Beauty ingredients explained in plain English

A synthetic crosslinker used in nail products; potential skin sensitizer and not for leave-on facial skincare.

A lightweight synthetic emollient that softens skin without clogging pores, commonly used to create a smooth, silky finish in creams and makeup.

A gentle, non-greasy emollient that softens skin and improves the feel of creams and lotions without clogging pores.

A lightweight, non-greasy emollient that helps skin feel soft and smooth without clogging pores.

A gentle, non-greasy emollient that helps creams and lotions feel silky and spread easily without clogging pores.

A lightweight, non-greasy emollient that softens skin without clogging pores, ideal for sensitive or oily skin types.

A gentle, non-greasy emollient that helps moisturize and improve product feel without clogging pores.

Pentafluoropropane is a safe, non-irritating propellant that helps dispense skincare products from aerosol cans without affecting your skin.

A gentle, oil-soluble vitamin C derivative that brightens skin and fights free radicals with less irritation than pure ascorbic acid.

A synthetic fragrance ingredient that adds a pleasant floral note but offers no skincare benefits and may be a concern for those with fragrance sensitivities.

A synthetic fragrance alcohol that adds a pleasant scent but offers no skincare benefits; generally safe at low concentrations.

A synthetic scent ingredient that gives a warm, woody aroma but offers no skin benefit and may cause sensitivity in some people.

A synthetic stabilizer that helps sunscreens stay effective and feel lighter on skin, but it's not a direct skin-care active.

A synthetic fragrance ingredient that provides a woody, amber scent but offers no skincare benefits and may cause sensitivity in some individuals.

A synthetic fragrance 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 pleasant floral-green note but offers no skincare benefit and may cause sensitivity in some individuals.

Pentane is a safe, fast-evaporating solvent used in sprays and mousses, but it offers no direct skin benefit.

Pentanone is a strong solvent rarely used in skincare; it may cause irritation and is not a typical beneficial ingredient for skin health.

A synthetic peptide that may help improve skin firmness and reduce fine lines, but more human studies are needed to confirm its effects.

A synthetic peptide that may help improve skin firmness and reduce fine lines, with low irritation risk.

Pentapeptide-33 is a lab-made peptide that signals skin to look firmer and smoother, but it works gradually and results vary.

Pentapeptide-34 is a lab-made peptide that signals skin to produce more collagen, helping to smooth fine lines and improve firmness over time.

A lab-made peptide that may help firm skin and reduce fine lines, but human studies are limited.

A synthetic peptide that may help firm skin and soften lines, but research is still emerging compared to better-studied peptides.

A lab-made peptide that may help support skin firmness and reduce the look of fine lines, with a good safety profile.

A synthetic peptide that may help firm skin and soften fine lines, but human data is still limited compared to well-studied peptides.

Pentapeptide-45 is a lab-made peptide that may help firm skin and soften fine lines, but research is still emerging and results vary.

A lab-made peptide that may help firm skin and soften expression lines, but results are subtle and require consistent use.

A synthetic peptide that may help smooth fine lines and improve skin firmness with consistent use, though more independent research is needed.

Pentapeptide-49 is a lab-made peptide that may help firm skin and soften fine lines by encouraging collagen, but research is still emerging.

Pentapeptide-5 is a synthetic peptide that may help reduce fine lines and improve skin firmness, but results are gradual and vary by person.

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

Pentapeptide-52 is a lab-made peptide that may help smooth wrinkles and improve skin firmness, but research is still emerging compared to well-studied peptides.

A synthetic peptide that may help soften fine lines and improve skin firmness, with low irritation risk.

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

A lab-made peptide that may help firm skin and soften lines, but human research is still limited.

Pentapeptide-57 is a lab-made peptide that may help smooth fine lines and support collagen, but research is still emerging and results vary.

A lab-made peptide that aims to mimic natural signaling to help skin look firmer and smoother over time.

A lab-made peptide that may help reduce fine lines by encouraging collagen, but results are gradual and vary by person.

Pentapeptide-61 is a lab-made peptide that may help reduce fine lines and improve skin firmness by signaling collagen production, but human studies are limited.

Pentapeptide-62 is a lab-made peptide that may help improve skin firmness and reduce fine lines, but more independent human studies are needed.

Pentapotassium Triphosphate is a safe, effective chelating agent that helps maintain product stability and performance by binding metal ions.

A workhorse chelating agent that helps your products stay fresh and effective by neutralizing troublesome metal ions.

A synthetic chelator that helps keep your products stable and effective by binding to unwanted metals in the formula.

A behind-the-scenes helper that keeps your products fresh and effective by neutralizing unwanted metals.

A synthetic peptide that may help reduce fine lines and support skin firmness, but more human studies are needed.

Pentasodium Triphosphate is a safe, synthetic helper ingredient that binds hard-water minerals to boost lather and keep cleansers stable.

Pentetic acid is a gentle chelating agent that helps keep your skincare products stable and effective by binding to unwanted metal ions.

A gentle, plant-derived antioxidant extract with emerging research, best suited for soothing and protecting normal to sensitive skin.

A gentle, sugar-based humectant that hydrates without stickiness and may help strengthen the skin barrier — promising but not yet widely studied.

A synthetic ingredient that helps reduce excess oil and may improve acne without drying out the skin.

Pentylene Glycol is a gentle, effective humectant that hydrates skin and helps preserve formulas without common irritation.

A modern synthetic UV filter that offers broad-spectrum protection with a good safety profile, but is not yet as widely studied as older filters.

A synthetic ingredient that helps sunscreens feel silky and keeps UV filters stable, but it's not a primary active on its own.

Peoniflorin is a gentle, plant-derived antioxidant that helps calm skin and fight free radical damage, but it's not a standalone solution for major skin concerns.

A gentle, antioxidant-rich botanical extract that helps calm skin and fight environmental stress, ideal for sensitive or reactive skin types.

A gentle, lab-grown peony extract that may help calm skin and fight oxidative stress, though human studies are still limited.

Peony callus extract is a gentle antioxidant-rich ingredient that may help calm skin and fight environmental damage, though research is still early.

A gentle, antioxidant-rich botanical extract that helps calm skin and fight environmental stress, but its benefits are modest compared to more potent antioxidants.

Peony flower powder is a gentle, natural powder that can help absorb excess oil and provide mild antioxidant benefits, but its effects are subtle and not as well-studied as more common botanical powders.