Beauty ingredients explained in plain English

A gentle, natural humectant from flower nectar that helps attract moisture to the skin, though research is still emerging.

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

A gentle, water-like fruit juice that adds hydration and a touch of antioxidants to skincare formulas, but its benefits are mild compared to more concentrated actives.

Cotton Fruit Water is a mild, hydrating botanical water that soothes and refreshes skin, but its benefits are largely anecdotal and not backed by strong clinical research.

Creatine is a gentle, naturally sourced ingredient that helps skin cells produce energy, potentially improving firmness and reducing fine lines with consistent use.

A gentle, hydrating sap from a wild grape species that offers antioxidant benefits and soothing properties, but research is still emerging.

A gentle seaweed extract that helps hydrate and soothe the skin, making it a good choice for sensitive or dry skin types.

A gentle, fermented ingredient that may help hydrate and condition skin, but research is still emerging.

A gentle, plant-based water that adds light hydration and antioxidant protection, best for sensitive or environmentally stressed skin.

A gentle, hydrating fruit juice rich in antioxidants that helps soothe and moisturize the skin without clogging pores.

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

A gentle, synthetic humectant that hydrates skin and helps preserve formulas, making it a popular alternative to parabens.

A gentle, sugar-based humectant that hydrates and soothes without irritation, ideal for sensitive or reactive skin.

A gentle, aromatic orchid water that adds light hydration and a touch of elegance to skincare, but with limited scientific backing for unique benefits beyond plain water.

A fermented mushroom-hyaluronate blend that may boost hydration and soothe skin, but human studies are limited.

Damson Plum Juice is a gentle, fruit-derived humectant that adds light hydration and a touch of natural antioxidant activity to skincare formulas.

A gentle, probiotic-derived ingredient that may help hydrate and support the skin barrier, though research is still emerging.

A gentle, sugar-rich fruit juice that helps hydrate and protect the skin with natural antioxidants, but offers limited benefits compared to more concentrated actives.

A gentle, fermented ingredient that may help hydrate and calm the skin, but research is still emerging.

Decylene Glycol is a gentle, multi-tasking ingredient that hydrates, softens skin, and helps preserve formulas without harsh preservatives.

Deer milk extract is a gentle, moisturizing ingredient with some soothing potential, but scientific evidence is limited and it may not be suitable for vegans.

A gentle, sugar-based humectant that attracts moisture to the skin and may help reduce the look of fine lines without irritation.

A gentle, algae-derived humectant that pulls moisture into the skin and helps maintain a healthy barrier.

A gentle, hydrating algae extract that helps skin retain moisture and defends against environmental stress, though research is still emerging.

Diacetin is a gentle humectant that helps keep skin hydrated and can improve the feel of skincare products.

A synthetic humectant that helps hydrate skin, but research on its long-term benefits is still emerging.

A gentle, water-binding amino acid derivative that helps keep skin hydrated and smooth without irritation.

A lightweight, water-loving emollient that hydrates and softens skin without clogging pores or feeling heavy.

Diglycerin is a gentle, effective humectant that hydrates skin without the sticky feel of glycerin, making it a great option for lightweight moisturizers.

A gentle, water-loving amino acid derivative that helps attract moisture to the skin and may support a healthier barrier.

A modern, non-sticky humectant that pulls water into the skin without the tackiness of glycerin.

A gentle, lab-made amino acid derivative that may help skin retain moisture and feel smoother, though research is still early.

A gentle, water-attracting ingredient that helps keep skin hydrated and smooth without irritation.

A gentle, synthetic humectant that helps hydrate skin without the stickiness of glycerin, but research on its long-term benefits is still limited.

A synthetic humectant that helps hydrate skin and improve product feel, generally well-tolerated but less studied than glycerin.

A hybrid of hyaluronic acid and silicon that aims to hydrate and support skin firmness, though research is still emerging.

Dipotassium Aspartate is a gentle, water-attracting amino acid salt that helps keep skin hydrated and supports a healthy moisture barrier without irritation.

A gentle, water-soluble ingredient that helps support the skin's natural exfoliation process without harsh peeling.

Disodium Glucose Phosphate is a mild, sugar-derived humectant that boosts skin hydration without common irritation or stickiness.

Disodium Inosinate is a gentle humectant that may help support skin hydration and barrier function, but research is still early.

A gentle, hydrating marine extract with soothing potential, but research is still emerging.

DNA is a gentle humectant and film former that helps hydrate and temporarily plump skin, but its anti-aging claims are not strongly backed by independent human studies.

A marine extract that may help hydrate and condition skin, but research is limited and sustainability concerns exist.

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.

A gentle, hydrating seaweed extract that may help soothe and protect the skin, but research is still emerging.

Ectoin is a gentle, multi-tasking ingredient that hydrates, soothes, and shields the skin from environmental stress—great for sensitive or reactive skin.

Eel skin mucus extract is a novel humectant and film-forming ingredient that helps hydrate and temporarily smooth the skin, but research is still early and it may not be suitable for those with fish allergies.

A gentle, hydrating water from einkorn wheat stems that may help soothe and moisturize skin, but research is limited.

A gentle, fermented yeast ingredient that may help hydrate and support the skin barrier, but human research is still limited.

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

A gentle, hydrating seaweed water that adds light moisture and soothing benefits, ideal for sensitive or dehydrated skin.

A gentle, hydrating sap from birch trees that may help soothe and lightly moisturize the skin, but scientific evidence is still limited.

Erythritol is a gentle, non-irritating humectant that helps hydrate skin without stickiness, making it a great alternative to glycerin for sensitive or acne-prone skin.

A gentle synthetic humectant that helps hydrate skin and support barrier function, but research on its long-term benefits is still limited.

A gentle synthetic humectant that helps keep skin hydrated and improves product feel, but offers limited unique benefits compared to alternatives.

Ethyl Aspartate is a gentle humectant that helps attract moisture to the skin, but research on its benefits is still limited compared to more established ingredients.

A next-gen hyaluronic acid derivative that binds to skin for longer-lasting hydration, but research is still emerging.

A modern peptide-hyaluronic acid hybrid that aims to plump and firm skin with low irritation potential.

A biotech blend that pairs a modified hyaluronic acid with a lab-made peptide to hydrate and support skin resilience, though long-term human data is still limited.

A gentle, synthetic vitamin B5 derivative that helps hydrate and calm the skin, suitable for most skin types.