Beauty ingredient research

Beauty ingredients explained in plain English

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

Showing 60 of 4,092
AllUV absorberUV filterabrasiveabsorbentacne treatmentactiveactive ingredientadhesivealkalizing agentamino acidanti-aginganti-androgenanti-cavityanti-cavity agentanti-inflammatoryanti-irritantanticariesanticavity agentantidandruffantifungalantimicrobialantioxidantantiperspirantantiplaqueastringentbarrier repairbarrier supportbarrier-repairbarrier-supportbinderbinding agentbiotechbiotechnologybond-builderbotanicalbotanical extractbotanical oilbotanical waterbrighteningbrightening agentbufferbuffering agentcell-communicating ingredientceramidechelating agentchemicalchemical intermediateclaycleansercleansingcleansing agentcolorantconditionerconditioningconditioning agentcooling agentcosmeticcosmetic additivecosmetic colorantcosmetic ingredientcosmetic pigmentcosmetic powdercosmetic-texturizercosmetic-waxcosmeticscrosslinking agentdelivery agentdelivery systemdenaturantdeodorantdeodorant agentdepigmenting agentdepilatorydepilatory agentdesensitizing agentdyedye intermediatedye precursordye-intermediateemollientemulsifierenzymeessential oilexfoliantexperimentaleyelashfermentfilm formerfilm-formerfilm-formingfilm-forming agentfirming agentfixativeflavoring agentformulationfragrancefragrance ingredientfunctional ingredientgashair carehair colorhair coloranthair conditionerhair dyehair removalhair-carehair-colorhaircarehumectantindustrialinsecticideintermediatelashlash carelash enhancerlash-and-browlip carelipidmakeupmarine extractmasking agentmicrobiomemicrobiome modulatormineralmoisturizernail carenail-careocclusiveoilopacifieropacifying agentoptical agentoral careotheroxidative dyeoxidative dye precursoroxidizing agentpH adjusterpain reliefpenetration enhancerpeptidepersonal careph adjusterpharmaceuticalpheromonepigmentplant oilplasticizerpolymerpolymer precursorprebioticprescription-drugpreservativepreservative boosterprobioticprocessing agentprocessing aidpropellantproteinpurifyingreducing agentretinoidscalp caresebum regulatorsebum-regulatorself-tannerself-tanningsensory additivesensory agentsensory modifiersiliconeskin barrierskin barrier supportskin conditionerskin conditioningskin conditioning agentskin lighteningskin protectantskin-conditioningskin-conditioning agentskin-identicalskin-identical ingredientskin-lighteningskin-lightening agentskincaresolventsoothingsoothing agentstabilizerstimulantsunscreensurfactantsyntheticsynthetic colorantsynthetic dyesynthetic resinsynthetic-coloranttexture enhancertexturizerthickenertoneruv-absorberuv-filtervasoactivevasodilatorviscosity controlviscosity controllingviscosity controlling agentvitaminwax

Antioxidant

Blueberry Stem Extract

Vaccinium Virgatum Stem Extract

3.8

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

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Antioxidant

Bog Bilberry Extract

VACCINIUM ULIGINOSUM BERRY EXTRACT

4.0

A gentle antioxidant-rich extract from bog bilberries that helps protect skin from environmental stress and may calm irritation.

Irritation

low

Source

natural

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Antioxidant

Bogota Phytolacca Leaf Extract

PHYTOLACCA BOGOTENSIS LEAF EXTRACT

3.5

A gentle, plant-derived extract with antioxidant potential, but research is limited and it may not be a powerhouse ingredient.

Irritation

low

Source

natural

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Antioxidant

Bombax Costatum Leaf Cell Extract

BOMBAX COSTATUM LEAF CELL EXTRACT

3.8

A gentle, plant-derived antioxidant extract that may help protect skin from environmental stress, though research is still emerging.

Irritation

low

Source

biotech

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Antioxidant

Boronia Flower Extract

Boronia Megastigma Flower Extract

3.8

A gentle, fragrant flower extract with mild antioxidant potential, best known for its pleasant scent rather than proven skin benefits.

