Rating | Ingredient |
---|---|
Average |
talcNaturally occurring silicate mineral (any group of substances containing negative ions composed of...
Categories:
Miscellaneous
|
Poor |
tallowSubstance extracted from the fatty deposits of animals, especially from suet (the fat of cattle and...
Categories:
Miscellaneous
|
Good |
tamanu oilFrom a tree native to Polynesia. It is reputed to have wondrous skin-restoring properties, as well… |
Average |
Tanacetum parthenium |
Poor |
tangerine oilFragrant, volatile citrus oil that can be a skin sensitizer… |
Best |
tannic acidPolyphenol that's considered a very good antioxidant…
Categories:
Antioxidants
|
Good |
tapioca starch
A natural thickener and texture enhancer derived from the roots of Manihot...
Categories:
Thickeners,
Texture Enhancer
|
Best |
tartaric acidTartaric acid is a naturally-occurring crystalline organic acid found in many plants, including grapes and tamarinds.
Categories:
Exfoliant
|
Good |
TEA
Categories:
Miscellaneous
|
Poor |
TEA-lauryl sulfateWhile there is abundant research showing sodium lauryl sulfate is a sensitizing cleansing agent,... |
Good |
tea tree oilAlso known as Melaleuca, from the name of its native Australian plant source, Melaleuca alternifolia. |
Best |
terephthalylidene dicamphor sulfonic acid
Categories:
Sunscreen Actives
|
Best |
Terminalia chebula fruit extractTerminalia chebula is an Ayurvedic plant extract that’s native to South Asia, where it’s known as “The King of Medicine”.
Categories:
Antioxidants,
Plant Extracts
|
Good |
tetradibutyl pentaerithrityl hydroxyhydrocinnamate
Categories:
Antioxidants
|
Best |
tetrahexyldecyl ascorbateTetrahexyldecyl ascorbate is a stable form of vitamin C that is considered an analogue of L-ascorbic acid. Unlike pure vitamin C...
Categories:
Antioxidants,
Vitamins
|
Best |
tetrahydrobisdemethoxycurcuminAntioxidant and skin-soothing plant extract. |
Best |
tetrahydrobisdemethoxydiferuloylmethaneA synthetic antioxidant derived from curcumin.
Categories:
Antioxidants
|
Best |
tetrahydrodemethoxycurcumin |
Best |
tetrahydrodemethoxydiferuloylmethaneA synthetic antioxidant that provides the effects of the antioxidant curcumin but...
Categories:
Skin-Soothing,
Antioxidants
|
Best |
tetrahydrodiferuloylmethaneAntioxidant and skin-soothing plant extract.
Categories:
Skin-Soothing,
Antioxidants
|
Best |
tetrahydromethoxycurcuminAntioxidant and skin-soothing plant extract.
Categories:
Skin-Soothing,
Antioxidants
|
Good |
tetrahydroxypropyl ethylenediamine
Categories:
Miscellaneous
|
Best |
tetrapeptide-30Tetrapeptide-30 is a peptide that targets the appearance of discolorations and uneven skin tone.
Categories:
Skin-Restoring
|
Good |
tetrasodium EDTAChelating agent used to prevent minerals present in formulations from bonding to other ingredients.
Categories:
Miscellaneous
|
Good |
tetrasodium etidronateUsed as a chelating agent in cosmetics to prevent varying mineral components from binding together...
Categories:
Miscellaneous
|
Good |
tetrasodium glutamate diacetateTetrasodium glutamate diacetate is a chelating agent that can boost the effectiveness of preservatives.
Categories:
Miscellaneous
|
Best |
Theobroma cacao seed butter
Categories:
Plant Extracts,
Emollients
|
Good |
thiamine HCLVitamin B1. There is no research showing this to be effective when applied topically on skin.
Categories:
Vitamins
|
Good |
thickening agentSubstances that can have a soft to hard waxlike texture or a creamy, emollient feel, and that can...
Categories:
Thickeners/Emulsifiers
|
Best |
thioctic acidTechnical name for the antioxidant alpha lipoic acid. Unlike many antioxidants that are either...
