A Practical Glossary of Budget Beauty Terms

Dupe

Short for 'duplicate,' a dupe is an affordable product widely considered to deliver results similar to a more expensive counterpart. The term is used loosely in beauty communities and doesn't imply identical formulation — always check ingredients rather than relying on the label alone.

Non-comedogenic

A cosmetic claim indicating that a product is formulated to avoid clogging pores. It is not a regulated term, so there is no standardized test that must be passed before a brand can use it — treat it as a signal of intent rather than a guarantee.

Broad-spectrum

Used on sunscreen products to indicate protection against both UVA and UVB rays. Unlike many cosmetic claims, 'broad-spectrum' is an FDA-regulated term in the US and requires passing a specific test before it can appear on a label.

Demi-permanent

A hair color category that deposits pigment without fully lifting the hair's natural color. Demi-permanent formulas typically fade gradually over several weeks and are generally considered less damaging than permanent color, making them a common choice for at-home color correction.

INCI Name

Stands for International Nomenclature of Cosmetic Ingredients — the standardized scientific naming system used on ingredient lists worldwide. Knowing INCI names helps shoppers identify the same ingredient across different products and price points, even when marketing names differ.

Emollient

An ingredient category that softens and smooths skin by filling in gaps between skin cells. Common emollients include shea butter, squalane, and various plant oils. They appear frequently in both budget and prestige moisturizers.

Humectant

An ingredient that draws moisture toward the skin, typically from the environment or deeper skin layers. Hyaluronic acid and glycerin are well-known humectants found across a wide range of price points.

Drug Claim

A label statement that implies a product affects the body's structure or function — such as SPF protection or anti-dandruff claims. In the US, products making drug claims are regulated by the FDA as over-the-counter drugs, which carries stricter requirements than cosmetic labeling.

Transfer-proof

A marketing descriptor suggesting that a product — typically a lip color or foundation — resists transferring onto other surfaces after application. There is no standardized definition or test, so performance varies widely between products using the same claim.

PAO (Period After Opening)

The open jar symbol on packaging indicating how many months a product remains suitable for use after first being opened. Commonly displayed as '12M' or '24M,' PAO is relevant to shelf life and helps inform whether a larger, cheaper package actually represents better value.

Occlusive

An ingredient that forms a physical barrier on the skin's surface to prevent moisture loss. Petrolatum and lanolin are classic occlusives. They are often inexpensive and appear in both drugstore and prestige formulations.

Color Cosmetic

An industry term referring to makeup products — foundation, blush, eyeshadow, lipstick, and similar items — as distinct from skincare. The distinction matters because color cosmetics are regulated differently from products making drug claims.