Beauty ingredient research

Beauty ingredients explained in plain English

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

Showing 60 of 20,769
AllUV absorberUV filterabrasiveabsorbentacne treatmentactiveactive ingredientadhesivealkalizing agentamino acidanti-aginganti-androgenanti-cavityanti-cavity agentanti-inflammatoryanti-irritantanticariesanticavity agentantidandruffantifungalantimicrobialantioxidantantiperspirantantiplaqueastringentbarrier repairbarrier supportbarrier-repairbarrier-supportbinderbinding agentbiotechbiotechnologybond-builderbotanicalbotanical extractbotanical oilbotanical waterbrighteningbrightening agentbufferbuffering agentcell-communicating ingredientceramidechelating agentchemicalchemical intermediateclaycleansercleansingcleansing agentcolorantconditionerconditioningconditioning agentcooling agentcosmeticcosmetic additivecosmetic colorantcosmetic ingredientcosmetic pigmentcosmetic powdercosmetic-texturizercosmetic-waxcosmeticscrosslinking agentdelivery agentdelivery systemdenaturantdeodorantdeodorant agentdepigmenting agentdepilatorydepilatory agentdesensitizing agentdyedye intermediatedye precursordye-intermediateemollientemulsifierenzymeessential oilexfoliantexperimentaleyelashfermentfilm formerfilm-formerfilm-formingfilm-forming agentfirming agentfixativeflavoring agentformulationfragrancefragrance ingredientfunctional ingredientgashair carehair colorhair coloranthair conditionerhair dyehair removalhair-carehair-colorhaircarehumectantindustrialinsecticideintermediatelashlash carelash enhancerlash-and-browlip carelipidmakeupmarine extractmasking agentmicrobiomemicrobiome modulatormineralmoisturizernail carenail-careocclusiveoilopacifieropacifying agentoptical agentoral careotheroxidative dyeoxidative dye precursoroxidizing agentpH adjusterpain reliefpenetration enhancerpeptidepersonal careph adjusterpharmaceuticalpheromonepigmentplant oilplasticizerpolymerpolymer precursorprebioticprescription-drugpreservativepreservative boosterprobioticprocessing agentprocessing aidpropellantproteinpurifyingreducing agentretinoidscalp caresebum regulatorsebum-regulatorself-tannerself-tanningsensory additivesensory agentsensory modifiersiliconeskin barrierskin barrier supportskin conditionerskin conditioningskin conditioning agentskin lighteningskin protectantskin-conditioningskin-conditioning agentskin-identicalskin-identical ingredientskin-lighteningskin-lightening agentskincaresolventsoothingsoothing agentstabilizerstimulantsunscreensurfactantsyntheticsynthetic colorantsynthetic dyesynthetic resinsynthetic-coloranttexture enhancertexturizerthickenertoneruv-absorberuv-filtervasoactivevasodilatorviscosity controlviscosity controllingviscosity controlling agentvitaminwax

Anti-Aging Agent

Retinoyl Oligopeptide-112

Retinoyl Oligopeptide-112

4.0

A gentle peptide-retinoid hybrid that aims to support smoother, firmer skin without the typical irritation of pure retinol.

Irritation

low

Source

semi-synthetic

beautyskincareanti-aging
Read ingredient review

Anti-Aging Agent

Retinoyl Oligopeptide-86

Retinoyl Oligopeptide-86

4.0

A gentler peptide-retinoid hybrid that aims to smooth fine lines and improve skin texture with less irritation than traditional retinol.

Irritation

low

Source

semi-synthetic

beautyskincareanti-aging
Read ingredient review

Anti-Aging Agent

Retinoyl Pentapeptide-4

Retinoyl Pentapeptide-4

4.0

A gentler alternative to retinol that pairs retinoic acid with a peptide to support collagen and smooth fine lines with less irritation.

