Beauty ingredients explained in plain English

Polysilicone-34 is a gentle silicone that helps products glide on smoothly and stay put, but it may not suit those who prefer silicone-free routines.

Polysilicone-4 is a gentle silicone that helps products spread smoothly and feel silky, but it may not suit those who prefer silicone-free routines.

Polysilicone-5 is a gentle film-forming silicone that helps products spread smoothly and resist water, but it may not suit those avoiding silicones.

Polysilicone-6 is a gentle silicone that helps products glide on smoothly and leaves skin or hair feeling silky without clogging pores.

Polysilicone-7 is a gentle film-forming silicone that helps products spread smoothly and resist water, but it may not suit those avoiding silicones entirely.

Polysilicone-8 is a gentle silicone that creates a smooth, breathable film on skin and hair, improving texture without clogging pores.

Polysilicone-9 is a gentle silicone that smooths skin and hair without heavy buildup, making it a good option for lightweight formulas.

A gentle silicone polymer that smooths hair and skin without heavy buildup, but may not suit those avoiding silicones entirely.

Polysorbates are widely used, gentle emulsifiers that keep your skincare products stable and easy to rinse off.

Polysorbate 20 is a widely used, gentle emulsifier that helps mix water and oil, making it a staple in many cleansers and lotions.

A hybrid ingredient that helps blend water and oil while offering mild UV protection, but research is still limited.

Polysorbate 40 is a gentle emulsifier that keeps oil and water mixed in your products, but it may be too rich for very oily or acne-prone skin.

Polysorbate 60 is a gentle, widely used emulsifier that keeps oil and water mixed in creams and lotions without causing irritation.

Polysorbate 61 is a gentle emulsifier that keeps oil and water mixed in creams and lotions, with a low risk of irritation.

Polysorbate 65 is a gentle emulsifier that keeps oil and water mixed in creams and lotions, with a very low risk of irritation or clogged pores.

Polysorbate 80 is a widely used, gentle emulsifier that helps mix oil and water in skincare, but it can be slightly drying for very sensitive skin at high concentrations.

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

A gentle emulsifier with antioxidant potential, but research on its skin benefits is still limited.

Polysorbate 81 is a gentle emulsifier that helps mix oil and water in products, with a low risk of irritation or clogged pores.

Polysorbate 85 is a gentle emulsifier that helps mix oil and water in formulas, with a low risk of irritation or clogged pores.

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

A gentle, fern-derived antioxidant that may help calm skin and fight environmental stress, though research is still early.

A fern-derived antioxidant that may help calm skin and fight free radicals, but research is still early.

Polystyrene is a synthetic plastic used mainly in nail polish and peel-off masks; it's generally safe in small amounts but raises environmental concerns.

A synthetic film-former that helps makeup and skincare stay put longer, but offers no active skin benefits.

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

A synthetic film-former that helps makeup and sunscreen stay put longer, but offers no active skincare benefit.

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

A synthetic polymer that helps products spread smoothly and stay put, with a low risk of irritation.

Polyurea Crosspolymer-5 is a synthetic polymer that helps makeup and skincare products last longer and feel smoother on the skin.

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

A gentle synthetic polymer that gives a smooth, flexible finish to makeup and skincare without clogging pores.

A synthetic film-former that helps makeup and skincare last longer without feeling heavy.

A synthetic polymer that creates a flexible, water-resistant film on skin or lashes, commonly used in long-wear and waterproof cosmetics.

A synthetic polymer that helps makeup and sunscreen stay put longer without feeling heavy or greasy.

Polyurethane-33 is a synthetic film former that helps makeup and sunscreen stay put longer, but it may feel heavy on some skin types.

A synthetic polymer that helps makeup and sunscreen stay put without feeling heavy or stiff.

Polyurethane-37 is a synthetic film-former that helps makeup and sunscreen stay put without feeling heavy or sticky.

Polyurethane-38 is a synthetic film-former that helps makeup last longer and resist water, but it may feel heavy on some skin types.

Polyurethane-41 is a safe, flexible film-former that helps makeup and sunscreen stay put without feeling heavy or stiff.

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

Polyurethane-43 is a synthetic film former that helps makeup and sunscreen stay put longer, but it offers no active skincare benefits.

Polyurethane-45 is a synthetic film-former that helps makeup last longer and resist water, but it may feel heavy on some skin types.

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

Polyurethane-49 is a synthetic polymer that helps makeup and skincare products last longer and feel smoother, with a generally low risk of irritation.

Polyurethane-50 is a synthetic film-former that helps makeup and skincare last longer and resist water, but it offers no active skincare benefits.

Polyurethane-51 helps makeup and sunscreen stay put longer by forming a flexible, water-resistant film, but it can feel heavy on some skin types.

Polyurethane-52 is a synthetic polymer that helps makeup and sunscreens stay put longer without feeling heavy or sticky.

A synthetic film-former that helps makeup and sunscreen stay put longer, but offers no active skincare benefit.

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

A synthetic polymer that helps makeup and skincare stay put, but offers no active skin benefit.

Polyurethane-57 is a synthetic film-former that helps makeup and skincare products resist water, sweat, and transfer, but it offers no active skin benefits.

A synthetic film-former that helps makeup and skincare last longer and feel smoother, with a low risk of irritation.

Polyurethane-59 is a synthetic film-former that helps makeup and skincare last longer and resist water, but it offers no active skincare benefits.

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

Polyurethane-62 is a synthetic film-former that helps makeup and skincare last longer, feel smooth, and resist water, but it offers no active skincare benefits.

A synthetic film-former that helps makeup and skincare last longer without clogging pores.

A synthetic film-former that helps makeup and skincare last longer and feel smoother, with a good safety profile for most skin types.

Polyurethane-65 is a safe, synthetic film-former that helps makeup and sunscreen stay put without feeling heavy or sticky.

Polyurethane-68 is a synthetic film-former that helps makeup and skincare last longer and feel smoother, with a generally low risk of irritation.