A gentle, plant-derived emollient that helps soften and smooth skin without clogging pores.
Irritation
low
Source
semi-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 gentle, plant-derived emollient that helps soften and smooth skin without clogging pores.
Irritation
low
Source
semi-synthetic
A gentle, plant-based emollient that mimics skin's natural lipids to strengthen the moisture barrier and soothe dryness.
Irritation
low
Source
natural
A gentle, plant-based emollient that helps restore the skin barrier without clogging pores.
Irritation
low
Source
semi-synthetic
A gentle, plant-based emollient that mimics natural skin lipids to support a healthy moisture barrier.
Irritation
low
Source
semi-synthetic
A gentle, plant-based emollient that helps soften and smooth skin while supporting the skin barrier.
Irritation
low
Source
natural
A gentle, plant-derived emollient that helps soften and soothe skin without clogging pores.
Irritation
low
Source
semi-synthetic
A gentle, plant-based emollient that mimics natural skin lipids to support a healthy moisture barrier.
Irritation
low
Source
natural
A gentle, plant-based emollient that helps soften skin and support the moisture barrier without clogging pores.
Irritation
low
Source
semi-synthetic
Emollient
PHYTOSTERYL/BEHENYL/OCTYLDODECYL LAUROYL GLUTAMATE
A gentle, multi-chain ester that helps moisturize and support the skin barrier without feeling greasy.
Irritation
low
Source
semi-synthetic
Emollient
Phytosteryl/Decyltetradecyl Myristoyl Methyl Beta-Alaninate
A gentle, amino-acid-based emollient that softens skin and improves product feel, with low irritation potential.
Irritation
low
Source
semi-synthetic
A gentle, plant-derived emollient that helps soften skin and improve the feel of formulations without clogging pores.
Irritation
low
Source
semi-synthetic
A synthetic antioxidant ingredient that mimics the skin's natural defenses, but research is still emerging on its long-term benefits.
Irritation
low
Source
synthetic
A promising antioxidant from plants that may help protect skin from environmental stress and support a more even tone, though human studies are still limited.
Irritation
low
Source
natural
A gentle yeast extract that may help calm irritation and support a balanced skin microbiome, though research is still emerging.
Irritation
low
Source
biotech
A gentle yeast ferment that may help strengthen the skin barrier and calm irritation, though human research is still limited.
Irritation
low
Source
biotech
Antioxidant
PICHIA PASTORIS/DIETHYLHEXYL SYRINGYLIDENEMALONATE/TOCOPHEROL FERMENT EXTRACT FILTRATE
A biotech antioxidant that pairs yeast fermentation with a vitamin E derivative and a UV-filter-like compound for multi-action skin protection.
Irritation
low
Source
biotech
A gentle, yeast-derived ingredient that helps hydrate and strengthen the skin barrier, ideal for sensitive or dry skin.
Irritation
low
Source
biotech
A gentle, biotech-derived yeast extract that may help calm skin and support a healthy barrier, though research is still emerging.
Irritation
low
Source
biotech
A gentle, biotech-derived yeast extract that may help calm irritated skin and support a healthy skin barrier.
Irritation
low
Source
biotech
A gentle, biotech-derived yeast ferment that helps calm irritation and support the skin barrier without clogging pores.
Irritation
low
Source
biotech
Skin Conditioning Agent
Pichia Pastoris/Soybean Seed Ferment Lysate Extract Filtrate
A gentle, fermented ingredient that may help protect skin from environmental stress and support a healthy-looking complexion.
Irritation
low
Source
biotech
A gentle, biotech-derived antioxidant that may help calm skin and defend against environmental stress, though research is still emerging.
Irritation
low
Source
biotech
A gentler, fermented form of retinol that may support smoother, brighter skin with less irritation than traditional retinol.
Irritation
low
Source
biotech
A gentle, hydrating ferment that may support skin barrier function and moisture retention, but research is still emerging.
Irritation
low
Source
biotech
A gentle, biotech-derived antioxidant that helps calm skin and defend against environmental stress, though research is still early.
Irritation
low
Source
biotech
A fermented antioxidant that may help protect skin from environmental stress and support a more even tone.
Irritation
low
Source
biotech
A gentle, fermented ingredient that may help calm skin and provide antioxidant protection, though research is still emerging.
Irritation
low
Source
biotech
Picolinamide is a lesser-known relative of niacinamide with potential soothing and brightening benefits, but research is still emerging.
Irritation
low
Source
synthetic
Picramic acid is a synthetic dye used in hair color, but it has limited safety data and potential for skin irritation, making it a less common choice in modern formulations.
Irritation
moderate
Source
synthetic
A gentle botanical extract with traditional use for soothing skin and supporting a balanced microbiome, though modern research is still limited.