Irritation

low

Source

natural

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Antioxidant

Boswellia Serrata Leaf Cell Extract

BOSWELLIA SERRATA LEAF CELL EXTRACT

4.0

A gentle, lab-grown plant cell extract that may help calm skin and defend against environmental stress, though human studies are limited.

Irritation

low

Source

biotech

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Antioxidant

Botanical Brightening Complex

Cinnamomum Cassia Bark/Poncirus Trifoliata Fruit/Saururus Chinensis Leaf/Root/Sophora Angustifolia Root Extract

3.8

A blend of four traditional botanical extracts that may offer antioxidant and soothing benefits, but human skin research is still limited.

Irritation

low

Source

natural

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Antioxidant

Botanical Extract Blend

Natural Extracts

3.5

A catch-all for plant extracts that can offer antioxidant and soothing benefits, but the exact effects depend on the specific plants used.

Irritation

low

Source

natural

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Antioxidant

Botanical Weed Extract Blend

EQUISETUM ARVENSE/GALIUM APARINE/VANILLA PLANIFOLIA FRUIT EXTRACT

3.8

A gentle botanical blend that may offer antioxidant and soothing benefits, but research is limited.

Irritation

low

Source

natural

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Antioxidant

Botrychium Schaffneri Extract

Botrychium Schaffneri Extract

3.8

A gentle fern extract with antioxidant potential, but research is still early and benefits are not yet proven in large human studies.

Irritation

low

Source

natural

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Antioxidant

Botrychium Ternatum Extract

Botrychium Ternatum Extract

3.8

A gentle fern extract with antioxidant potential, best for sensitive or environmentally stressed skin, though research is still emerging.

Irritation

low

Source

natural

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Antioxidant

Botrytis Ferment Extract

Botrytis Ferment Extract Filtrate

3.8

A gentle, antioxidant-rich ferment that may help soothe and protect skin, but research is still early.

Irritation

low

Source

biotech

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Antioxidant

Bougainvillea Flower Extract

BOUGAINVILLEA GLABRA FLOWER EXTRACT

3.5

A gentle plant extract with antioxidant potential, but research is still early and benefits are not yet proven in human skin.

Irritation

low

Source

natural

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Antioxidant

Bougainvillea Leaf Cell Extract

BOUGAINVILLEA SPECTABILIS LEAF CELL EXTRACT

3.8

A gentle, plant-derived antioxidant extract that may help calm skin and fight free radicals, though research is still early.

Irritation

low

Source

natural

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Antioxidant

Bourbon Rose Flower Extract

Rosa Borboniana Flower Extract

4.0

A gentle, antioxidant-rich rose extract that helps soothe skin and fight free radical damage, but its benefits are best supported by general rose research rather than specific studies on this exact species.

Irritation

low

Source

natural

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Antioxidant

Boxwood Leaf Extract

Buxus Sempervirens Leaf Extract

3.5

A gentle plant extract with antioxidant potential, but research on its specific skin benefits is still limited.

Irritation

low

Source

natural

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Antioxidant

Brachychiton Flower Extract

Brachychiton Acerifolius Flower Extract

3.8

A gentle, antioxidant-rich flower extract that may help protect skin from environmental stress, though human studies are limited.

Irritation

low

Source

natural

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Antioxidant

Brazil Nut Extract

Bertholletia Excelsa Seed Extract

4.0

A gentle, antioxidant-rich extract that helps protect skin from environmental stress while providing light nourishment.

Irritation

low

Source

natural

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Antioxidant

Brazil Nut Flower Extract

BERTHOLLETIA EXCELSA FLOWER EXTRACT

3.8

A gentle, antioxidant-rich flower extract that may help protect skin from environmental stress, though research is still emerging.

Irritation

low

Source

natural

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Antioxidant

Brazil Nut Pericarp Extract

BERTHOLLETIA EXCELSA PERICARP EXTRACT

3.8

A gentle, antioxidant-rich extract from Brazil nut shells that may help protect skin from environmental stress, though research is still emerging.

Irritation

low

Source

natural

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Antioxidant

Brazilian Pepper Fruit Extract

Schinus Terebinthifolia Fruit Extract

3.8

A gentle, plant-based antioxidant that may help calm skin and fight free radical damage, though research is still emerging.

