Beauty ingredient research
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
Antioxidant
Saccharomyces/Moringa Oleifera Seed Oil/Glycerin Ferment Filtrate
A gentle, antioxidant-rich ferment that helps soothe and condition skin while supporting a healthy-looking complexion.
Irritation
low
Source
biotech
A gentle, antioxidant-rich extract from moringa seed byproduct that helps protect skin from environmental stress while providing light hydration.
Irritation
low
Source
natural
A gentle, antioxidant-rich flower extract that may help protect skin from environmental stress, but research is still early.
Irritation
low
Source
natural
A gentle plant extract with antioxidant potential, but research in skincare is still early.
Irritation
low
Source
natural
A gentle plant extract with antioxidant potential, but research on its skincare benefits is still limited.
Irritation
low
Source
natural
Soothing Agent
CETRARIA ISLANDICA THALLUS/POLYPODIUM VULGARE RHIZOME/SPHAGNUM MAGELLANICUM EXTRACT
A gentle botanical blend that may help calm skin and fight free radicals, but research on this specific mix is limited.
Irritation
low
Source
natural
A gentle, lab-grown alpine plant extract that may help protect skin from environmental stress and calm irritation, though research is still early.
Irritation
low
Source
biotech
A gentle, plant-derived antioxidant that may help calm skin and fight free radical damage, though research is still emerging.
Irritation
low
Source
natural
A novel, antioxidant-rich ingredient with limited human research; may offer skin-soothing benefits but is not a proven anti-aging powerhouse.
Irritation
low
Source
natural
A mild, plant-based antioxidant extract that may help soothe and protect skin, but research on its cosmetic benefits is still limited.
Irritation
low
Source
natural
A gentle, plant-derived antioxidant that may help calm skin, but research is still early.
Irritation
low
Source
biotech
A gentle, plant-based extract blend that may help calm skin and fight free radical damage, though research is still emerging.
Irritation
low
Source
natural
A gentle, antioxidant-rich Amazonian plant extract that may help calm skin and fight environmental stress, though research is still emerging.
Irritation
low
Source
natural
A gentle microalgae extract that may help protect skin from environmental stress and support hydration, though research is still early.
Irritation
low
Source
natural
A gentle plant extract with antioxidant potential, but research is limited—think of it as a supportive, not star, ingredient.
Irritation
low
Source
natural
A gentle plant extract that may help protect skin from environmental stress, but research on its specific benefits is still limited.
Irritation
low
Source
natural
A gentle botanical extract that helps protect skin from environmental stress and may support a more even skin tone.
Irritation
low
Source
natural
Mulberry leaf extract is a gentle, antioxidant-rich botanical that can help soothe skin and support a more even complexion.
Irritation
low
Source
natural
A gentle, fermented botanical ingredient that may help calm skin and fight free radical damage, though research is still early.
Irritation
low
Source
biotech
A gentle botanical extract that may help calm skin and fight free radicals, but research is still early.
Irritation
low
Source
natural
A gentle antioxidant-rich extract that helps protect skin from environmental stress while offering mild soothing benefits.
Irritation
low
Source
natural
Antioxidant
DUNALIELLA SALINA/ISOCHRYSIS GALBANA/NANNOCHLOROPSIS GADITANA/PHAEODACTYLUM TRICORNUTUM/TETRASELMIS CHUII EXTRACT
A nourishing blend of microalgae that provides antioxidant protection and skin conditioning, generally safe for most skin types.
Irritation
low
Source
natural
Humectant
Bacillus/Lactobacillus/Saccharomyces/Colloidal Gold/Hyaluronic Acid/Rice Bran Ferment Filtrate
A fermented blend that may support skin hydration and barrier function, but research on its unique gold and multi-strain combination is still emerging.
