Ingredient dictionary
Every ingredient on the label, in plain English
387 cosmetic ingredients explained in plain English: what each INCI name on the label is, what it does in the formula, and who should be careful with it.
In-depth ingredient guides
- Can You Use AHAs/BHAs With Retinol? A Derm Answers
- AHA vs. BHA: Which Chemical Exfoliant Does Your Skin Need?
- Azelaic Acid: The One Ingredient That Does Everything
- Azelaic Acid vs. Niacinamide: Which Should You Choose?
- Bakuchiol vs. Retinol: The Natural Alternative Compared
- Benzoyl Peroxide vs. Salicylic Acid: For Acne, Which Wins?
- Centella Asiatica (Cica): The Soothing Ingredient Explained
- How Often Should You Exfoliate Your Face? The Real Answer
- Glycolic Acid: Benefits, Strength & How Often to Use It
- How to Start Retinol Without the Dreaded Purge
- Is Hyaluronic Acid Making Your Skin Drier? Here's Why
- Hyaluronic Acid: The Ultimate Hydration Ingredient Guide
- Skincare Ingredients You Should Never Mix Together
- Lactic Acid Skincare: The Gentler AHA for Sensitive Skin
- Mandelic Acid: The Overlooked AHA That's Great for Dark Skin
- Mineral vs. Chemical Sunscreen: Which Is Better for You?
- Niacinamide: What It Does for Every Skin Concern
- 5% vs. 10% Niacinamide: What Percentage Should You Use?
- Niacinamide & Vitamin C Together: Myth vs. Reality
- Signs You're Over-Exfoliating (& How to Recover)
- PHAs (Polyhydroxy Acids): The Exfoliant for Sensitive Skin
- Reef-Safe Sunscreen: What the Label Actually Means
- Retinol: The Complete Guide to Vitamin A in Skincare
- Can You Use Retinol During Pregnancy? What Derms Say
- The Retinol Purge: What It Is, How Long It Lasts
- Retinol Side Effects: What's Normal & When to Stop
- Can You Use Retinol & Vitamin C Together? The Answer
- Retinol vs. Tretinoin: Which Is Right for You?
- Retinol + Niacinamide: Why This Combo Works So Well
- Antioxidants in Skincare: What They Do & Which to Use
- Snail Mucin in Skincare: What the Science Actually Says
- Squalane in Skincare: Benefits, Sources & Best Uses
- Sunscreen Guide: SPF, PA+++, Broad Spectrum Explained
- How & When to Reapply Sunscreen Over Makeup
- Tinted Sunscreen: Extra Iron Oxide Protection Explained
- L-Ascorbic Acid vs. Other Vitamin C Forms: Which Wins?
- Why Your Vitamin C Serum Turns Orange (& What to Do)
- Vitamin C Serum: Types, Benefits & How to Use It Right
- Zinc Oxide vs. Titanium Dioxide: Which Mineral Filter Wins?
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A
- Acacia Senegal Gum · Gum Arabic
- Acetic Acid
- Acetyl Tributyl Citrate
- Acrylates Copolymer · Styrene/Acrylates Copolymer
- Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
- Adipic Acid/Neopentyl Glycol/Trimellitic Anhydride Copolymer
- Alcohol · Ethanol
- Alcohol Denat. · SD Alcohol
- Allantoin
- Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract · Aloe Vera
- Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice · Aloe Vera
- Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice Powder · Aloe Vera
- Alpha-Isomethyl Ionone
- Alumina · Aluminum oxide
- Aluminum Chlorohydrate · Aluminium Chlorohydrate
- Aluminum Hydroxide
- Aluminum Starch Octenylsuccinate
- Aminomethyl Propanol · AMP
- Ammonium Lauryl Sulfate
- Amodimethicone
- Amyl Cinnamal
- Aqua · Water
- Aqua · Water
- Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil · Argan Oil
- Arginine · L-Arginine
- Aroma · Parfum
- Ascorbic Acid · Vitamin C
- Ascorbyl Palmitate · Vitamin C Palmitate
- Avena Sativa (Oat) Kernel Extract · Oat Kernel Extract
B
- Behentrimonium Chloride