Irritation

low

Source

natural

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Antioxidant

Brazilian Pepper Seed Extract

Schinus Terebinthifolia Seed Extract

3.8

A plant-based antioxidant extract that may help calm skin and fight free radical damage, though research is still early.

Irritation

low

Source

natural

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Antioxidant

Brazilwood Extract

HAEMATOXYLUM BRASILETTO WOOD EXTRACT

4.0

A gentle, plant-derived antioxidant that may help calm skin and protect against environmental stress, though research is still emerging.

Irritation

low

Source

natural

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Antioxidant

Breadfruit Wood Extract

Artocarpus Altilis Wood Extract

3.8

A gentle, plant-derived antioxidant extract that may help protect skin from environmental stress, though research is still early.

Irritation

low

Source

natural

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Antioxidant

Briareum Excavatum Extract

Briareum Excavatum Extract

3.5

A marine-derived antioxidant extract with limited but promising research; best for soothing and protecting sensitive skin.

Irritation

low

Source

natural

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Antioxidant

Bridal Wreath Extract

SPIRAEA PRUNIFOLIA BRANCH/LEAF EXTRACT

3.8

A gentle plant extract with antioxidant potential, but research is limited and benefits are not yet well-established.

Irritation

low

Source

natural

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Antioxidant

Broccoli Leaf/Root Extract

Brassica Oleracea Italica Leaf/Root Extract

4.0

A gentle, antioxidant-rich plant extract that helps protect skin from environmental stress and may calm irritation.

Irritation

low

Source

natural

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Antioxidant

Broccoli Sprout Powder

Brassica Oleracea Italica Sprout Powder

4.0

A gentle, antioxidant-rich powder from broccoli sprouts that helps protect skin from environmental stress and may calm irritation.

Irritation

low

Source

natural

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Antioxidant

Bromelia Balanse Extract

Bromelia Balanse Extract

3.5

A plant extract with potential soothing and antioxidant benefits, but research is limited and it's not a proven powerhouse ingredient.

Irritation

low

Source

natural

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Antioxidant

Brooklime Extract

Veronica Beccabunga Extract

3.8

A gentle botanical extract with antioxidant and soothing potential, but research on its cosmetic benefits is still limited.

Irritation

low

Source

natural

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Antioxidant

Broom Extract

Sarothamnus Scoparius Extract

3.8

A gentle botanical extract that may help calm skin and fight free radicals, but research is still early.

Irritation

low

Source

natural

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Antioxidant

Broom Flower Extract

Cytisus Scoparius Flower Extract

3.5

A gentle botanical extract with antioxidant potential, but research on its cosmetic benefits is still limited.

Irritation

low

Source

natural

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Antioxidant

Broom Plant Extract

CYTISUS SCOPARIUS BRANCH/FLOWER/LEAF EXTRACT

3.5

A plant extract with antioxidant potential, but limited research on its specific benefits for skin.

Irritation

low

Source

natural

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Antioxidant

Broomrape Extract

Orobanche Rapum Extract

3.8

A gentle plant extract with antioxidant potential, but research is limited and it's not a powerhouse ingredient.

Irritation

low

Source

natural

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Skin Brightener

Broussonetia Kazinoki Bark Extract

BROUSSONETIA KAZINOKI BARK EXTRACT

4.0

A gentle plant extract that may help even skin tone and protect against environmental damage, but research is still limited compared to more established brighteners.

Irritation

low

Source

natural

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Skin Brightener

Broussonetia Kazinoki Root Extract

BROUSSONETIA KAZINOKI ROOT EXTRACT

4.0

A gentle plant extract that may help even out skin tone and protect against environmental damage, but more human studies are needed to confirm its brightening effects.

Irritation

low

Source

natural

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Antioxidant

Brown Seaweed Extract

Dictyopteris Polypodioides Extract

4.0

A gentle brown seaweed extract that may help calm skin and fight environmental stress, though research is still early.

Irritation

low

Source

natural

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Antioxidant

Brucea Amarissima Gall Extract

Brucea Amarissima Gall Extract

3.8

A gentle plant extract with antioxidant potential, but research is still early and benefits are not yet well-established.