Irritation

low

Source

semi-synthetic

beautyskincareanti-aging
Read ingredient review

Anti-Aging Agent

Retinoyl Pullulan

RETINOYL PULLULAN

4.0

A gentle, water-soluble retinoid alternative that aims to smooth fine lines and improve skin texture with less irritation than traditional retinol.

Irritation

low

Source

semi-synthetic

beautyskincareanti-aging
Read ingredient review

Anti-aging agent

Retinoyl Tetrapeptide-43 Amide

Retinoyl Tetrapeptide-43 Amide

4.0

A gentle peptide-retinoid hybrid that aims to support smoother, firmer-looking skin without the harsh side effects of traditional retinoids.

Irritation

low

Source

synthetic

beautyskincarepeptide
Read ingredient review

Anti-aging

Retinoyl Tripeptide-1

Retinoyl Tripeptide-1

4.3

A gentle peptide-retinoid hybrid that supports collagen without the harsh side effects of pure retinol.

Irritation

low

Source

semi-synthetic

beautyskincarepeptide
Read ingredient review

Anti-Aging Agent

Retinoyl Tripeptide-35

Retinoyl Tripeptide-35

4.0

A gentle peptide alternative to retinol that may help reduce fine lines and improve skin firmness with a lower risk of irritation.

Irritation

low

Source

synthetic

beautyskincareanti-aging
Read ingredient review

Anti-Aging Agent

Retinyl Acetate

Retinyl Acetate

4.0

A gentler, more stable cousin of retinol that still delivers anti-aging benefits with less irritation.

Irritation

moderate

Source

semi-synthetic

beautyskincareanti-aging
Read ingredient review

Anti-aging agent

Retinyl Dimethylglycylprolinate

RETINYL DIMETHYLGLYCYLPROLINATE

4.0

A next-generation retinoid that aims to smooth wrinkles and improve skin texture with a gentler touch than standard retinol.

Irritation

low

Source

semi-synthetic

beautyskincareactive
Read ingredient review

Anti-Aging Agent

Retinyl Formyl Aspartamate

Retinyl Formyl Aspartamate

4.0

A milder retinoid that aims to smooth wrinkles and even skin tone with less redness or peeling than standard retinol.

Irritation

low

Source

semi-synthetic

beautyskincareanti-aging
Read ingredient review

Anti-aging agent

Retinyl Formyl Aspartate

Retinyl Formyl Aspartate

3.8

A milder vitamin A derivative that may support smoother, younger-looking skin with less irritation than traditional retinol.

Irritation

low

Source

semi-synthetic

beautyskincareanti-aging
Read ingredient review

Anti-Aging Agent

Retinyl Glycolyl Shikimate

RETINYL GLYCOLYL SHIKIMATE

4.0

A newer, potentially gentler retinoid that aims to deliver anti-aging benefits with less irritation than traditional retinol.

Irritation

low

Source

semi-synthetic

beautyskincareanti-aging
Read ingredient review

Antioxidant

Retinyl Linoleate

RETINYL LINOLEATE

4.0

A milder retinoid that converts to retinol on skin, offering anti-aging benefits with less irritation than pure retinol.

Irritation

low

Source

semi-synthetic

beautyskincareantioxidant
Read ingredient review

Anti-aging agent

Retinyl Methoxy PEG-22 Acetate

Retinyl Methoxy PEG-22 Acetate

3.8

A gentle, water-soluble retinoid that offers anti-aging benefits with less irritation than traditional retinol.

Irritation

low

Source

semi-synthetic

beautyskincareactive
Read ingredient review

Antioxidant

Retinyl Oleate

Retinyl Oleate

3.8

A gentler vitamin A derivative that may offer anti-aging benefits with less irritation than pure retinol, but with less research backing.

Irritation

moderate

Source

semi-synthetic

beautyskincareantioxidant
Read ingredient review

Antioxidant

Retinyl Palmitate

Retinyl Palmitate

4.0

A gentle vitamin A derivative that supports skin texture and firmness over time, ideal for retinol beginners or sensitive skin.

