Beauty ingredients explained in plain English

A gentle, marine-derived extract that may help calm irritation and provide antioxidant protection, though research is still emerging.

A gentle botanical extract from Japanese mugwort that may help calm redness and support skin barrier function, though research is still emerging.

Emodin is a plant-derived antioxidant that may help calm skin and fight free radicals, but its use in cosmetics is still emerging and requires caution due to potential irritation.

Emu oil is a rich emollient that helps soften skin and may support a healthy skin barrier, but its sourcing raises ethical and sustainability questions.

A gentle conditioning ingredient that reduces static and softens hair and skin, but research on its long-term effects is limited.

Endo-1,2 is a synthetic peptide that may help support skin firmness, but independent research is limited.

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

A biotech enzyme that helps skin repair UV-damaged DNA, but its effectiveness in everyday skincare is still being studied.

A gentle plant extract with antioxidant potential, but research is limited and benefits are not yet well-established.

A gentle botanical extract with antioxidant potential, but research is very limited — treat it as a nice-to-have rather than a hero ingredient.

A gentle botanical extract with antioxidant potential, but research on its cosmetic benefits is still limited.

A gentle plant extract with antioxidant potential, but research on its skincare benefits is still limited.

A probiotic ingredient that may help balance skin bacteria, but research is still early and it's not a proven active for most skin concerns.

A probiotic ingredient that may help balance skin bacteria, but research is still early and not all strains are proven safe for topical use.

A probiotic ferment that may help balance the skin's microbiome, but research is still early and not all strains are proven safe for topical use.

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.

Eperua Falcata Bark Extract is a gentle botanical antioxidant that may help calm skin and protect against environmental stress, though research is still emerging.

Ephedra Distachya Extract is a botanical ingredient with potential antioxidant benefits, but its use in skincare is not well-studied and may pose irritation risks for sensitive skin.

A plant root extract with potential soothing and antimicrobial benefits, but limited research and possible irritation risk for sensitive skin.

Ephedra Sinica Water may offer soothing and antimicrobial benefits, but its safety in skincare is not well-established and it may cause irritation for sensitive skin.

A promising microbiome-friendly ingredient that may help strengthen the skin barrier and calm sensitivity, though research is still emerging.

A powerful antioxidant from green tea that helps protect skin from environmental damage and soothes irritation.

A modified green tea antioxidant that offers better stability and water solubility than plain EGCG, making it a gentle choice for daytime protection.

A gentle, antioxidant-rich alpine plant extract that may help calm redness and support skin barrier function, though human studies are limited.

A gentle botanical extract that may help calm redness and provide antioxidant support, though research is still emerging.

A gentle plant extract with antioxidant potential, but research on its topical benefits is still limited.

A plant extract with antioxidant potential, but limited skincare-specific research means its benefits are not yet well-established.

A gentle, antioxidant-rich plant extract from a rare cactus that may help soothe and protect skin, though human research is still limited.

A modified juniper extract that may offer antioxidant benefits, but its epoxidized form is less studied and may pose irritation risks for sensitive skin.

A semi-synthetic wood extract with antioxidant potential, but research is limited and it may not be a standout ingredient for most routines.

A modified oil that helps formulas stay flexible and stable, but offers little direct skin benefit.

A gentle emollient from soy that helps products glide on smoothly, but it's not a star hydrator or active ingredient.

A synthetic film former that helps makeup last longer and resist water, but may feel stiff or heavy on the skin.

Epoxycyclododecane is a synthetic fragrance ingredient that adds a woody scent, but it may cause skin irritation in sensitive individuals.

A silicone film-former that helps makeup and sunscreen last longer and resist water, but may feel heavy on some skin types.

Epoxyguaiène is a rare, natural fragrance ingredient that adds a woody, ambery note and helps stabilize scent blends, but it's not a functional skincare active.

Epoxypinane is a synthetic pine-scented fragrance ingredient with limited safety data; it may cause irritation in sensitive individuals.

A reactive chemical used to make other ingredients more conditioning, but rarely appears as a standalone ingredient in consumer products.

A gentle synthetic polymer that helps products spread smoothly and stay put, with low irritation risk.

A synthetic polymer that helps products stay put and feel smooth, but offers no active skincare benefit.

Equi Lipida is a gentle, lipid-rich ingredient that helps restore the skin barrier and lock in moisture, making it a good choice for dry or sensitive skin.

Equol is a gentle antioxidant that may help even skin tone and support collagen, but human skincare studies are still limited.

Erbium Chloride is a rare-earth salt with very limited cosmetic application; its safety and efficacy in skincare are not well-documented.

A gentle, little-studied botanical oil that may offer antioxidant benefits, but lacks robust research to confirm efficacy.

A fragrant botanical oil with potential soothing benefits, but limited research and a risk of skin irritation for sensitive individuals.

A gentle botanical extract with antioxidant and soothing potential, though research is still emerging.

A gentle, antioxidant-rich botanical extract with traditional roots, but modern research is still limited.

A gentle, lightweight oil from an Australian native plant that hydrates and soothes skin without clogging pores.

A fragrant Australian wood oil with a calming scent, but limited research on direct skincare benefits and moderate irritation potential.

Ergocalciferol (vitamin D2) may support skin health and calm inflammation, but research in topical skincare is still emerging and it is less potent than vitamin D3.

Ergosterol is a gentle, yeast-derived sterol that may support skin barrier function and antioxidant defense, but human skincare research is still limited.

Ergosterol endoperoxide is a promising but under-researched antioxidant that may help calm skin and fight free radicals, but it's not yet a mainstream ingredient.

Ergothioneine is a gentle, stable antioxidant that defends skin against pollution and UV damage without irritation, making it a smart addition to daytime skincare.

A gentle botanical extract with antioxidant potential, but research on its specific skin benefits is still limited.

A gentle botanical extract with antioxidant potential, but research is limited—best as a supporting ingredient in soothing formulations.

A gentle botanical extract with antioxidant potential, but research on its skincare benefits is still limited.

A natural insect wax that helps thicken and stabilize cosmetic formulas with a low risk of irritation.

Eriodictyol is a plant-derived antioxidant that may help protect skin from environmental damage and support a more even complexion, though human studies are limited.

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