Irritation
low
Source
biotech
Antioxidant
ADONIS AMURENSIS/AKEBIA QUINATA/ALBIZIA JULIBRISSIN/ALTHAEA ROSEA/ANGELICA ACUTILOBA/ANGELICA ANOMALA/AQUILEGIA BUERGERIANA/ARTEMISIA PRINCEPS/ASTER CILIOSUS/ASTER SCABER/BRASSICA CAMPESTRIS/BROUSSONETIA KAZINOKI/CALLISTEPHUS CHINENSIS/CAMELLIA JAPONICA/CAMELLIA SINENSIS/CAMPSIS GRANDIFLORA/CARAGANA SINICA/CARTHAMUSTINCTORIUS/CASSIA OBTUSIFOLIA/CELOSIA CRISTATA/CERCIS CHINENSIS/CHAENOMELES SINENSIS/CHRYSANTHEMUM INDICUM/CHRYSANTHEMUM ZAWADSKII/CLEMATIS TERNIFLORA/COMMELINA COMMUNIS/CORNUS KOUSA/CORNUS OFFICINALIS/CORYDALIS INCISA/CORYDALIS TURTSCHANINOVII/CUCURBITA MOSCHATE/DENDROBIUM NOBILE/DIANTHUS CHINENSIS/ELSHOLTZIA SPLENDENS/EUPATORIUM LINDLEYANUM/FORSYTHIA KOREANA/FRITILLARIA USSURIENSIS/GARDENIA JASMINOIDES/GINKGO BILOBA/HELIANTHUS ANNUUS/HELIANTHUS TUBEROSUS/HEMEROCALLIS FULVA/HIBISCUS MUTABILIS/HIBISCUS SYRIACUS/HOSTA PLANTAGINAE/HYDRANGEA MACROPHYLLA/IMPATIENS BALSAMINA/IPOMEA HEDERACEA/IRIS PALLASII/IRIS PSEUDACORUS/KERRIA JAPONICA/LAGERSTROEMIA INDICA/LEONURUS SIBIRICUS/LESPEDEZA BICOLOR/LILIUM LANCIFOLIUM/LINDERA OBTUSILOBA/LIRIOPES MUSCARI/LONICERA JAPONICA/LYCORIS RADIATA/MAGNOLIA KOBUS/MAGNOLIA LILIFLORA/MALUS SIEBOLDII/NARCISSUS TAZETTA/NELUMBO NUCIFERA/OENOTHERA BIENNIS/PAEONIA LACTIFLORA/PAEONIA SUFFRUTICOSA/PAPAVER RHOEAS/PATRINIASCABIOSIFOLIA/PAULOWNIA COREANA/PERSICARIA THUNBERGII/PETASITES JAPONICUS/PHYTOLACCA ESCULENTA/PLATYCODON GRANDIFLORUS/POLYGONUM ODORATUM/PONICIRUS TRIFOLIATA/PRUNUS ARMENIACA/PRUNUS MUME/PRUNUS PERSICA/PRUNUS SERRULATA/PRUNUS TOMENTOSA/PUERARIA LOBATA/RHODODENDRON MUCRONULATUM/ROBINIA PSEUDACACIA/ROSA MULTIFLORA/ROSA RUGOSA/SASA BOREALIS/SOPHORA JAPONICA/SPIRAEA PRUNIFOLIA/STYRAX JAPONICA/SYRINGA VULGARIS/TARAXACUM PLATYCARPUM/TULIPA EDULIS/VIOLA MANDSCHURICA/WEIGELA SUBSESSILIS/WISTERIA SINENSIS/ZANTHOXYLUM SCHINIFOLIUM/ZEA MAYS/ZINGIBER MIOGA/ZINNIA ELEGANS FLOWER EXTRACT
A massive blend of flower extracts that may offer antioxidant benefits, but its complexity makes it hard to predict individual skin reactions.
