Beauty ingredients explained in plain English

A gentle, plant-derived prebiotic that helps hydrate skin and support a healthy microbiome without irritation.

Parsnip Root Juice is a mild, water-based ingredient that adds light hydration and soothing benefits, but it lacks strong clinical backing compared to more established humectants.

A gentle, hydrating water alternative that adds light antioxidant benefits and a subtle fruity scent.

PCA is a gentle, skin-identical humectant that boosts hydration without irritation, making it a solid choice for dry or sensitive skin.

A gentle, hydrating fruit juice with antioxidant potential, but research on its specific skincare benefits is still emerging.

A gentle probiotic ferment that exfoliates and hydrates without harsh acids, ideal for sensitive or reactive skin.

Pear Fruit Extract is a gentle, hydrating ingredient that helps soothe and moisturize the skin, making it a good choice for sensitive or dry skin types.

Pear fruit juice is a gentle, water-binding ingredient that adds light hydration and a touch of natural antioxidant activity to skincare formulas.

Pectin is a gentle, fruit-derived thickener and hydrator that helps stabilize formulas and adds a light, non-greasy feel to skincare products.

A synthetic humectant that helps hydrate skin without feeling sticky, but research on its long-term effects is limited.

A synthetic humectant that helps retain moisture and improve product texture, but offers no unique benefits over more common alternatives.

PEG-4 is a gentle, water-loving ingredient that helps hydrate the skin and improve product texture, but it may be contaminated with impurities in poorly refined forms.

PEG-450 is a safe, widely used synthetic thickener and humectant that helps stabilize formulas and improve texture, but it may be contaminated with impurities in poorly manufactured products.

A gentle synthetic humectant that helps keep skin hydrated without common irritation, but offers limited additional benefits beyond moisture.

A gentle synthetic humectant that helps keep skin hydrated and improves product feel without common irritation.

A gentle, water-loving synthetic ingredient that softens skin and helps other ingredients spread evenly.

PEG-8 is a widely used synthetic humectant that helps products feel smooth and absorb well, but it may be contaminated with impurities in poorly refined forms.

A smaller, more absorbable version of hyaluronic acid that delivers deep hydration without the sticky feel.

A gentle synthetic humectant that helps hydrate skin and improve product texture, with a low risk of irritation.

A gentle, water-binding polymer that helps keep skin hydrated and smooth without clogging pores.

A gentle synthetic polymer that helps products feel silky and spread smoothly, while also providing light hydration.

A gentle, water-attracting polymer that helps hydrate skin and improve product texture without clogging pores.

A gentle synthetic humectant that helps your skin hold onto water without feeling sticky or heavy.

A gentle, water-attracting polymer that helps products feel smooth and spread easily without irritation.

A synthetic humectant that improves the feel and absorption of skincare products without common irritation.

A gentle synthetic humectant that hydrates and improves product feel without common irritation or stickiness.

A safe, water-attracting polymer that helps products feel smooth and spread easily, but offers no active skincare benefits.

A gentle synthetic humectant that helps keep skin hydrated and improves product feel without common irritation.

A gentle synthetic humectant that helps products feel smooth and hydrating without greasiness.

A gentle, water-soluble polymer that helps hydrate and smooth skin without clogging pores.

A gentle, water-binding ingredient that helps products feel smooth and non-greasy without clogging pores.

A gentle synthetic polymer that helps products feel smooth and spread easily without clogging pores.

A gentle, water-binding polymer that helps keep skin hydrated and products feel smooth without clogging pores.

A gentle, water-soluble ingredient that helps products feel smooth and hydrating without greasiness.

A gentle synthetic humectant that hydrates and improves product feel without common irritation.

A gentle, modified glycerin that pulls moisture into the skin without feeling sticky, making it a great option for dry or sensitive skin.

A gentle synthetic humectant that helps products feel smooth and non-sticky, but offers only surface-level hydration.

A synthetic humectant that helps hydrate and smooth the skin, but offers limited unique benefits compared to more established ingredients.

A gentle, synthetic humectant that helps your skin stay hydrated without feeling sticky or greasy.

A gentle, synthetic humectant that helps hydrate skin and improve product feel without common irritation.

A gentle brown algae extract that helps hydrate and calm the skin, but research on its benefits is still emerging.

Pentaerythritol is a gentle humectant that helps hydrate the skin and improve product texture without common irritation concerns.

A gentle, sugar-based humectant that hydrates without stickiness and may help strengthen the skin barrier — promising but not yet widely studied.

Pentylene Glycol is a gentle, effective humectant that hydrates skin and helps preserve formulas without common irritation.

A modified collagen that helps hydrate and temporarily plump the skin, but its large molecule size limits deep penetration.

A gentle silk-derived humectant that helps skin feel smooth and hydrated without being heavy or greasy.

A gentle, water-binding protein derivative that adds moisture and softness to hair and skin without heavy buildup.

A gentle humectant that pulls moisture into the skin and helps other ingredients work better, but it's not a star performer on its own.

A gentle amino acid that helps skin hold onto moisture and supports a healthy barrier, but it's not a standout active on its own.

A gentle, hydrating mushroom extract that helps skin hold moisture and feel smooth, but research is still early.

A gentle, hydrating plant juice that adds moisture and soothing benefits, but research on its efficacy is still limited.

A gentle, naturally derived phospholipid that helps reinforce the skin barrier and improve moisture retention.

A gentle, skin-identical phospholipid that supports barrier function and hydration without irritation.

Phosphatidylserine is a gentle, skin-identical lipid that helps strengthen the moisture barrier and soothe dryness, but its anti-aging benefits are still being studied.

Phytantriol is a gentle, plant-derived humectant that helps hydrate and strengthen the skin barrier, making it a solid choice for most skin types.

Phytosphingosine lactate is a skin-friendly lipid that strengthens the moisture barrier and gently helps calm blemishes without harshness.

A gentle, yeast-derived ingredient that helps hydrate and strengthen the skin barrier, ideal for sensitive or dry skin.

A gentle, hydrating ferment that may support skin barrier function and moisture retention, but research is still emerging.

Pigskin extract is a collagen-rich ingredient that may help hydrate and plump skin, but evidence is limited and it may not suit vegans or those with ethical concerns.

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