Beauty ingredients explained in plain English

A lightweight, non-greasy synthetic oil that helps skin feel smooth and silky without clogging pores.

A gentle, sugar-based humectant that hydrates and leaves a smooth, non-sticky feel on skin.

A gentle synthetic polymer that helps lock in moisture and create a smooth feel on skin, but research on its long-term benefits is still limited.

A synthetic polymer that helps products spread smoothly and feel silky, but offers no active skincare benefits.

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

A lightweight, non-greasy emollient derived from grapeseed oil that helps soften skin and improve product texture without clogging pores.

A gentle, plant-based polymer that helps lock in moisture and gives products a silky feel without clogging pores.

A synthetic polyester that helps products feel smooth and spread evenly, with low irritation risk.

Polyacrylamide is a safe, effective thickener that gives products a smooth, silky feel, but it's often paired with preservatives that raise concerns for some users.

A synthetic UVB filter that helps protect skin from sunburn, but its use is limited to certain regions due to varying regulatory approvals.

A safe, synthetic thickener that helps create lightweight, non-greasy gel textures in skincare.

A synthetic polymer that helps hair feel smooth and reduces flyaways, but may build up with heavy use.

Polyacrylate is a safe, widely used synthetic thickener that gives products a smooth, gel-like texture without clogging pores.

A reliable synthetic thickener that gives products a silky, non-greasy feel without clogging pores or causing irritation.

A safe, synthetic thickener that gives water-based products a silky, lightweight feel without clogging pores.

A reliable synthetic thickener that gives products a silky, non-greasy feel with minimal irritation risk.

A safe, synthetic thickener that gives skincare products a silky, non-greasy feel without clogging pores.

A reliable synthetic thickener that gives a smooth, non-greasy feel, but offers no active skin benefits.

A synthetic thickener and stabilizer that gives gels and creams a smooth, silky feel without clogging pores.

A safe, synthetic thickener that gives skincare products a silky, lightweight feel without clogging pores.

A reliable synthetic thickener that gives products a silky, non-sticky feel without clogging pores.

A safe, synthetic thickener that helps create a smooth, silky texture in skincare products without clogging pores.

A reliable synthetic thickener that gives products a silky, non-greasy feel with minimal irritation risk.

A reliable synthetic thickener that improves product feel and stability with a very low risk of irritation.

A safe, effective thickener and stabilizer that improves product texture without clogging pores or irritating skin.

A safe, synthetic thickener and stabilizer that gives products a smooth, lightweight feel without clogging pores.

A safe, synthetic thickener and film-former that gives skincare products a smooth, non-sticky feel.

Polyacrylate-33 is a synthetic polymer that helps products spread smoothly and feel lightweight, but it offers no active skincare benefits.

A synthetic polymer that helps create smooth, lightweight gel textures and improves water resistance, but offers no direct skin benefit.

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

A synthetic polymer that helps create smooth, lightweight gel textures and improves water resistance in skincare products.

A safe, effective thickener that improves product feel and stability, but offers no direct skin benefit.

A synthetic polymer that helps create smooth, lightweight gel textures and a subtle film on skin, generally considered safe and non-irritating.

A synthetic polymer that helps products spread smoothly and stay put, but offers no active skincare benefit.

Polyacrylate-40 is a synthetic film-former that helps products stay put, resist water, and feel smooth, but it offers no skin benefit and may feel heavy on some.

A safe, synthetic film-former that helps products spread smoothly and stay put without clogging pores.

A synthetic polymer that helps products stay put, but offers no active skincare benefit.

Polyacrylate-43 is a synthetic film-former that helps products stay put and resist water, but it offers no skin benefit and may feel heavy on some skin types.

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

A synthetic polymer that helps products stay put and resist water, but may feel tight or dry on some skin types.

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

Polyacrylate-47 is a safe, synthetic film-former that helps products spread smoothly and stay put, but it offers no direct skin benefit.

A safe, effective thickener that gives gels and creams a smooth, non-greasy feel, but can pill if not formulated well.

A synthetic thickener that helps create smooth, stable gel textures, but offers no active skincare benefit.

A synthetic polymer that helps products stay put longer, especially in water-resistant sunscreens and long-wear makeup.

A gentle botanical extract with antioxidant potential, but research on its topical benefits is still limited.

A synthetic film former that helps makeup and sunscreen stay put, but offers no skincare benefit and may feel tight on dry skin.

Polyamide-1 is a synthetic film-former that helps makeup and hair products resist water and last longer, with a low risk of irritation.

Polyamide-12 is a safe, non-irritating synthetic powder that improves product feel and controls shine without clogging pores.

A synthetic film-former that helps makeup and skincare stay put without feeling heavy or sticky.

Polyamide-6 is a safe, synthetic film-former that helps cosmetics stay put without clogging pores.

A gentle, synthetic humectant that helps skin hold onto moisture and feel smoother without irritation.

A synthetic film-former that helps products stay put, but may feel stiff or heavy on some skin and hair types.

An effective, low-irritation preservative that helps keep your products safe from germs, but has faced some regulatory scrutiny in Europe.

A synthetic film-former that helps products last longer, but with very limited published research on its safety or efficacy.

A gentle, water-loving polymer that plumps skin and reduces fine lines without irritation.

A gentle film-forming polymer that improves product texture and wear without clogging pores or irritating skin.

A synthetic polymer that helps products spread smoothly and resist water, generally considered safe for most skin types.

A gentle, water-loving ingredient that helps keep skin hydrated and smooth without feeling sticky.

A gentle, sugar-derived humectant that helps hydrate skin without stickiness, though research on its long-term benefits is still limited.