Beauty ingredients explained in plain English

Jojoba Esters are a gentle, plant-based emollient that mimics the skin's natural sebum, making it an excellent moisturizer for most skin types, especially oily and acne-prone skin.

A gentle, semi-synthetic jojoba derivative that provides silky skin feel and conditioning without clogging pores.

A gentle, non-greasy emollient that mimics skin's natural oils and improves product texture without clogging pores.

A gentle, lightweight emollient that mimics skin's natural oils without clogging pores.

Jojoba Seed Extract is a gentle, skin-identical emollient that hydrates without clogging pores, making it a safe choice for most skin types.

Jojoba wax is a gentle, plant-based emollient that mimics skin's natural oils, making it ideal for dry or sensitive skin.

A gentle, plant-derived emollient that mimics skin's natural oils, making it ideal for dry or sensitive skin.

A gentle, plant-based emollient that feels silky on skin and helps reinforce the moisture barrier without clogging pores.

A gentle, plant-based emollient oil that softens skin with a light feel, though research on its unique benefits is still limited.

Kiwi seed oil is a gentle, antioxidant-rich oil that hydrates and softens skin without clogging pores, making it a great choice for most skin types.

A gentle, plant-derived emollient that helps soften skin without clogging pores, but its palm oil component raises sustainability questions.

A gentle, plant-based oil that hydrates and soothes skin, though research on its benefits is still limited.

A gentle, antioxidant-rich oil that helps soothe and moisturize skin, but research on its specific benefits is still limited.

Kukui nut oil is a gentle, non-greasy plant oil that hydrates and softens skin without clogging pores, making it a good choice for dry or sensitive skin.

A gentle, non-irritating moisturizing ingredient that helps soften and condition the skin without the potential sting of pure lactic acid.

A gentle, milk-derived lipid blend that helps soften and condition the skin, ideal for dry or sensitive types.

A gentle, skin-identical lipid that strengthens the moisture barrier and calms irritation without clogging pores.

A gentle, lanolin-derived emollient that softens skin without heavy greasiness, but may not suit those with lanolin allergies.

Laneth-5 is a gentle, lanolin-derived ingredient that helps soften skin and stabilize formulas, but those with wool allergies should patch-test first.

A gentle, water-soluble lanolin derivative that moisturizes without the heavy, greasy feel of traditional lanolin.

Lanolin is a time-tested moisturizer that mimics skin's natural oils, but it can be comedogenic for some and is not suitable for those with wool allergies.

A gentle, lanolin-based emollient that helps soften and condition skin without the heavy feel of pure lanolin.

A gentle, modified lanolin oil that moisturizes and helps blend water and oil in formulas, but may not suit those with wool allergies.

A gentle, lanolin-derived emollient that softens and smooths skin without the heavy feel of pure lanolin.

A rich, protective emollient derived from sheep's wool that locks in moisture but may clog pores for some.

Lanosterol is a skin-friendly sterol that supports the skin barrier and helps keep moisture in, making it a gentle addition to moisturizing products.

A gentle, fatty-acid-rich seed oil that helps soften and condition skin, though research on its specific benefits is still limited.

Lard is a traditional emollient that softens skin but may clog pores for some people.

A synthetic emollient that helps products feel silky and spread easily, with a low risk of irritation or clogged pores.

A lightweight synthetic emollient that improves product texture and skin feel without clogging pores.

A gentle, plant-derived emollient that helps soften and smooth skin without clogging pores.

A gentle, plant-derived emollient that helps soften and smooth skin without clogging pores.

A gentle, non-greasy emollient that helps soften and smooth the skin without clogging pores.

A gentle synthetic emollient that softens skin and helps carry fragrance, but offers no active skincare benefits.

A gentle fatty alcohol that softens skin and helps products feel smooth without clogging pores.

A gentle, non-greasy emollient that helps soften and smooth the skin with a low risk of irritation or clogged pores.

A lightweight, non-greasy emollient derived from coconut oil and lauryl alcohol, ideal for dry or sensitive skin.

A gentle, plant-derived emollient that helps skin feel soft and smooth without clogging pores.

A gentle synthetic ester that helps soften and smooth the skin without feeling greasy.

A lightweight, non-greasy emollient that helps soften skin and improve product texture without clogging pores.

Lauryl Glycol is a gentle skin-conditioning ingredient that helps improve product texture and feel without common irritation.

A gentle, non-greasy emollient that softens skin and improves product texture without clogging pores.

Lauryl Lactate is a gentle, non-greasy emollient that helps skin feel soft and smooth, making it a great choice for lightweight moisturizers.

A lightweight, non-greasy emollient derived from lactic acid that softens skin without clogging pores.

A lightweight, non-greasy emollient that helps skin feel soft and smooth, with a very low risk of irritation or clogged pores.

Lauryl Myristate is a reliable emollient that softens skin and improves product feel, but it may clog pores for acne-prone individuals.

Lauryl Oleate is a gentle emollient that softens skin but may be moderately pore-clogging for acne-prone individuals.

Lauryl Palmitate is a gentle emollient that softens skin and improves product feel, with low irritation and comedogenic risk.

Lauryl Stearate is a gentle emollient that softens skin and improves product feel, with a low risk of irritation or clogged pores.

A gentle silicone that makes skin feel smooth and helps products glide on without clogging pores.

A lightweight, non-greasy emollient that softens skin and improves product texture without clogging pores.

A gentle, plant-based wax that adds richness and a smooth feel to balms and creams without clogging pores.

A gentle, nourishing plant oil that softens skin without feeling heavy, though research on its specific benefits is still limited.

A gentle, plant-based wax from lemon peels that helps thicken and stabilize creams and balms without common irritation.

A gentle wax ester that softens skin and reinforces the moisture barrier without clogging pores.

A gentle, antioxidant-rich oil that hydrates and soothes skin without clogging pores.

A gentle, plant-derived emollient that helps strengthen the skin barrier and offers antioxidant protection without clogging pores.

A gentle, fragrant oil that softens skin and provides antioxidant benefits, but research on its specific effects is limited.

A lightweight, antioxidant-rich oil that helps moisturize and protect the skin without clogging pores.

Linoleamide is a gentle fatty acid derivative that helps soften and condition skin, but research on its specific benefits is limited compared to its parent compound, linoleic acid.