Categories:
Antioxidants
|
Average |
thiodipropionic acidAcid-based synthetic antioxidant. There is no research pertaining to its benefit for skin, but in...
Categories:
Antioxidants
|
Good |
thiotaurineAmino acid. Potentially, it can have antioxidant properties for skin...
Categories:
Antioxidants,
Skin-Replenishing
|
Good |
threonine
Categories:
Antioxidants,
Skin-Replenishing
|
Average |
thyme extractExtract derived from the leaf or flower of the thyme plant. It can have potent antioxidant... |
Poor |
thyme oilThe most concentrated part of the thyme plant, and a source of antioxidants, some of which... |
Average |
thymus hydrolysateForm of animal thymus derived by acid, enzyme, or other methods of hydrolysis. It can have...
Categories:
Miscellaneous,
Hydration
|
Poor |
Thymus serpillum extractExtract of wild thyme. |
Average |
Thymus vulgaris |
Poor |
Thymus vulgaris oilThymus vulgaris oil is more commonly known as thyme oil. |
Best |
Tilia cordata
Categories:
Antioxidants,
Plant Extracts
|
Best |
titanium dioxideInert earth mineral used as a thickening, whitening, lubricating, and sunscreen ingredient in... |
Best |
tocopherol
Categories:
Antioxidants,
Vitamins
|
Best |
tocopherol acetate
Categories:
Antioxidants,
Vitamins
|
Best |
tocopheryl acetate
Categories:
Antioxidants,
Vitamins
|
Best |
tocopheryl lineolate
Categories:
Antioxidants,
Vitamins
|
Best |
tocotrienolsPotent forms of vitamins E that are considered stable and powerful antioxidants. These forms of...
Categories:
Antioxidants,
Vitamins
|
Average |
tomato extractExtract that has weak antioxidant properties... |
Poor |
tormentil extractPlant that can be irritating due to its tannin content, which causes skin constriction.
Categories:
Plant Extracts,
Sensitizing
|
Good |
tragacanthNatural gum used as a thickener in cosmetics.
Categories:
Thickeners/Emulsifiers,
Texture Enhancer
|
Best |
tranexamic acidA synthetic amino acid that functions as a skin-conditioning agent and astringent.
Categories:
Miscellaneous
|
Good |
trehalosePlant sugar that has hydrating properties for skin.
Categories:
Miscellaneous,
Hydration
|
Best |
tremella fuciformis sporocarp extract
Categories:
Antioxidants,
Plant Extracts
|
Good |
tribeheninAlso known as glyceryl tribehenate, a skin-conditioning agent that is a mixture of glycerin and... |
Good |
tribehenin PEG-20 estersA complex mixture of tribehenin and PEG-20, this ingredient has multiple functions in cosmetic... |
Good |
tricaprylinMixture of glycerin and caprylic acid. Has emollient properties and is used as a skin-softening...
Categories:
Emollients
|
Good |
trideceth-12Trideceth-12 is a synthetic mixture of a fatty alcohol (tridecyl alcohol) and polyethylene glycol that functions as an emulsifier and cleansing agent.
Categories:
Cleansing Agents,
Emulsifiers
|
Good |
trideceth-6An emulsifier, meaning it helps keep unlike ingredients (such as oil and water) from separating in an emulsion...
Categories:
Emulsifiers
|
Good |
tridecyl salicylateSalt form of salicylic acid (BHA). When it is no longer an acid (as in this case), salicylic acid...
Categories:
Miscellaneous
|
Good |
tridecyl stearateUsed in cosmetics as a thickening agent and emollient.
Categories:
Thickeners/Emulsifiers,
Emollients
|
Good |
tridecyl trimellitateUsed as a skin-conditioning agent and thickening agent. |
Good |
triethanolamineUsed in cosmetics as a pH balancer. Like all amines, it has the potential for creating...
Categories:
Miscellaneous,
Emulsifiers
|
Good |
triethoxycaprylylsilaneSilicone that functions as a binding agent and emulsifier.
Categories:
Silicones,
Slip Agents
|
Good |
triethoxycaprylylsilane crosspolymerA silicone polymer used to enhance a product's texture.
