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

SH-Polypeptide-57

SH-Polypeptide-57

3.8

SH-Polypeptide-57 is a lab-made peptide that may help support collagen and make skin look firmer, but research is still early.

Irritation

low

Source

synthetic

beautyskincareanti-aging
Read ingredient review

Anti-Aging Agent

SH-Polypeptide-58

SH-Polypeptide-58

4.0

SH-Polypeptide-58 is a synthetic peptide that signals skin cells 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

SH-Polypeptide-59

SH-Polypeptide-59

4.2

A synthetic peptide that may help reduce fine lines and improve skin firmness, but results vary and it works best in a consistent routine.

Irritation

low

Source

synthetic

beautyskincareanti-aging
Read ingredient review

Anti-aging

SH-Polypeptide-6

SH-Polypeptide-6

4.2

A popular peptide that mimics the effects of Botox by temporarily relaxing facial muscles to soften expression lines.

Irritation

low

Source

synthetic

beautyskincareanti-aging
Read ingredient review

Anti-Aging Agent

SH-Polypeptide-60

SH-Polypeptide-60

3.8

SH-Polypeptide-60 is a lab-made peptide that may help support collagen and reduce fine lines, but long-term human data is still limited.

Irritation

low

Source

synthetic

beautyskincareanti-aging
Read ingredient review

Anti-aging agent

SH-Polypeptide-61

SH-Polypeptide-61

4.0

A synthetic peptide that may help reduce fine lines by signaling skin to produce more collagen, but research is still emerging.

Irritation

low

Source

synthetic

beautyskincareanti-aging
Read ingredient review

Anti-aging agent

SH-Polypeptide-62

SH-Polypeptide-62

3.8

SH-Polypeptide-62 is a lab-made peptide that may help support collagen and elastin for a firmer, smoother look, but research is still early.

Irritation

low

Source

synthetic

beautyskincareanti-aging
Read ingredient review

Anti-Aging Agent

SH-Polypeptide-64

SH-Polypeptide-64

4.0

A synthetic peptide that may help reduce fine lines and support firmer-looking skin, but human studies are limited.

Irritation

low

Source

synthetic

beautyskincarepeptide
Read ingredient review

Anti-Aging Agent

SH-Polypeptide-66

SH-Polypeptide-66

3.8

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

Irritation

low

Source

synthetic

beautyskincarepeptide
Read ingredient review

Anti-Aging Agent

SH-Polypeptide-67

SH-Polypeptide-67

4.0

SH-Polypeptide-67 is a lab-made peptide that may help reduce fine lines and support skin firmness, but human studies are limited.

Irritation

low

Source

synthetic

beautyskincareanti-aging
Read ingredient review

Anti-aging agent

SH-Polypeptide-69

SH-Polypeptide-69

3.8

SH-Polypeptide-69 is a lab-made peptide that may help signal skin to produce more collagen, but research is still early and results vary.

Irritation

low

Source

synthetic

beautyskincareactive
Read ingredient review

Anti-aging agent

SH-Polypeptide-7 / SH-Oligopeptide-1

SH-Polypeptide-7, SH-Oligopeptide-1

4.0

A duo of synthetic peptides that signal skin to boost collagen, helping reduce fine lines and improve firmness with low irritation risk.

Irritation

low

Source

synthetic

beautyskincareanti-aging
Read ingredient review

Anti-Aging Agent

SH-Polypeptide-70

SH-Polypeptide-70

3.8

SH-Polypeptide-70 is a lab-made peptide that may help firm skin and soften lines, but research is still early.

Irritation

low

Source

synthetic

beautyskincareanti-aging
Read ingredient review

Anti-aging agent

SH-Polypeptide-71

SH-Polypeptide-71

4.0

A synthetic peptide that signals skin cells to produce more collagen, helping reduce fine lines and improve firmness with consistent use.

