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

Chelating Agent

Biphenylhydroxamic Acid

BIPHENYLHYDROXAMIC ACID

4.0

A gentle synthetic chelator that helps your skincare stay stable and effective by neutralizing trace metals.

Irritation

low

Source

synthetic

beautyskincarepreservative booster
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Antioxidant

Birch Bark Extract

Betula Allegheniensis Bark Extract

4.0

Birch Bark Extract is a gentle, antioxidant-rich botanical that may help calm skin and defend against environmental stress.

Irritation

low

Source

natural

beautyskincareantioxidant
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Humectant

Birch Bark Water

Betula Alba Bark Water

4.0

Birch bark water is a gentle, hydrating botanical water that provides antioxidants and a soothing feel, ideal for sensitive or dry skin types.

Irritation

low

Source

natural

beautyskincarehumectant
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Humectant

Birch Leaf Water

Betula Alba Leaf Water

4.0

Birch leaf water is a gentle, hydrating botanical water that can soothe and refresh the skin, but its benefits are mild compared to more concentrated extracts.

Irritation

low

Source

natural

beautyskincarehumectant
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Humectant

Birch Sap

Betula Alba Juice

4.0

Birch sap is a gentle, hydrating water-like ingredient that provides light moisture and soothing benefits, but it's not a powerhouse active.

Irritation

low

Source

natural

beautyskincarehumectant
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Antioxidant

Birch Twig Extract

Betula Pendula Twig Extract

3.8

Birch twig extract offers gentle antioxidant and soothing benefits, but research on its specific effects is still limited.

Irritation

low

Source

natural

beautyskincareantioxidant
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Soothing agent

Birch Twig Oil

BETULA PUBESCENS TWIG OIL

3.8

Birch Twig Oil offers a natural, earthy option for soothing and clarifying skin, but its potency means it's best used in low concentrations and patch-tested first.

Irritation

moderate

Source

natural

beautyskincareessential oil
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Exfoliant

Birch Wood Powder

Betula Pendula Wood Powder

3.8

A gentle, natural exfoliating powder that helps smooth skin without harsh microbeads, but may feel gritty in some formulations.

Irritation

low

Source

natural

beautyskincareexfoliant
Read ingredient review

Antioxidant

Bird Cherry Extract

Prunus Padus Extract

3.8

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

Irritation

low

Source

natural

beautyskincareantioxidant
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Antioxidant

Bird of Paradise Seed Extract

Strelitzia Nicolai Seed Aril Extract

3.8

A gentle, plant-based antioxidant extract that may help protect skin from environmental stress, though research is still early.

Irritation

low

Source

natural

beautyskincareantioxidant
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Film Former

Bis-Adamantanyl PEG-2300 Dicarboxamide

BIS-ADAMANTANYL PEG-2300 DICARBOXAMIDE

3.8

A synthetic film-forming polymer that helps lock in moisture and improve skin feel, but research is limited compared to more common humectants.

Irritation

low

Source

synthetic

beautyskincarefilm-former
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Film Former

Bis-Adamantanyl PEG-800 Dicarboxamide

BIS-ADAMANTANYL PEG-800 DICARBOXAMIDE

4.0

A high-tech synthetic polymer that delivers extended hydration and a protective film, but is best suited for those who enjoy advanced, silicone-like textures.

Irritation

low

Source

synthetic

beautyskincarefilm-former
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Humectant

Bis-Aminopropyl Diglycol

BIS-AMINOPROPYL DIGLYCOL

3.8

A gentle synthetic humectant that helps skin retain moisture and improves the texture of skincare formulas.

Irritation

low

Source

synthetic

beautyskincarehumectant
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Hair Conditioner

Bis-Aminopropyl Dimethicone

BIS-AMINOPROPYL DIMETHICONE

4.0

A gentle silicone that adds slip and shine to hair and a silky feel to skin, with low irritation potential.

Irritation

low

Source

synthetic

beautyskincarehaircare
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Emollient

Bis-Capryloyloxypalmitamido Isopropanol

BIS-CAPRYLOYLOXYPALMITAMIDO ISOPROPANOL

3.5

A synthetic emollient that helps improve skin feel and may support the delivery of other ingredients, but research on its specific benefits is limited.

