky and spread smoothly without clogging pores.

A gentle, synthetic humectant that helps your skin stay hydrated without feeling sticky or greasy.

A silicone copolymer that improves product texture and spreadability, generally well-tolerated but not biodegradable.

A gentle, synthetic humectant that helps hydrate skin and improve product feel without common irritation.

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

Pegmatite is a natural mineral powder that provides gentle physical exfoliation, but its benefits and safety are not well-studied in skincare.

PEI-1000 is a synthetic polymer that helps create a smooth, even film on skin, but it's not a star ingredient and is best understood as a texture enhancer.

A synthetic polymer that helps products spread smoothly and leaves a flexible, non-sticky film on skin or hair.

A synthetic polymer that helps products spread smoothly and leaves a light, flexible film on skin or hair for a conditioned feel.

PEI-1400 is a synthetic polymer that helps products stay put, but it's not a skincare active and may feel heavy on some skin types.

PEI-1500 is a synthetic polymer that helps products spread smoothly and stay put, but it's not a star ingredient for skin health.

PEI-1750 helps products stay put and resist water, but it's a synthetic polymer with limited skin-friendly research.

PEI-250 is a synthetic film-former that helps products stay put, but it may cause irritation for sensitive skin types.

PEI-2500 is a synthetic polymer that helps products spread smoothly and resist water, but it's not a star ingredient for skin health.

PEI-275 is a synthetic polymer that helps products form a flexible film on skin or hair, improving wear and water resistance.

PEI-35 is a synthetic polymer that helps products spread evenly and stay put, but it's not a star ingredient for skin health.