Irritation

low

Source

semi-synthetic

beautyskincareanti-aging
Read ingredient review

Anti-Aging Agent

Retinyl Propionate

RETINYL PROPIONATE

4.0

A milder retinoid that can improve skin texture and reduce fine lines with less irritation than retinol, making it a good option for sensitive skin.

Irritation

low

Source

semi-synthetic

beautyskincareanti-aging
Read ingredient review

Cell-communicating ingredient

Retinyl Retinoate

Retinyl Retinoate

4.0

A newer retinoid that aims to deliver retinoic acid benefits with less irritation, but long-term data is still limited.

Irritation

moderate

Source

semi-synthetic

beautyskincareanti-aging
Read ingredient review

Anti-Aging Agent

Retinyl Rice Branate

RETINYL RICE BRANATE

4.0

A milder, less irritating retinoid option that may suit sensitive skin, but with less research backing than retinol.

Irritation

low

Source

semi-synthetic

beautyskincareanti-aging
Read ingredient review

Anti-Aging Agent

Retinyl Soyate

RETINYL SOYATE

4.0

A milder, less irritating form of retinol that converts to retinoic acid in the skin, making it a good option for retinol beginners or sensitive skin.

Irritation

low

Source

semi-synthetic

beautyskincareanti-aging
Read ingredient review

Skin conditioner

Retinyl Tallate

Retinyl Tallate

4.0

Retinyl Tallate is a milder retinoid that offers anti-aging benefits with less irritation, making it a good choice for sensitive skin.

Irritation

low

Source

semi-synthetic

beautyskincareanti-aging
Read ingredient review

Antioxidant

Reynoutria Fruit Extract

Reynoutria Sachalinensis Fruit Extract

4.0

A gentle plant extract that helps protect skin from environmental stress and may calm irritation, though research is still emerging.

Irritation

low

Source

natural

beautyskincareantioxidant
Read ingredient review

Anti-Aging Agent

RH-Oligopeptide-17

RH-Oligopeptide-17

4.0

A synthetic peptide that may help reduce fine lines and improve skin firmness, but research is still emerging.

Irritation

low

Source

synthetic

beautyskincareanti-aging
Read ingredient review

Anti-Aging Agent

RH-Oligopeptide-33

RH-Oligopeptide-33

4.0

A lab-made peptide that signals skin to produce more collagen, helping reduce fine lines and improve firmness with low irritation risk.

Irritation

low

Source

synthetic

beautyskincareanti-aging
Read ingredient review

Anti-Aging Agent

RH-Oligopeptide-4

RH-Oligopeptide-4

4.0

A synthetic peptide that may help reduce the look of fine lines and improve skin firmness, but results vary and more human studies are needed.

Irritation

low

Source

synthetic

beautyskincareanti-aging
Read ingredient review

Anti-aging agent

RH-Polypeptide-104

RH-Polypeptide-104

3.8

RH-Polypeptide-104 is a lab-made peptide that may help support collagen and improve skin firmness, but research is still early.

Irritation

low

Source

synthetic

beautyskincarepeptide
Read ingredient review

Anti-Aging Agent

RH-Polypeptide-111

RH-Polypeptide-111

4.0

A synthetic peptide that may help reduce fine lines and improve skin firmness, but research is still emerging.

Irritation

low

Source

synthetic

beautyskincarepeptide
Read ingredient review

Skin-conditioning agent

RH-Polypeptide-20

RH-Polypeptide-20

4.0

A lab-made peptide that may help firm skin and reduce fine lines, with low irritation risk.

Irritation

low

Source

biotech

beautyskincarepeptide
Read ingredient review

Anti-aging agent

RH-Polypeptide-33

RH-Polypeptide-33

3.8

A lab-made peptide that may help support collagen and firm skin, but more human studies are needed to confirm its effects.