Irritation

low

Source

synthetic

beautyskincareanti-aging
Read ingredient review

Anti-Aging Agent

SH-Polypeptide-72

SH-Polypeptide-72

4.0

SH-Polypeptide-72 is a lab-made peptide that signals skin to produce more collagen, helping reduce fine lines and improve firmness with minimal irritation risk.

Irritation

low

Source

synthetic

beautyskincareanti-aging
Read ingredient review

Anti-Aging Agent

SH-Polypeptide-73

SH-Polypeptide-73

4.0

A synthetic peptide that may help reduce fine lines by signaling skin to produce more collagen, but long-term human data is still limited.

Irritation

low

Source

synthetic

beautyskincareanti-aging
Read ingredient review

Anti-Aging Agent

SH-Polypeptide-74

SH-Polypeptide-74

3.8

SH-Polypeptide-74 is a lab-made peptide that may help reduce the look of fine lines by signaling skin cells to act younger, but research is still early.

Irritation

low

Source

synthetic

beautyskincareanti-aging
Read ingredient review

Anti-Aging Agent

SH-Polypeptide-75

SH-Polypeptide-75

4.0

SH-Polypeptide-75 is a lab-made peptide that signals skin to produce more collagen, helping reduce fine lines and improve firmness with minimal irritation risk.

Irritation

low

Source

synthetic

beautyskincarepeptide
Read ingredient review

Anti-Aging Agent

SH-Polypeptide-76

SH-Polypeptide-76

4.0

A lab-made peptide that signals skin to look firmer and smoother, with low irritation risk and moderate research support.

Irritation

low

Source

synthetic

beautyskincareanti-aging
Read ingredient review

Anti-Aging Agent

SH-Polypeptide-77

SH-Polypeptide-77

4.0

SH-Polypeptide-77 is a lab-made peptide that may help reduce fine lines by encouraging your skin to produce more collagen, but results vary and it works best with consistent use.

Irritation

low

Source

synthetic

beautyskincareanti-aging
Read ingredient review

Anti-aging agent

SH-Polypeptide-78

SH-Polypeptide-78

4.0

SH-Polypeptide-78 is a synthetic peptide that signals skin to produce more collagen, helping reduce fine lines and improve firmness with consistent use.

Irritation

low

Source

synthetic

beautyskincareanti-aging
Read ingredient review

Skin conditioning agent

SH-Polypeptide-80

SH-Polypeptide-80

3.8

SH-Polypeptide-80 is a lab-made peptide that may help support firmer-looking skin, but research is still emerging.

Irritation

low

Source

synthetic

beautyskincareanti-aging
Read ingredient review

Anti-aging agent

SH-Polypeptide-81

SH-Polypeptide-81

4.0

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

Irritation

low

Source

synthetic

beautyskincarepeptide
Read ingredient review

Anti-Aging Agent

SH-Polypeptide-82

SH-Polypeptide-82

3.8

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

Irritation

low

Source

synthetic

beautyskincareactive
Read ingredient review

Anti-aging agent

SH-Polypeptide-85

SH-Polypeptide-85

4.0

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

Irritation

low

Source

synthetic

beautyskincareanti-aging
Read ingredient review

Anti-aging agent

SH-Polypeptide-86

SH-Polypeptide-86

4.0

SH-Polypeptide-86 is a synthetic peptide that may help reduce fine lines by signaling skin cells to produce more collagen, but long-term human data is still limited.

Irritation

low

Source

synthetic

beautyskincareanti-aging
Read ingredient review

Anti-Aging Agent

SH-Polypeptide-89

SH-Polypeptide-89

4.0

SH-Polypeptide-89 is a lab-made peptide that may help improve skin firmness and hydration, but research is still emerging.

Irritation

low

Source

synthetic

beautyskincareanti-aging
Read ingredient review

Anti-aging agent

SH-Polypeptide-90

SH-Polypeptide-90

4.0

SH-Polypeptide-90 is a soy-derived peptide that may help firm and smooth skin by supporting collagen production, but more human studies are needed to confirm its effects.

