Beauty ingredients explained in plain English

A synthetic polymer that helps products last longer and feel smooth, but its formaldehyde component raises some safety questions.

A synthetic peptide that may help support skin firmness and reduce the look of fine lines, but human research is still limited.

A silicone-modified protein that may temporarily smooth and firm skin, but long-term anti-aging benefits are not well proven.

A gentle, naturally derived humectant that helps keep skin hydrated and supports a healthy barrier without irritation.

A lab-made peptide that may help firm skin and soften lines, but human studies are limited so far.

A gentle, antioxidant-rich root extract that may help calm skin and fight free radicals, though research is still early.

A gentle, antioxidant-rich flower extract that may help calm skin and fight free radical damage, though human studies are limited.

A gentle herbal extract with antioxidant potential, but research on its cosmetic benefits is still limited.

A gentle botanical extract with antioxidant potential, but research on its cosmetic benefits is still limited.

A fragrant flower oil with antioxidant potential, but limited research and a risk of skin irritation for sensitive types.

A safe, widely used synthetic dye in rinse-off cosmetics, but offers no skincare benefit.

A synthetic blue dye that adds color to cosmetics but offers no skincare benefits.

A synthetic blue dye that adds color to products but offers no skincare benefits; generally considered safe in low concentrations.

CI 62045 is a safe, widely used blue dye in cosmetics, but offers no skincare benefits.

A safe, widely used synthetic blue dye that adds color but offers no skincare benefits.

A widely used blue pigment that adds color to makeup and bath products; generally safe but offers no skincare benefits.

A widely used synthetic blue dye that adds color to products but offers no skincare benefits.

A widely approved synthetic blue pigment that adds color to cosmetics but offers no skincare benefits.

A widely used synthetic blue dye that adds color to cosmetics but offers no skincare benefits.

A widely used synthetic dye that adds blue-green color to cosmetics; generally considered safe at low concentrations but offers no skincare benefit.

A common synthetic green dye that adds color to products but offers no skincare benefit.

A widely used synthetic orange dye that is generally safe in low concentrations but may cause allergic reactions in sensitive individuals.

A widely used synthetic red dye that adds color to cosmetics but offers no skincare benefits.

A safe, widely used synthetic red pigment that adds color to cosmetics but offers no skincare benefits.

A widely used synthetic red dye that is generally safe in cosmetics at low levels, but may cause allergic reactions in sensitive individuals.

A widely used synthetic pigment that adds vibrant red shades to makeup, generally considered safe at low concentrations but best avoided on broken skin.

A synthetic red dye that adds color to makeup and personal care products, generally considered safe at low concentrations but may cause irritation in sensitive individuals.

A synthetic red dye that adds color to cosmetics but offers no skincare benefits; generally safe at low levels but may cause sensitivity in some individuals.

CI 18736 is a common synthetic red dye that adds color to cosmetics but has limited skincare benefits and may cause allergic reactions in sensitive individuals.

A widely used synthetic red pigment that adds vibrant color to makeup but offers no skincare benefits.

A widely used synthetic red dye that adds vibrant color to makeup, but may cause allergic reactions in sensitive individuals.

A widely used synthetic red dye that adds color to cosmetics but offers no skincare benefits.

A synthetic red dye approved for use in cosmetics, but some individuals may experience sensitivity.

A widely used synthetic dye that adds vibrant red color to cosmetics, but may cause irritation in sensitive individuals.

CI 69800 is a safe, widely used synthetic violet dye that adds color to cosmetics but offers no skincare benefits.

A synthetic yellow dye that is generally safe in rinse-off cosmetics but offers no skincare benefit.

A widely used synthetic yellow pigment that adds color to cosmetics but may cause allergic reactions in sensitive individuals.

A widely used synthetic yellow dye that is generally safe in cosmetics but may cause allergic reactions in sensitive individuals.

A widely used synthetic yellow pigment that adds color to makeup but offers no skincare benefits.

CI 14270 is a synthetic yellow dye that adds color to products but may cause irritation in sensitive individuals.

A safe, widely used synthetic yellow dye that adds color to cosmetics but offers no skincare benefits.

A gentle fermented ingredient that combines probiotic activity with grape-derived antioxidants to support smoother, brighter skin.

A promising probiotic ingredient that may help balance skin bacteria and strengthen the skin barrier, but research is still early and benefits vary by person.

A gentle, microbiome-friendly ingredient that may help calm irritation and strengthen the skin barrier, though research is still early.

Aconitum ciliare root extract is a traditional botanical with potential soothing properties, but its safety profile is not well-established for modern skincare, and it carries a high risk of irritation if not properly processed.

A gentle botanical extract with antioxidant and soothing potential, though research is still early and mostly lab-based.

A gentle, antioxidant-rich fruit extract that may help brighten and protect skin, though research is still early.

A gentle, natural fruit powder that provides mild exfoliation and antioxidant benefits, but research is limited.

A gentle botanical extract with antioxidant potential, but research is still early and benefits are not yet proven in human skin.

Acrylamide is not a direct cosmetic ingredient but a potential impurity in certain polymers; regulatory limits exist to keep levels safe in finished products.

A synthetic polymer that helps products stay put, but offers no skin benefit and may feel stiff on hair.

A safe synthetic thickener that gives skincare products a smooth, non-greasy feel without clogging pores.

A safe, effective synthetic thickener that gives water-based products a smooth, non-sticky feel without clogging pores.

A synthetic polymer that helps products spread smoothly and stay put, but its acrylamide content raises minor purity concerns.

A safe, effective thickener that gives products a smooth, lightweight feel, but its synthetic origin and potential for trace acrylamide residue raise minor concerns.

A safe synthetic thickener that gives products a silky, lightweight feel without clogging pores.

A safe, synthetic thickener that gives products a silky, non-greasy feel without clogging pores.

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

A synthetic film-former that helps products like nail polish and mascara last longer and resist water.

A synthetic thickener and stabilizer that helps create lightweight, non-greasy gel textures in skincare and haircare.