Ingredient glossary
Every ingredient, decoded.
The back of the bottle is where the truth is, and it reads like a foreign language. So here is the whole cabinet in plain words: what each ingredient actually does, who it suits, and who should quietly skip it. No hype, no chemistry degree required.
Two names looking suspiciously alike? Start with the terms people mix up most. Or read what the words on the front of the bottle actually promise: hypoallergenic and non-comedogenic.
Wondering if two of them clash? Try the conflict checker →
Deciding between two? Use the free ingredient comparison tool →
Skin gone tight, dull and stingy? See what is likely causing it →
Wondering if any of it actually gets into skin? See the weights →
See all of them on one chart, and find where yours lands →
How much of an active do you need? The doses the trials used →
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A
- Acacia Senegal GumMinor player
- Acetyl Dipeptide-1Minor player
- Acetyl Tetrapeptide-5Promising, not proven
- Acetylated Hyaluronic AcidMore hype than results
- Acrylates CopolymerMinor player
- Acryloyl Taurate CopolymerMinor player
- Acryloyl Taurate/VP CopolymerMinor player
- AdapaleneSolid and proven
- AdenosineSolid and proven
- AlanineMinor player
- Alkyl Acrylate CrosspolymerMinor player
- AllantoinSolid and proven
- AloeDecent support
- Alpha ArbutinSolid and proven
- Alpha Lipoic AcidPromising, not proven
- Alpha-Isomethyl IononeScent, not skincare
- Aminomethyl PropanolMinor player
- Ammonium lactateSolid and proven
- AmodimethiconeDecent support
- Amyl CinnamalScent, not skincare
- Amylcinnamyl AlcoholScent, not skincare
- AnhydroxylitolMinor player
- Anise AlcoholScent, not skincare
- Antioxidant 1010Quietly necessary
- Argan OilSolid and proven
- ArginineMinor player
- ArgirelinePromising, not proven
- Ascorbyl GlucosideSolid and proven
- Ascorbyl PalmitatePromising, not proven
- AsiaticosideScent, not skincare
- Aspartic AcidMinor player
- AstaxanthinSolid and proven
- AvobenzoneSun protection
- Avocado OilSolid and proven
- Azelaic AcidSolid and proven
B
- BakuchiolSolid and proven
- Behentrimonium MethosulfateMinor player
- Behenyl AlcoholSolid and proven
- BentonitePromising, not proven
- Benzoic AcidQuietly necessary
- Benzoyl PeroxideWorth paying for
- Benzyl AlcoholScent, not skincare
- Benzyl BenzoateScent, not skincare
- Benzyl CinnamateScent, not skincare
- Benzyl SalicylateScent, not skincare
- Bergamot OilScent, not skincare
- Beta-GlucanSolid and proven
- BetaineSolid and proven
- Betaine SalicylatePromising, not proven
- BHTQuietly necessary
- Bifida Ferment LysatePromising, not proven
- BisabololSolid and proven
- BromelainPromising, not proven
- Buriti OilPromising, not proven
- Butylene GlycolSolid and proven
C
- C12-15 Alkyl BenzoateSolid and proven
- C12-20 Alkyl GlucosideMinor player
- C14-22 AlcoholsMinor player
- CaffeineDecent support
- Caprylic/Capric TriglycerideSolid and proven
- Capryloyl Salicylic AcidSolid and proven
- Caprylyl GlycolQuietly necessary
- Caprylyl MethiconeMinor player
- CarbomerMinor player
- CarnosineMinor player
- Castor OilPromising, not proven
- Centella Asiatica ExtractSolid and proven
- Ceramide 1Worth paying for
- Ceramide 3Worth paying for
- Ceramide 6-IIWorth paying for
- Ceteareth-20Minor player
- Cetearyl AlcoholSolid and proven
- Cetearyl IsononanoateSolid and proven
- Cetearyl OlivateMinor player
- Ceteth-20 PhosphateMinor player
- Cetyl AlcoholSolid and proven
- Cetyl EthylhexanoateSolid and proven
- Charcoal PowderMore hype than results
- ChlorphenesinQuietly necessary
- CholesterolWorth paying for
- CinnamalScent, not skincare
- Cinnamyl AlcoholScent, not skincare
- CitralScent, not skincare
- Citric AcidDecent support
- CitronellolScent, not skincare
- Cloudberry Seed OilMinor player
- Cocamidopropyl BetaineDecent support
- Coco-BetaineDecent support
- Coco-Caprylate/CaprateSolid and proven
- Coco-GlucosideDecent support
- Cocoa Seed ExtractMinor player
- Coconut OilSolid and proven
- Coenzyme Q10Solid and proven
- Colloidal OatmealWorth paying for
- ColostrumDecent support
- CoumarinScent, not skincare
- Crosslinked sodium HAWorth paying for
- CyclodextrinMinor player
