Beauty ingredients explained in plain English

A fermented snail secretion ingredient that hydrates and may help smooth skin texture, but individual results vary and allergic reactions are possible.

Snail secretion filtrate is a hydrating, soothing ingredient that may help support skin barrier function and calm irritation, but it's not a miracle cure and can be expensive.

A gentle, hydrating plant juice that adds light moisture and soothing benefits to skincare, though research is still emerging.

A next-gen hyaluronic acid that sticks to skin longer for deeper, lasting hydration without irritation.

A gentle, dual-action ingredient that hydrates and soothes skin, making it a good choice for sensitive or irritated skin types.

A next-gen hyaluronic acid derivative that sticks to skin longer and penetrates deeper for lasting hydration.

A modified sugar molecule that may help plump and firm skin, but research is still early.

A next-gen hyaluronic acid derivative that offers deeper, longer-lasting hydration with less stickiness than standard HA.

A modified hyaluronic acid that sticks better to skin for deeper, longer-lasting hydration without irritation.

A gentle, water-soluble derivative of beta-glucan that hydrates, soothes, and helps strengthen the skin barrier without irritation.

A gentle, water-soluble derivative of dextran that helps hydrate and form a light film on skin, often used to improve texture and moisture retention.

A gentle, semi-synthetic humectant that helps hydrate and calm the skin, often used in sensitive-skin formulas.

A gentle, algae-derived humectant that helps hydrate and protect the skin barrier without irritation.

A gentle, plant-based humectant that hydrates and forms a protective film on skin, with a low risk of irritation.

A synthetic humectant that may support skin hydration and barrier function, but research is still limited.

A gentle, naturally derived humectant that supports skin hydration and firmness, similar to hyaluronic acid but less studied.

A gentle, sugar-derived humectant that helps attract moisture to the skin and may offer mild soothing benefits.

A gentle, naturally derived humectant that hydrates skin and supports barrier function without irritation.

Sodium glutamate is a gentle humectant that helps your skin hold onto moisture, but it's not a standout ingredient on its own.

A gentle synthetic humectant that helps hydrate skin and improve product feel, but research on its long-term benefits is still limited.

Sodium glycerophosphate is a gentle pH balancer and mild humectant that helps maintain product stability without irritating skin.

A gentle, water-loving amino acid salt that helps hydrate skin and keep product pH balanced without irritation.

A biotech humectant that holds many times its weight in water, offering deep, lasting hydration without the stickiness of hyaluronic acid.

A high-tech hyaluronic acid that binds moisture to skin longer than standard HA, with added antioxidant benefits from histidine.

Sodium Hyaluronate is a well-studied, gentle humectant that draws moisture into the skin, making it a staple for hydration without clogging pores.

A next-gen hyaluronic acid that stays on the skin longer for deep, lasting hydration without the sticky feel.

A next-gen hyaluronic acid that clings to skin longer for deep, lasting hydration without the sticky feel.

A next-generation hyaluronic acid that sits on the skin's surface to form a long-lasting moisture barrier without feeling sticky.

A next-gen hyaluronic acid that clings to skin longer for deep, lasting hydration without the sticky feel.

A next-generation hyaluronic acid that clings to skin longer for sustained hydration and a smoother look, with very low irritation risk.

A hybrid humectant that combines hyaluronic acid’s moisture-binding power with silicon for smoother, plumper skin.

A promising hybrid molecule that pairs deep hydration with antioxidant protection, though research is still emerging compared to its parent ingredients.

Sodium lactate is a gentle, water-loving humectant that hydrates the skin without clogging pores, making it a great option for sensitive or oily skin types.

A gentle, multi-tasking humectant that combines the hydrating power of sodium lactate with the skin-smoothing benefits of methylsilanol.

A gentle, sugar-based humectant that helps hydrate skin without irritation, though research is still emerging.

A gentle, modified hyaluronic acid that sticks to skin longer for lasting hydration without irritation.

A gentle, water-soluble form of vitamin B5 that helps hydrate and soothe the skin without clogging pores.

A dual-action ingredient that hydrates and leaves a silky, smooth finish—great for dry or dehydrated skin without clogging pores.

A gentle, peptide-like ingredient that helps hydrate and calm the skin, with early research suggesting anti-aging potential.

A powerful, natural humectant that holds more water than hyaluronic acid, making it a standout for dry or dehydrated skin.

A next-generation humectant that holds more water than hyaluronic acid and forms a protective film on the skin.

A gentle, biotech-derived humectant that holds onto water better than hyaluronic acid, making it a standout for dry or dehydrated skin.

A gentle, hydrating seaweed extract that helps soothe skin and support moisture retention — a promising but less-studied ingredient.

A novel hybrid ingredient that pairs hyaluronic acid's hydration with silver's antimicrobial and thioctic acid's antioxidant properties, but research is still limited.

A gentle, water-soluble protein blend that helps hydrate and temporarily smooth the skin's surface, but it cannot replace lost collagen in the deeper layers.

A gentle, modified hyaluronic acid that sticks to skin longer than standard HA, offering deep hydration without irritation.

A hybrid ingredient that pairs hyaluronic acid's hydration with alpha-lipoic acid's antioxidant power, but research is still limited.

A gentle, sugar-based humectant that helps skin retain moisture and improves the feel of products without common irritation.

Sorbeth-30 is a gentle, water-loving humectant that helps hydrate the skin and improve product texture without clogging pores.

Sorbitol is a gentle, plant-derived humectant that hydrates the skin without clogging pores, making it a safe choice for most skin types.

Sorbityl Acetate is a gentle humectant that helps hydrate the skin and improve product feel, but it is less studied than classic humectants like glycerin.

A modern humectant that pulls moisture into skin while leaving a smooth, non-sticky finish — great for dry or dehydrated skin.

A gentle, semi-synthetic humectant that helps hydrate skin and may offer mild antioxidant protection, but research is still limited.

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

A gentle, naturally derived hydrating base with mild antioxidant benefits, best for normal to dry skin types.

A gentle, fermented ingredient that helps hydrate and support the skin barrier without irritation.

Soy milk is a mild, hydrating ingredient that can help soothe and soften skin, but it is not a substitute for medical treatments.

A gentle, fermented soy protein that helps hydrate and calm the skin, suitable for sensitive types.

A gentle, plant-based ingredient that helps hydrate and soothe the skin, but its benefits are modest compared to more researched actives.

A gentle, hydrating water from soybeans that also offers antioxidant protection, suitable for most skin types.