Beauty ingredients explained in plain English

A synthetic film-former that helps makeup and skincare stay put longer without feeling heavy or sticky.

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

A synthetic polymer that helps makeup and sunscreen stay put longer, but may feel heavy on some skin types.

A synthetic film former that helps makeup and sunscreen stay put longer, but may feel tight on some skin types.

A gentle synthetic polymer that forms a flexible, breathable film to improve product wear, water resistance, and skin feel without clogging pores.

A synthetic polymer that helps makeup and sunscreen stay put longer without feeling heavy or sticky.

A synthetic film-former that helps makeup and sunscreen stay put without feeling overly stiff or sticky.

A synthetic film-former that helps products stay put and resist water, but may feel heavy on some skin types.

A synthetic film-former that helps makeup and sunscreen stay put longer without feeling heavy.

A synthetic film-former that helps makeup last longer and resist water, but may feel stiff or heavy on sensitive skin.

A synthetic film-former that helps makeup last longer and resist water, but offers no skincare benefit.

A synthetic film-former that helps makeup and nail products stay put without feeling heavy or sticky.

A synthetic film-former that helps makeup and sunscreen stay put longer, but it may feel tight or heavy on very dry skin.

A synthetic film-former that helps makeup and skincare stay put longer, but may feel tight or heavy on sensitive skin.

A synthetic polymer that helps makeup last longer and resist water, but may feel stiff or tight on some skin types.

A synthetic film-former that helps makeup and skincare stay put, resist water, and feel flexible on skin.

A synthetic film-former that helps makeup last longer and resist water, but offers no active skincare benefit.

A synthetic film-former that helps makeup last longer and resist water, but may feel heavy on very sensitive skin.

A synthetic film-former that helps makeup and sunscreen stay put without feeling heavy or sticky.

A synthetic polymer that helps makeup and sunscreen stay put longer, but may feel heavy on some skin types.

A gentle silicone that helps products spread smoothly and feel silky without clogging pores.

Bis-hexamethylene triamine is a synthetic pH adjuster that helps keep formulas stable, but it can be irritating for sensitive skin at higher levels.

A lightweight, non-greasy emollient derived from amino acids that helps soften and smooth skin without clogging pores.

A mild, amino-acid-based surfactant that cleanses without stripping the skin barrier — a good choice for sensitive or dry skin.

A synthetic film-former that helps makeup and hair products resist water and humidity, but may feel stiff or heavy on some.

A gentle silicone that helps products glide on smoothly and leaves a soft, non-greasy finish.

A gentle silicone that detangles hair and softens skin with minimal risk of irritation or clogged pores.

A synthetic antioxidant that may help shield skin from pollution and UV damage, but research is still limited compared to more established antioxidants like vitamin C or E.

A gentle silicone that gives skin a silky, smooth feel without clogging pores, commonly used to improve product texture and spreadability.

A gentle, silicone-modified wax that smooths skin and locks in moisture without feeling greasy.

A gentle silicone-based ingredient that improves product texture and feel without clogging pores.

A synthetic film former that helps products stay put and resist water, but may feel heavy on some skin types.

A gentle silicone copolymer that forms a breathable, flexible film for smoother skin and longer-lasting styles without heavy buildup.

A synthetic silicone polymer that helps makeup and sunscreen stay put longer, especially in water or sweat.

A gentle, coconut-derived conditioner that reduces static and improves combability, suitable for most hair types.

A gentle synthetic conditioner that reduces static and softens hair without heavy buildup.

A mild, plant-derived conditioning ingredient that reduces static and adds softness, suitable for most hair types including sensitive scalps.

Effective for detangling and softening hair, but may cause irritation or buildup for sensitive scalps or fine hair.

A gentle, water-friendly form of vitamin E that helps protect skin from environmental damage without the greasy feel of traditional vitamin E oil.

A gentle pH adjuster that helps keep your skincare products stable and comfortable on skin without causing irritation.

A synthetic silicone polymer that helps makeup and sunscreen stay put longer without feeling heavy.

A gentle silicone that improves product feel and skin softness, widely considered safe and non-irritating for most skin types.

A gentle silicone emollient that leaves skin feeling silky and smooth without clogging pores.

A silicone polymer that helps products stay put, resist water, and feel smooth, with a good safety profile for most skin types.

A synthetic polymer that helps makeup and sunscreen stay put longer by forming a flexible, water-resistant film.

A synthetic film-former that helps makeup and sunscreen stay put without feeling heavy.

A gentle silicone emulsifier that improves product texture and stability without common irritation concerns.

A gentle silicone polymer that helps products spread smoothly and leaves hair and skin feeling silky without heavy buildup.

A gentle silicone polymer that helps products spread smoothly and resist water, but may not suit those avoiding all silicones.

A gentle silicone emulsifier that improves product texture and stability without common irritation.

A gentle silicone emulsifier that improves product texture and stability without clogging pores.

A silicone-based ingredient that smooths hair and skin without heavy buildup, but may not suit those avoiding silicones.

This is an industrial chemical used in nail coatings, not a skincare ingredient; it poses significant irritation and sensitization risks and is not recommended for leave-on skin products.

A synthetic stabilizer that helps maintain product consistency, but with limited research on long-term skin effects.

A synthetic polymer that helps makeup and skincare products last longer and feel smoother on the skin.

A gentle, plant-derived emollient that softens skin and improves product feel without clogging pores or causing irritation.

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

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

A gentle conditioning polymer that helps reduce frizz and static while improving the feel of hair and skin, but its complex name can be intimidating.

A silicone ingredient that helps repair damaged hair and lock in color, but may build up with heavy use.