Irritation

low

Source

synthetic

beautyskincareanti-aging
Read ingredient review

Anti-Aging Agent

RH-Polypeptide-45

RH-Polypeptide-45

4.0

A lab-made peptide that may help reduce fine lines and improve skin firmness, but human studies are limited.

Irritation

low

Source

synthetic

beautyskincareanti-aging
Read ingredient review

Anti-aging agent

RH-Polypeptide-47

RH-Polypeptide-47

3.8

A promising synthetic peptide that may help firm skin and reduce fine lines, but human research is still limited.

Irritation

low

Source

biotech

beautyskincarepeptide
Read ingredient review

Anti-aging agent

Rh-Polypeptide-51

RH-POLYPEPTIDE-51

3.8

A promising biotech peptide that may help firm skin over time, but human research is still limited.

Irritation

low

Source

biotech

beautyskincareanti-aging
Read ingredient review

Anti-aging agent

RH-Polypeptide-52

RH-Polypeptide-52

3.8

A lab-made peptide that may help support collagen and smooth fine lines, but research is still early.

Irritation

low

Source

synthetic

beautyskincareanti-aging
Read ingredient review

Anti-aging agent

RH-Polypeptide-58

RH-Polypeptide-58

3.8

A lab-made peptide that may help support collagen and firmness, but human research is still limited.

Irritation

low

Source

synthetic

beautyskincareanti-aging
Read ingredient review

Anti-aging agent

RH-Polypeptide-59

RH-Polypeptide-59

4.0

A lab-made peptide that may help firm skin and soften wrinkles, but human studies are still limited.

Irritation

low

Source

synthetic

beautyskincarepeptide
Read ingredient review

Anti-Aging Agent

RH-Polypeptide-60

RH-Polypeptide-60

3.8

RH-Polypeptide-60 is a lab-made peptide that may help firm skin and soften fine lines, but research is still early and results vary.

Irritation

low

Source

biotech

beautyskincareanti-aging
Read ingredient review

Anti-Aging Agent

RH-Polypeptide-61

RH-Polypeptide-61

3.8

A lab-made peptide that may help support collagen and firm skin, but research is still early and results vary.

Irritation

low

Source

synthetic

beautyskincareanti-aging
Read ingredient review

Anti-Aging Agent

RH-Polypeptide-62

RH-Polypeptide-62

3.8

RH-Polypeptide-62 is a lab-made peptide that may help support collagen and improve skin firmness, but research is still early.

Irritation

low

Source

synthetic

beautyskincareanti-aging
Read ingredient review

Anti-aging agent

RH-Polypeptide-63

RH-Polypeptide-63

4.0

A lab-made peptide that may help firm skin and soften fine lines, but human research is still limited.

Irritation

low

Source

biotech

beautyskincareanti-aging
Read ingredient review

Anti-Aging Agent

RH-Polypeptide-64

RH-Polypeptide-64

4.0

A lab-made peptide that may help firm skin and soften wrinkles, but more human studies are needed to confirm its effects.

Irritation

low

Source

synthetic

beautyskincareanti-aging
Read ingredient review

Anti-aging agent

RH-Polypeptide-65

RH-Polypeptide-65

3.8

RH-Polypeptide-65 is a synthetic peptide that may help support collagen production and improve skin firmness, but research is still emerging.

Irritation

low

Source

biotech

beautyskincareanti-aging
Read ingredient review

Anti-aging agent

RH-Polypeptide-66

RH-Polypeptide-66

3.8

A lab-made peptide that may help firm skin and soften wrinkles, but human research is still limited.

Irritation

low

Source

synthetic

beautyskincareanti-aging
Read ingredient review

Anti-aging agent

RH-Polypeptide-67

RH-Polypeptide-67

3.8

A lab-made peptide that may help firm skin and soften wrinkles, but human studies are still limited.