Irritation

low

Source

synthetic

beautyskincareemollient
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Emulsifier

Bis-Carboxydecyl Dimethicone

Bis-Carboxydecyl Dimethicone

4.0

A gentle silicone emulsifier that stabilizes formulas and leaves skin feeling smooth without clogging pores.

Irritation

low

Source

synthetic

beautyskincareemulsifier
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Hair conditioner

Bis-Cetearyl Amodimethicone

BIS-CETEARYL AMODIMETHICONE

4.0

A gentle silicone that smooths hair and reduces static, but may not suit very fine or low-porosity hair if used excessively.

Irritation

low

Source

synthetic

beautyhaircareconditioning agent
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Emollient

Bis-Cetyl Cetyl Dimethicone

Bis-Cetyl Cetyl Dimethicone

4.0

A gentle silicone emollient that improves product feel and spreadability with a very low risk of irritation or clogged pores.

Irritation

low

Source

synthetic

beautyskincareemollient
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Skin conditioning agent

Bis-Coumaramido Propane

Bis-Coumaramido Propane

3.8

A synthetic ingredient that may help improve skin firmness and smooth fine lines, but research is still emerging.

Irritation

low

Source

synthetic

beautyskincareanti-aging
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Skin conditioning agent

Bis-Coumaramidobutane

Bis-Coumaramidobutane

3.8

Bis-Coumaramidobutane is a synthetic ingredient that may help improve skin firmness and reduce wrinkle depth, but research is still emerging and results vary.

Irritation

low

Source

synthetic

beautyskincareanti-aging
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Soothing Agent

Bis-Dihydroxycinnamido Propane

Bis-Dihydroxycinnamido Propane

4.0

A gentle, synthetic ingredient that helps calm redness and support a healthy skin barrier, making it a good choice for sensitive or reactive skin.

Irritation

low

Source

synthetic

beautyskincaresoothing agent
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Film Former

Bis-Dimethicone

Bis-Dimethicone

4.0

A gentle silicone that helps products glide on smoothly and lock in moisture without clogging pores.

Irritation

low

Source

synthetic

beautyskincarefilm-former
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Antistatic Agent

Bis-Dimonium Methosulfate

Bis-Dimonium Methosulfate

3.5

A synthetic antistatic ingredient that helps reduce frizz and improve hair feel, but may cause buildup with frequent use.

Irritation

low

Source

synthetic

beautyhaircareconditioning agent
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Emollient

Bis-Diphenylethyl Disiloxane

BIS-DIPHENYLETHYL DISILOXANE

4.0

A lightweight silicone that makes products feel silky and spread easily, with a very low risk of irritation or clogged pores.

Irritation

low

Source

synthetic

beautyskincaresilicone
Read ingredient review

Emollient

Bis-Ethoxydiglycol Succinate

BIS-ETHOXYDIGLYCOL SUCCINATE

3.8

A gentle synthetic emollient that helps products feel silky and spread easily, with a low risk of irritation or clogged pores.

Irritation

low

Source

synthetic

beautyskincareemollient
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Emollient

Bis-Ethyl Ethyl Methicone

BIS-ETHYL ETHYL METHICONE

4.2

A gentle silicone that helps products glide on smoothly without clogging pores, making it a good choice for oily or sensitive skin.

Irritation

low

Source

synthetic

beautyskincaresilicone
Read ingredient review

Antioxidant

Bis-Ferulamidobutane

Bis-Ferulamidobutane

4.0

A stable, synthetic antioxidant that may help protect skin from environmental damage and support a more even tone.

Irritation

low

Source

synthetic

beautyskincareantioxidant
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Antioxidant

Bis-Glyceryl Ascorbate

BIS-GLYCERYL ASCORBATE

4.3

A gentle, stable vitamin C derivative that brightens skin and fights free radicals without the irritation of pure L-ascorbic acid.

Irritation

low

Source

semi-synthetic

beautyskincareantioxidant
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Hair Bond Builder

Bis-Glyoxyloyl Cystine

BIS-GLYOXYLOYL CYSTINE

4.0

A bond-repairing ingredient that helps strengthen hair from within, similar to the active in Olaplex.

Irritation

low

Source

synthetic

beautyhaircarebond-builder
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