Irritation
moderate
Source
natural
Antioxidant
Acetobacter/Aspergillus/Lactobacillus/Leuconostoc/Pediococcus/Saccharomyces/Zygosaccharomyces/Citrus Unshiu Fruit/Citrus Japonica Fruit/Citrus Junos Fruit/Apple Fruit/Banana Fruit/Papaya Fruit/Pyrus Serotina Fruit/Diospyros Kaki Fruit/Watermelon Fruit/Peach Fruit/Prunus Mume Fruit/Fig Fruit/Chaenomeles Sinensis Fruit/Eriobotrya Japonica Fruit/Apricot Fruit/Zizyphus Jujuba Fruit/Cucurbita Maxima Fruit/Castanea Crenata Fruit/Vitis Coignetiae Fruit/Raspberry Fruit/Momordica Grosvenorii Fruit/Lycium Chinense Fruit/Glycine Max Seed/Phaseolus Angularis Seed/Canavalia Ensiformis Seed/Rice Seed/Hordeum Vulgare Seed/Coix Lacryma-Jobi Ma-Yuen Seed/Echinochloa Crus-Galli Seed/Setaria Italica Seed/Millet Seed/Hemerocallis Fulva Flower/Cabbage Leaf/Stem/Morus Bombycis Leaf/Perilla Frutescens Leaf/Ipomoea Batatas Root/Colocasia Antiquorum Tuber/Dioscorea Batatas Rhizome/Iridea Laminarioides/Laminaria Japonica/Nemacystus Decipiens/Undaria Pinnatifida/Radish Root/Turnip Root/Carrot Root/Arctium Lappa Root/Nelumbo Nucifera Rhizome/Onion Bulb/Lilium Auratum Bulb/Licorice Root/Sagittaria Trifolia Root/Sesame Seed/Ginkgo Biloba Seed/Juglans Subcordiformis Fruit/Panax Ginseng Seed/Actinidia Polygama Fruit/Hydnum Erinaceum Fruiting Body/Grifola Frondosa Fruiting Body/Prunus Salicina Fruit/Akebia Quinata Fruit/Crataegus Cuneata Fruit/Cornus Officinalis Fruit/Nephelium Longana Fruit/Houttuynia Cordata/Artemisia Princeps/Sasa Veitchii Leaf/Glechoma Hederacea/Chamomilla Recutita Flower/Equisetum Arvense/Cassia Obtusifolia Seed/Taraxacum Officinale/Isodon Japonicus/Safflower Flower/Plantago Asiatica/Smallanthus Sonchifolius Root/Garlic Bulb/Ginger Rhizome/Beet Rhizome/Polygonum Odoratum Rhizome/Turmeric Rhizome/Acanthopanax Sieboldianus Root/Pinus Koraiensis Seed/Lentinus Edodes Fruiting Body/Auricularia Auricula/Vitis Labrusca Fruit/Helianthus Tuberosus Tuber Ferment Extract
A rich, fermented blend of many plant ingredients that may offer antioxidant and soothing benefits, but its complexity makes it hard to pinpoint exact effects.
Irritation
low
Source
natural
Antioxidant
LACTOBACILLUS/SACCHAROMYCES/GLUCOSE/CABBAGE LEAF/LETTUCE LEAF/GARLIC LEAF/PERILLA FRUTESCENS LEAF/BRASSICA RAPA CHINENSIS/BRASSICA RAPA PERUVIRIDIS/CARROT ROOT/GINGER ROOT/CUCUMBER FRUIT/MELON FRUIT/WATERMELON FRUIT/CAPSICUM ANNUUM FRUIT/CITRUS HASSAKU FRUIT/CITRUS JUNOS FRUIT/LEMON FRUIT/CAULIFLOWER/PEACH FRUIT/CITRUS SALICINA FRUIT/SWEET CHERRY FRUIT/FIG FRUIT/LENTINUS EDODES/ASPARAGUS STEM/ BRASSICA RAPA PEKINENSIS LEAF/CHRYSANTHEMUM CORONARIUM/CRYPTOTAENIA JAPONICA/BRUSSELS SPROUTS/CELERY/RAPHANUS SATIVUS SPROUT/TURNIP ROOT/ RADISH/TOMATO FRUIT/PINEAPPLE FRUIT/HIBISCUS ESCULENTUS FRUIT/CITRUS UNSHIU FRUIT/TANGERINE FRUIT/CITRUS NATSUDAIDAI FRUIT/BROCCOLI FLOWER/APPLE FRUIT/PEAR FRUIT/GRAPE FRUIT/ERIOBOTRYA JAPONICA FRUIT/HYPSIZIGUS MARMOREUS/FLAMMULINA VELUTIPES/STRAWBERRY FRUIT/UNDARIA PINNATIFIDA/LAMINARIA JAPONICA FERMENT FILTRATE
A rich, fermented cocktail of plant extracts that may support skin barrier health and provide antioxidant benefits, though individual ingredient concentrations are unknown.