Irritation

low

Source

synthetic

beautyskincareanti-aging
Read ingredient review

Anti-Aging Agent

RH-Polypeptide-68

RH-Polypeptide-68

3.8

A lab-made peptide that may help reduce fine lines and improve skin firmness, but human research is still limited.

Irritation

low

Source

synthetic

beautyskincarepeptide
Read ingredient review

Skin-conditioning agent

RH-Polypeptide-69

RH-Polypeptide-69

3.8

A lab-made peptide that may help firm skin and soften lines, but human studies are still limited.

Irritation

low

Source

synthetic

beautyskincareanti-aging
Read ingredient review

Anti-Aging Agent

RH-Polypeptide-79

RH-Polypeptide-79

3.8

A lab-made peptide that may help firm skin by encouraging collagen, but research is still limited compared to well-studied peptides.

Irritation

low

Source

synthetic

beautyskincareanti-aging
Read ingredient review

Anti-aging agent

RH-Polypeptide-82

RH-Polypeptide-82

3.8

A lab-made peptide that may help firm skin and soften lines, but research is still early and results vary.

Irritation

low

Source

synthetic

beautyskincareanti-aging
Read ingredient review

Anti-aging

RH-Polypeptide-83

RH-Polypeptide-83

3.8

A lab-made peptide that may help support collagen and firm skin, but human research is still limited.

Irritation

low

Source

synthetic

beautyskincareanti-aging
Read ingredient review

Anti-aging agent

RH-Polypeptide-84

RH-Polypeptide-84

3.8

A lab-made peptide that may help support collagen and firmness, but human research is still limited.

Irritation

low

Source

synthetic

beautyskincareanti-aging
Read ingredient review

Anti-Aging Agent

RH-Polypeptide-87

RH-Polypeptide-87

3.8

A lab-made peptide that may help firm skin and soften wrinkles, but human studies are limited.

Irritation

low

Source

synthetic

beautyskincareanti-aging
Read ingredient review

Anti-Aging Agent

RH-Polypeptide-88

RH-Polypeptide-88

3.8

RH-Polypeptide-88 is a lab-made peptide that may help firm skin and soften lines, but research is still limited compared to more established peptides.

Irritation

low

Source

synthetic

beautyskincareanti-aging
Read ingredient review

Anti-aging

RH-Polypeptide-94

RH-Polypeptide-94

3.8

RH-Polypeptide-94 is a synthetic peptide that may help firm skin and soften fine lines, but research is still early.

Irritation

low

Source

biotech

beautyskincarepeptide
Read ingredient review

Anti-Aging Agent

RH-Polypeptide-95

RH-Polypeptide-95

3.8

A promising synthetic peptide that may help firm and smooth skin, but research is still early and benefits vary by formulation.

Irritation

low

Source

semi-synthetic

beautyskincarepeptide
Read ingredient review

Anti-aging agent

RH-Polypeptide-96

RH-Polypeptide-96

3.8

RH-Polypeptide-96 is a lab-made peptide that may help support collagen and improve skin firmness, but human research is still limited.

Irritation

low

Source

synthetic

beautyskincareanti-aging
Read ingredient review

Humectant

Rhamnose

RHAMNOSE

4.0

Rhamnose is a gentle plant-derived sugar that helps hydrate and lightly exfoliate skin, making it a good option for sensitive skin looking for mild renewal.

Irritation

low

Source

natural

beautyskincarehumectantexfoliant
Read ingredient review

Astringent

Rhatany Root Extract

Krameria Triandra Root Extract

4.0

Rhatany Root Extract is a gentle botanical astringent that can help tighten pores and calm irritation without stripping the skin.

Irritation

low

Source

natural

beautyskincareastringent
Read ingredient review

Antioxidant

Rhein

Rhein

3.8

Rhein is a plant-derived antioxidant with emerging research for soothing and protecting skin, but more human studies are needed to confirm its benefits.

Irritation

low

Source

natural

beautyskincareantioxidant
Read ingredient review