Beauty ingredients explained in plain English

A fluorinated silicone that creates a breathable, water-resistant barrier on skin, offering a silky feel without heavy greasiness.

A high-performance silicone that helps products stay put and resist water without feeling heavy or greasy.

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

A high-performance silicone that creates a smooth, water-resistant film on skin and hair without feeling heavy.

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

A lightweight, water-resistant silicone that gives a smooth, non-greasy feel but may not suit those avoiding silicones entirely.

A high-performance film former that helps makeup and sunscreen stay put through sweat, water, and humidity without feeling heavy.

A gentle, citrate-modified emulsifier that stabilizes formulas while offering mild skin conditioning, suitable for sensitive skin.

Triheptanoin is a silky, non-greasy emollient that hydrates and softens skin, making it a great choice for sensitive and oily skin types.

A lightweight synthetic emollient that softens skin without a greasy feel, ideal for oilier or acne-prone skin types.

A gentle, non-greasy emollient derived from citric acid and fatty alcohols that softens skin and improves product feel without clogging pores.

A gentle antioxidant from the flavonoid family that may help calm skin and protect against environmental stress, though research is still early.

Trihydroxychalcone is a gentle antioxidant that helps calm skin and defend against daily pollution and UV stress.

A gentle antioxidant that may help brighten skin and reduce signs of irritation, though research is still emerging.

A gentle synthetic emollient that makes products feel silky and spread easily without clogging pores.

A synthetic ceramide mimic that strengthens the skin barrier and locks in moisture without clogging pores.

Trihydroxystearin is a reliable thickener and stabilizer that helps keep cosmetic products smooth and consistent without common irritation concerns.

A gentle, plant-derived emollient that hydrates and softens skin without clogging pores, ideal for sensitive and oily skin types.

A lightweight synthetic emollient that gives a silky, non-greasy feel and is generally well-tolerated by most skin types.

Triisononanoin is a lightweight, non-greasy emollient that softens skin and improves product feel without clogging pores.

Triisopropanolamine is a workhorse pH adjuster that helps keep your products stable and gentle, but it can be irritating in high concentrations or for sensitive skin.

A lightweight, non-greasy emollient that helps skin feel soft and smooth without clogging pores.

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

Triisostearin is a lightweight, non-greasy emollient that helps moisturize and improve product texture, with a low risk of irritation or clogged pores.

A gentle synthetic emulsifier that helps create stable, creamy textures in skincare, but may not suit those avoiding PEG compounds.

A gentle, oil-soluble vitamin C that delivers brightening and antioxidant benefits with minimal irritation.

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

A gentle, plant-derived emollient that helps soften and smooth skin without clogging pores, commonly found in lip and makeup products.

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

Trilactin is a gentle, hydrating exfoliant that helps smooth skin texture without the irritation often associated with stronger acids.

A gentle, lanolin-derived emulsifier that helps mix oil and water in cleansers and creams, with low irritation potential.

A mild synthetic surfactant that helps cleansers foam and rinse cleanly, but may be slightly drying for very sensitive skin.

A gentle, citrate-based surfactant that cleans without stripping the skin, making it a good choice for sensitive or dry skin types.

Trilaurin is a gentle, coconut-derived emollient that helps soften skin without clogging pores, making it a safe choice for most skin types.

A gentle, non-greasy emollient that softens skin and improves the feel of creams and sunscreens without clogging pores.

Trilauryl Phosphate is a gentle synthetic emollient that helps products spread smoothly without heavy greasiness, but it's not a star active ingredient.

Trilaurylamine is a synthetic emulsifier that helps blend oil and water in rinse-off products, but it may cause irritation for sensitive skin.

A gentle, lipid-based emollient that helps reinforce the skin barrier without clogging pores.

Trilinolein is a gentle, plant-derived emollient that helps soften and smooth skin while supporting the skin barrier with linoleic acid.

Trilinolenin is a gentle, omega-3-rich emollient that helps soften and condition the skin without clogging pores, making it suitable for most skin types.

A synthetic scent ingredient that adds a pleasant floral note but offers no skincare benefit and may cause sensitivity in some people.

A synthetic antioxidant that helps shield skin from pollution and UV damage, but research is still limited.

A synthetic antioxidant that may help protect skin from environmental damage and support a more even complexion, though research is still emerging.

A silicone-based surface modifier that helps powders glide on smoothly and resist moisture, but it offers no direct skin benefit.

A gentle silicone that gives a smooth, velvety finish without clogging pores, ideal for primers and long-wear makeup.

A synthetic fragrance ingredient that adds scent but offers no skincare benefits; safe at low levels but may cause sensitivity in some people.

A synthetic fragrance ingredient that adds a unique scent but may cause skin irritation in sensitive individuals.

A synthetic scent ingredient that adds a pleasant floral-woody note but offers no skincare benefit and may be unnecessary for sensitive skin.

A synthetic scent ingredient that adds a fresh note but offers no skincare benefit and may be a concern for those with fragrance sensitivities.

A synthetic brightener that may help fade dark spots, but research is still early compared to more established ingredients.

A synthetic floral scent compound that is generally safe at low levels but may cause allergic reactions in sensitive individuals.

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

A synthetic fragrance ingredient that adds a pleasant floral-woody scent but may cause skin irritation in sensitive individuals.

A synthetic fragrance compound that adds scent but offers no skincare benefit and may irritate sensitive skin.

A synthetic fragrance ingredient that adds a pleasant floral-citrus note, but offers no skincare benefits and may be a concern for those with fragrance sensitivities.

A synthetic scent ingredient that adds a fresh citrus note but offers no skincare benefit and may be a concern for fragrance-sensitive individuals.

A synthetic scent ingredient that adds a fresh note but may cause irritation for sensitive skin.

Trimethyl Decene Dione is a synthetic fragrance ingredient that adds a fresh scent to products; it is generally considered safe at low concentrations but offers no skincare benefits.

A synthetic fragrance ingredient that adds a fresh, cooling scent but offers no skincare benefits and may cause irritation in sensitive individuals.

A synthetic scent ingredient that adds a fresh, green note to products but offers no skincare benefit and may be unnecessary for sensitive noses.