Irritation

low

Source

natural

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Antioxidant

Brush Cherry Fruit Extract

SYZYGIUM AUSTRALE FRUIT EXTRACT

3.8

A gentle, antioxidant-rich fruit extract that may help calm skin and fight free radicals, but research is still early.

Irritation

low

Source

natural

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Antioxidant

Brussels Sprout Extract

Brassica Oleracea Gemmifera Extract

3.8

A gentle, antioxidant-rich plant extract that may help protect skin from environmental stress, but research on its topical benefits is still limited.

Irritation

low

Source

natural

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Antioxidant

Bryonolic Acid

Bryonolic Acid

3.5

Bryonolic Acid is a plant-based antioxidant with early research suggesting anti-inflammatory benefits, but it is not yet widely studied in human skin care.

Irritation

low

Source

natural

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Antioxidant

Buckwheat Callus Extract

POLYGONUM FAGOPYRUM CALLUS CULTURE EXTRACT

4.0

A gentle, lab-grown antioxidant that may help calm skin and fight environmental stress without irritation.

Irritation

low

Source

biotech

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Antioxidant

Buckwheat Ferment Extract

Aspergillus/Buckwheat Ferment Extract

4.0

A gentle, fermented botanical extract that may help calm skin and defend against environmental stress, though research is still early.

Irritation

low

Source

biotech

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Antioxidant

Buckwheat Leaf Extract

Polygonum Fagopyrum Leaf Extract

4.0

A gentle, plant-derived antioxidant that may help calm skin and defend against daily pollution and UV stress.

Irritation

low

Source

natural

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Antioxidant

Buckwheat Seed Extract

POLYGONUM FAGOPYRUM SEED EXTRACT

4.0

Buckwheat Seed Extract is a gentle, antioxidant-rich ingredient that helps calm skin and defend against environmental stress.

Irritation

low

Source

natural

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Antioxidant

Buckwheat Sprout Extract

POLYGONUM FAGOPYRUM SPROUT EXTRACT

4.0

A gentle, plant-derived antioxidant that may help protect skin from environmental damage, though research is still emerging.

Irritation

low

Source

natural

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Antioxidant

Buckwheat Stem Extract

POLYGONUM FAGOPYRUM STEM EXTRACT

3.8

Buckwheat Stem Extract is a gentle antioxidant-rich ingredient that may help calm skin and protect against environmental stress, though research is still emerging.

Irritation

low

Source

natural

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Antioxidant

Buddleja Davidii Extract

BUDDLEJA DAVIDII EXTRACT

4.0

A gentle botanical extract that helps defend skin from environmental stress and may calm irritation, but research is still emerging.

Irritation

low

Source

natural

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Antioxidant

Buddleja Davidii Leaf Extract

BUDDLEJA DAVIDII LEAF EXTRACT

4.0

A gentle botanical extract that may help calm skin and defend against environmental stress, though human studies are limited.

Irritation

low

Source

natural

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Antioxidant

Buddleja Davidii Meristem Cell Culture

Buddleja Davidii Meristem Cell Culture

4.0

A gentle, lab-grown plant extract that may help protect skin from environmental stress and calm irritation, though human studies are still limited.

Irritation

low

Source

biotech

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Antioxidant

Buddleja Leaf Extract

Buddleja Officinalis Leaf Extract

4.0

A gentle botanical extract with antioxidant potential, but research on its topical benefits is still emerging.

Irritation

low

Source

natural

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Antioxidant

Bugleweed Callus Extract

Lycopus Maackianus Callus Culture Extract

3.8

A gentle, lab-grown plant extract that may help calm skin and fight free radicals, but research is still early.

Irritation

low

Source

biotech

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Antioxidant

Bugleweed Meristem Cell Culture

Ajuga Reptans Meristem Cell Culture

3.8

A plant stem cell extract that may help protect skin from environmental stress, though human research is still limited.

Irritation

low

Source

natural

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Antioxidant

Bunya Nut Extract

Araucaria bidwillii seed extract

3.8

A gentle, antioxidant-rich plant extract that may help protect skin from environmental stress, though research is still early.

Irritation

low

Source

natural

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