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

Emollient

Diisononyl Adipate

Diisononyl Adipate

4.0

A silky, lightweight emollient that hydrates without clogging pores, making it a great choice for oily or acne-prone skin.

Irritation

low

Source

synthetic

beautyskincareemollient
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Emollient

Diisononyl Ether

Diisononyl Ether

4.0

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

Irritation

low

Source

synthetic

beautyskincareemollient
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Emollient

Diisononyl Isoeicosanedioate

Diisononyl Isoeicosanedioate

4.0

A lightweight synthetic ester that softens skin without clogging pores, commonly used to improve product texture.

Irritation

low

Source

synthetic

beautyskincareemollient
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Emollient

Diisooctyl Adipate

Diisooctyl Adipate

3.8

A lightweight synthetic emollient that helps products spread easily and leaves skin feeling soft, but may clog pores for some people.

Irritation

low

Source

synthetic

beautyskincareemollient
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Emollient

Diisooctyl Sebacate

Diisooctyl Sebacate

4.0

A lightweight, non-greasy emollient that helps skincare products spread easily and leaves skin feeling soft without clogging pores.

Irritation

low

Source

synthetic

beautyskincareemollient
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Emollient

Diisooctyl Succinate

Diisooctyl Succinate

4.0

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

Irritation

low

Source

synthetic

beautyskincareemollient
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Emollient

Diisopropyl Adipate

DIISOPROPYL ADIPATE

4.0

A silky, non-greasy emollient that helps products spread easily and leaves skin feeling soft without clogging pores.

Irritation

low

Source

synthetic

beautyskincareemollient
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Fragrance Ingredient

Diisopropyl Benzaldehyde

DIISOPROPYL BENZALDEHYDE

3.5

Diisopropyl Benzaldehyde is a synthetic fragrance ingredient with limited safety data; it may cause skin irritation in sensitive individuals.

Irritation

moderate

Source

synthetic

beautyskincarefragrance
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Emollient

Diisopropyl Ethyl Cinnamate

DIISOPROPYL ETHYL CINNAMATE

3.5

A lightweight synthetic emollient that helps soften skin and improve product texture, but it's not a star ingredient with proven long-term benefits.

Irritation

low

Source

synthetic

beautyskincareemollient
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UV Absorber

Diisopropyl Methyl Cinnamate

DIISOPROPYL METHYL CINNAMATE

3.5

Diisopropyl Methyl Cinnamate is a synthetic UV filter that helps protect skin from sun damage, but its use is limited compared to more common sunscreen ingredients.

Irritation

low

Source

synthetic

beautyskincaresunscreen
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Photoinitiator

Diisopropyl Nonyl Phosphine Oxide

DIISOPROPYL NONYL PHOSPHINE OXIDE

2.5

This is a photoinitiator for UV-cured products, not a skincare ingredient; it may cause skin irritation in some people.

Irritation

moderate

Source

synthetic

beautynail caresynthetic
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Solvent

Diisopropyl Oxalate

Diisopropyl Oxalate

3.8

Diisopropyl Oxalate is a synthetic ingredient that helps other ingredients dissolve and spread smoothly, with a low risk of irritation or clogged pores.

Irritation

low

Source

synthetic

beautyskincaresolvent
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Emollient

Diisopropyl Sebacate

DIISOPROPYL SEBACATE

4.3

A lightweight, non-greasy emollient that softens skin and improves product feel, with a low risk of irritation or clogged pores.

Irritation

low

Source

synthetic

beautyskincareemollient
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Emollient

Diisostearyl Adipate

Diisostearyl Adipate

4.0

A lightweight, silky emollient that hydrates without clogging pores, ideal for oily and combination skin types.

Irritation

low

Source

synthetic

beautyskincareemollient
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Emollient

Diisostearyl Fumarate

DIISOSTEARYL FUMARATE

4.0

A gentle, non-greasy emollient that helps soften and smooth the skin without clogging pores.

Irritation

low

Source

synthetic

beautyskincareemollient
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Emulsifier

Diisostearyl Lauroyl Glutamate

DIISOSTEARYL LAUROYL GLUTAMATE

4.3

A mild, amino-acid-based emulsifier that helps blend oil and water in creams and lotions while leaving skin feeling soft and smooth.

Irritation

low

Source

semi-synthetic

beautyskincareemulsifier
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Emollient

Diisostearyl Malate

Diisostearyl Malate

4.2

A reliable, silky emollient that improves texture and pigment spread without clogging pores or irritating skin.

Irritation

low

Source

synthetic

beautyskincareemollient
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Emollient

Diisostearyl Sebacate

Diisostearyl Sebacate

4.0

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

Irritation

low

Source

synthetic

beautyskincareemollient
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Emulsifier

Diisotridecyl Lauroyl Glutamate

DIISOTRIDECYL LAUROYL GLUTAMATE

4.3

A mild, amino-acid-derived emulsifier that helps create stable, creamy textures with very low irritation potential.

Irritation

low

Source

semi-synthetic

beautyskincareemulsifier
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Surfactant

Dilaureth-10 Phosphate

DILAURETH-10 PHOSPHATE

4.0

A gentle synthetic surfactant that effectively cleanses without stripping the skin's natural moisture barrier.

