Beauty ingredients explained in plain English

A gentle, water-soluble collagen derivative that helps hydrate and temporarily smooth the skin's surface, but it does not replace lost collagen deep in the skin.

A gentle, sugar-derived humectant that hydrates without stickiness, suitable for sensitive and dry skin types.

Glyceryl starch is a gentle, non-sticky humectant that helps hydrate the skin by attracting moisture, making it a good option for sensitive or dry skin types.

Glycine is a gentle amino acid that hydrates and supports skin's natural repair processes, making it a safe addition to most routines.

Glycogen is a gentle humectant that helps hydrate and plump the skin by drawing moisture from the air and supporting the skin's natural moisture barrier.

Glycol is a catch-all term for humectant solvents that help hydrate and improve product texture, but its specific effects depend on the exact glycol used.

Glycolipids are gentle, multi-tasking molecules that help hydrate and reinforce the skin barrier, making them a smart choice for sensitive or dry skin.

Glycoproteins are gentle, naturally derived molecules that help hydrate and support skin structure, but they are not a replacement for proven anti-aging ingredients like retinoids or peptides.

Glycosaminoglycans are powerful hydrators that help skin stay plump and firm by attracting and holding water.

A gentle, plant-derived amino acid blend that helps hydrate and support the skin barrier, though research is still emerging.

A novel hybrid of hyaluronic acid and gold that may offer antioxidant and hydrating benefits, but research is very limited.

A gentle, marine-derived algae extract that helps hydrate and protect the skin, but research on its benefits is still emerging.

A gentle red algae extract that helps hydrate and soothe skin while forming a light protective film.

A gentle, hydrating seaweed extract that helps skin retain moisture and may calm irritation.

A gentle, hydrating red algae extract that helps attract moisture to the skin and may support a healthy skin barrier.

Grape vine sap is a gentle, water-like ingredient that adds light hydration and antioxidant protection, but research on its benefits is still limited.

A gentle, hydrating seaweed extract that helps soothe and moisturize the skin, but research on its specific benefits is still emerging.

A gentle red algae powder that helps hydrate and soothe skin, but research is still early.

A gentle, hydrating seaweed extract that may help soothe and moisturize skin, but research is limited.

A gentle, hydrating algae powder that may help soothe and moisturize skin, but research is still limited.

A gentle, biotech-derived humectant that may help strengthen the skin barrier and improve hydration, but research is still emerging.

Hagfish mucus extract is an experimental marine ingredient with promising hydrating and film-forming abilities, but it's very new to cosmetics and lacks broad safety and efficacy data.

A gentle, biotech-derived ferment that supports skin hydration and calmness, ideal for sensitive or reactive skin types.

A gentle, lab-grown algae extract that helps hydrate and calm the skin, but research is still early.

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

A gentle, hydrating ferment from salt-loving microbes that may help soothe and moisturize skin without irritation.

A gentle, probiotic-derived ingredient from salt-loving bacteria that may help calm and strengthen the skin barrier.

Hardy kiwi juice is a gentle, water-soluble fruit extract that provides light hydration and antioxidant protection, making it a nice addition to soothing or brightening formulas.

A synthetic humectant that helps hydrate skin and improve the texture of products, but research on its long-term effects is still limited.

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

Hexylene glycol is a safe, effective humectant and solvent that helps products feel lightweight and absorb well, but it can cause mild irritation in very sensitive skin.

A gentle, plant-derived water that provides light hydration and antioxidant benefits, but research on its specific skincare effects is still limited.

A nutrient-rich brown seaweed powder that hydrates and soothes skin with antioxidants and minerals.

Histidine is a gentle amino acid that helps keep skin hydrated and supports a healthy skin barrier, making it a solid choice for most skin types.

Homarine HCl is a gentle, marine-derived humectant that helps hydrate and soothe the skin, but research on its benefits is still limited.

Honey is a gentle, natural humectant that helps hydrate and soothe the skin, but its benefits depend on the type and purity used.

Honey extract is a gentle, natural humectant that helps hydrate and soothe the skin, but its benefits in skincare are mild compared to pure honey.

A gentle, hydrating fermented honey ingredient that may help soothe and condition the skin.

A gentle, plant-based humectant that helps skin hold onto moisture and leaves a soft, non-sticky feel.

A human-derived protein that helps hydrate and temporarily plump the skin, but its benefits are not well-studied in cosmetics and sourcing raises ethical questions.

A modern hybrid of hyaluronic acid and a peptide that aims to hydrate and support skin firmness, but research is still limited.

Hyaluronic acid is a superstar hydrator that holds up to 1,000 times its weight in water, making it a go-to for plumping and smoothing skin without clogging pores.

A more stable, longer-lasting version of hyaluronic acid that clings to the skin's surface for sustained hydration without the sticky feel.

A fermented form of hyaluronic acid that may offer better absorption and hydration than standard hyaluronic acid.

A gentle, biotech-derived humectant that combines the hydrating power of hyaluronic acid with potential skin-soothing benefits from fermentation.

A next-generation humectant that binds more water and stays on skin longer than standard hyaluronic acid.

A stable, less sticky version of honey that hydrates and soothes skin without the mess of raw honey.

A mild, sugar-derived humectant that hydrates without clogging pores or irritating sensitive skin.

A gentle, non-sticky humectant derived from corn or potato starch that hydrates skin without irritation.

A gentle, plant-derived humectant that helps hydrate and smooth skin with low irritation risk.

A gentle, plant-derived humectant that helps attract moisture to the skin, but research on its specific benefits is still limited compared to more established ingredients.

A gentle, hydrating ingredient from algae that plumps skin and supports its moisture barrier without irritation.

A gentle, seaweed-derived humectant that helps skin hold onto moisture and leaves a light, smoothing film.

A gentle, water-loving ingredient that hydrates and soothes skin, especially good for sensitive or irritated types.

A gentle, plant-derived humectant that pulls moisture into the skin and may help calm irritation.

A gentle, plant-derived humectant that helps hydrate and calm the skin, though research on its specific benefits is still limited.

A gentle, plant-derived humectant that helps hydrate and condition the skin, though research on its specific benefits is still limited.

A gentle, plant-derived humectant that helps hydrate and calm the skin, with early research suggesting antioxidant benefits.

A novel protein extract from bee larvae that may help hydrate and condition skin, but research is limited and it's not suitable for vegans or those with bee allergies.

A gentle seaweed extract that helps hydrate and calm the skin, with antioxidant benefits from its natural compounds.