Beauty ingredients explained in plain English

Polybutene is a safe synthetic ingredient that helps products spread smoothly and stay put, but it offers no active skincare benefits.

A gentle synthetic emollient that helps soften and smooth skin without clogging pores.

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

A synthetic polymer that helps makeup and sunscreen stay put longer, but it's not a skincare active and may feel heavy on some skin types.

A synthetic polymer that helps products spread smoothly and stay put longer, with a good safety profile for most skin types.

A biodegradable synthetic polymer that helps create a flexible, peelable film in masks and improves product texture.

A synthetic plastic-like polymer that helps makeup last longer and resist smudging, but offers no skincare benefit.

Polycaprolactone is a gentle synthetic polymer that helps products spread smoothly and leaves a light, non-greasy film on skin.

A synthetic film former that helps products stay put without feeling heavy or sticky.

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

A gentle silicone powder that gives a silky, matte finish and helps products glide on smoothly.

A synthetic film-forming polymer that creates a breathable, water-resistant barrier on the skin, often used to enhance product longevity and protect against environmental stressors.

A synthetic polymer that helps create smooth, water-resistant films in color cosmetics, but offers no active skincare benefits.

Polydatin is a gentle antioxidant that helps protect skin from environmental stress and may support a more even tone, but it's less studied than its close relative resveratrol.

A silky, lightweight synthetic oil that hydrates without greasiness, ideal for oily or sensitive skin.

Polydextrose is a gentle, water-soluble humectant that helps attract moisture to the skin and leaves a light, non-sticky feel.

Polydiallyl phthalate is a synthetic film-former that helps products stay put, but its use is limited due to concerns about phthalate-related safety and environmental persistence.

A gentle silicone that helps products glide on smoothly and leaves skin feeling soft without clogging pores.

A synthetic melanin-inspired ingredient that may help protect skin from oxidative stress, but research is still early.

A silicone emulsifier that helps blend water and oil phases, leaving a smooth, non-greasy finish.

A silicone polymer that helps products glide on smoothly and stay put, but offers no active skincare benefits.

A gentle silicone copolymer that forms a breathable, water-resistant film for smoother skin and hair without heavy residue.

Polydipentene is a synthetic polymer that helps create a flexible, water-resistant film on skin or lashes, but it offers no active skincare benefits.

A lightweight synthetic emollient that spreads easily and leaves a silky finish without clogging pores.

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 sunscreen stay put longer, especially in water or sweat.

A synthetic polymer that helps makeup and skincare stay put without feeling heavy or sticky.

Polyethylacrylate is a safe, synthetic film-former that helps products stay put and resist water, but it may feel slightly tight or heavy on very dry or sensitive skin.

Polyethylene is a versatile synthetic polymer that helps products feel smooth and spread easily, but its use as microbeads has raised environmental concerns.

A synthetic polymer that helps products form a flexible film on skin or lashes, but offers no active skincare benefits.

Polyethylene Naphthalate is a synthetic polymer used mainly in packaging and as a film former in cosmetics, but it offers no direct skin benefit and raises environmental concerns.

A common plastic polymer that helps products form a durable, glossy film, but raises environmental concerns due to its non-biodegradable nature.

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

Polyethylglutamate is a gentle, amino-acid-based humectant that helps skin hold onto moisture without feeling sticky or heavy.

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

A synthetic film-former that helps makeup last longer and resist water, but may feel heavy on very sensitive skin.

A standout hydrator that can hold thousands of times its weight in water, often outperforming hyaluronic acid in moisture retention.

Polyglutamic acid is a standout hydrator that can hold up to four times more water than hyaluronic acid, making it a great choice for dry or dehydrated skin.

A gentle, plant-derived emulsifier that helps create stable, creamy textures while also softening the skin.

A gentle, plant-derived emulsifier that helps blend oil and water in skincare, with mild skin-conditioning benefits.

Polyglycerin-10 is a gentle, non-sticky humectant that hydrates skin without the tackiness of glycerin.

A gentle, effective humectant that hydrates without stickiness, making it a great alternative to glycerin for sensitive or acne-prone skin.

A lightweight, non-sticky humectant that hydrates without clogging pores, making it a great choice for oily and sensitive skin types.

Polyglycerin-4 is a lightweight humectant that hydrates without stickiness, making it a great option for oily or combination skin.

A gentle, non-sticky humectant that hydrates the skin without the tackiness of glycerin, making it a great choice for lightweight formulas.

A lightweight, non-sticky humectant that hydrates without clogging pores, ideal for oily and sensitive skin types.

A gentle, plant-derived emulsifier that helps create stable, creamy formulas without harsh detergents.

A gentle, biodegradable polymer that improves product feel and wear without clogging pores or irritating skin.

A gentle, plant-based film former that gives products a silky, non-greasy finish and helps ingredients stay put without clogging pores.

A mild, effective humectant that hydrates skin without stickiness, suitable for most skin types including sensitive.

A mild, eco-friendly emulsifier that helps blend oil and water in skincare products while leaving skin feeling soft.

A mild, plant-derived emulsifier that helps create smooth, stable creams and lotions with a silky feel.

A gentle, multi-tasking emulsifier that helps create stable, lightweight formulas without stripping the skin.

A mild, non-irritating emulsifier that helps create stable, lightweight formulas while also softening the skin.

A mild, skin-friendly emulsifier that effectively blends ingredients without stripping the skin's natural moisture barrier.

A gentle, plant-derived emulsifier that helps create stable, non-irritating formulas without stripping the skin.

A gentle, coconut-derived emulsifier that helps create stable, lightweight formulas without stripping the skin.

A mild, non-irritating emulsifier that helps create stable, lightweight creams and lotions while leaving skin feeling soft.

A mild, non-irritating emulsifier that creates stable, creamy textures without stripping the skin.

A mild, plant-derived emulsifier that helps create stable, non-greasy formulas without stripping the skin.