Beauty ingredients explained in plain English

Spelt seed water is a gentle, hydrating ingredient that provides antioxidant benefits and helps soothe the skin, making it a good choice for sensitive or dry skin types.

A gentle, water-loving moss extract that helps hydrate and calm the skin, but research on its specific benefits is still emerging.

A gentle, biotech-derived ingredient that supports the skin barrier and boosts hydration without irritation.

A marine extract that may help hydrate and soothe skin, but research is limited and sourcing raises sustainability questions.

A gentle, plant-derived humectant with antioxidant potential, but research in skincare is still limited.

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

A novel, hydrating ingredient from sturgeon mucus that may help soothe and moisturize skin, but research is still limited.

A modified collagen that helps plump and hydrate skin with low irritation potential, but evidence is mostly from ingredient supplier studies.

Sucralose is a non-nutritive sweetener used mainly to improve the taste of lip products; it has no proven skincare benefits and is not a primary active ingredient.

Sucrose is a gentle, natural humectant and physical exfoliant that helps hydrate and smooth skin without irritation.

Sugar kelp extract is a gentle, hydrating seaweed ingredient that helps skin retain moisture and may calm irritation.

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

A gentle, hydrating water alternative from almonds that soothes skin without the oiliness of almond oil.

A gentle, plant-based protein that helps hair and skin feel soft and hydrated without heavy residue.

Sweet Potato Root Juice is a gentle, hydrating ingredient that helps soothe and moisturize skin, with antioxidant benefits from natural vitamins and minerals.

A luxurious natural humectant that may help hydrate and smooth skin, but scientific evidence is limited and ethical sourcing is a concern.

A fermented bird's nest ingredient that may support hydration and skin comfort, but human evidence is still limited.

A gentle, natural humectant from tamarind that helps hydrate and soothe skin, with some antioxidant benefits.

Tamarind fruit juice is a gentle, natural humectant that helps hydrate and lightly exfoliate skin, making it a good option for those seeking plant-based skincare ingredients.

Taurine is a gentle antioxidant and hydrator that helps protect skin from environmental stress and supports moisture balance.

A gentle humectant that helps hydrate and condition skin without common irritation or clogging concerns.

An unusual animal-derived ingredient with limited research; may offer hydration but raises ethical and safety questions.

A gentle marine extract that helps hydrate and calm the skin, with promising antioxidant potential.

A gentle marine algae extract that helps hydrate skin and protect against environmental stress, though research is still emerging.

A gentle, hydrating biotech ingredient from a deep-sea microbe that may help calm irritation and support the skin barrier.

A next-gen hyaluronic acid that pairs deep hydration with antioxidant protection, but research is still early.

Thioglycerin is a sulfur-based humectant that can soften and break down keratin, but it may cause irritation in sensitive skin.

Threitol is a gentle, lesser-known humectant that helps hydrate skin without stickiness, but research on its cosmetic benefits is still limited.

Threonine is a gentle, hydrating amino acid that supports the skin's natural moisture barrier and is well-tolerated by most skin types.

A gentle, hydrating water from tomatoes that offers light antioxidant benefits, but its effects are mild compared to more concentrated extracts.

A protein extract from animal trachea that may help hydrate and temporarily smooth skin, but lacks strong independent research and may not suit vegans or those avoiding animal-derived ingredients.

Trehalose is a gentle, natural humectant that pulls water into the skin and helps protect it from drying out, making it a great option for dry or sensitive skin.

Tremella mushroom extract is a gentle, plant-based humectant that helps skin hold onto moisture, often compared to hyaluronic acid.

Triethylene glycol is a safe, effective humectant that helps keep skin hydrated and improves product feel, but it's less common than glycerin or propylene glycol.

Trilactin is a gentle, hydrating exfoliant that helps smooth skin texture without the irritation often associated with stronger acids.

A gentle, well-tolerated humectant that helps hydrate and soothe the skin, making it a staple in many sensitive-skin formulations.

A gentle, sugar-based humectant that hydrates skin and may help energize skin cells for a healthier appearance.

Tryptophan is a gentle amino acid that helps hydrate skin and defend against environmental stress, but it's not a standout ingredient on its own.

A gentle seaweed extract that helps hydrate and calm the skin, with early research suggesting antioxidant benefits.

A lab-grown seaweed extract that helps hydrate and calm the skin, but research on its benefits is still limited.

A gentle seaweed powder that hydrates and protects skin with antioxidants, but its benefits are best supported by lab studies rather than large human trials.

A gentle seaweed-derived powder that helps hydrate and protect the skin with antioxidants, suitable for most skin types.

Urea is a gentle, effective humectant and exfoliant that hydrates and smooths skin, but higher concentrations can cause stinging on sensitive or broken skin.

A mild dual-action ingredient that gently exfoliates and hydrates, suitable for most skin types.

Valine is a gentle, water-loving amino acid that helps hydrate skin and support a healthy barrier, making it a safe choice for most skin types.

Watermelon fruit juice is a gentle, hydrating ingredient that adds a light dose of antioxidants and a refreshing feel to skincare products.

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

Whey is a gentle moisturizing ingredient from milk that helps hydrate and condition skin, but it may not suit those with dairy allergies or sensitivities.

Whey protein can help hydrate and temporarily firm skin, but its benefits are mild and it may not suit those with dairy allergies.

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

A gentle, hydrating mushroom extract that helps skin retain moisture and may calm irritation, though research is still emerging.

A gentle, protein-derived humectant that helps hair and skin retain moisture and feel smoother, but may not suit those with wool allergies.

Xylitol is a gentle humectant that helps hydrate the skin and may support a healthy skin barrier without clogging pores.

A gentle, sugar-derived humectant that hydrates without stickiness and may help strengthen the skin barrier.

A gentle, sugar-derived humectant that boosts skin hydration without stickiness, ideal for sensitive and dry skin types.

Xylobiose is a gentle, plant-derived sugar that hydrates and supports beneficial skin bacteria, making it a promising prebiotic humectant for sensitive skin.

Xyloglucan is a gentle, plant-based humectant that hydrates and soothes the skin while forming a protective barrier — a great option for sensitive or dry skin types.

Xylose is a gentle, natural humectant that helps hydrate the skin and may support collagen production, making it a good choice for dry or aging skin.

A gentle, fermented ingredient that may help hydrate and soothe skin, but evidence is limited to lab studies.

A fermented blend that may help hydrate and smooth skin, but research is limited and benefits likely come from the whole formulation.