- Behentrimonium Methosulfate
- Behenyl Alcohol · Docosanol
- Benzoic Acid
- Benzophenone-4 · Sulisobenzone
- Benzyl Alcohol
- Benzyl Benzoate
- Benzyl Salicylate
- Betaine · Trimethylglycine
- BHT · Butylated hydroxytoluene
- Biotin · Vitamin H
- Bis-Diglyceryl Polyacyladipate-2
- Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine · Bemotrizinol
- Bisabolol · alpha-Bisabolol
- Butane · n-Butane
- Butyl Acetate
- Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane · Avobenzone
- Butylene Glycol · 1,3-Butylene Glycol
- Butylphenyl Methylpropional
- Butyrospermum Parkii Butter · Shea Butter
C
- C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate
- Caffeine
- Calcium Aluminum Borosilicate
- Calcium Carbonate · Chalk
- Calcium Chloride
- Calcium Sodium Borosilicate
- Calendula Officinalis Flower Extract · Calendula
- Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract · Green Tea Extract
- Camphor
- Caprylhydroxamic Acid
- Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride · Medium-chain triglycerides
- Caprylyl Glycol · 1,2-Octanediol
- Caprylyl/Capryl Glucoside
- Caramel · Caramel Color
- Carbomer
- Carrageenan
- Cellulose
- Cellulose Gum · Sodium Carboxymethylcellulose
- Cera Alba · Beeswax
- Cera Microcristallina · Microcrystalline Wax
- Ceramide AP
- Ceramide EOP
- Ceramide NP · Ceramide 3
- Ceteareth-20
- Cetearyl Alcohol
- Cetearyl Glucoside
- Cetrimonium Chloride · Cetyltrimethylammonium Chloride
- Cetyl Alcohol · Hexadecanol
- Cetyl Esters
- Cetyl Palmitate · Hexadecyl Palmitate
- Cetyl PEG/PPG-10/1 Dimethicone
- Chamomilla Recutita Flower Extract · German Chamomile
- Charcoal Powder · Activated Charcoal
- Chlorphenesin
- Cholesterol
- Cinnamal · Cinnamaldehyde
- Cinnamyl Alcohol · Cinnamic Alcohol
- Citral
- Citric Acid
- Citronellol
- Citrus Aurantium Dulcis (Orange) Peel Oil · Orange Peel Oil
- Citrus Aurantium Peel Oil · Bitter Orange Peel Oil
- Citrus Limon Peel Oil · Lemon Peel Oil
- Cocamide DEA · Coconut Diethanolamide
- Cocamide MEA · Coco monoethanolamide
- Cocamide MIPA · Cocamide Monoisopropanolamide
- Cocamidopropyl Betaine
- Cocamidopropyl Hydroxysultaine
- Coco-Betaine
- Coco-Caprylate/Caprate · Coco-Caprylate
- Coco-Glucoside
- Coconut Acid
- Cocos Nucifera (Coconut) Fruit Extract · Coconut Extract
- Cocos Nucifera (Coconut) Oil · Coconut Oil
- Copernicia Cerifera Cera · Carnauba Wax
- Coumarin
- Cyclopentasiloxane
D
- Decyl Glucoside
- Dehydroacetic Acid
- Dibutyl Adipate
- Dicaprylyl Carbonate
- Dicaprylyl Ether
- Diethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate · DHHB
- Dimethicone · Polydimethylsiloxane
- Dimethicone Crosspolymer
- Dimethiconol
- Dipropylene Glycol
- Disodium Cocoamphodiacetate
- Disodium Cocoyl Glutamate
- Disodium EDTA · Disodium Edetate
- Disodium Laureth Sulfosuccinate
- Disodium Phosphate · Disodium hydrogen phosphate
- Disodium Stearoyl Glutamate
- Disteardimonium Hectorite · Quaternium-18 Bentonite
- DMDM Hydantoin
E
- EDTA · Edetic acid
- Ethyl Acetate · Acetic Ether
- Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate · Octinoxate
- Ethylhexyl Palmitate · 2-Ethylhexyl Palmitate
- Ethylhexyl Salicylate · Octisalate
- Ethylhexyl Stearate
- Ethylhexyl Triazone
- Ethylhexylglycerin
- Ethylparaben
- Etidronic Acid · HEDP
- Eugenol
F
G
- Geraniol · Geranyl alcohol
- Geranyl Acetate
- Gluconolactone · Glucono delta-lactone
- Glucose · Dextrose
- Glutamic Acid
- Glycerin · Glycerol
- Glycerin · Glycerine
- Glyceryl Caprylate · Glyceryl Monocaprylate
- Glyceryl Oleate · Glyceryl Monooleate
