Beauty ingredients explained in plain English

A gentle, lightweight emollient that hydrates and softens skin without clogging pores, ideal for oily and sensitive skin types.

A lightweight, non-greasy emollient that softens skin without clogging pores, ideal for oilier or acne-prone skin types.

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

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

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

A gentle emulsifier that helps water and oil mix, making creams feel smooth without common irritation.

A gentle synthetic emollient that hydrates and smooths skin without clogging pores, ideal for sensitive and oily skin types.

Propenyl p-Cymene is a synthetic fragrance ingredient that adds scent to products but may cause irritation in sensitive individuals.

Propionic acid is an effective preservative but can be irritating at higher concentrations, so it's best for well-formulated products.

A gentle, modified collagen amino acid that helps hydrate and support skin firmness without irritation.

A fermented propolis extract that may help soothe and protect the skin, though research is still emerging.

A bee-derived ingredient that helps calm irritation and provides antioxidant protection, but may not suit those with bee product allergies.

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

A specialized silicone that helps sunscreens stay effective and feel lightweight, but it's purely synthetic and not a moisturizer.

Propyl Acetate helps products spread and dry quickly, but it can be drying or irritating for sensitive skin, especially around nails.

Propyl alcohol is a solvent that helps ingredients mix and can kill bacteria, but it may strip moisture and irritate sensitive or dry skin.

Propyl benzoate is a synthetic fragrance ingredient that helps scent and stabilize products, but it offers no direct skin benefit and may be a concern for those avoiding synthetic fragrances.

Propyl Butyrate is a synthetic ester used mainly for its light, fruity scent; it is generally considered safe at low levels but offers no direct skin benefit.

A gentle, effective cleansing ingredient that helps products foam and rinse clean without stripping the skin.

Propyl Gallate is a reliable preservative booster that helps keep your products fresh, but it's best for those without sensitive skin.

A synthetic film-former that helps nail polish last longer, but may cause irritation in sensitive individuals.

A lightweight, non-greasy emollient that helps soften skin without clogging pores.

A semi-synthetic antioxidant that combines grape seed benefits with better oil compatibility, but research is still limited.

Propyl Phenylacetate is a synthetic fragrance ingredient that adds a sweet, honey-like scent to products; it is generally considered safe at low concentrations but offers no skincare benefits.

A mild synthetic solvent and fragrance ingredient that is generally safe at low concentrations but offers no direct skin benefit.

An effective hair conditioner and antistatic agent, but may cause irritation or clog pores in sensitive individuals.

A gentle silicone that makes products feel silky and helps them glide on without clogging pores.

A silicone polymer that forms a flexible, breathable film on skin to improve product wear and feel.

A lightweight silicone that gives a smooth, silky feel without clogging pores or causing irritation.

A lightweight, non-greasy emollient that softens skin and improves product texture with low irritation potential.

Propylene carbonate is an effective solvent but can be irritating for sensitive skin; it's best reserved for rinse-off or low-concentration formulas.

Propylene glycol is a widely used, effective humectant and solvent, but it can be irritating for sensitive skin at high concentrations.

A gentle, seaweed-based thickener that improves product feel and stability without common irritation concerns.

A gentle, non-greasy emollient that helps thicken and soften products without clogging pores.

A functional solvent that helps products spread and mix, but may cause irritation for sensitive skin at higher concentrations.

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

A gentle, lightweight emollient that helps soften skin and improve product texture without clogging pores.

A gentle emollient that helps products spread smoothly and leaves skin feeling soft without greasiness.

A gentle synthetic emollient that helps products feel smooth without clogging pores.

A gentle, water-attracting ingredient that helps keep skin hydrated and balanced without common irritations.

A synthetic ester that improves product texture and flexibility, especially in nail and lip formulas, with a low irritation profile.

A gentle, non-greasy emollient that softens skin and improves product feel without clogging pores.

A lightweight, non-greasy emollient that softens skin and improves product feel without clogging pores.

A lightweight, synthetic emollient that helps products spread smoothly without clogging pores or feeling heavy.

A lightweight, non-greasy emollient that helps products spread smoothly and leaves skin feeling soft without clogging pores.

A gentle, coconut-derived emollient that helps soften skin without clogging pores, making it a good choice for sensitive and acne-prone skin types.

A lightweight synthetic emollient that spreads easily and leaves a silky finish, generally well-tolerated by most skin types.

A lightweight synthetic emollient that helps products spread smoothly without feeling heavy or greasy.

A lightweight, non-greasy emollient that helps products glide on smoothly without clogging pores.

A synthetic emollient that makes products feel smooth and creamy, but may clog pores for some skin types.

A synthetic emollient that softens skin and improves product feel, but may be moderately pore-clogging for some.

A synthetic emollient that softens skin but may clog pores for some people.

A lightweight, synthetic emollient that softens skin without clogging pores, commonly used to improve product texture.

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

A gentle synthetic emollient that helps create a smooth, creamy texture in skincare products without clogging pores.

A gentle, non-greasy emollient that improves skin feel and helps other ingredients spread evenly.

A lightweight, non-greasy emollient that softens skin and improves product feel without clogging pores.

A gentle emollient and emulsifier that helps products feel smooth and spread easily, with a low risk of irritation or clogged pores.

A gentle, semi-synthetic emollient that helps skincare products glide on smoothly without a greasy feel.

A gentle synthetic emulsifier that helps water and oil mix in your skincare products, generally well-tolerated by most skin types.