Beauty ingredients explained in plain English

A gentle PHA exfoliant that smooths skin and boosts hydration with minimal irritation, ideal for sensitive skin.

A gentle fermented rice ingredient that lightly exfoliates and hydrates, ideal for those seeking a mild alternative to stronger acids.

A gentle fermented rice ingredient that helps hydrate, brighten, and smooth skin without harsh exfoliation.

A gentle, natural exfoliant and antioxidant that helps smooth skin without harsh abrasion, ideal for sensitive skin types.

A gentle, natural exfoliant that polishes skin without harsh microbeads, but may feel gritty for sensitive skin.

A mild, natural exfoliant and pH balancer that may help smooth skin and refine texture without harshness.

A natural physical exfoliant with antioxidant potential, but the gritty texture can be too harsh for sensitive or acne-prone skin.

A gentle botanical powder that provides mild physical exfoliation and may offer antioxidant benefits, but research on its specific skincare effects is limited.

A gentle, natural exfoliant and soothing powder from rose petals, best for sensitive or dry skin types.

A gentle, natural exfoliant with a pleasant rose scent, best suited for dry or normal skin types in rinse-off formulations.

A gentle, natural exfoliant and soothing powder from rose petals, best for dry or normal skin types seeking a mild physical scrub.

Ruby extract adds a touch of luxury to scrubs with gentle physical exfoliation, but its benefits are mostly aesthetic and not backed by strong research.

Ruby powder adds a gentle physical exfoliation and a subtle glow, but its benefits are mostly aesthetic and it may be too harsh for sensitive skin.

A gentle fermented rice ingredient that helps soften skin and improve texture without harsh exfoliation.

A gentle, natural exfoliating powder from safflower petals that also adds a warm hue and antioxidant benefits to skincare products.

A gentle, natural exfoliant from cherry blossoms that can help smooth skin without harsh abrasion, but its benefits beyond texture are not well-studied.

A gentle, plant-derived exfoliant that may help smooth skin and calm minor irritation, but it is less potent than salicylic acid.

Salicylamide is a gentler cousin of salicylic acid that may help exfoliate and calm skin, but research on its cosmetic benefits is still limited.

Salicylic acid is a well-studied BHA that exfoliates inside pores, making it a go-to for acne-prone and oily skin, but it can be drying if overused.

A gentle exfoliating ingredient that combines the benefits of salicylic acid with the soothing properties of beeswax.

A gentle exfoliant that helps smooth skin and clear pores without the irritation often associated with salicylic acid.

A mineral-rich mud that can help absorb excess oil and gently exfoliate, but may be too abrasive for sensitive skin.

Sand is a natural physical exfoliant that can smooth skin, but its rough texture may cause micro-tears if used too aggressively.

A gentle, natural exfoliating powder from Australian sandalwood nut shells, best for physical scrubs and masks.

A gentle, natural exfoliating powder that can also help absorb excess oil and soothe the skin.

A gentle fruit powder that offers mild exfoliation and antioxidant benefits, but its effects are not as well-studied as more common citrus extracts.

A gentle, natural exfoliating powder from the Manketti tree kernel, ideal for physical scrubs and oil-absorbing masks.

Schist powder offers gentle physical exfoliation and oil absorption, but its particle size and shape can vary, so it may be too abrasive for sensitive skin.

A gentle, natural exfoliating powder rich in antioxidants, ideal for sensitive skin types looking for mild physical exfoliation.

Sea salt can be a gentle physical exfoliant and mineral source, but it may be drying or irritating for sensitive or dehydrated skin.

Sea silt is a gentle, mineral-rich exfoliant that can help polish skin and absorb excess oil without harshness.

A gentle enzyme exfoliant that breaks down dead skin proteins without harsh scrubbing, but research in topical skincare is still limited.

A gentle natural exfoliant that also helps absorb excess oil, but may feel gritty in some formulas.

A gentle, natural exfoliating powder from shea nut shells, ideal for physical scrubs without harsh microplastics.

A gentle, plant-based AHA that exfoliates and provides antioxidant benefits, suitable for most skin types including sensitive skin.

A gentle exfoliant that pairs salicylic acid's pore-clearing power with silicon's soothing touch, ideal for sensitive or reactive skin.

A powerful physical exfoliant that can smooth rough skin but may cause micro-tears if used too aggressively.

Sillimanite is a natural mineral abrasive that can physically exfoliate skin, but its use in cosmetics is uncommon and may be too harsh for sensitive skin.

Silt is a gentle, mineral-rich sediment that helps exfoliate and absorb excess oil, but its benefits are largely anecdotal and depend on the source.

Silt extract offers gentle physical exfoliation and a dose of trace minerals, but its benefits are largely anecdotal and product-dependent.

Silver salicylate offers a unique blend of antibacterial action and gentle exfoliation, but may cause irritation for sensitive skin and has limited long-term safety data.

Sodium Glycolate is a gentler, salt form of glycolic acid that helps exfoliate and adjust product pH, but may still cause irritation in sensitive skin.

Sodium Glyoxylate is a gentle exfoliant that helps smooth skin texture and improve radiance, but research on its long-term effects is still limited.

A milder, water-soluble form of salicylic acid that gently exfoliates and helps keep products fresh.

A gentle, natural powdered exfoliant from soursop seeds, but research on its skincare benefits is still limited.

Soy fiber is a gentle, natural exfoliant that helps smooth skin without harsh microbeads, but it may not suit very sensitive or acne-prone skin if left on.

Soy Flour is a gentle, natural exfoliant that also helps soothe and condition the skin, making it a good choice for sensitive skin types.

A natural, gentle exfoliant that polishes skin without harsh microbeads, suitable for most skin types.

Sponge is a gentle physical exfoliant and cleansing tool, but its effectiveness and safety depend on material and hygiene.

A gentle, plant-based exfoliant that helps smooth skin texture and promote a more even tone without harsh scrubbing.

A gentle, natural exfoliating powder from spruce bark that also provides antioxidant benefits, but research on its specific cosmetic effects is limited.

Strawberry fruit powder offers gentle physical exfoliation and antioxidant benefits, but its effectiveness depends on particle size and formulation.

Subtilisin is a gentle enzyme exfoliant that dissolves dead skin cells, but it can be irritating for sensitive skin if left on too long.

A gentle, multi-tasking acid that exfoliates, calms redness, and helps control acne-causing bacteria without the sting of stronger acids.

A gentle plant-derived exfoliant that helps smooth skin and improve radiance without harsh irritation.

A gentle, naturally-derived exfoliant and hydrator that helps smooth skin texture without harshness.

A gentle, plant-derived exfoliant that helps smooth skin texture without the sting of stronger acids.

A gentle, natural exfoliant that helps remove dead skin cells without harsh microbeads, suitable for most skin types.

A gentle, natural exfoliant from sunflower seeds that also delivers skin-conditioning fatty acids and proteins.

Sunstone powder adds a natural sparkle and gentle physical exfoliation, but its sharp edges can be irritating for sensitive skin.