Beauty ingredients explained in plain English

A mild, amino-acid-based cleanser that effectively removes dirt and oil while respecting your skin's natural balance.

A mild, amino-acid-derived surfactant that cleanses without stripping the skin barrier, ideal for sensitive or dry skin.

A gentle fatty alcohol that helps thicken and soften products without drying or irritating the skin.

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

Stearyl Beeswax is a gentle, plant-friendly wax that gives creams and balms a smooth, stable texture without clogging pores.

A gentle waxy emollient that softens skin and improves product feel without clogging pores.

Stearyl Benzoate is a gentle, non-greasy emollient that helps soften skin and improve product texture, with low irritation potential.

A gentle, conditioning surfactant that cleanses without over-drying, making it a good choice for sensitive or dry skin and hair.

A lightweight, non-greasy emollient that softens skin and improves product texture with a low risk of irritation or clogged pores.

A gentle, non-irritating wax ester that improves texture and stability in balms and sticks.

A gentle, sugar-based conditioning ingredient that smooths hair and lightly hydrates skin without greasiness.

A gentle silicone that improves product feel and spreadability without clogging pores or causing irritation.

A gentle silicone-based conditioner that reduces static and improves smoothness without heavy buildup.

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

A gentle, non-greasy emollient that helps soften and smooth skin with a low risk of irritation or clogged pores.

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

A gentle synthetic conditioner that reduces static and softens hair without heavy buildup.

A gentle synthetic conditioner that reduces static and softens hair without heavy buildup.

Stearyl Gallate is a synthetic antioxidant that helps keep oils fresh in skincare products, but it may cause skin sensitivity in rare cases.

Stearyl Glycol is a gentle emollient that helps soften and smooth skin, with a low risk of irritation or clogged pores.

A gentle synthetic emollient that helps soften skin and improve product texture, with low irritation and comedogenic risk.

A gentle, oil-friendly licorice derivative that helps calm redness and soothe sensitive skin without irritation.

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

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

A gentle synthetic conditioner that helps detangle hair and soften skin without heavy buildup.

A gentle conditioning ingredient that helps detangle and soften hair without heavy buildup.

A gentle emollient that helps soften and smooth skin without clogging pores, making it a solid choice for dry or sensitive skin types.

A gentle, non-greasy emollient that helps restore skin softness and may support the skin barrier.

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

A synthetic film-former that helps makeup last longer and resist water, but its perfluoro components raise environmental concerns.

A gentle silicone that provides a silky, non-greasy feel and helps other ingredients spread evenly on skin and hair.

A gentle, plant-based emollient and emulsifier that helps moisturize and stabilize formulas without clogging pores or irritating sensitive skin.

Stearyl Palmitate is a gentle wax ester that softens skin and gives creams a smooth, non-greasy feel, with a low risk of irritation or clogged pores.

A gentle conditioning ingredient that helps detangle and soften hair without heavy buildup.

A gentle conditioning ingredient that helps soften hair and reduce static without heavy buildup.

A gentle conditioning ingredient that reduces static and softens hair without heavy buildup.

A gentle wax ester that softens skin and improves product feel without clogging pores.

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

A surface-coating ingredient that improves the feel and wear of powders and pigments, with a strong safety profile.

A gentle silicone that smooths skin and improves product feel without clogging pores.

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

A gentle, silicone-like polymer that improves product feel and wear without the environmental concerns of silicones.

A gentle synthetic emollient that helps soften skin and improve product feel without clogging pores.

A gentle, sugar-based conditioning ingredient that softens hair and reduces frizz without heavy buildup.

A mild, sugar-based conditioning ingredient that helps soften and detangle hair without heavy buildup or irritation.

A mild, plant-derived conditioning ingredient that helps detangle and soften hair without heavy buildup.

A gentle, sugar-derived emollient that helps moisturize and condition skin with a low risk of irritation or clogged pores.

A synthetic film-former that helps products stay put and resist water, generally considered safe and non-irritating.

A traditional herbal extract with promising antioxidant and anti-inflammatory potential, but limited modern safety data means caution is warranted.

A gentle botanical extract with antioxidant potential, but research is limited and it's not a skincare staple.

A novel biotech ingredient with promising lab research but very limited human studies; best viewed as a luxury novelty rather than a proven essential.

A gentle plant root extract with antioxidant and soothing potential, though research is still early.

A gentle botanical extract with traditional roots and emerging research for soothing and antioxidant benefits in skincare.

A gentle botanical powder with traditional use for soothing skin, but modern cosmetic evidence is still emerging.

A gentle fern extract with antioxidant potential, but research is limited and mostly traditional.

A gentle plant extract that may help calm skin and fight free radicals, but research is still early.

A gentle botanical extract with antioxidant potential, but research is limited and benefits are not yet well-established.

A traditional herbal root extract with potential soothing and antioxidant benefits, but research in cosmetics is still emerging and quality can vary.

A gentle, plant-based emollient that helps soften and smooth skin without clogging pores.

A gentle botanical extract with antioxidant potential, but research is limited and benefits are not yet well-established.