Beauty ingredients explained in plain English

A gentle antioxidant extract from alder fruit that may help protect skin from environmental stress, though research is still early.

A gentle, plant-based powder that soothes and hydrates skin, similar to Aloe vera but with a slightly different nutrient profile.

A sustainable, lab-grown aloe extract that soothes skin and fights free radicals without the variability of traditional aloe.

A lab-grown aloe extract that offers concentrated antioxidants and soothing benefits with minimal irritation risk.

A gentle, plant-based powder that soothes and protects skin, but its benefits are less studied than traditional aloe leaf juice.

A gentle, probiotic-fermented aloe ingredient that soothes and conditions skin without irritation.

A gentle fermented botanical blend that may help calm skin and provide antioxidant support, though research is limited.

Aloe Ferox Leaf Juice is a gentle, hydrating ingredient that soothes and moisturizes skin, with a slightly richer nutrient profile than common Aloe Vera.

A soothing, hydrating botanical extract with antioxidant benefits, generally safe and well-tolerated for most skin types.

A gentle, plant-derived powder that helps calm and hydrate skin, but is less studied than its cousin Aloe barbadensis (common aloe vera).

Aloe Maculata Leaf Extract is a gentle, soothing botanical that helps calm irritated skin and provides light hydration, but it is less researched than classic Aloe vera.

A gentle, plant-derived ingredient that may help calm irritation and support skin's natural repair processes, though human studies are limited.

Aloe polysaccharides are gentle, hydrating molecules that help calm irritation and support the skin's moisture barrier.

Aloe resin is a natural, soothing ingredient that may help calm irritated skin, but research on its specific benefits is still emerging.

Aloe sprout extract is a gentle, antioxidant-rich ingredient that hydrates and soothes skin, but research on its specific benefits is still emerging.

Aloe vera is a gentle, hydrating ingredient that can help calm irritated skin, but its benefits are often overstated in marketing.

A gentle, lab-grown aloe extract that soothes and hydrates without the variability of traditional aloe.

Aloe vera leaf extract is a gentle, water-based humectant that hydrates and soothes the skin, making it a staple in calming and moisturizing products.

A gentle, water-soluble powder that soothes and hydrates skin, ideal for sensitive or irritated complexions.

A gentle, plant-based powder that soothes and hydrates skin, but its benefits depend heavily on processing and formulation.

Aloesin is a gentle, plant-derived brightener that can help fade dark spots without the irritation of stronger alternatives.

Alpha hydroxy acids are effective exfoliants that smooth skin texture and boost radiance, but require careful use to avoid irritation.

Alpha-arbutin is a well-tolerated, plant-based brightener that gently fades dark spots without the irritation of stronger alternatives.

Alpha-Camphorene is a plant-derived antioxidant with emerging research, but its use in skincare is limited and may pose a moderate irritation risk for sensitive skin.

Alpha-Cedrene is a natural fragrance ingredient from cedarwood with early research suggesting antioxidant and soothing benefits, but it's primarily used for scent.

Alpha-Damascone is a synthetic fragrance ingredient that adds a rose-like scent to products but may cause irritation for sensitive skin.

Alpha-Ethoxyphenetole is a synthetic fragrance ingredient with limited published safety data, but it is generally considered safe at the low levels used in cosmetics.

Alpha-glucan is a gentle, sugar-derived humectant that hydrates skin and supports a healthy microbiome without irritation.

Alpha-Ionone adds a floral violet scent to products but can be a skin sensitizer for some individuals.

Alpha-Ionyl Acetate is a synthetic fragrance ingredient that adds a pleasant scent to products but offers no skincare benefits and may cause sensitivity in some individuals.

A common synthetic floral scent that is generally safe but may trigger allergies in sensitive individuals.

A synthetic scent ingredient that gives a floral violet note, but may cause skin irritation in sensitive individuals.

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

A synthetic scent ingredient that adds a fresh, citrusy note but offers no skincare benefit beyond fragrance.

Alpha-phellandrene is a fragrant plant compound with some antioxidant potential, but its main role in skincare is as a scent ingredient, and it may cause irritation in sensitive individuals.

Alpha-Pinanol is a natural fragrance ingredient with mild antimicrobial properties, but it may cause irritation in sensitive skin at higher concentrations.

Alpha-pinene is a plant-derived antioxidant that can help protect skin from environmental stress, but it may cause irritation in sensitive individuals, especially at higher concentrations.

Alpha-santalol is the primary fragrant component of sandalwood oil, offering a subtle woody scent and potential soothing benefits, but it must be used at low concentrations to minimize the risk of skin irritation.

Alpha-Santalyl Butyrate is a gentle synthetic emollient and fragrance ingredient that softens skin and adds a subtle sandalwood-like scent, but it has limited research on long-term benefits.

Alpha-Terpinene is a fragrant plant compound with antioxidant benefits, but it can be irritating for sensitive skin and is best used in low concentrations.

Alpha-Terpinyl Acetate is a natural fragrance compound that adds a pleasant scent to products but may cause irritation in sensitive individuals.

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

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

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

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

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

A gentle, fragrant plant extract with potential antioxidant and soothing benefits, though research is still early.

Alpine Holy Grass Oil adds a natural, sweet scent to products and may offer mild soothing benefits, but research is limited.

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

A gentle botanical extract that helps protect skin from environmental stress and may calm irritation, though research is still emerging.

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

A gentle botanical extract from the ginger family that may help calm skin and fight free radical damage, though research is still early.

A fragrant leaf oil from the ginger family that adds a pleasant scent to products, but with limited research on skin benefits and potential for irritation in sensitive individuals.

A gentle botanical powder from the ginger family that may offer antioxidant and soothing benefits, but research is still early and its effects in skincare are not yet well-established.

A gentle, plant-derived water that may help calm skin and provide antioxidant benefits, though research is still emerging.

A gentle botanical seed powder with antioxidant potential, but research is limited and it's mostly used as a mild physical exfoliant.

A gentle, plant-derived water that offers light hydration and potential soothing benefits, but research is still emerging.

A gentle, plant-based powder with antioxidant potential, but research on its specific benefits in skincare is still limited.

A mild, water-based botanical extract that may offer soothing and antioxidant benefits, but research on this specific species is limited.

A gentle, natural powdered exfoliant with antioxidant potential, but research is limited and it may not suit very sensitive skin.