Irritation
low
Source
biotech
Antioxidant
Zygosaccharomyces/Apple Fruit/Papaya Fruit/Pineapple Fruit/Acerola Fruit/Averrhoa Carambola Fruit/Musa Acuminata Fruit/Carrot Root/Radish Root/Tomato Fruit/Cucumber Fruit/Spinach Leaf/Perilla Frutescens Leaf/Aloe Arborescens Leaf/Laminaria Digitata Ferment Extract Filtrate
A gentle, antioxidant-rich ferment that lightly exfoliates and nourishes, but its complex sourcing makes it hard to standardize.
Irritation
low
Source
biotech
Exfoliant
SACCHAROMYCES/CUCUMIS MELO FRUIT/FRAGARIA CHILOENSIS FRUIT/VITIS VINIFERA FRUIT/AKEBIA QUINATA FRUIT/PYRUS MALUS FRUIT/FICUS CARICA FRUIT/MUSA PARADISIACA FRUIT/SUCROSE FERMENT FILTRATE
A gentle fermented fruit blend that lightly exfoliates and provides antioxidant benefits, ideal for most skin types.
Irritation
low
Source
biotech
Antioxidant
CENTELLA ASIATICA/CHAMOMILLA RECUTITA (MATRICARIA) FLOWER/(CAMELLIA SINENSIS/ROSMARINUS OFFICINALIS /ZEA MAYS LEAF)/(GLYCYRRHIZA GLABRA/POLYGONUM CUSPIDATUM/SCUTELLARIA BAICALENSIS ROOT) EXTRACT
A soothing, antioxidant-rich botanical blend that may help calm skin and fight free radicals, but individual extract concentrations are unknown.
Irritation
low
Source
natural
Antioxidant
Poncirus Trifoliata Fruit/Sophora Flavescens Root/Duchesnea Chrysantha/Saururus Chinensis Leaf/Root/Houttuynia Cordata/Perilla Frutescens Leaf/Lonicera Japonica Flower Extract
A gentle botanical blend that may help calm skin and fight free radicals, but research is limited and mostly based on individual plant studies.
Irritation
low
Source
natural
Soothing Agent
Althaea Officinalis Root/Anthemis Nobilis Flower/Foeniculum Vulgare Fruit/Houttuynia Cordata/Lavandula Angustifolia Flower/Ocimum Basilicum Flower/Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract
A gentle, multi-herb blend that may help calm skin and provide antioxidant protection, but individual herb concentrations are unknown.
Irritation
low
Source
natural
Antioxidant
MORUS ALBA BARK/PINUS DENSIFLORA LEAF/(ANGELICA GIGAS/CNIDIUM OFFICINALE/LICORICE/SOPHORA FLAVESCENS ROOT)/ACORUS GRAMINEUS STEM EXTRACT
A multi-herb extract blend with antioxidant potential, but limited direct research on this specific combination.
