Beauty ingredients explained in plain English

A gentle synthetic surfactant that effectively cleanses without stripping the skin's natural moisture barrier.

A mild synthetic surfactant that helps cleanse without stripping, but may cause irritation for very sensitive skin.

A mild synthetic emulsifier that helps mix oil and water in cleansers and lotions, generally well-tolerated but not a standout active ingredient.

A gentle, semi-synthetic surfactant that helps cleanse without stripping the skin, making it a good choice for sensitive skin formulas.

A mild synthetic emulsifier that helps mix oil and water in cleansers and lotions, generally safe but may be drying for very sensitive skin.

A gentle, synthetic emulsifier that helps mix water and oil in cleansers and lotions without stripping the skin.

A gentle synthetic emulsifier that helps cleansers and lotions mix oil and water without stripping the skin.

A gentle synthetic surfactant that helps cleanse without stripping the skin, often used in mild formulas.

Trideceth-7 is a gentle synthetic emulsifier that helps mix water and oil in skincare products, with a low risk of irritation.

A gentle synthetic surfactant that helps cleanse without stripping the skin, often used in milder formulas.

A mild synthetic emulsifier that helps products spread and rinse cleanly, but may be slightly drying for very sensitive skin.

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

A gentle synthetic emulsifier that helps mix oil and water, commonly used in cleansers and shampoos.

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

A gentle fatty alcohol that softens skin and improves product texture without common irritation.

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

A gentle, plant-based emollient that hydrates without greasiness, suitable for most skin types including sensitive and oily skin.

Tridecyl Erucate is a gentle, non-greasy emollient that helps soften and smooth the skin without clogging pores.

A lightweight synthetic emollient that softens skin without clogging pores, ideal for oily and combination skin types.

A lightweight synthetic emollient that softens skin without clogging pores, ideal for oily or combination skin types.

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

Tridecyl Myristate is a reliable emollient that softens skin but may clog pores for acne-prone individuals.

A lightweight synthetic emollient that softens skin without clogging pores, ideal for oily or acne-prone types.

A gentle, oil-soluble salicylate ester that helps smooth skin texture without the irritation often linked to salicylic acid.

Tridecyl Stearate is a gentle emollient that helps soften and smooth the skin without feeling greasy.

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

Tridecyl Trimellitate is a lightweight synthetic emollient that helps skincare products feel silky and spread smoothly without clogging pores.

An effective cleansing surfactant, but may be drying or irritating for sensitive skin types.

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

Triethanolamine is a common pH adjuster that helps formulas feel balanced, but it can be irritating for sensitive skin at higher concentrations.

A reliable emulsifier that helps create smooth, stable creams and lotions, but may cause mild irritation in sensitive skin at high concentrations.

A gentle, modified collagen that helps hair feel softer and smoother without heavy buildup.

A synthetic silicone used to coat pigments and powders, making them smoother, more water-resistant, and easier to blend.

A silicone polymer that helps products stay put and resist water, but may feel heavy on some skin types.

A high-performance silicone that gives a silky, smooth feel and helps products spread evenly without clogging pores.

A gentle silicone that helps products glide on smoothly and resist water, but offers no active skincare benefits.

A gentle, silicon-stabilized amino acid that may support collagen and improve skin firmness with low irritation risk.

A synthetic conditioning ingredient that smooths hair and reduces static, but may build up with frequent use.

A high-performance silicone film former that helps makeup and sunscreen stay put without feeling heavy or greasy.

Triethyl citrate is a gentle, plant-derived solvent and plasticizer that helps products spread evenly and keeps formulas stable, with a low risk of irritation.

A synthetic solvent that helps thin out thick formulas and dissolve other ingredients, generally considered safe at cosmetic levels.

Triethylamine is an effective pH adjuster but can be irritating at higher concentrations; it's rarely used in leave-on products.

A synthetic pH adjuster that helps stabilize salicylate ingredients, but may cause irritation in sensitive skin.

A synthetic polymer that helps products stay put on skin and hair, but offers no active skincare benefits.

Triethylene glycol is a safe, effective humectant that helps keep skin hydrated and improves product feel, but it's less common than glycerin or propylene glycol.

A synthetic ester that improves product texture and flexibility, but offers no direct skin benefit.

A film-forming ingredient that helps makeup and sunscreen stay put longer without feeling overly sticky.

A pine-derived film former that helps makeup and sunscreen stay put, but may feel stiff or tacky on skin.

A synthetic chelator that helps preserve formula integrity by neutralizing trace metals, but it is rarely highlighted as a standalone active.

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

A lightweight, non-greasy emollient derived from citric acid that improves product texture and skin feel.

A lightweight, non-greasy emollient that helps products glide on smoothly and resist water, with a low risk of irritation or clogged pores.

A synthetic peptide that may help soften expression lines and improve skin firmness, but human data is limited.

A high-performance fluorinated silicone that creates a durable, water-resistant barrier on skin and hair, but its environmental persistence raises sustainability concerns.

A synthetic ingredient that may help eyelashes appear longer and fuller, but it comes with potential side effects and limited long-term safety data.

A synthetic prostaglandin analog that may promote eyelash growth but carries risks of irritation and potential side effects.

A synthetic UV filter that helps protect skin from sun damage, but its use is limited to certain regions and formulations due to regulatory and stability considerations.

A lightweight fluorinated silicone that enhances product feel and spreadability, but its environmental persistence raises concerns.

A volatile silicone that gives a silky, dry-touch finish but raises environmental persistence concerns.

A lightweight silicone that helps products glide on smoothly and dry quickly, but its environmental persistence raises concerns.