Beauty ingredients explained in plain English

A gentle amino acid salt that helps maintain skin hydration and supports a healthy moisture barrier without irritation.

A biotech humectant that helps skin hold onto moisture, with a lower molecular weight for deeper penetration than standard hyaluronic acid.

A gentle, stable vitamin C derivative that also delivers hyaluronic acid's moisture-binding power, ideal for brightening and hydrating without irritation.

A gentle, stable vitamin C derivative fused with hyaluronic acid that brightens and hydrates without the sting of pure L-ascorbic acid.

Asian pear fruit juice is a gentle, water-like ingredient that adds light hydration and a touch of antioxidant protection, but it's not a powerhouse active.

Asian pear juice is a gentle, hydrating ingredient that adds a touch of natural antioxidant power to skincare, but its benefits are backed by limited direct research.

Asparagine is a gentle, naturally occurring amino acid that helps attract and retain moisture in the skin, making it a safe hydrating ingredient for most skin types.

Aspartic acid is a gentle, water-binding amino acid that helps keep skin hydrated and supports a balanced skin surface pH.

A gentle, fermented ingredient that helps hydrate and condition skin without irritation, but research on its specific benefits is still emerging.

A fermented collagen ingredient that may help hydrate and support skin firmness, but research is still emerging.

A gentle, water-based fruit extract that provides light hydration and antioxidant benefits, but research on its specific effects is still limited.

A gentle, biotech-derived humectant that helps hydrate and soothe the skin, with some antioxidant potential.

A gentle, biotech-derived yeast ferment that hydrates and soothes, ideal for sensitive and dry skin types.

A gentle, fermented yeast extract that helps skin hold moisture and may calm irritation.

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

Avocado Fruit Water is a gentle, hydrating base ingredient that provides light antioxidant benefits without the richness of avocado oil.

A gentle, biotech-derived humectant that helps hydrate and condition the skin, with low irritation potential.

A gentle, fermented ingredient that helps hydrate and condition skin, but its benefits come from the fermentation process rather than the folic acid itself.

Bakuhan is a gentle, rice-derived humectant that helps hydrate and soothe the skin, but research on its benefits is still emerging.

A gentle, hydrating plant juice that provides light moisture and antioxidant protection, ideal for sensitive or dehydrated skin.

A gentle, watery sap that helps hydrate and soothe the skin, with early research suggesting antioxidant benefits.

A gentle, plant-based humectant that helps hydrate and soothe the skin, though research on its specific benefits is still emerging.

A gentle, plant-derived water that provides light hydration and a soothing feel, ideal for sensitive or dehydrated skin.

A gentle, water-like ingredient that adds light hydration and a touch of antioxidants, ideal for sensitive or dehydrated skin.

Banana Fruit Extract is a gentle, natural humectant that helps hydrate and soothe the skin, making it a nice addition to moisturizing formulas.

Banana fruit juice is a gentle, natural hydrator that can soothe and soften skin, but its benefits are mostly anecdotal and less studied than other fruit extracts.

Banana pulp extract is a gentle, natural humectant that helps hydrate and soothe the skin, but its benefits are mostly anecdotal with limited clinical backing.

Banana water is a gentle, hydrating ingredient that adds a touch of soothing moisture to skincare products, but it's not a powerhouse active.

A gentle fermented ingredient that hydrates and supports skin barrier health, ideal for sensitive or dry skin types.

Barley Leaf Juice is a gentle, hydrating ingredient that may help calm skin and provide antioxidant protection, but research is still limited.

Barley Seed Water is a gentle, hydrating alternative to plain water in skincare, offering light nourishment and soothing benefits.

Barley Stem Water is a gentle, plant-derived water alternative that provides light hydration and soothing benefits, but it lacks strong independent research.

Beet root juice is a gentle, hydrating ingredient with antioxidant benefits, but its bright red color can stain fabrics and skin temporarily.

A gentle, modified hyaluronic acid that hydrates and plumps skin with low irritation risk.

Benzyl PCA is a gentle humectant that helps attract moisture to the skin, but it's less studied than more common hydrators like glycerin or hyaluronic acid.

A gentle, hydrating sugar that calms irritation and supports the skin barrier without clogging pores.

A gentle, multi-tasking ingredient that hydrates, soothes, and helps strengthen the skin barrier and hair fibers.

A gentle, semi-synthetic humectant that helps hydrate and calm the skin, with improved stability over plain beta-glucan.

Betaine is a gentle, naturally sourced humectant that helps hydrate and soothe the skin without irritation, making it ideal for sensitive skin.

A gentle, hydrating sap from Korean birch trees that helps soothe and refresh the skin without clogging pores.

A gentle, fermented ingredient that helps strengthen the skin barrier and improve moisture retention, popular in K-beauty and probiotic skincare.

A gentle, biotech-derived sugar that hydrates and calms skin without stickiness, ideal for sensitive or dehydrated skin.

A gentle, sugar-based humectant that hydrates and soothes without clogging pores, ideal for sensitive or dehydrated skin.

A gentle, biotech-derived humectant that hydrates and soothes skin while supporting a healthy barrier.

A gentle, fermented sugar derivative that hydrates and calms skin without clogging pores—great for sensitive and dry types.

A gentle, sugar-based humectant that hydrates and calms skin without clogging pores.

Birch bark water is a gentle, hydrating botanical water that provides antioxidants and a soothing feel, ideal for sensitive or dry skin types.

Birch leaf water is a gentle, hydrating botanical water that can soothe and refresh the skin, but its benefits are mild compared to more concentrated extracts.

Birch sap is a gentle, hydrating water-like ingredient that provides light moisture and soothing benefits, but it's not a powerhouse active.

A gentle synthetic humectant that helps skin retain moisture and improves the texture of skincare formulas.

A gentle silicone humectant that hydrates and smooths skin without clogging pores, ideal for sensitive and oily skin types.

A gentle, water-like ingredient that adds light hydration and antioxidant protection, ideal for sensitive or dehydrated skin.

Black Cherry Juice is a gentle, hydrating ingredient that also provides antioxidant benefits, making it a nice addition to soothing and moisturizing formulas.

Black Strap Powder is a natural sugar cane derivative that hydrates and gently exfoliates, but its high sugar content may not suit all skin types.

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

A gentle, hydrating ingredient from fermented algae that may help soothe and moisturize the skin.

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

A gentle, hydrating seaweed powder that helps skin retain moisture and may soothe irritation.

A mineral-rich seaweed extract that hydrates and soothes skin, generally safe for most skin types.

Butyl Laevulinate is a gentle, plant-derived ester that hydrates and lightly exfoliates, making it a good option for sensitive skin.