Irritation
low
Source
natural
Antioxidant
GERMINATED CARTHAMUS TINCTORIUS SEED/PLANTAGO ASIATICA SEED/NELUMBO NUCIFERA SEED/PSORALEA CORYLIFOLIA SEED/ALLIUM TUBEROSUM SEED/BRASSICA CAMPESTRIS SEED/ZIZYPHUS JUJUBA FRUIT/ASTRAGALUS MEMBRANACEUS ROOT/PLATYCODON GRANDIFLORUS ROOT/POLYGONUM MULTIFLORUM/ANGELICA GIGAS/VELVET/PORIA COCOS/LYCIUM CHINENSE FRUIT/PANAX GINSENG ROOT/EUCOMMIA ULMOIDES BARK/TRIBULUS TERRESTRIS FRUIT/POLYGALA TENUIFOLIA ROOT/DENDROBIUM NOBILE/ACHYRANTHES JAPONICA/EPIMEDIUM KOREANUM/REHMANNIA GLUTINOSA ROOT/CORNUS OFFICINALIS FRUIT/RUBUS COREANUS FRUIT/MORINDA CITRIFOLIA/ALPINIA OXYPHYLLA SEED EXTRACT
A rich botanical blend with antioxidant potential, but individual ingredient concentrations are unknown and clinical data on the mixture is limited.
Irritation
low
Source
natural
Antioxidant
(CARTHAMUS TINCTORIUS/CHAMOMILLA RECUTITA/SYZYGIUM AROMATICUM) FLOWER/(LITHOSPERMUM ERYTHRORHIZON/SOPHORA FLAVESCENS/SCUTELLARIA BAICALENSIS) ROOT EXTRACT
A complex botanical blend that may help calm skin and fight free radical damage, but individual effects depend on the specific plant ratios.
Irritation
low
Source
natural
Antioxidant
Liquidambar formosana/Tribulus terrestris Fruit/Paeonia lactiflora Root Extract
A gentle botanical blend with antioxidant and soothing potential, but human skin studies are limited.
Irritation
low
Source
natural
Antioxidant
Urtica Dioica Leaf/Tussilago Farfara Leaf/Equisetum Arvense Stem/Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf/Salvia Officinalis Leaf/Achillea Millefolium Flower/Menyanthes Trifoliata Leaf/Betula Alba Leaf Extract
A multi-herb blend that offers antioxidant and soothing benefits, but individual herb concentrations are unknown and research is mostly on single extracts.
Irritation
low
Source
natural
Antioxidant
Hydrolyzed (Citrus Aurantium Amara /Forsythia Viridissima/Gardenia Jasminoides) Fruit/Mentha Arvensis Leaf/(Angelica Acutiloba/Coptis Japonica/Glycyrrhiza Glabra/Paeonia Lactiflora/Platycodon Grandiflorus/Rehmannia Glutinosa/Scutellaria Baicalensis) Root Extract
A multi-plant extract blend that may help calm skin and fight oxidative stress, but research is limited on the specific combination.
Irritation
low
Source
natural
Antioxidant
(LINDERA STRYCHNIFOLIA/PAEONIA ALBIFLORA) ROOT/COMMIPHORA MYRRHA RESIN/SWERTIA JAPONICA/UNCARIA GAMBIR EXTRACT
A traditional herbal blend that may offer antioxidant and soothing benefits, but lacks robust modern research for skincare efficacy.
Irritation
low
Source
natural
Antioxidant
Morus Alba Bark/(Portulaca Oleracea Leaf/Stem)/Angelica Dahurica Root/Apricot Seed/Chestnut Shell Extract
A multi-plant extract blend that offers antioxidant and soothing benefits, but individual plant contributions are not well-studied in this specific combination.
Irritation
low
Source
natural
Antioxidant
Hydrolyzed Forsythia Viridissima Fruit/(Actaea Dahurica/Glycyrrhiza Glabra/Paeonia Lactiflora/Platycodon Grandiflorus/Pueraria Montana) Root Extract
A gentle botanical blend with antioxidant potential, but research is limited on this specific combination.
Irritation
low
Source
natural
Antioxidant
Aspergillus/Candida utilis/Lactobacillus/Mucor hiemalis/Rhodobacter/Rhodopseudomonas/Saccharomyces/Streptococcus lactis/Streptomyces albus/Streptomyces griseus/Lemon Fruit/Molasses Ferment Filtrate
A multi-microbe ferment filtrate that may support skin barrier health and provide antioxidant benefits, though research is still emerging.
