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 21 of 21
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

Humectant

Alpinia Uraiensis Leaf Water

Alpinia Uraiensis Leaf Water

3.8

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

Irritation

low

Source

natural

beautyskincarebotanical water
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Fragrance Component

Anise Fruit Water

PIMPINELLA ANISUM FRUIT WATER

3.5

A gentle, aromatic botanical water that adds a light scent and soothing feel to skincare, but lacks strong clinical evidence for specific skin benefits.

Irritation

low

Source

natural

beautyskincarebotanical water
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Soothing Agent

Basil Leaf Water

Ocimum Basilicum Leaf Water

3.8

Basil leaf water is a mild, aromatic botanical water that can add a subtle soothing feel and light herbal scent to skincare, but its benefits are largely from its water content and minor antioxidant traces.

Irritation

low

Source

natural

beautyskincarebotanical water
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Fragrance

Camphor Bush Water

TARCHONANTHUS CAMPHORATUS WATER

3.5

A gentle botanical water with a camphor-like scent, best for those who enjoy natural fragrances and want a mild antimicrobial boost in their routine.

Irritation

low

Source

natural

beautyskincarebotanical water
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Fragrance

Carnation Flower Water

DIANTHUS CARYOPHYLLUS FLOWER WATER

3.8

A gentle, lightly astringent floral water that adds a pleasant scent and mild soothing feel to skincare, but lacks strong clinical backing.

Irritation

low

Source

natural

beautyskincarebotanical water
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Fragrance component

Cornmint Water

MENTHA ARVENSIS FLOWER/LEAF/STEM WATER

3.8

A gentle, minty botanical water that adds a refreshing feel and light scent to products, but offers limited proven skincare benefits beyond sensory appeal.

Irritation

low

Source

natural

beautyskincarebotanical water
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Fragrance

Daffodil Flower Water

NARCISSUS PSEUDO-NARCISSUS FLOWER WATER

3.8

A gentle, lightly fragrant botanical water that adds a subtle floral note and mild soothing feel to skincare, but lacks strong clinical evidence for specific skin benefits.

Irritation

low

Source

natural

beautyskincarebotanical water
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Fragrance

Douglas Fir Branch Water

Pseudotsuga menziesii branch water

3.8

A gentle, aromatic botanical water that adds a fresh scent and mild skin-conditioning benefits, but lacks strong clinical evidence for specific skincare claims.

Irritation

low

Source

natural

beautyskincarebotanical water
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Skin conditioner

Hazel Leaf Water

Corylus Avellana Leaf Water

4.0

A mild, hydrating botanical water that adds a touch of antioxidant protection without stripping the skin.

Irritation

low

Source

natural

beautyskincarebotanical water
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Fragrance

Lemon Verbena Flower Water

Lippia Citriodora Flower Water

3.8

A mild, pleasantly scented botanical water that can offer gentle toning and a refreshing feel, but with limited research on specific skincare benefits.

Irritation

low

Source

natural

beautyskincarebotanical water
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Fragrance

Lemon Verbena Leaf Water

Lippia Citriodora Leaf Water

3.8

A gentle, aromatic botanical water that adds a light citrus scent and mild astringent feel, but its skincare benefits beyond fragrance are not well-studied.

Irritation

low

Source

natural

beautyskincarebotanical water
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Fragrance

Lemongrass Water

Cymbopogon Schoenanthus Water

3.8

A gentle, naturally fragrant botanical water that can refresh and lightly tone skin, but its benefits are mild and mostly sensory.

Irritation

low

Source

natural

beautyskincarebotanical water
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Skin conditioner

Moldavian Dragonhead Water

Dracocephalum nutans flower/leaf/stem water

3.8

A gentle, lightly fragrant botanical water that may offer mild soothing and astringent benefits, but lacks strong clinical evidence.

Irritation

low

Source

natural

beautyskincarebotanical water
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Fragrance

Night-Blooming Jasmine Water

Cestrum Nocturnum Branch/Flower/Leaf Water

3.5

A gentle, fragrant botanical water that adds a pleasant scent and mild skin-conditioning benefits, but lacks strong scientific backing for specific skincare effects.

Irritation

low

Source

natural

beautyskincarebotanical water
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Fragrance

Orange Flower Water

Citrus Sinensis Flower Water

3.8

A gentle, aromatic floral water that adds a light scent and mild soothing feel to skincare products, but offers limited active benefits compared to other ingredients.

Irritation

low

Source

natural

beautyskincarebotanical water
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Solvent

Orange Fruit Water

Citrus Sinensis Fruit Water

3.5

A gentle, fragrant botanical water that adds a light citrus scent and mild astringency, but offers limited proven skincare benefits beyond hydration.

Irritation

low

Source

natural

beautyskincarebotanical water
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Fragrance

Rose Geranium Flower Water

PELARGONIUM GRAVEOLENS FLOWER WATER

4.0

A gentle, lightly astringent floral water that can help refresh and balance skin without the intensity of essential oils.

Irritation

low

Source

natural

beautyskincarebotanical water
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Fragrance

Satsuma Flower Water

CITRUS UNSHIU FLOWER WATER

3.8

A gentle, lightly fragrant floral water that can refresh and mildly tone the skin, but its benefits are subtle and not backed by strong research.

Irritation

low

Source

natural

beautyskincarebotanical water
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Skin conditioner

Tulip Tree Leaf Water

Liriodendron tulipifera leaf water

3.5

A gentle, aromatic botanical water that may offer mild antioxidant and soothing benefits, but lacks robust clinical research.

Irritation

low

Source

natural

beautyskincarebotanical water
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Fragrance component

Winter Savory Hydrosol

SATUREJA MONTANA FLOWER/LEAF/STEM WATER

3.5

A gentle, aromatic botanical water that may offer mild antioxidant and astringent benefits, but lacks robust clinical evidence for specific skincare claims.

Irritation

low

Source

natural

beautyskincarebotanical water
Read ingredient review