Beauty ingredients explained in plain English

Lactulose is a gentle sugar-derived humectant that also acts as a prebiotic, helping to support a balanced skin microbiome without irritation.

A gentle, mineral-rich seaweed extract that helps hydrate and calm the skin without clogging pores.

A nutrient-rich seaweed extract that hydrates, soothes, and protects the skin with antioxidants, ideal for dry or sensitive skin types.

A gentle seaweed powder that helps hydrate and calm the skin while providing antioxidant protection.

A gentle, mineral-rich seaweed extract that hydrates and soothes the skin, ideal for sensitive or dry types.

A gentle seaweed extract that hydrates and soothes skin, but its benefits are mostly backed by traditional use and limited clinical studies.

A gentle, mineral-rich seaweed extract that hydrates and soothes skin, ideal for sensitive or dry types.

A gentle, nutrient-rich seaweed extract that hydrates and soothes the skin, with antioxidant benefits to help protect against environmental stress.

A gentle, synthetic amino-acid derivative that helps reinforce the skin’s moisture barrier and improve hydration.

A gentle, plant-based humectant that helps hydrate and soothe the skin, with antioxidant benefits.

A gentle seaweed powder that helps hydrate and calm the skin, suitable for most skin types.

Leucine is a gentle amino acid that supports skin hydration and barrier health, making it a safe addition to most routines.

A gentle, probiotic-based ingredient that helps hydrate and strengthen the skin barrier.

Levan is a gentle, biotech-derived humectant that helps hydrate and soothe skin while forming a lightweight protective film.

A gentle sugar-based blend that hydrates and helps form a protective layer on skin, suitable for most skin types.

A gentle, hydrating botanical water that can replace plain water in formulas, offering mild soothing and antioxidant benefits.

Lithium chloride is a synthetic salt with humectant properties, but it is rarely used in mainstream skincare due to potential irritation and limited research on cosmetic benefits.

Lotus flower water is a mild, hydrating botanical water that soothes skin and adds a subtle floral scent, but its benefits beyond basic moisture are not strongly backed by research.

A gentle, antioxidant-rich water that hydrates and soothes the skin, ideal for sensitive or dry types.

A gentle, plant-derived humectant that helps hydrate and calm the skin, though research is still emerging.

Luffa fruit water is a mild, plant-derived hydrator that can soothe and refresh skin, but it has limited research and is not a powerhouse active.

Lychee fruit juice is a gentle, water-based ingredient that adds light hydration and antioxidant protection, but its benefits are not as well-studied as more common fruit extracts.

Lysine is a gentle amino acid that helps hydrate and support the skin's natural barrier, making it a safe addition to most routines.

Lysine Aspartate is a mild amino-acid salt that helps attract moisture to the skin and supports a healthy barrier, making it a gentle option for most skin types.

Magnesium Aspartate is a gentle, hydrating mineral salt that helps support skin barrier function and soothe irritation.

A gentle, water-loving ingredient that hydrates and calms the skin, ideal for sensitive or irritated skin types.

Magnesium citrate is a gentle, water-soluble salt that can help exfoliate and hydrate skin without the irritation of stronger acids.

A gentle humectant that pulls moisture into the skin and may help calm irritation, but research is still limited.

A gentle, hydrating magnesium salt that supports skin barrier function without clogging pores.

Malt extract is a gentle, natural humectant that helps hydrate and soothe the skin, making it a good choice for sensitive or dry skin types.

Maltitol is a gentle humectant that helps hydrate skin and improve product texture, but it offers no unique advantage over more common alternatives like glycerin.

A mild, hydrating exfoliant ideal for sensitive skin, offering gentle surface renewal without the sting of stronger acids.

Maltodextrin is a gentle, sugar-derived ingredient that helps products feel smooth and slightly hydrating without clogging pores.

A mild, sugar-based humectant that pulls water into the skin without stickiness, making it a great alternative to glycerin for lightweight hydration.

Maltose is a gentle, natural humectant that helps attract and hold moisture in the skin without irritation or clogging pores.

A gentle, plant-based amino acid blend that helps hydrate and support the skin barrier, though research is still emerging.

Mannan is a gentle, plant-derived sugar that helps hydrate and soothe skin by forming a protective film.

Mannitol is a gentle, water-binding sugar alcohol that helps hydrate skin and offers mild antioxidant protection without irritation.

Mannose is a gentle sugar humectant that helps hydrate skin by attracting moisture, with some research suggesting it may support collagen production.

A gentle, natural humectant that hydrates and soothes skin without clogging pores, ideal for sensitive and dry skin types.

A gentle, biotech-derived ferment that may help hydrate and support the skin barrier, but research is still early.

Mealworm larva extract is an emerging, sustainable ingredient with potential moisturizing and antioxidant benefits, but research in human skincare is very limited.

Melibiose is a gentle sugar humectant that helps hydrate the skin and may support a healthy skin microbiome, making it a promising alternative to traditional humectants.

Menthyl PCA offers a gentle, long-lasting cooling sensation without the strong minty odor of menthol, while also helping to hydrate the skin.

A gentle red algae extract that helps hydrate and calm the skin, though research is still emerging.

Methoxy PEG-10 is a gentle, water-attracting polymer that helps keep skin hydrated and improves product texture, but it is synthetic and may be a concern for those avoiding PEGs.

A synthetic humectant that helps dissolve other ingredients and retain moisture, but offers no unique benefits over gentler alternatives.

A gentle, water-binding ingredient that helps keep products stable and skin hydrated, but its synthetic origin may not appeal to everyone.

A gentle, water-attracting polymer that helps keep skin hydrated without clogging pores, but may not suit those avoiding all PEGs.

A synthetic humectant that helps keep skin hydrated and improves product texture, but may be less eco-friendly due to its PEG origin.

A gentle, sugar-based humectant that hydrates without stickiness, suitable for most skin types including sensitive skin.

A gentle, synthetic amino acid derivative that may help hydrate and support the skin barrier, but research is still emerging.

A mild, non-sticky humectant that pulls water into the skin, making it a great alternative to glycerin for those who dislike tackiness.

A gentle, synthetic amino acid that helps hydrate and condition skin, but research on its benefits is still limited compared to more established humectants.

A gentle synthetic humectant that helps hydrate skin without the sticky feel of glycerin, making it a good option for lightweight formulas.

Methyl lactate is a mild humectant that helps hydrate skin without the sting often associated with pure lactic acid, making it a good option for sensitive skin.

A synthetic humectant that pulls moisture into the skin, but research on its long-term effects is still emerging.

A synthetic humectant that helps skin retain moisture, but research on its long-term effects is still limited.

A lightweight, low-irritation humectant that helps products feel silky and can boost preservative power without adding stickiness.

Methylserine is a gentle, water-attracting amino acid derivative that helps hydrate and condition the skin, but research on its long-term benefits is still limited.