- Glyceryl Stearate · Glyceryl Monostearate
- Glyceryl Stearate Citrate
- Glyceryl Stearate SE
- Glycine
- Glycine Soja Oil · Soybean Oil
- Glycol Distearate
- Glycol Stearate
- Guar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride · Cationic guar gum
H
- Helianthus Annuus Hybrid Oil · Sunflower Oil
- Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil · Sunflower Seed Oil
- Hexamethylindanopyran · Galaxolide
- Hexyl Cinnamal · alpha-Hexylcinnamaldehyde
- Hexylene Glycol · 2-Methyl-2,4-pentanediol
- Histidine · L-Histidine
- Hyaluronic Acid · Sodium Hyaluronate
- Hydrated Silica · Silicon Dioxide
- Hydrogen Peroxide · Peroxide
- Hydrogenated Castor Oil · Castor Wax
- Hydrogenated Coco-Glycerides
- Hydrogenated Lecithin · Hydrogenated Soy Lecithin
- Hydrogenated Palm Glycerides Citrate
- Hydrogenated Polyisobutene
- Hydrogenated Starch Hydrolysate
- Hydrogenated Vegetable Oil
- Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid · Hydrolyzed HA
- Hydrolyzed Keratin
- Hydrolyzed Soy Protein · Hydrolysed Soy Protein
- Hydrolyzed Wheat Protein
- Hydroxyacetophenone
- Hydroxycitronellal
- Hydroxyethylcellulose
- Hydroxypropyl Guar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride · Cationic Guar Gum
- Hydroxypropyl Methylcellulose · Hypromellose
I
- Inulin
- Iron Oxides · CI 77491
- Isobutane
- Isododecane
- Isoeugenol
- Isohexadecane
- Isopropyl Alcohol · Isopropanol
- Isopropyl Myristate · IPM
- Isopropyl Palmitate
K
- Kaolin · China clay
L
- Lactic Acid · Milk Acid
- Laureth-2
- Laureth-23
- Laureth-4 · PEG-4 Lauryl Ether
- Laureth-7
- Lauric Acid · Dodecanoic Acid
- Lauryl Glucoside
- Lavandula Angustifolia (Lavender) Oil · Lavender Oil
- Lecithin · Soy Lecithin
- Leuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate
- Levulinic Acid
- Limonene · d-Limonene
- Linalool
- Linalyl Acetate
M
- Macadamia Ternifolia Seed Oil
- Magnesium Chloride
- Magnesium Nitrate
- Magnesium Stearate
- Magnesium Sulfate · Epsom Salt
- Maltodextrin
- Mannitol
- Maris Sal · Sea Salt
- Mentha Piperita Oil · Peppermint Oil
- Menthol · Peppermint camphor
- Methylchloroisothiazolinone · MCI
- Methylisothiazolinone · MI
- Methylparaben · Methyl paraben
- Methylpropanediol · 2-Methyl-1,3-propanediol
- Mica
- Microcrystalline Cellulose
- Mineral Oil · Paraffinum Liquidum
- Myristic Acid
- Myristyl Alcohol · 1-Tetradecanol
- Myristyl Myristate
N
- Niacinamide · Vitamin B3
- Nitrocellulose · Cellulose Nitrate
- Nylon-12 · Polyamide-12
O
P
- p-Anisic Acid
- Palmitic Acid · Hexadecanoic Acid
- Panthenol · Pro-Vitamin B5
- Pantolactone
- Paraffin · Paraffin wax
- Paraffinum Liquidum · Mineral Oil
- Parfum · Fragrance
- PEG-10 Dimethicone
- PEG-32 · Polyethylene glycol
- PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil
- PEG-6 Caprylic/Capric Glycerides
- PEG-7 Glyceryl Cocoate
- PEG-8 · Polyethylene glycol
- Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate
- Pentylene Glycol · 1,2-Pentanediol
- Persea Gratissima Oil · Avocado Oil
- Petrolatum · Petroleum jelly
- Phenoxyethanol · 2-Phenoxyethanol
- Phenyl Trimethicone
- Phenylbenzimidazole Sulfonic Acid · Ensulizole
- Phosphoric Acid · Orthophosphoric Acid
- Phytosphingosine
- Pinene
- Piroctone Olamine
- Polyacrylamide
- Polybutene
- Polyethylene
- Polyglyceryl-3 Diisostearate
- Polyhydroxystearic Acid
- Polyquaternium-10
- Polyquaternium-7
- Polysorbate 20 · PEG-20 Sorbitan Laurate
- Polysorbate 60 · PEG-20 Sorbitan Stearate
- Polysorbate 80 · PEG-20 Sorbitan Oleate
- Potassium Cetyl Phosphate
- Potassium Hydroxide · Caustic Potash
