Beauty ingredients explained in plain English

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

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

Triarachidin is a gentle, plant-based emollient that helps soften and smooth the skin with a low risk of irritation or clogged pores.

Tribehenin is a gentle, plant-based emollient that helps soften skin and improve product texture without clogging pores.

A gentle emulsifier that helps create smooth, stable creams and lotions with a silky feel.

Tribenzoin is a synthetic film-former that helps makeup and nail products glide on smoothly and last longer, with a low risk of irritation.

A gentle, castor-oil-derived emollient that helps cosmetics feel smooth and stay put without clogging pores.

A plant-based antioxidant powder that may help calm skin and fight free radical damage, though research in topical use is still limited.

A plant extract with antioxidant potential, but limited research supports its topical benefits in skincare.

A gentle plant extract with antioxidant potential, but research on its topical benefits is still limited.

A gentle botanical powder with antioxidant potential, but limited research supports its specific skin benefits.

A safe, low-irritation ingredient that helps formulas spread smoothly and keeps nail polish flexible, but offers no direct skin benefit.

A synthetic emollient that helps products feel silky and spread easily, with low irritation potential.

Tricalcium phosphate is a gentle mineral abrasive and opacifier, safe for most skin types but best suited for rinse-off or low-concentration leave-on formulas.

Tricaprin is a gentle, non-greasy emollient that helps moisturize and condition the skin, making it a good choice for sensitive or oily skin types.

Tricaprylin is a gentle, lightweight emollient that hydrates without clogging pores, making it a great choice for oily and acne-prone skin types.

A silky, non-greasy emollient that hydrates and smooths skin without clogging pores, ideal for sensitive and oily skin types.

A silky, non-greasy emollient that helps products spread smoothly and feel lightweight on skin.

A mild synthetic emulsifier that helps mix water and oil in products without stripping the skin.

A synthetic emulsifier that helps mix oil and water, but may be slightly drying for sensitive skin.

A mild synthetic emulsifier that helps blend oil and water in creams and lotions, with a low risk of irritation.

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

A rich, traditional African seed butter that deeply moisturizes without clogging pores, ideal for dry or sensitive skin.

A gentle, plant-derived emulsifier that helps blend water and oil in your skincare while adding a touch of skin conditioning.

A mild, plant-based emulsifier that helps blend oil and water in skincare products while adding a touch of nourishment.

A rich, plant-based butter that softens and hydrates skin without feeling overly greasy, with some antioxidant potential.

A synthetic fragrance ingredient that adds scent but offers no skincare benefit and may cause irritation in sensitive individuals.

A gentle, fatty-acid-rich oil that hydrates and soothes without clogging pores—great for dry or sensitive skin.

A gentle, antioxidant-rich mushroom extract that may help soothe and protect skin, but research is still early.

A gentle, plant-based antioxidant extract that may help calm skin and fight free radical damage, though human studies are limited.

A gentle plant-based powder with antioxidant potential, but research on its cosmetic benefits is still limited.

A gentle, antioxidant-rich root extract that may help soothe skin and fight free radicals, though human studies are limited.

A gentle, antioxidant-rich seed extract that may help soothe and protect skin, though research is still emerging.

Triclosan is an effective antimicrobial but has raised safety and environmental concerns, leading to restricted use in many regions.

A synthetic skin-conditioning ingredient that improves product feel without major safety concerns.

A synthetic film former that helps nail polish and long-wear makeup stay put, but may cause sensitivity in some users.

A synthetic film-former that helps nail and lip products resist chipping and smudging, but may cause sensitivity in a small number of users.

A lightweight synthetic ester that makes products feel silky and spread easily without greasiness.

A lightweight synthetic emollient that helps skin feel smooth and soft without clogging pores, commonly used in makeup and moisturizers.

A lightweight synthetic ester that improves product feel without heavy greasiness, generally well-tolerated.

A synthetic scent ingredient that adds a fresh, woody note but offers no skincare benefits and may be unnecessary for sensitive noses.

A synthetic scent ingredient that adds a pleasant fragrance but offers no skincare benefit; safe for most people but may cause reactions in those sensitive to fragrance.

A synthetic fragrance compound that provides a pleasant woody-floral scent, but may cause irritation in sensitive individuals.

Tricyclopentadiene is a synthetic solvent used in nail products and some cosmetics, but it has limited research on skin safety and is not a beneficial skincare ingredient.

A synthetic fragrance ingredient that adds a fresh, citrusy scent; generally considered safe at low concentrations but offers no skincare benefits.

Tridecan-2-One is a synthetic fragrance ingredient with a low irritation risk, but it offers no skincare benefits beyond scent.

Tridecanal is a synthetic fragrance ingredient that adds a fresh, citrusy note to products, but may cause irritation in sensitive individuals.

Tridecane is a gentle, lightweight emollient that helps products glide on smoothly without a greasy feel.

Tridecenal is a synthetic fragrance compound that adds a fresh, citrus scent but may cause irritation in sensitive individuals.

An effective emulsifier and surfactant, but may cause irritation in sensitive skin at higher concentrations.

A gentle, phosphate-based surfactant that helps cleanse without stripping the skin's natural moisture barrier.

A gentle synthetic emulsifier that helps mix oil and water in cleansers and lotions, with a low irritation profile.

A gentle synthetic emulsifier that helps cleansers and lotions mix and rinse cleanly, but may be too stripping for very dry or sensitive skin.

A gentle, non-stripping cleansing ingredient that helps remove impurities while maintaining skin comfort.

Trideceth-18 is a gentle synthetic emulsifier that helps mix water and oil in products, but it offers no direct skin benefit.

A gentle synthetic surfactant that helps cleanse without stripping the skin, commonly found in mild cleansers.

Trideceth-2 is a gentle synthetic emulsifier that helps mix oil and water, commonly used in cleansers and shampoos for mild cleansing without stripping.

A gentle, water-soluble surfactant that helps cleanse without stripping the skin’s natural moisture barrier.

A gentle synthetic emulsifier that helps create stable, creamy formulas without heavy residue.

Trideceth-3 is a synthetic emulsifier that helps mix oil and water, but it may cause mild irritation for sensitive skin types.