- CyclohexasiloxaneSolid and proven
- CyclopentasiloxaneSolid and proven
- CysteamineWorth paying for
D
- Decyl GlucosideDecent support
- Dehydroacetic AcidQuietly necessary
- Denatured AlcoholJust a base
- DextrinMinor player
- Dibutyl AdipateMinor player
- Dicetyl PhosphateMinor player
- Dihydroavenanthramide DMinor player
- DimethiconeWorth paying for
- Dimethicone CrosspolymerMinor player
- DimethiconolSolid and proven
- Dimethyl IsosorbideJust a base
- Dipotassium GlycyrrhizateSolid and proven
- Dipotassium PhosphateMinor player
- Dipropylene GlycolJust a base
- Disodium EDTAMinor player
- DMDM HydantoinQuietly necessary
E
- EctoinSolid and proven
- EGCG glucosideDecent support
- EnsulizoleSun protection
- Epidermal Growth FactorSolid and proven
- ErgothioneinePromising, not proven
- ErythritolDecent support
- EthoxydiglycolJust a base
- Ethyl Ascorbic AcidSolid and proven
- Ethyl LinoleateMinor player
- Ethyl MacadamiateMinor player
- Ethylhexyl PalmitatePromising, not proven
- Ethylhexyl TriazoneSun protection
- EthylhexylglycerinQuietly necessary
- EugenolScent, not skincare
- Evening Primrose OilSolid and proven
- ExosomesDecent support
F
G
- Galactomyces Ferment FiltrateDecent support
- Gallyl GlucosideMinor player
- Gellan GumMinor player
- GeraniolScent, not skincare
- GHK-CuSolid and proven
- Ginger Root ExtractMinor player
- Ginseng Root ExtractDecent support
- GluconolactoneSolid and proven
- GlucoseMinor player
- GlutathioneDecent support
- Glycereth-26Solid and proven
- GlycerinWorth paying for
- Glyceryl StearateMinor player
- Glyceryl Stearate CitrateMinor player
- GlycineMinor player
- Glycolic acidWorth paying for
- Grapeseed OilSolid and proven
- Green Tea ExtractSolid and proven
H
- Heartleaf ExtractPromising, not proven
- Heartleaf WaterMore hype than results
- Hemp Seed OilSolid and proven
- HEPESMinor player
- Hexyl CinnamalScent, not skincare
- Hexylene GlycolPromising, not proven
- HistidineMinor player
- HomosalateSun protection
- HoneyDecent support
- Honeysuckle Flower ExtractQuietly necessary
- Hyaluronic acidWorth paying for
- Hydrogenated LecithinMinor player
- Hydrogenated PolydeceneMinor player
- Hydrogenated PolyisobuteneSolid and proven
- Hydrolyzed CollagenDecent support
- Hydrolyzed hyaluronic acidSolid and proven
- HydroquinoneWorth paying for
- HydroxyapatiteMinor player
- HydroxycitronellalScent, not skincare
- Hydroxyethyl UreaSolid and proven
- HydroxyethylcelluloseMinor player
- Hydroxymethoxyphenyl DecanoneMinor player
- Hydroxypinacolone RetinoatePromising, not proven
- Hydroxypropyl CyclodextrinJust a base
- Hypochlorous AcidDecent support
I
- IdebenonePromising, not proven
- IscotrizinolSun protection
- Isoceteth-20Minor player
- IsododecaneSolid and proven
- IsoeugenolScent, not skincare
- IsohexadecaneSolid and proven
- IsoleucineMinor player
- Isononyl IsononanoateSolid and proven
- Isopropyl AlcoholJust a base
- Isopropyl MyristateDecent support
- Isopropyl PalmitateDecent support
J
K
L
- Lactic acidSolid and proven
- Lactobionic AcidSolid and proven
- Lactococcus Ferment LysatePromising, not proven
- LanolinSolid and proven
- Laureth-7Minor player
- Lavender OilScent, not skincare
- LecithinMinor player
- LeuphasylPromising, not proven
- Licochalcone ADecent support
- LilialScent, not skincare
- LimoneneScent, not skincare
- LinaloolScent, not skincare
- Linoleic AcidWorth paying for
- LyralScent, not skincare
- Lysine HClMinor player
M
- Macadamia OilSolid and proven
- MadecassosideScent, not skincare
- Magnesium Ascorbyl PhosphateSolid and proven
- Malic AcidDecent support
- MaltitolDecent support
- MaltodextrinMinor player
- MaltoseMinor player
- Mandelic AcidSolid and proven
- MannitolDecent support
- Marula OilDecent support
- Matrixyl Synthe'6Promising, not proven
- Meadowfoam Seed OilSolid and proven
- MelatoninDecent support
- MentholMore hype than results
- Methyl 2-OctynoateScent, not skincare
- MethylisothiazolinoneQuietly necessary
- MethylparabenQuietly necessary
- MethylpropanediolQuietly necessary
- Mexoryl SXSun protection
- Mexoryl XLSun protection
- MicaMinor player
- Mineral OilWorth paying for
- Mugwort ExtractPromising, not proven
- Myristyl GlucosideMinor player