Categories:
Silicones,
Film-Forming/Holding Agents
|
Good |
triethoxysilylethyl polydimethylsiloxyethyl hexyl dimethiconeA silicone polymer that has multiple functions in cosmetic products, including skin-conditioning...
Categories:
Emollients
|
Good |
triethylhexanoinTriethylhexanoin is a synthetic mixture of glycerin and a fatty acid that functions as a solvent, occlusive, and skin-conditioning ingredient.
Categories:
Emollients
|
Good |
Trifolium pratense |
Good |
triglycerideUsed as an emollient and thickening agent in cosmetics.
Categories:
Thickeners/Emulsifiers,
Emollients
|
Average |
trigonella foenum-graecum seed extractLatin name for the fenugreek plant. The seeds are used most often, and their fiber content helps... |
Good |
trihydroxystearinMixture of glycerin and fatty acids that is used as an emollient and thickening agent. |
Good |
triisocetyl citrateA trimester of the fatty alcohol isocetyl alcohol and citric acid. It is used as on occlusive agent.
Categories:
Emollients
|
Good |
trilaurinGroup of ingredients that are triesters of glycerin and aliphatic acids, and known generically as...
Categories:
Thickeners/Emulsifiers,
Emollients
|
Best |
trimethylsiloxyamodimethiconeTrimethylsiloxyamodimethicone is a synthetic silicone-based polymer that functions as a conditioning agent, hydrating and smoothing skin’s surface due to its lightweight yet silky, non-greasy feel.
Categories:
Hydration,
Texture Enhancer
|
Good |
trimethylsiloxysilicateUsed as a skin-softening and occlusive agent. |
Good |
trioclanolinDerived from lanolin and used as a texture enhancer, most commonly in powder-based products such as...
Categories:
Miscellaneous
|
Good |
trioctanoinUsed as an emollient and thickening agent in cosmetics.
Categories:
Thickeners/Emulsifiers,
Emollients
|
Good |
trioctyldodecyl citrateMixture of octyldodecanol and citric acid used as a skin-softening agent and emollient.
Categories:
Emollients,
Skin-Softening
|
Best |
tripeptide-1Tripeptide-1, aka GHK (glycine, histidine, lysine - the amino acids that comprise it), is a synthetic signal peptide that teaches skin to rebuild damaged areas.
Categories:
Skin-Restoring
|
Best |
tripeptide-29Tripeptide-29 is a synthetic peptide consisting of amino acids glycine and proline plus hydroxyproline (an amino acid derivative) shown to improve uneven texture and the look of fine lines.
Categories:
Skin-Restoring,
Hydration
|
Good |
tripeptide-32A synthetic peptide with the "tri" (meaning three) designation referring to this peptide's mix of the amino acids proline, serine, and threonine.
Categories:
Skin-Restoring
|
Good |
Tripleurospermum maritimum extract
Also known as false mayweed or sea mayweed, this plant extract encompasses the entire plant. Raw material...
Categories:
Plant Extracts,
Antioxidants
|
Good |
trisodium EDTASimilar to tetrasodium EDTA. Used as a water-softening and chelating agent (a compound that binds...
Categories:
Miscellaneous
|
Good |
Triticum vulgare (wheat) germ extractExtract from the germ portion of the wheat plant. In cosmetics, this ingredient functions as a...
Categories:
Plant Extracts,
Skin-Softening
|
Good |
Triticum vulgare oil |
Best |
troxerutinA flavonoid ingredient that's extracted from the Japanese plant Sophora japonica.
Categories:
Antioxidants,
Plant Extracts
|
Good |
tryptophan
Categories:
Antioxidants,
Skin-Replenishing
|
Best |
turmericTurmeric is a spice made from the dried, ground root of the Curcuma longa plant. |
About the Experts
Paula Begoun is the best-selling author of 20 books about skincare and makeup. She is known worldwide as The Cosmetics Cop and creator of Paula’s Choice Skincare. Paula’s expertise has led to hundreds of appearances on national and international radio, print, and television including:
The Paula's Choice Research Team is dedicated to busting beauty myths and providing expert advice that solves your skincare frustrations so you can have the best skin of your life!