Irritation
low
Source
biotech
Humectant
ACETOBACTER/BACILLUS/LACTOBACILLUS/SACCHAROMYCES/STREPTOCOCCUS/FRUIT/LEAF/IMPERATA CYLINDRICA ROOT/SEED/BROCCOLI/ERIOCEPHALUS PUNCTULATUS/MISTLETOE/ACRYLATES C10-30 ALKYL ACRYLATES CROSSPOLYMER/ALPHA-GLUCAN/BETAINE/BUTYLENE GLYCOL/EPIGALLOCATECHIN GALLATYL GLUCOSIDE/GLYCERETH-26/GLYCERIN/GLUCOSYL CERAMIDE/GLUCOSYL HESPERIDIN/HYDROLYZED HYALURONIC ACID/MALTODEXTRIN/PANTHENOL/SCLEROTIUM GUM/TROMETHAMINE/XANTHAN GUM FERMENT FILTRATE
A complex ferment blend that hydrates, soothes, and supports skin barrier health with multiple probiotic and botanical actives.
Irritation
low
Source
mixed
A gentle, antioxidant-rich flower extract that may help calm skin and fight free radicals, though research is still early.
Irritation
low
Source
natural
A gentle, antioxidant-rich extract from wild rose hips that may help protect skin from environmental stress and support a calm, even complexion.
Irritation
low
Source
natural
A gentle botanical extract with antioxidant potential, but research on its specific skin benefits is still limited.
Irritation
low
Source
natural
A gentle, plant-derived antioxidant that may help protect skin from environmental stress, but research is still early.
Irritation
low
Source
biotech
A gentle, plant-derived ingredient that may help protect skin from environmental stress and support a calmer complexion.
Irritation
low
Source
biotech
A gentle, plant-based extract with antioxidant potential, but research on its specific skin benefits is still limited.
Irritation
low
Source
natural
A gentle, antioxidant-rich plant extract that may help soothe skin and provide a subtle brightening effect, but research is still early.
Irritation
low
Source
natural
A gentle plant extract that may help calm skin and fight free radicals, but research is still early.
Irritation
low
Source
natural
A gentle, antioxidant-rich flower extract from the murumuru palm that may help protect skin from environmental stress.
Irritation
low
Source
natural
A gentle, antioxidant-rich fruit extract that helps protect skin from environmental stress while providing mild hydration and soothing benefits.
Irritation
low
Source
natural
A gentle, plant-based extract that helps calm irritation and defend skin from environmental stress, though research is still early.
Irritation
low
Source
natural
A gentle, antioxidant-rich extract from muscadine grapes that helps protect skin from environmental damage and may support a more even complexion.
Irritation
low
Source
natural
A gentle antioxidant extract from muscadine grape seeds that helps defend skin from environmental stress without irritation.
Irritation
low
Source
natural
A gentle, antioxidant-rich mushroom extract that may help calm skin and fight free radical damage, but research is still early.
Irritation
low
Source
natural
Antioxidant
(GRIFOLA FRONDOSA/ INONOTUS OBLIQUUS / SCHIZOPHYLLUM COMMUNE/ TRICHOLOMA MATSUTAKE) MYCELIUM /LETHARIELLA CLADONIOIDES FERMENT EXTRACT FILTRATE
A fermented mushroom and lichen complex that may help calm and protect skin, though human studies are limited.
Irritation
low
Source
biotech
A fermented blend of mushroom, soy, and sugar that may support skin barrier function and provide antioxidant benefits, though human studies are limited.
Irritation
low
Source
biotech
A gentle, plant-based antioxidant that may help defend skin from pollution and UV damage, though human studies are still limited.
Irritation
low
Source
natural
A mushroom-derived extract with early research suggesting antioxidant and soothing benefits, but human skincare studies are limited.
Irritation
low
Source
natural