Irritation

low

Source

semi-synthetic

beautyskincareanti-aging
Read ingredient review

Anti-aging agent

SH-Polypeptide-91

SH-Polypeptide-91

4.0

SH-Polypeptide-91 is a lab-made peptide that may help reduce fine lines by signaling skin cells to produce more collagen, though human studies are limited.

Irritation

low

Source

synthetic

beautyskincareanti-aging
Read ingredient review

Anti-Aging Agent

SH-Polypeptide-92

SH-Polypeptide-92

3.8

SH-Polypeptide-92 is a lab-made peptide that may help reduce fine lines by signaling skin to produce more collagen, but research is still early.

Irritation

low

Source

synthetic

beautyskincareanti-aging
Read ingredient review

Anti-aging agent

SH-Polypeptide-93

SH-Polypeptide-93

4.0

A lab-made peptide that may help reduce fine lines by signaling skin to produce more collagen, but research is still early.

Irritation

low

Source

synthetic

beautyskincareanti-aging
Read ingredient review

Anti-Aging Agent

SH-Polypeptide-94

SH-Polypeptide-94

4.0

A synthetic peptide that may help support collagen and reduce fine lines, but research is still emerging and results vary.

Irritation

low

Source

synthetic

beautyskincareanti-aging
Read ingredient review

Anti-Aging Agent

SH-Polypeptide-95

SH-Polypeptide-95

4.0

A synthetic peptide that may help reduce fine lines and improve skin firmness, but more human studies are needed to confirm its effectiveness.

Irritation

low

Source

synthetic

beautyskincareanti-aging
Read ingredient review

Anti-aging agent

SH-Polypeptide-97

SH-Polypeptide-97

4.0

SH-Polypeptide-97 is a lab-made peptide that may help reduce fine lines by encouraging the skin to produce more collagen, though research is still early.

Irritation

low

Source

synthetic

beautyskincareactive ingredient
Read ingredient review

Anti-aging agent

SH-Polypeptide-98

SH-Polypeptide-98

4.0

A synthetic peptide that may help reduce fine lines and support firmer-looking skin, but more human studies are needed to confirm its effects.

Irritation

low

Source

synthetic

beautyskincareanti-aging
Read ingredient review

Anti-aging agent

SH-Polypeptide-98 Hexapeptide-40

SH-Polypeptide-98, Hexapeptide-40

4.0

A synthetic peptide duo that may help soften fine lines and support firmer-looking skin, though long-term human data is still emerging.

Irritation

low

Source

synthetic

beautyskincareanti-aging
Read ingredient review

Anti-aging agent

SH-Polypeptide-99

SH-Polypeptide-99

3.8

SH-Polypeptide-99 is a synthetic peptide that may help support skin firmness and reduce fine lines, but research is still emerging.

Irritation

low

Source

synthetic

beautyskincareanti-aging
Read ingredient review

Anti-aging agent

SH-Tetrapeptide-1

SH-Tetrapeptide-1

4.0

A synthetic peptide that may help support collagen and improve skin firmness with low irritation risk.

Irritation

low

Source

synthetic

beautyskincarepeptide
Read ingredient review

Anti-aging agent

SH-Tetrapeptide-39

SH-Tetrapeptide-39

3.8

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

Irritation

low

Source

synthetic

beautyskincarepeptide
Read ingredient review

Anti-aging agent

SH-Tetrapeptide-39 Acetate

SH-Tetrapeptide-39 Acetate

4.0

A lab-made peptide that may help firm skin by signaling collagen production, but human studies are limited.

Irritation

low

Source

synthetic

beautyskincareanti-aging
Read ingredient review

Antioxidant

Shaggy Mane Mushroom Powder

COPRINUS COMATUS POWDER

3.8

A gentle, antioxidant-rich mushroom powder that may help calm skin and fight free radicals, though research is still emerging.

