Beauty ingredients explained in plain English

Fingerroot oil offers antioxidant benefits and a pleasant scent, but its essential oil nature means it may cause irritation for sensitive skin.

A gentle, plant-derived antioxidant extract that helps calm skin and fight environmental stress without irritation.

Fir needle oil adds a fresh, woodsy scent to products but can be irritating for sensitive skin, especially at higher concentrations.

A mild botanical extract that may help calm skin and fight free radicals, but research is still early.

Fisetin is a promising antioxidant from plants like strawberries and smoke trees, but its use in skincare is still emerging and not yet widely proven in human studies.

Fish cartilage extract is a natural humectant that may help hydrate and temporarily firm skin, but research is limited and it's not a proven anti-aging ingredient.

Fish egg extract is a luxurious humectant that helps hydrate and condition skin, but its benefits are not strongly backed by independent research.

Fish Lecithin Oil is a nourishing emollient that helps soften and condition skin, but may be too rich for oily or acne-prone skin.

Fish liver oil is a rich emollient that helps soften and soothe dry skin, but its strong scent and comedogenic potential may not suit everyone.

Fish oil is a nourishing emollient rich in omega-3s, but its fishy scent and moderate comedogenic risk mean it's best for dry, non-acne-prone skin.

A novel, protein-rich extract that may help hydrate and temporarily plump the skin, but research is very limited and sourcing raises ethical and sustainability questions.

Flavesone is a natural antimicrobial compound from tea tree relatives, showing promise for acne-prone skin, but research is still early and it may cause irritation at higher concentrations.

A gentle, antioxidant-rich extract from flax flowers that may help calm irritated skin, but research is limited compared to flaxseed oil.

Flaxseed flour offers gentle physical exfoliation and oil absorption, making it a good natural option for sensitive or oily skin types.

Flaxseed hull extract is a gentle, antioxidant-rich ingredient that helps calm and protect the skin from environmental stress.

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

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

A synthetic fragrance compound that adds a pleasant floral note but may cause irritation in sensitive individuals.

A gentle blend of flower extracts that may help calm skin and provide antioxidant protection, though research on the specific combination is limited.

A gentle, antioxidant-rich plant extract from rose stem cells that may help protect skin from environmental stress, though research is still emerging.

A gentle, antioxidant-rich flower extract that may help calm and protect skin, though research is still emerging.

A gentle, antioxidant-rich blend of flower extracts that can help soothe and protect the skin, but individual sensitivities vary.

Fluorescent Brightener 230 is a synthetic optical brightener that creates a temporary whitening effect by reflecting blue light, but it does not actually lighten skin or treat pigmentation.

Fluorescent Brightener 236 is a synthetic optical brightener that creates a temporary whitening effect on skin or hair, but it does not change your natural pigmentation or provide lasting brightening.

Fluorescent Brightener 367 is a synthetic optical brightener rarely used in leave-on skincare; it may create a temporary whitening effect but offers no skin benefit and is not a standard cosmetic ingredient.

A synthetic optical brightener that makes skin and hair appear brighter by reflecting blue light, but it offers no real skincare benefit and may cause sensitivity in some.

A synthetic optical brightener and film former with limited safety data; best reserved for occasional use in wash-off or nail products.

A high-tech synthetic film former that boosts water resistance and wear time, but its environmental persistence raises concerns.

A high-performance film former that helps products stay put, but its fluorinated chemistry raises environmental persistence concerns.

A synthetic film-former that helps products resist water and wear longer, but its perfluoro structure raises environmental persistence concerns.

A synthetic fluorinated ingredient that helps products spread smoothly and resist water, but raises environmental persistence concerns.

A synthetic silicone-fluorine hybrid that helps products glide on smoothly and resist water, but its environmental persistence raises concerns.

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

A fluorinated surfactant that improves water and oil resistance but raises environmental persistence concerns.

A synthetic fluorosilicone polymer that forms a flexible, breathable film on skin for long-lasting, water-resistant wear without clogging pores.

A gentle, antioxidant-rich root water that may help calm skin and fight free radicals, though research is still emerging.

A gentle, antioxidant-rich plant extract from the young shoots of fo-ti, often used to help calm and protect skin from environmental stress.

Folic acid is a gentle B vitamin that may help support skin renewal and barrier health, but research on topical use is still emerging.

A mushroom extract with promising antioxidant and soothing potential, but research in cosmetics is still emerging.

A mild, plant-based extract that may help calm skin and provide antioxidant support, but research is limited.

A synthetic fragrance ingredient that adds scent but offers no skin benefit; may cause irritation in sensitive individuals.

A synthetic fragrance compound that adds a floral-woody scent but may pose a risk of skin irritation or allergy for sensitive individuals.

Formaldehyde releasers are effective preservatives but can cause skin irritation and allergic reactions in sensitive individuals, especially at higher concentrations.

A strong chemical reducing agent used in professional hair straightening and color removal, but it can be irritating and is not recommended for regular at-home use.

A gentle cleansing agent that helps create a rich, creamy lather without stripping the skin's natural moisture barrier.

Formic acid is a strong, potentially irritating acid rarely used in leave-on skincare; it's more common in industrial or professional peels.

Formononetin is a plant-derived antioxidant that may help calm skin and protect against environmental stress, but research in topical skincare is still emerging.

A gentle, lab-grown orchid extract that may help protect skin from environmental stress and calm irritation.

A gentle, antioxidant-rich orchid extract that may help calm skin and fight environmental stress, but research is still early.

A gentle, antioxidant-rich plant extract that may help calm skin and protect against environmental stress, though research is still emerging.

A synthetic fragrance compound that adds a pleasant scent but may cause irritation in sensitive individuals.

A traditional herbal blend that may help calm skin and fight free radicals, but research is limited and mostly based on individual ingredients.

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

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

A gentle botanical extract that may help calm skin and fight free radical damage, though human studies are limited.

A gentle, antioxidant-rich fruit extract that may help protect skin from environmental stress, though human studies are limited.

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

A gentle, antioxidant-rich plant extract that helps soothe and hydrate skin, though research on its cosmetic benefits is still emerging.

A gentle microalgae extract that helps hydrate and calm the skin, though research is still emerging.

Fragrance adds scent but is a common skin sensitizer; those with sensitive skin may prefer fragrance-free products.