Irritation

low

Source

synthetic

beautyskincaresurfactant
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Surfactant

Dilaureth-4 Phosphate

DILAURETH-4 PHOSPHATE

3.8

An effective synthetic surfactant that helps cleanse and emulsify, but may be drying or irritating for sensitive skin.

Irritation

moderate

Source

synthetic

beautyskincaresurfactant
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Surfactant

Dilaureth-7 Citrate

DILAURETH-7 CITRATE

4.0

A gentle, citrate-based surfactant that helps cleanse without stripping the skin's natural moisture barrier.

Irritation

low

Source

semi-synthetic

beautyskincaresurfactant
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Antioxidant

Dilauroyl 3-Glyceryl Ascorbate

Dilauroyl 3-Glyceryl Ascorbate

4.3

A gentle, stable vitamin C derivative that brightens skin and fights free radicals without the sting or instability of pure ascorbic acid.

Irritation

low

Source

semi-synthetic

beautyskincareantioxidant
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Emollient

Dilauryl Ether

Dilauryl Ether

3.8

A gentle synthetic emollient that softens skin and improves product feel without heavy greasiness.

Irritation

low

Source

synthetic

beautyskincareemollient
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Antioxidant

Dilauryl Thiodipropionate

DILAURYL THIODIPROPIONATE

3.5

A synthetic stabilizer that helps keep oils fresh, but it's not a star active for skin benefits.

Irritation

low

Source

synthetic

beautyskincareantioxidant
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Antistatic Agent

Dilauryldimonium Chloride

Dilauryldimonium Chloride

3.8

A synthetic conditioning ingredient that smooths hair and reduces static, but may cause irritation or clog pores in sensitive individuals.

Irritation

moderate

Source

synthetic

beautyskincarehaircare
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Conditioning Agent

Dilinoleamidopropyl Dimethylamine

Dilinoleamidopropyl Dimethylamine

4.0

A gentle conditioning ingredient that improves softness and manageability without heavy buildup.

Irritation

low

Source

semi-synthetic

beautyskincarehaircareconditioning agent
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Emollient

Dilinoleic Acid

Dilinoleic Acid

4.0

A gentle, barrier-strengthening fatty acid that helps lock in moisture without clogging pores.

Irritation

low

Source

semi-synthetic

beautyskincareemollient
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Film Former

Dilinoleic Acid Copolymer

DILINOLEIC ACID/SEBACIC ACID/PIPERAZINE/ETHYLENEDIAMINE COPOLYMER

3.8

A synthetic polymer that helps makeup and sunscreen stay put longer, but offers no direct skin benefit beyond its film-forming function.

Irritation

low

Source

synthetic

beautyskincarefilm-former
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Film Former

Dilinoleic Acid/Glycol Copolymer

DILINOLEIC ACID/GLYCOL COPOLYMER

4.0

A gentle film-forming polymer that helps skincare and makeup stay put without clogging pores or irritating skin.

Irritation

low

Source

semi-synthetic

beautyskincarefilm-former
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Antioxidant

Dill Extract

Peucedanum graveolens extract

3.8

Dill extract offers mild antioxidant and soothing benefits, but research on its cosmetic efficacy is still limited.

Irritation

low

Source

natural

beautyskincareantioxidant
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Fragrance

Dill Herb Oil

Anethum Graveolens Herb Oil

3.8

Dill Herb Oil adds a fresh herbal scent and mild antimicrobial benefits, but can be irritating for sensitive skin.

Irritation

moderate

Source

natural

beautyskincarefragrance
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Antioxidant

Dill Leaf Powder

Anethum graveolens leaf powder

3.5

Dill leaf powder is a gentle botanical ingredient with antioxidant potential, but research on its cosmetic benefits is limited.

Irritation

low

Source

natural

beautyskincarebotanical
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Fragrance

Dill Seed Oil

Anethum Graveolens Seed Oil

3.5

Dill Seed Oil adds a fresh, herbal scent to skincare products and may offer mild antioxidant benefits, but it can be irritating for sensitive skin and is mainly used for fragrance.

Irritation

moderate

Source

natural

beautyskincarefragrance
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Film Former

Dimer Dilinoleic Acid Copolymer

DIETHYLENE GLYCOL/HYDROGENATED DIMER DILINOLEIC ACID COPOLYMER

4.0

A safe, synthetic film-former that helps products stay put and resist water without clogging pores.

Irritation

low

Source

synthetic

beautyskincarefilm-former
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Film Former

Dimer Dilinoleic Copolymer

Bis-Dioctadecylamide Dimer Dilinoleic Acid/Ethylenediamine Copolymer

3.8

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

Irritation

low

Source

synthetic

beautyskincarefilm-former
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Emollient

Dimer Dilinoleyl Dimer Dilinoleate

Dimer Dilinoleyl Dimer Dilinoleate

4.0

A gentle, plant-derived emollient that forms a breathable film on skin to reduce water loss and improve product feel without clogging pores.

Irritation

low

Source

natural

beautyskincareemollient
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