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 9 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

Antioxidant

Zingerone

ZINGERONE

3.8

Zingerone is a ginger-derived antioxidant that may help calm skin and fight free radical damage, though research in cosmetics is still emerging.

Irritation

low

Source

natural

beautyskincareantioxidant
Read ingredient review

Antioxidant

Zinnia Callus Culture Extract

ZINNIA ELEGANS CALLUS CULTURE EXTRACT

3.8

A gentle, lab-grown plant extract that may help protect skin from environmental stress, but research is still early.

Irritation

low

Source

biotech

beautyskincareantioxidant
Read ingredient review

Opacifying Agent

Zirconium Dioxide

Zirconium Dioxide

3.0

Zirconium dioxide is a safe but uncommon mineral powder used mainly for opacity and texture; it is not a sunscreen active and offers no UV protection.

Irritation

low

Source

synthetic

beautyskincareopacifier
Read ingredient review

Antioxidant

Ziyu Glycoside I

Ziyu Glycoside I

3.5

A plant compound with early research suggesting antioxidant and anti-inflammatory benefits, but human skincare studies are limited.

Irritation

low

Source

natural

beautyskincareantioxidant
Read ingredient review

Antioxidant

Ziyu Glycoside II

Ziyu Glycoside II

3.5

A plant compound with early research suggesting antioxidant and soothing benefits, but more human studies are needed to confirm its effectiveness in skincare.

Irritation

low

Source

natural

beautyskincareantioxidant
Read ingredient review

Antioxidant

Ziyu Glycoside III

Ziyu Glycoside III

3.5

Ziyu Glycoside III is a plant compound with early evidence of antioxidant and anti-inflammatory benefits, but research in cosmetic formulations is still limited.

Irritation

low

Source

natural

beautyskincareantioxidant
Read ingredient review

Skin conditioning

Zygosaccharomyces Ferment

Zygosaccharomyces microellipsoides ferment

3.8

A gentle yeast ferment that may help balance the skin microbiome and strengthen the skin barrier, though research is still early.

Irritation

low

Source

biotech

beautyskincaremicrobiome
Read ingredient review

Soothing Agent

Zymomonas Ferment Extract

Zymomonas Ferment Extract

4.0

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

Irritation

low

Source

biotech

beautyskincareantioxidant
Read ingredient review

Humectant

Zymomonas Ferment Filtrate

Zymomonas Ferment Filtrate

4.0

A gentle, biotech-derived ferment that helps hydrate and calm the skin, with early research suggesting antioxidant benefits.

Irritation

low

Source

biotech

beautyskincarehumectant
Read ingredient review