Irritation

low

Source

natural

beautyskincareantioxidant
Read ingredient review

Emollient

Shark Liver Oil

SQUALENE (from shark liver oil)

3.5

Shark liver oil is a rich source of squalene, a natural emollient that hydrates and protects skin, but ethical and sustainability concerns have led many brands to switch to plant-based alternatives.

Irritation

low

Source

natural

beautyskincareemollient
Read ingredient review

Antioxidant

She-Oak Branch/Leaf Extract

CASUARINA STRICTA BRANCH/LEAF EXTRACT

3.8

A gentle plant extract with antioxidant potential, but research is still early and benefits are not yet proven in human skin.

Irritation

low

Source

natural

beautyskincareantioxidant
Read ingredient review

Emollient

Shea Butter

Butyrospermum Parkii (Shea) Butter

4.5

A deeply nourishing, non-irritating butter that softens and protects the skin without clogging pores.

Irritation

low

Source

natural

beautyskincareemollient
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Emollient

Shea Butter Cetyl Esters

Shea Butter Cetyl Esters

4.0

A gentle, non-greasy emollient that helps soften skin and improve the feel of creams and balms.

Irritation

low

Source

semi-synthetic

beautyskincareemollient
Read ingredient review

Emollient

Shea Butter Decyl Esters

Shea Butter Decyl Esters

4.3

A lightweight, non-greasy emollient that delivers shea butter's moisturizing benefits without the heavy feel, suitable for most skin types.

Irritation

low

Source

semi-synthetic

beautyskincareemollient
Read ingredient review

Emollient

Shea Butter Ethyl Esters

Shea Butter Ethyl Esters

4.3

A silky, non-greasy emollient derived from shea butter that moisturizes without the heavy feel of traditional shea butter.

Irritation

low

Source

semi-synthetic

beautyskincareemollient
Read ingredient review

Emollient

Shea Butter Extract

Butyrospermum Parkii Butter Extract

4.3

A nourishing extract from shea butter that hydrates and softens skin without feeling overly greasy.

Irritation

low

Source

natural

beautyskincareemollient
Read ingredient review

Emollient

Shea Butter Glyceride

Shea Butter Glyceride

4.3

A gentle, non-greasy emollient derived from shea butter that softens skin and helps maintain moisture without clogging pores.

Irritation

low

Source

natural

beautyskincareemollient
Read ingredient review

Emollient

Shea Butter Oleyl Esters

Shea Butter Oleyl Esters

4.3

A gentle, non-greasy emollient that improves skin softness without clogging pores, ideal for dry or sensitive skin.

Irritation

low

Source

semi-synthetic

beautyskincareemollient
Read ingredient review

Emulsifier

Shea Butter PEG-32 Esters

SHEA BUTTER PEG-32 ESTERS

4.0

A gentle, water-friendly derivative of shea butter that helps blend oil and water in formulas without the greasiness of plain shea butter.

Irritation

low

Source

semi-synthetic

beautyskincareemulsifier
Read ingredient review

Emollient

Shea Butter PEG-8 Esters

Shea Butter PEG-8 Esters

4.0

A water-friendly version of shea butter that hydrates and helps blend oils and water in your products, with a lighter feel than traditional shea butter.

Irritation

low

Source

semi-synthetic

beautyskincareemollientemulsifier
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Emulsifier

Shea Butter Polyglyceryl-6 Esters

Shea Butter Polyglyceryl-6 Esters

4.5

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

Irritation

low

Source

semi-synthetic

beautyskincareemulsifier
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Emollient

Shea Butter Unsaponifiables

Butyrospermum Parkii (Shea) Butter Unsaponifiables

4.3

A powerhouse fraction of shea butter that soothes, repairs, and strengthens the skin barrier without the heavy, greasy feel of whole shea butter.

Irritation

low

Source

natural

beautyskincareemollient
Read ingredient review