Beauty ingredients explained in plain English

A gentle, plant-based astringent that can help tighten pores and calm irritation, but may be drying for very sensitive skin.

A gentle plant extract that may help tighten pores and fight free radicals, but research on its specific skin benefits is still limited.

Aluminum acetate is a mild astringent that can help soothe minor skin irritations, but it is not a common everyday skincare ingredient and may cause dryness or irritation with overuse.

Aluminum chloride is effective at reducing sweat but can cause irritation and has raised safety questions; use with caution on sensitive skin.

Aluminum citrate works as an astringent and antiperspirant, but may cause irritation for sensitive skin and raises environmental concerns.

Aluminum Diacetate works as an astringent to tighten skin and reduce sweat, but it can be drying and may irritate sensitive skin.

Aluminum Glycinate helps reduce sweat and tighten skin, but may cause irritation for sensitive skin types.

Aluminum Lactate works as an astringent to reduce sweat and tighten pores, but may cause irritation for sensitive skin.

Aluminum sulfate works as an astringent to tighten skin and reduce sweat, but it can be irritating for sensitive skin and raises environmental concerns.

Aluminum Triformate works as an astringent to reduce sweat and tighten pores, but may cause irritation for sensitive skin.

Ammonium alum works as an astringent and antiperspirant, but may irritate sensitive skin and raises concerns about aluminum absorption.

Bergamot Peel Water offers a refreshing, lightly astringent feel but can increase sun sensitivity due to natural photosensitizing compounds.

Bitter Apple Powder may help calm skin and reduce excess oil, but it can be irritating for sensitive skin and lacks strong research support.

Bitter orange peel offers gentle astringent and antioxidant benefits but can be irritating for sensitive skin, especially in high concentrations or with sun exposure.

A natural astringent that may help tone oily skin, but can be irritating for sensitive types and lacks strong clinical backing.

Cassia bark water may offer mild astringent and antimicrobial benefits, but it can be irritating for sensitive skin and is best used in low concentrations.

Cypress Leaf Extract is a gentle botanical astringent that may help tighten pores and provide antioxidant protection, though human studies are limited.

Ferric chloride is a strong astringent with limited cosmetic use due to high irritation potential and lack of proven skincare benefits.

Ferric nitrate is a synthetic salt that can act as a colorant or astringent, but it is rarely used in modern skincare due to potential irritation and limited benefits.

Ferric sulfate is an effective astringent but can be drying and irritating, especially for sensitive skin.

Ferrous sulfate is primarily used as a colorant or astringent in cosmetics, but it offers little skincare benefit and may cause irritation for sensitive skin.

A gentle, naturally astringent floral water that may help tighten pores and refresh skin, but lacks strong clinical evidence for most claims.

A gentle, water-based citrus extract that may offer mild antioxidant and refreshing benefits, but research is limited.

Lemon fruit water offers gentle astringent and refreshing benefits but can be mildly irritating for sensitive skin due to natural citric acid and volatile compounds.

Lemon juice extract can brighten skin and tighten pores, but its high acidity and phototoxicity risk make it tricky for everyday use.

Lemon Juice Powder can offer mild brightening and astringent effects, but its acidity and photosensitizing potential require careful formulation and sun protection.

Lemon peel water offers a light, refreshing feel and mild astringent action, but can be irritating for sensitive skin due to natural citrus compounds.

Lime fruit water offers a light, refreshing feel and mild astringent action, but its natural acidity and phototoxic potential require careful formulation.

A gentle, citrus-derived water that can refresh and lightly tighten skin, but its benefits are subtle and not as well-studied as more common fruit extracts.

Oak bark extract is a natural astringent and antioxidant that can help tighten pores and protect skin from environmental damage, but it may be drying for some skin types.

Oak Gall Extract is a natural astringent that may help tighten pores and control oil, but it can be drying or irritating for sensitive skin types.

Potassium alum is a mineral salt that tightens skin and reduces sweat, but its safety is debated due to aluminum content.

Rhatany Root Extract is a gentle botanical astringent that can help tighten pores and calm irritation without stripping the skin.

Witch hazel extract can help tighten pores and calm minor irritation, but alcohol-based versions may dry or irritate sensitive skin.

A gentle, distilled witch hazel water that can help tone and soothe skin without the high alcohol content of traditional extracts.

A mild, water-based astringent that can help tone and refresh skin without the harshness of alcohol-based toners.

Witch hazel water can help tighten pores and calm minor irritation, but alcohol-free versions are gentler for sensitive skin.

Zinc acetate is a gentle astringent that helps tighten pores and reduce surface bacteria, but it is not a primary acne treatment.

Zinc chloride is an effective astringent and deodorant ingredient, but its potential for irritation makes it less suitable for sensitive skin or daily leave-on use.

Zinc Phenolsulfonate helps tighten pores and reduce sweat odor, but it can be drying for sensitive or dry skin types.

Zinc sulfate is a gentle astringent that can help calm skin and reduce excess oil, but it's not a primary treatment for acne or inflammation.