Irritation
low
Source
natural
A gentle botanical extract with antioxidant and soothing potential, but research on its cosmetic benefits is still limited.
Irritation
low
Source
natural
A gentle botanical extract with antioxidant and soothing potential, but research is limited and mostly traditional.
Irritation
low
Source
natural
A promising Ayurvedic botanical with antioxidant and anti-inflammatory potential, but human skincare studies are still limited.
Irritation
low
Source
natural
Pidobenzone is a synthetic skin-lightening ingredient that may help fade dark spots, but it has limited safety data compared to more established alternatives.
Irritation
moderate
Source
synthetic
A gentle, antioxidant-rich turmeric extract that may help calm skin and even out tone, though research on this specific species is limited.
Irritation
low
Source
natural
A novel biotech ingredient with promising anti-aging potential, but human research is still very limited.
Irritation
low
Source
biotech
An experimental biotech ingredient with limited human safety data; not recommended for routine use until more research is available.
Irritation
moderate
Source
biotech
A widely used synthetic blue pigment that provides vibrant color with a strong safety record in cosmetics.
Irritation
low
Source
synthetic
A synthetic red pigment that adds vibrant color to makeup but offers no skincare benefits.
Irritation
low
Source
synthetic
A widely used synthetic red colorant in cosmetics, generally safe but may cause irritation in sensitive individuals.
Irritation
low
Source
synthetic
Pigskin extract is a collagen-rich ingredient that may help hydrate and plump skin, but evidence is limited and it may not suit vegans or those with ethical concerns.
Irritation
low
Source
natural
A gentle red algae extract that helps hydrate and calm the skin, though research is still emerging.
Irritation
low
Source
natural
A botanical extract with traditional use in haircare, but limited modern scientific evidence to support its benefits.
Irritation
moderate
Source
natural
A plant-based antioxidant extract that may help protect skin from environmental stress, but research is limited and it can be irritating for sensitive skin.
Irritation
moderate
Source
natural
A fragrant essential oil with antimicrobial potential, but it can be irritating for sensitive skin and is best used in low concentrations.
Irritation
moderate
Source
natural
A botanical powder with mild astringent and aromatic properties, but limited research and potential for skin irritation.
Irritation
moderate
Source
natural
A fragrant botanical water with mild astringent properties, but limited research and potential for skin irritation in sensitive individuals.
Irritation
moderate
Source
natural
Pimento Berry Extract offers antioxidant protection and mild soothing benefits, making it a gentle addition to antioxidant-rich formulations.
Irritation
low
Source
natural
Pimento berry oil adds a warm, spicy scent and offers antioxidant benefits, but its essential oil nature means it can irritate sensitive skin if used too strong.
Irritation
moderate
Source
natural
Pimento leaf oil adds a warm, spicy scent to products but can be irritating for sensitive skin; it's best used in low concentrations.
Irritation
moderate
Source
natural
A gentle, antioxidant-rich plant extract that may help calm skin and protect against environmental stress, though research is still early.
Irritation
low
Source
natural
A gentle botanical extract with limited research, offering potential antioxidant and soothing benefits for sensitive skin.
Irritation
low
Source
natural
Pinacol is a synthetic humectant that helps hydrate the skin and can improve the feel of other ingredients, but it is less common and less studied than alternatives like glycerin.
Irritation
low
Source
synthetic
Pinanal is a synthetic pine-scented fragrance ingredient that adds a fresh aroma but offers no skincare benefits and may irritate sensitive skin.
Irritation
moderate
Source
synthetic
Pinane Carbaldehyde is a synthetic fragrance component that adds a pine-like aroma but may cause skin irritation in sensitive individuals.
Irritation
moderate
Source
synthetic
Pinanediol is a gentle, plant-derived humectant that helps hydrate and soothe skin, with early research suggesting additional antioxidant and anti-inflammatory benefits.
Irritation
low
Source
natural
Pinanyl Methyl Ketone is a synthetic scent ingredient that adds a pine-like aroma to products, but it offers no skincare benefits and may cause sensitivity in some individuals.
Irritation
low
Source
synthetic
Skin conditioning
BACILLUS/(PINUS DENSIFLORA/PARVIFLORA/THUNBERGII) LEAF/SOYBEAN FERMENT FILTRATE
A gentle, fermented botanical blend that may support skin hydration and antioxidant defense, but research is still emerging.
Irritation
low
Source
biotech
A gentle, antioxidant-rich botanical extract that helps defend skin from environmental stress and may support a more even tone.
Irritation
low
Source
natural
A gentle, plant-derived antioxidant that helps protect skin from environmental stress and may calm irritation.
Irritation
low
Source
natural