- Myristyl MyristateDecent support
N
O
P
- Palmitoyl Pentapeptide-4Solid and proven
- Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1Decent support
- Panthenyl TriacetateMinor player
- PantolactoneMinor player
- PapainPromising, not proven
- PDRNSolid and proven
- PEG-100 StearateMinor player
- PEG-20 Methyl Glucose EsterMinor player
- PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor OilMinor player
- PEG-6 Caprylic/Capric GlyceridesDecent support
- PEG-60 Castor OilMinor player
- PEG/PPG-16/16 DimethiconeMinor player
- Pentaerythrityl EsterMinor player
- Pentylene GlycolDecent support
- Peppermint OilMore hype than results
- PetrolatumWorth paying for
- PhenoxyethanolQuietly necessary
- Phenyl TrimethiconeSolid and proven
- PhenylalanineMinor player
- PhospholipidsMinor player
- Phytic AcidPromising, not proven
- PhytosphingosineSolid and proven
- Poloxamer 338Minor player
- PolyacrylamideMinor player
- Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6Minor player
- Polyglutamic AcidPromising, not proven
- Polyglyceryl-10 LaurateMinor player
- Polyglyceryl-10 MyristateMinor player
- PolymethylsilsesquioxaneMinor player
- Polysilicone-15Sun protection
- Polysorbate 20Minor player
- Polysorbate 60Minor player
- Potassium PhosphateMinor player
- Potassium SorbateQuietly necessary
- PPG-24-Glycereth-24Minor player
- Pro-vitamin B5Worth paying for
- ProlineMinor player
- PropanediolSolid and proven
- Propolis ExtractPromising, not proven
- Propyl GallateQuietly necessary
- Propylene GlycolQuietly necessary
- PropylparabenQuietly necessary
- Purslane ExtractPromising, not proven
R
- Rapeseed SterolsMinor player
- RelistaseMinor player
- ResveratrolSolid and proven
- RetinalSolid and proven
- RetinolWorth paying for
- Retinyl AcetatePromising, not proven
- Retinyl PalmitateDecent support
- Retinyl PropionatePromising, not proven
- Retinyl RetinoatePromising, not proven
- RhamnoseMinor player
- Rice ExtractDecent support
- RiginPromising, not proven
- Rose Flower WaterPromising, not proven
- Rosehip OilSolid and proven
- Rosemary Leaf ExtractMinor player
S
- Safflower Seed OilSolid and proven
- Salicylic acid (BHA)Solid and proven
- Salicyloyl PhytosphingosineMinor player
- Sea Buckthorn OilPromising, not proven
- SerineMinor player
- Shea ButterWorth paying for
- SilicaMinor player
- Snail Secretion FiltrateSolid and proven
- Sodium Ascorbyl PhosphateWorth paying for
- Sodium BenzoateQuietly necessary
- Sodium ChlorideMinor player
- Sodium CitrateMinor player
- Sodium Cocoyl IsethionateSolid and proven
- Sodium HydroxideMinor player
- Sodium LactateSolid and proven
- Sodium Laureth SulfateSolid and proven
- Sodium Lauroyl LactylateMinor player
- Sodium Lauryl SulfateWorth paying for
- Sodium Methyl Cocoyl TaurateDecent support
- Sodium PCAWorth paying for
- Sodium PhytateMinor player
- Sodium PolyacrylateMinor player
- Sodium SalicylateQuietly necessary
- Sodium Stearoyl GlutamateMinor player
- Sorbitan IsostearateMinor player
- Sorbitan OlivateMinor player
- SorbitolSolid and proven
- SpermidineMinor player
- Sphingomonas Ferment ExtractPromising, not proven
- Sponge spiculesPromising, not proven
- SqualaneWorth paying for
- Stearic AcidDecent support
- Stearyl AlcoholSolid and proven
- Succinic AcidPromising, not proven
- Sucrose LaurateMinor player
- Sucrose StearateMinor player
- SulfurSolid and proven
- Sunflower Seed OilWorth paying for
- Sweet Almond OilSolid and proven
- Syn-AkePromising, not proven
T
- TallowPromising, not proven
- Tara GumMinor player
- Tartaric AcidDecent support
- Tasmanian PepperberryPromising, not proven
- TazaroteneWorth paying for
- Tea Tree OilDecent support
- TetrahydrocurcuminSolid and proven
- Tetrasodium EDTAMinor player
- THD AscorbateSolid and proven
- ThiamidolWorth paying for
- ThreonineMinor player
- Tinosorb MSun protection
- Tinosorb SSun protection
- Titanium DioxideSun protection
- Tranexamic AcidSolid and proven
- Treemoss ExtractScent, not skincare
- TrehalosePromising, not proven
- Tremella Fuciformis ExtractPromising, not proven
- TretinoinWorth paying for
- TriacetinJust a base
- TriethanolamineMinor player
- Triethyl CitrateJust a base
- Trisodium EDDSMinor player
- TromethamineMinor player