- Potassium Phosphate
- Potassium Sorbate
- PPG-14 Butyl Ether
- PPG-15 Stearyl Ether
- PPG-5-Ceteth-20
- Proline · L-Proline
- Propane
- Propanediol · 1,3-Propanediol
- Propylene Carbonate
- Propylene Glycol · 1,2-Propanediol
- Propylparaben
- Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis Oil · Sweet Almond Oil
- Prunus Armeniaca Kernel Oil · Apricot Kernel Oil
- PVP · Polyvinylpyrrolidone
R
- Retinyl Palmitate · Vitamin A Palmitate
- Ricinus Communis Seed Oil · Castor Oil
- Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract · Rosemary
S
- Salicylic Acid · BHA
- Serine · L-Serine
- Silica · Silicon Dioxide
- Silica Dimethyl Silylate
- Silica Silylate · Silylated Silica
- Simmondsia Chinensis (Jojoba) Seed Oil · Jojoba Oil
- Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate · Vitamin C
- Sodium Benzoate
- Sodium Bicarbonate · Baking Soda
- Sodium C14-16 Olefin Sulfonate · Alpha Olefin Sulfonate
- Sodium Cetearyl Sulfate · Sodium Cetostearyl Sulfate
- Sodium Chloride · Salt
- Sodium Citrate · Trisodium Citrate
- Sodium Coco-Sulfate
- Sodium Cocoamphoacetate
- Sodium Cocoate
- Sodium Cocoyl Glutamate
- Sodium Cocoyl Isethionate
- Sodium Dehydroacetate
- Sodium Fluoride
- Sodium Gluconate
- Sodium Hyaluronate · Hyaluronic Acid
- Sodium Hydroxide · Caustic Soda
- Sodium Isethionate · Sodium 2-Hydroxyethanesulfonate
- Sodium Lactate
- Sodium Laureth Sulfate · SLES
- Sodium Lauroyl Lactylate
- Sodium Lauroyl Sarcosinate
- Sodium Lauryl Sulfate · SLS
- Sodium Levulinate
- Sodium Metabisulfite · Sodium Pyrosulfite
- Sodium Methyl Cocoyl Taurate
- Sodium Monofluorophosphate
- Sodium Palm Kernelate
- Sodium Palmate · Sodium Palmitate
- Sodium PCA · Sodium Pyrrolidone Carboxylate
- Sodium Phosphate
- Sodium Phytate
- Sodium Polyacrylate
- Sodium Saccharin · Saccharin Sodium
- Sodium Salicylate
- Sodium Stearate · Sodium Octadecanoate
- Sodium Stearoyl Glutamate
- Sodium Sulfate
- Sodium Sulfite
- Sodium Xylenesulfonate
- Sorbic Acid
- Sorbitan Isostearate
- Sorbitan Oleate · Sorbitan monooleate
- Sorbitan Olivate
- Sorbitan Stearate · Sorbitan monostearate
- Sorbitol · D-Glucitol
- Squalane
- Stearalkonium Bentonite
- Stearamidopropyl Dimethylamine
- Steareth-2
- Steareth-20 · PEG-20 Stearyl Ether
- Steareth-21 · Polyoxyethylene (21) Stearyl Ether
- Stearic Acid
- Stearyl Alcohol
- Sucralose
- Sucrose · Sugar
- Synthetic Fluorphlogopite · Synthetic Mica
- Synthetic Wax
T
- Talc · Talcum powder
- Tapioca Starch · Cassava Starch
- TEA-Dodecylbenzenesulfonate
- Terpineol · alpha-Terpineol
- Tetramethyl Acetyloctahydronaphthalenes · OTNE
- Tetrasodium EDTA
- Tetrasodium Etidronate
- Tetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate · GLDA
- Tetrasodium Pyrophosphate · Sodium Pyrophosphate
- Theobroma Cacao Seed Butter · Cocoa Butter
- Tin Oxide · Stannic Oxide
- Titanium Dioxide · CI 77891
- Tocopherol · Vitamin E
- Tocopheryl Acetate · Vitamin E Acetate
- Trehalose
- Tribehenin
- Trideceth-10
- Trideceth-6
- Triethanolamine · TEA
- Triethoxycaprylylsilane
- Triethyl Citrate
- Triethylene Glycol
- Trihydroxystearin
- Trimethylsiloxysilicate
- Trisodium EDTA · Edetate Trisodium
- Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate · EDDS
- Trisodium Phosphate · Sodium Phosphate Tribasic
U
- Urea · Carbamide
V
- Vanillin
- Vitis Vinifera Seed Oil · Grape Seed Oil
X
- Xanthan Gum
- Xylitol · Birch sugar
Y
- Yellow 5 (CI 19140) · FD&C Yellow No. 5
Z
- Zea Mays (Corn) Starch · Corn Starch
- Zinc Citrate
- Zinc Gluconate
- Zinc Oxide · Zinc white
- Zinc PCA