Beauty ingredients explained in plain English

A gentle plant extract with antioxidant potential, but human skincare studies are still limited.

Glucamine is a gentle, sugar-based humectant that helps hydrate the skin and can improve the feel of skincare formulas without common irritation.

Glucaric acid is a gentle, multi-tasking PHA that exfoliates, hydrates, and supports skin barrier health with minimal irritation.

A gentle PHA exfoliant that smooths skin and boosts hydration with minimal irritation.

A gentle, hydrating exfoliant that smooths skin without the sting of stronger acids.

Glucomannan is a gentle, plant-based humectant that helps hydrate and soothe the skin while leaving a light, non-greasy feel.

A gentle, plant-derived conditioning ingredient that helps detangle hair and soften skin without heavy buildup.

A gentle, modified silicone that smooths hair and skin without heavy buildup, making it a good choice for fine or oily hair types.

A gentle, modified silicone that adds slip and shine to hair and skin without heavy buildup.

Gluconic acid is a mild exfoliating PHA that gently smooths skin texture and boosts hydration without the sting of stronger acids.

A gentle, fermented exfoliant that helps smooth skin and improve hydration without harshness.

A gentle exfoliating acid that smooths skin and boosts hydration without the sting of stronger AHAs.

A synthetic UV filter that absorbs harmful rays, but research on its long-term safety is still limited.

Glucosamine is a gentle, non-acid exfoliant that helps smooth skin texture and support a more even tone, with low irritation potential.

A gentle exfoliating ingredient that combines salicylic acid with glucosamine for milder action, ideal for sensitive or acne-prone skin.

Glucosamine sulfate is a gentle humectant that helps hydrate and smooth skin, with some research suggesting it may support collagen production.

A dual-action molecule that combines glucosamine and alpha-lipoic acid to support skin firmness and antioxidant defense, though research is still emerging.

Glucose is a gentle humectant that helps hydrate the skin and may support natural repair processes.

Glucose oxidase is a gentle enzyme exfoliant that helps brighten skin and support a healthy barrier by breaking down surface dead cells and producing hydrogen peroxide for mild antimicrobial action.

A gentle, sugar-derived emollient that helps soften and condition the skin without clogging pores.

A gentle synthetic emollient that softens skin without heavy greasiness, but research on its long-term benefits is still limited.

A potent, skin-identical ceramide that reinforces the moisture barrier and reduces water loss.

A gentle antioxidant that may help protect skin from pollution and UV damage while supporting a brighter, more even tone.

A gentle, plant-derived antioxidant that helps shield skin from UV and pollution damage without irritation.

A gentle, hydrating acid that lightly exfoliates and supports the skin's natural moisture barrier.

A gentle, hydrating exfoliant that smooths skin texture without the sting of stronger acids.

Glutamic acid is a gentle, naturally occurring amino acid that helps keep skin hydrated and supports a healthy barrier, making it a safe choice for most skin types.

Glutamine is a gentle amino acid that helps maintain skin hydration and supports a healthy skin barrier, but it is less studied than other amino acids like glycine or proline.

A promising anti-glycation ingredient that may help prevent skin stiffness and dullness caused by sugar damage, though research is still emerging.

A synthetic brightener that targets dark spots by blocking a key step in melanin production, with a good safety profile but limited long-term studies.

A gentle, synthetic ingredient designed to calm irritated skin and reduce redness, though research is still emerging.

A novel synthetic ingredient with limited but promising research for skin conditioning and protection.

Glutaral is a strong preservative that can be effective but carries a high risk of skin irritation and sensitization, making it a controversial choice in cosmetics.

Glutaric acid is a mild exfoliating and pH-adjusting ingredient, but it is less studied than AHAs like glycolic acid.

Glutathione is a natural antioxidant that may help brighten skin and fight free radical damage, but its effectiveness in topical skincare is still debated.

A stabilized form of glutathione that may help brighten skin and fight oxidative stress, but human evidence is still limited.

Glycereth-12 is a reliable, non-sticky humectant that hydrates the skin without the tackiness of plain glycerin, making it a great choice for lightweight formulas.

A gentle, coconut-derived ingredient that cleanses without stripping and leaves skin feeling soft.

A gentle emulsifier that helps mix oil and water, but its animal-derived origin may not suit everyone.

A gentle, water-attracting ingredient that helps keep skin hydrated without feeling sticky or heavy.

A gentle, non-greasy emollient that improves product spreadability and leaves skin feeling soft without clogging pores.

A gentle, water-soluble emollient that hydrates and softens skin without feeling greasy, suitable for most skin types.

A gentle, coconut-derived emulsifier that helps create stable, creamy textures without stripping the skin.

A gentle, water-attracting ingredient that helps keep skin hydrated without the stickiness of plain glycerin.

A gentle, water-soluble emollient that helps products feel silky and spread easily without greasiness.

A mild, coconut-derived ingredient that softens skin and helps cleansers foam without stripping moisture.

A reliable, low-irritation emulsifier that helps create smooth, stable creams and lotions.

A gentle, multi-tasking ingredient that hydrates and softens skin without feeling heavy or greasy.

A gentle, water-loving humectant that hydrates without stickiness, ideal for sensitive and dry skin types.

A gentle, water-loving emollient that softens skin and helps other ingredients spread evenly without clogging pores.

A gentle, water-attracting ingredient that helps hydrate the skin without feeling heavy or sticky.

A reliable, low-irritation humectant that hydrates without stickiness, ideal for sensitive and dry skin types.

A gentle, non-greasy emollient that improves product feel and skin softness without clogging pores.

A gentle, plant-based emulsifier that helps blend water and oil in skincare products while providing light skin conditioning.

A gentle, sunflower-derived emollient that softens skin without clogging pores, ideal for sensitive and dry skin types.

A gentle, water-loving humectant that helps hydrate the skin without feeling sticky or heavy.

A mild, coconut-derived emulsifier that helps blend water and oil in skincare formulas without stripping the skin.

A mild, water-attracting ingredient that helps keep skin hydrated without clogging pores or causing irritation.

A gentle, glycerin-based surfactant that cleanses without stripping the skin's natural moisture barrier.

A gentle, water-loving emollient that softens skin and helps cleansers feel less stripping, with a low risk of irritation or clogged pores.